Japanese pop sensation ONE OR EIGHT makes their “GATHER” US tour debut at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, California.
The Roxy was packed with 1DERZ (their fandom), standing shoulder-to-shoulder, excitement buzzing in the air as they anticipated the group hitting the stage. This may be the group’s first live tour, but don’t let that fool you. Their show was one of the most entertaining shows I have seen, and it was high-energy from beginning to end.
The lights dim, and the crowd goes wild. ONE OR EIGHT members MIZUKI, NEO, REIA, RYOTA, SOUMA, TAKERU, TSUBASA, and YUGA take their place on stage and kick off with fan fave track “TOKYO DRIFT”. The building seemed to be bouncing along with the beat and the crowd as they sang along. They delivered a performance that fully embodied the meaning behind their name, inspired by the Japanese idiom ichi ka hachi ka (“all or nothing”). And on this night, they chose everything.
A High-Octane Opening That Set the Tone
The show launched with an explosive selection of songs that immediately commanded the crowd’s attention. The audience (myself included) jumped and screamed, feeding off the group’s contagious energy.
What I thought elevated the night beyond a typical pop concert was the pacing. After the adrenaline-fueled opening, the group transitioned into more intimate moments, offering solo stages as well as the rap and vocal units’ performances, highlighting each member’s individuality. As someone who tends to lean towards the rap line in groups, performances like “Oh Shhh” was captivating. The vocal unit gave intimate performances and showcased their raw talents.
Whether it was powerful vocals or a precisely executed dance break, each member had their moment to shine – proving that while ONE OR EIGHT can do it all. They know how to operate as a cohesive unit without losing any of their individuality.
One of the night’s standout moments came toward the latter half of the show, when the group surprised fans with a brand-new track, “Live Laugh Loud.” Despite not knowing a single word, I found myself bouncing to the beat, once again proving that ONE OR EIGHT has the power to command a full house.
Their Strong Connection With 1DERZ
While the choreography, vocals, and setlist were all impressive, what truly defined the evening was the authenticity of the connection between ONE OR EIGHT and 1DERZ
Throughout their set, the group made sure to interact with fans. During every single song – whether ballad or dance track – the members took the time to acknowledge the audience, whether by making heart gestures or waving. You can easily see the chemistry and closeness between the members as well – they’re aware of each other’s presence onstage and seem to check in on each other throughout the night. Even though they’re still a young group, it’s clear they have already built a strong connection and community.
Taking fan engagement even further, the group closed out the show by performing the song voted by fans via a poll on their official Instagram. “TOKYO DRIFT” won out, and it felt like it brought the night to a full circle, ending on the song they opened with. Was the crowd tired of hearing the song twice? Not even close. In fact, the crowd seemed to be jumping and singing even louder than at the beginning of the show.
Strong vocals and rap aside, ONE OR EIGHT also showed off their incredible dance skills. The choreography showcased their remarkable body control and being in complete unison. While all members are fantastic dancers, RYOTA AND TAKERU drew my eyes.
Seeing this group perform in a close space like The Roxy Theater is something I’ll never forget. ONE OR EIGHT demonstrated not only their dedication to their craft but also a deep understanding of how to balance individual strengths within a group performance. When one member stepped into the spotlight, the others elevated the moment without overshadowing it.
Leaving the venue with a raspy voice from singing along (ok, fine, sometimes screaming), and hits like “KAWASKI” and “DSTM” on replay in my head, I know I have to catch them again the next time they’re in LA.
ONE OR EIGHT is a group on the verge and definitely worth keeping your eyes on.
Tickets for the ONE OR EIGHT 1ST LIVE TOUR – GATHER are available now HERE. You can check out their new mini album GATHER HERE.
ONE OR EIGH TOUR DATES:
4/8/26 – Los Angeles, California – The Roxy Theatre
4/14/26 – Mesa, Arizona – The Nile Theater
4/16/26 – San Antonio, Texas – The Rock Box
4/18/26 – Fort Worth, Texas – Ridglea Theater
4/22/26 – Mexico City, Mexico – Foro Puebla
4/24/26 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Vorterix
4/26/26 – São Paulo, Brazil – Cine Joia
4/18/26 – Atlanta, Georgia – Center Stage Theater
4/30/26 – Chicago, Illinois – Distro Music Hall
5/5/26 – New York, New York – Racket NYC
