Chiba – Before Ado took the stage at Summer Sonic last week, the screen flashed a series of angry social media posts: “this isn’t rock,” “not up to the level.” They were reactions to the announcement that the J-pop singer would replace American rapper A$AP Rocky as the festival’s Saturday headliner. Then came the opening riff to “Enter Sandman” by past headliner Metallica. Ado ripped into a cover of the rock staple, turning the moment into a defiant declaration that she belonged on the Marine Stage.
If there was any doubt, the metal band sang her praises on X a few days later. It was one of many memorable moments at the 25th edition of Summer Sonic, held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture and Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka from Aug. 14 to 16. According to event organizer Creativeman, a total of 198,000 people attended the festival in Tokyo while an additional 110,000 were in Kansai.
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