SKY-HI at The Troubadour, Los Angeles

SKY-HI’s latest album Marble featured a broad variety of musical styles and influences. It was only natural that his 2017 tour would embody that same spirit. The Round A Ground 2017 tour began in Shanghai and hit major cities around the world, before wrapping up in Europe. On November 12th, the tour made its first stop in the US at one of the most legendary clubs in Los Angeles, The Troubadour.

Each tour date boasted a variety of diverse and inspiring local acts, and the show in LA was no different. Nigerian artist Meaku kicked the night off with a spirited set of R&B and pop-infused tracks that embodied the rhythms of his homeland. Meaku and his team of dancers, vocalist and hype squad, kept the audience bouncing as one while he welcomed everyone to join in the rhythms. Meaku’ s dance crew enhanced the party vibes of his set and left the audience humming long after he bade them farewell.

Afterwards, the record scratches of the DJ signaled that SKY-HI would take the stage. Cheers erupted from the crowd as he appeared in a flowing black suit, and fans began to crowd the stage. While a small portion of the audience seemed unfamiliar with SKY-HI, the majority of the fans discovered him from the pop group AAA and recognized him as a well-respected rapper, singer and performer in the Japanese music scene that is steadily moving further into the spotlight with a multiverse of artist collaborations across musical spectrums. He opened the show with Reincarnation, followed by the hype-infused N.O. CHILL and Purple Haze. He transitioned from pop vocals to rapid-fire rap verses with ease. Every pointed verse and rhythmic phrase elicited a cry of appreciation and awe.

Next, SKY-HI introduced his dance team for the seductive club track Blame it On Me. As he fell into formation with his dancers, he performed choreography that matched the song’s sultry vocals and lyrical flow. There was an effortless synergy between SKY-HI and his dancers as Stray Cat and a medley of Limo, TOKYO SPOTLIGHT and Countdown showcased moves that were visually exciting and compelling. Compared to the bigger stadiums that he sells out in Japan, which allow him to bring stunning visual presentations and big live bands into his performances, the Troubadour was a very intimate venue. Despite the smaller space and limited concert effects, SKY-HI and his team filled the club with boundless energy and dazzled the fans.

Then, SKY-HI slowed down the pace of the show with a performance of the title track from the new album, Marble. The song celebrates the variety of the people in the world with a comparison to the various colors in a marble. As he sang to the diverse crowd in front of him, it became apparent why SKY-HI attracts such a wide audience to his music.

"I am doing music in various styles, but maybe you may like it, or may dislike it...but now I will put out everything I can do here, so please listen," SKY-HI said, before launching into a piano-accompanied set that highlighted another area of his musical talent. Within this portion of the show, LUCE stood out, as he prefaced the song as a special tribute to a dear friend he had lost. During the intro, an audience member shouted their support, to which SKY-HI replied, “It’s okay, I know I will see him again.” As he launched into the song, the sincerity of his vocal delivery provided a rich musical soundscape easily felt despite the language barrier. His honest, emotional voice enriched his piano performance, and undoubtedly touched the hearts of the audience.

The third act brought the party grooves back to the club as SKY-HI and his dancers performed a comedic choreographed fight routine. The LA audience also received a special treat, as SKY-HI and the “Samurai Guitarist” MIYAVI’s collaboration track Gemstone made its first live appearance in the US. SKY-HI’s shows are well known for encompassing storytelling within their choreography, and the song Double Down showcased an eclectic blend of musical genres with killer synchronized dance moves from the artist and his team.

After an energy-infused set and encore, SKY-HI left the audience in awe of his tireless creativity and undoubtedly gained many new fans at the Troubadour. As a performer, he puts all his energy and emotions into his live shows, and his joy while doing it is infectious. The energy of the show carried into his meet & greet, where the appreciation between the artist and his fans was palpable. SKY-HI is a performer that seeks to share his talents beyond all borders of music, and re-affirms that music really is the universal language by which we all connect.

Set List

01. Reincarnation
02. No Chill
03. Purple Haze
04. Tyrant Island
05. Turn Up (U.S. Edition)
06. Walking on Water
07. As A Sugar
08. Blame It on Me
09. Stray Cat
10. Limo 〜 Countdown 〜 TOKYO SPOTLIGHT
11. Bitter Dream
12. 0570-064-556
13. Marble
14. Iris Light
15. LUCE
16. Chronograph
17. Over the Moon
18. Sentence
19. Jack the Ripper
20. Gemstone
21. Double Down
22. Nanairo Holiday
23. Smile Drop

Encore
01. Ai Bloom