PASSPO☆ One-man Flight at Shibuya Mt. Rainier Hall

Situated five floors above Shibuya’s Uniqlo outlet, Mt. Rainier Hall sits high above the popular Tokyoite haunting grounds. Formerly a movie theater, the venue was recently redesigned into a performance venue and has since accommodated countless up-and-coming artists. A large poster stand awaited those who enter through the elevators; on display today was PASSPO☆, a group of what at first glance appeared to be ten female flight attendants. Additionally, in lieu of “Open” and “Start,” the respective times of that day’s two events were labeled “Boarding” and “Departure,” convincing some that Mt. Rainier Hall had, in fact, become an airport.

For all intents and purposes, it may as well have been; several “passengers,” as the group’s individual fans are called, had arrived two hours before their “one-man flight,” as is custom at most airports. A souvenir goods counter consistently sold CDs and t-shirts nearby the “boarding gate.” A previous flight, operated by “sexy adult” idol group pre-dia, arrived in-between PASSPO☆’s two flights as something of a layover. As the minutes until boarding disappeared, so did the remaining comfortable seat space in the boarding area: typical airport fare so far.

At 6:00pm, the boarding gates opened to the sound of an airplane flying into an airport. The flight’s passengers quickly took to the seats closest to the stage — the seats weren’t labeled as first class, though they most definitely should have been — where at least one group of fans toasted with frothy beer mugs. The predominantly male fans continued to pile into the chairs, equipped with glow sticks and assorted PASSPO☆ merchandise. Fan dialogue on which member was the best, and for what reasons, permeated the air until 6:36pm, when the lights dimmed and a flight attendant’s voice overtook the fans’: “Tonight’s flight on Passport Airlines is about to take off. Please fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.” A complimentary English translation followed, perhaps a subtle hint as to the group’s own flight plans.

The ladies of PASSPO☆ — Naomi Anzai☆, Natsumi Iwamura☆, Makoto Okunaka☆, Kaho Sakuma☆, Anna Tamai☆, Ai Negishi☆, Yukimi Fujimoto☆, Sako Makita☆, Mio Masui☆ and Mori Shiori☆ — took to the stage to thunderous applause. Instead of their flight attendant uniforms, the group took to wearing similar sleeveless outfits distinguishable only by their ribbon and skirt colors, which were their individual “image colors.” The look is also being used for their major debut single, Shôjo Hikô, set for release on May 4th.

The ten women split into five pairs, kicking off with Sakura-iro, a slow-tempo pop-rock song that gave both audience and performers a chance to stretch and ease into the live. Marketed as a girls’ rock group, PASSPO☆’s music fit the bill easily, with several of the evening’s songs evoking comparisons to ZONE, among others. Presenting the music as a song-and-dance group, rather than a band proper, has thus far allowed PASSPO☆ to reach a much wider, if not more appreciative, audience.

Appreciation was in no small supply; the audience roared cheers as if they would die otherwise, their backing vocals sometimes functioning as a placebo metronome for the ladies, whose ages ranged from 16 to 19. At least one male fan reserved space in the back solely so he could more easily dance along with the girls on stage. He would stay there for the entire live.

After introducing themselves, the group continued with their upcoming Shôjo Hikô, incorporating compact suitcases into the choreography. Both the choreography and the rock value of the songs would strengthen over the evening, with songs like Let It Go!! and Natsuzora Dash going so far as evoking punk-era catcalls whenever possible. After Natsuzora Dash, the group left the stage and, one by one, five sets of anywhere from one to five members performed… Well, anything: some opted for dances, while others took to performing skits. Some newcomers may have been a little confused at what even the group would later call “trivial” skits. The established fanbase, though, enjoyed every moment.

The main MC of the evening had the girls asking what drinks they would be if they were drinks. Answers given ranged from Ramune to café au lait, iced tea to orange juice, each managing to matching their givers’ personality in one way or another. The group would continue singing and dancing, and it would be here where at least one newcomer in the back admitted aloud: alright, PASSPO☆ is catchy. If not for the synchronized swimming-styled choreographies in Pretty Lie and GPP, the choruses alone were enough to get him moving. The fan who had reserved space nearby, of course, only moved harder.

The encore was a “masquerade” version of Shôjo Hikô, though alas one of the members was unable to keep her mask on. Another triviality, as the fans appreciated her all the more for it. With one last song and dance, the band left the stage en route to their major debut on May 4th.


Set List:

01. OP
02. Sakura-iro
03. MC (Aisatsu)
04. Shôjo Hikô
05. Uhae!!
06. Let It Go!!
07. Muteki Girl
08. LA LA LOVE TRAIN ~ONE WAY TICKET TO LOVE~
09. Natsuzora Dash
10. Jumpin (KARA cover)
11. Run Devil Run (Sako & Anna)
12. Megumegu fire endless night (Miio Solo)
13. love&joy (Hacchake Mizugi-Tai)
14. Okkii Oneesan (Yucky SOLO)
MC (Main)
15. Yume Passport
16. Hallelujah
17. Break out
18. Pretty lie
19. Go On A Highway
20. GPP

EN
21. Shôjo Hikô (Masquerade Version)