As one of the most prolific DJs in the world, Steve Aoki headlined a high-energy one-man show at The Novo at L.A. Live on Saturday, July 2, during Anime Expo 2022. Hosted by Toei Animation, the event served as a massive celebration for the upcoming North American release of One Piece Film: Red. The show was a complete sell-out, with dedicated fans lining up hours in advance to secure their spot in the pit.
The evening kicked off with an opening set by a fellow member of Aoki’s own Dim Mak label. While the opener played an enjoyable, bass-heavy set for nearly an hour and a half, I unfortunately didn’t catch his name amidst the booming acoustics. He was clearly talented, though his performance lacked the seasoned showmanship that a headliner like Aoki has. Engagement with the audience remained somewhat limited, making the set feel more like a background DJ at a party rather than a focused concert. Despite this, he showed promise, and I look forward to seeing where his career goes in the future.
Toward the end of the opening set, Aoki made a brief appearance from the second-floor VIP lounge to cheer on his colleague. While this was a great show of support, it felt like a brief, choreographed "media moment," as the superstar disappeared almost as soon as his accompanying cameraman captured the necessary footage for social media.
However, once Aoki officially took the stage, he delivered an incredible performance that far exceeded expectations. Though the crowd was relatively subdued at the start, the energy shifted rapidly when he dropped his highly anticipated One Piece remixes. He debuted the "Straw Hat Pirates Anthem," a high-energy medley of iconic themes including "We Are!," "We Go!," and "OVER THE TOP." By the end of the night, the entire venue was on its feet. I found myself swept up in the momentum, jumping, pumping my fists, and generally having a great time.
The highlight of the night was, of course, the signature "caking." While I had seen photos of this ritual before, I was not prepared for the sheer assembly of cakes waiting offstage. One after another, Aoki jumped across the stage, launching sheet cakes with surprising precision into the faces of fans who treated the impact like a badge of honor.
The night also included a preview trailer for One Piece Film: Red. While the footage was exciting to see on a concert-sized screen, it was largely the same trailer that had been blasting on the massive LED displays over at the Bandai Namco booth back in the exhibit hall all weekend.
Addressing the elephant in the room regarding the health climate, the nature of the show meant fans were packed shoulder-to-shoulder into the floor space of The Novo. It was a high-density environment that, despite the masking requirements enforced by the convention, was a perfect super-spreader event. From what I gathered from colleagues and social media later, a fair number of attendees did indeed catch COVID following the expo, including myself.
Ultimately, the night served as a high-energy homecoming for the AX community. Leaving the theater with ringing ears, it was impossible not to feel that Anime Expo was finally, officially back in full swing with a sense of normalcy slowly returning.