Photos: Daisuke Sakai (Instagram @imdaisukesakai)
If you’re unfamiliar with the band, the official backstory is that the wolves were created in the 1900s while the Earth was engulfed in war by Dr. Jimi. They participated in some of the most secret operations known to man before Dr. Jimi had them encased in ice. In 2010 thanks to global warming, they were woken from their slumber and have become the band you see today.
Originally hailing from Japan, they have now reached out to many countries around the world. The band members are Tokyo Tanaka (vocals), Jean-Ken Johnny (guitar, vocals, rap), Kamikaze Boy (bass, chorus), Spear Rib (drums), and DJ Santa Monica (DJ, sampling). They are always learning human language and we are lucky to have Jean-Ken Johnny master both Japanese and English so he can translate what the others are saying.
The setlist consisted of 16 songs including solos featuring Spear Rib and DJ Santa Monica plus an acoustic version of “Chasing the Horizon” sung by Jean-Ken Johnny. They incorporated many of their rock songs such as “Emotions” and “FLY AGAIN 2019.” Something that really got the crowd going was when they sang a cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana. I had expected them to sing some of their recently announced songs like “Dark Crow,” which will be the opening for season two of Vinland Saga, or “Remember Me,” which came out in June, but that was not to be.
The band ended the concert with two songs, “Seven Deadly Sins,” the opening of Nanatsu no Taizai, and “Raise your flag,” the opening of Mobile Suit Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS. Anime is one of the contributing factors in their popularity and the fans’ energy brought the place down with many singing along with the band.
I personally enjoyed the fact they played video from the Japanese leg of the Chasing the Horizon tour. The video is a short introduction to their concerts from the past as well as short shots of the members themselves. This helps the audience, some of who have never seen the band before, remember the wolves' faces.
The venue was fairly small but that did not stop the audience from enjoying the concert. Some were on the second floor where they enjoyed food and drinks while watching the band from above. They also had a bar where fans could grab a beer or drink as well. At the end of the show, the lights turned on and the band allowed fans to take out of their cameras and phones for photos. That ended things for the night but it was just the beginning of the tour.
For the Mexican fans, the band will make their first appearance in Mexico City before making their way to Canada. No matter where you might be, you will not be disappointed and I highly recommend checking out their show.
Setlist
2045
Broken People
database
Hey Now
Get Off of My Way
Left Alive
Emotions
-Instru- (Spear Rib and DJ Santa Monica)
Chasing the Horizon (acoustic)
My Hero
Smells Like Teen Spirit
FLY AGAIN 2019
Winding Road
Dead End in Tokyo
Take Me Under
-Encore-
Seven Deadly Sins
Raise your flag
MAN WITH A MISSION - Chasing the Horizon World Tour 2019 - North America
9/6 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
9/8 Los Angeles, CA - The Regent Theater
9/10 Dallas, TX - Canton Hall
9/13 Mexico City (MX) - Sala Puebla
9/16 New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
9/18 Chicago, IL - House of Blues
9/21 Toronto, ON (CA) - Adelaide Hall
9/23 Vancouver, BC (CA) -The Imperia
For more information please visit https://www.mwamjapan.info
Great night in San Francisco at @GAMH for the start of the ?????? tour! You guyz were awesome!
— MAN WITH A MISSION (@MWAMofficial) September 7, 2019
Next stop the @RegentTheaterLA on Sunday! Get your tickets here:https://t.co/5cZlr3dNsG#MWAMSanFran #MWAMLA #chasingthehorizon #greatamericanmusichall pic.twitter.com/ZSjOgidV12
