For the second year in a row, Ado is back with “Hibana,” another world tour, and demand has only grown, with over half of her tour locations sold out. The North American leg kicked off in Seattle on July 10, 2025, with the next show three days later at San Jose’s SAP Center, which I was lucky enough to attend on July 13th. This marked my second time seeing Ado live, after last year’s “Wish” tour.
New Tour Destinations, New Experiences
Like her past appearances, Ado maintained her anonymity by performing in her signature “Ado Box” stage enclosure where audiences could only see her silhouette. At last year’s LA show at the Peacock Theater, my view was unobstructed, and I could see all of Ado’s movements in the Ado Box. At the SAP Center, however, my seat happened to be in line with a corner of the box, and perhaps due to the thickness of it and the attached light fixtures, I could barely see her silhouette. For many fans, this was their first time seeing Ado, and due to the need for bigger venues on this tour, the stage design for certain venues could affect some fans’ experience. Regardless, seeing her live band, which included a bassist, pianist, drummer, and guitarist, added to the experience, something she did not have previously during the Wish tour. The band brought so much energy, hyping the crowd and elevating the live experience.
An Explosive Start: Ado Energizes Right Away
Ado started the concert with immense energy with electrifying songs. She began with an adrenaline-pumping opener, “Usseewa,” followed by “Lucky Bruto,” and a catchy, playful track, “Gira Gira.” Then, Ado asked fans to shout it out with a fan favorite, “Show.” To end the first quarter of the concert, Ado performed the upbeat, second opening song for SPY x FAMILY, “Kura Kura.” The visuals brimmed with blue and pink, and the Ado Box itself was outlined in these bright colors to accompany the exciting visuals.
Momentum in the Middle Act
Unlike other artists who insert video interludes, Ado powered straight through, commanding the stage solo. In the middle of the set, Ado performed a song with eerie visuals, accompanied by black mannequins in red and posing in odd ways during “Readymade.” Then came the futuristic yet nostalgic-sounding “MIRROR.” This song was one of my favorites from her setlist, and it was also accompanied by a smooth solo from the bassist.
Soon after, Ado slowed things down with “Elf.” The screen behind the Ado Box displayed peacock feathers while golden leaf florals adorned the Ado Box, which contrasted beautifully with the white background. Ado then picked the pace back up with “Value,” accompanied by visuals of turbulent, flowing water and a sea of blue lightsticks across the venue. Ado’s only half-English track in the setlist, “Stay Gold” from Beyblade X in collaboration with DJ Jax Jones, truly hyped the crowd. Fans instantly switched their lightsticks to yellow to match the song and sang along with Ado.
Raw Emotion and Crowd Connection
Ado performed a song from ONE PIECE FILM RED, the memorable “Fleeting Lullaby,” before reaching the climax of the concert with a cover of “Aishite Aishite Aishite” — Ado delivered this emotional powerhouse with screaming intensity, vocally translating the red visuals drawn chaotically across the stage to capture the song’s longing and destructiveness. Around this time, Ado’s live band took over briefly to introduce themselves and their instruments, before Ado launched right into her next song, the iconic “Backlight” from ONE PIECE FILM RED.
Hibana: The Tour’s Heartfelt Spark
Finally, “Hibana” took center stage, its uplifting, hopeful message reflecting both Ado’s journey and the concert’s theme. Ado soon charmed the crowd by sharing her excitement about performing in San Jose for the first time and also eating at In-N-Out before the show.
Near the end of the concert, Ado also took a few moments to share her experience of not giving up on her dreams. She talked about her beginnings as someone who had a spark, a dream while singing in her room. Her mother, at one point, scolded her for singing so loudly, and thus she spent a lot of time in her closet, only lit by the little blue light from her computer.
Even as she rose to fame, Ado admitted to having her doubts, saying it was a lonely time for her. However, she encouraged anyone feeling similarly to persevere, ending her speech with a heartfelt message: “It’s okay to be alone. It’s okay to dream. Loneliness isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
Encore: Rockstar Finale and Ado’s Growing Popularity
For the encore, Ado commanded the stage with “ROCKSTAR,” encouraging fans to sing along and she danced in front of a background that had a concert marquee lined with megaphones. She delivered a powerful, short version of Sia’s “Chandelier,” and closed with “New Genesis,” the main theme song from ONE PIECE FILM RED. Fans celebrated wildly, eager to keep the night going.
From last year to now, Ado’s fanbase has only grown in size and energy in North America. The dedication of her fans stands out — from zero lightsticks and limited tour stops to multiple, larger venues filled with excitement, Ado’s fans will come out in droves to support her for a very long time and never let her be lonely again.
