BORIS - Gig Review 10th March @ Lion Arts Factory, Adel SA

BORIS
Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide/Tandanya SA
March 10th, 2024
Support: Kiyoharu

It is a sweltering Sunday night in Adelaide. The balmy air is littered with noise coming from around the city. Punters are lining the streets, entering venues across town. From WOMAD down the road to the smaller venues hosting Fringe Festival shows the often-quiet town South Australian capital is buzzing. Dubbed “Mad March”, there is an eclectic mix of personalities wandering the streets. One of the most interesting lineups of characters though is outside Lion Arts Factory, waiting to be served a Heavy Rock Breakfast by Japanese noise-music experimental metal group BORIS.

There are a few different pockets of people. The die-hard BORIS fans are the most notable. Excitement dances from their eyes as they discuss the previous times they’ve witnessed these legends in action. Gushing over the finer details, preparing those who have yet to experience them to be “blown away”. By the time doors open, a slight delay we are told later due to a car breakdown, the anticipation is bubbling over both from the dedicated to the casual fans.

While it is obvious that the majority in attendance are there for BORIS, there is another group of fans that need special mention. Lining the barricade for the support act- Japanese rock legend Kiyoharu, they make their presence felt. Following the tour across the country, flying over from Japan. Those who are not aware of Kiyoharu’s status may be shocked at their dedication but for them, to be able to get this close to this Japanese icon is damn near impossible back home. Once the singer entered the stage, they screamed his name in uniformity. Accompanied by a guitarist, a percussionist and a saxophonist/clarinet player- the patriarch of J-Rock created an almost jam band-like atmosphere.

With a powerful voice and an effortless rockstar demeanour, Kiyoharu wanders through his set with a certain nonchalance. Giving cues to his band, letting them improvise and swing through his solo works. The rock singer swapped out his usual heavier sound with a more reggae groove. Between songs, he used his tour manager to chat to the audience- apologising that his music was not as heavy as BORIS’ and encouraging the crowd to come to see him in Japan as he doesn’t tour as much outside. He may not have been what this audience was expecting, but the enthusiasm and vigour the crowd gave him as his set continued showed his experience. Sing-a-longs and making jokes- it did not take much to convince those who were hearing him for the first time that he is a rock god in his native country. Finishing off the set, he invited BORIS to the stage to perform ‘Kirame Ita’ in a spirited collaboration, finally exiting the stage after one last address to the crowd.

It may have been later than expected by the time BORIS hit the stage, but it was easy to forgive them. Oozing with effortless coolness, singer Atsuo stepped onstage like every alternative teenage girl’s goth, vampire crush and fellow members Waka and Takeshi shredding it on guitar- the audience was hypnotised. In a cloud of smoke and sound, the undeniable groove and heaviness washed over the room. The heat made the pit a little hesitant to move at the start, but as BORIS powered through their set with barely any pauses, bodies became lost in a sea of rhythm. A Heavy Rock Breakfast was certainly being served, with everybody clamouring to fill their plate.

Once they were well and truly set in motion, Atsuo invited Kiyoharu back to the stage, paying homage to another Japanese legendary rock band DEAD END. Proclaiming Morrie from DEAD END as ‘Japan’s best singer’, the two powerhouse vocalists sauntered through their cover of ‘Meigou’. It felt slightly self-indulgent, but not in a way where you felt robbed. In fact, witnessing these two lose themselves to the music- truly was a treat. An education in Japanese rock history that this crowd embraced with open arms.

Kiyoharu left the stage once again and there was no stopping BORIS. The set got heavier and more eclectic. Atsuo’s vocals became broodier. Waka and Takeshi amplified the mood by building sound and shredding it down. By this time all heat was forgotten in the front, the mosh pit was well and truly active. Atsuo repaid their enthusiasm by throwing himself in and a ruckus was in motion. Flying by in an instant, suddenly the band said their goodbyes – but not before coming back with an encore- ending the set with the aptly named ‘Farewell’.

Wandering out of this show, covered in sweat and the lingering feeling of witnessing something special- it is a breakfast date I will not be forgetting anytime soon.

Review by Kayla Hamilton @kaylazomboid