BABYMETAL Launches 2026 North American Tour with Halestorm in Denver
BABYMETAL kicked off their largest North American headlining tour on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Denver's Ball Arena, with American hard‑rock band Halestorm as direct support. The Japanese pop‑metal trio performed six tracks from their 2025 album METAL FORTH, marking the first leg of a tour that will span more than 30 cities across the United States and Canada. The opening night featured Su‑Metal (Suzuka Nakamoto), Moametal (Moa Kikuchi) and Tsugumi (formerly known as Yui Mizuno) delivering a high‑energy set that blended their signature blend of J‑pop melodies and heavy metal riffs. The setlist included "Shine," "The One," "Starlight," "Metal Galaxy," "Road of Resistance" and the new single "Karma." According to the band's official press release, "We are thrilled to bring METAL FORTH to our fans in North America and share the stage with Halestorm, a band we deeply respect." ("Estamos emocionados de llevar METAL FORTH a nuestros fans en Norteamérica y compartir el escenario con Halestorm, una banda a la que respetamos profundamente.") Halestorm, fronted by vocalist Lzzy Hale, performed a 45‑minute set that featured hits such as "Love Bites (So Do I)" and "Uncomfortable." In a brief interview after the show, Hale said, "BABYMETAL brings a unique energy that pushes the crowd to another level. It's an honor to open for them on this massive tour." ("BABYMETAL aporta una energía única que lleva al público a otro nivel. Es un honor abrir para ellos en esta gira masiva.") Ticket sales for the tour have been robust, with venues like the Toyota Center in Houston and the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto reporting sell‑outs within weeks of the announcement on May 15, 2026. The tour is scheduled to conclude on November 20, 2026, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, featuring a special guest appearance by guitarist Kiko Loureiro of Megadeth on selected dates. Industry analysts note that the 2026 North American leg represents a significant milestone for BABYMETAL, as it is the first time the band has booked arenas of this size across the continent. The tour is expected to generate approximately $45 million in gross revenue, according to Pollstar data, underscoring the growing mainstream appeal of the genre‑blending act. Fans can expect a dynamic visual production, with elaborate lighting, synchronized choreography, and a live band that includes guitarist Takayoshi Ohmura and drummer Hideki Harada. The concert experience aims to fuse the theatricality of Japanese idol culture with the intensity of heavy metal, a formula that has propelled BABYMETAL to global stardom since their debut in 2010.
BABYMETAL performing at Ball Arena, Denver
