Consisting of teens Suzuka “Su-Metal” Nakamoto, Moa “Moametal” Kikuchi and Yui “Yuimetal” Mizuno, BABYMETAL is a unique metal band with a J-Pop influence.

WOW! What a show. The BABYMETAL concert was amazing. I wasn't feeling well, so I almost didn't go. I would've *really* regret it if I hadn't. Gather around kids. It's story time!

I originally wanted to be at The Fillmore around 6:30, but didn't leave my house until 7:30. Like I said, I wasn't feeling well. I got there shortly after 8pm. That actually worked out well for me because there was no line. I was able to breeze through security and stroll right in.

The place was packed. I'm trying to get my bearings. I see there's an upper level, but figured it was too full. Seemed like it would be easier to stay on the floor level, but I'm not about to watch the concert from the back of the room. I snake my way to the left towards the bar and go around the side of the crowd. Cool. I'm now closer to the front of the stage, but standing off to the side. There's also a huge pillar blocking my view. I look at the mass of people not sure how to get in. That's when some people from the bar start to cut through the crowd with their drinks. I follow them. Success. I'm now near the front center of the stage.

The show starts. BABYMETAL comes out. It's awesome. The next thing I know, I feel myself moving and being forcefully shoved around. A guy is barreling through the crowd like a bull and I'm along his path. I didn't know what happened. Then he barrels through again elbowing everybody. Not cool. After the third time, I realize he's doing it on purpose. I'll name him Bull. Bull is just trying to cause pain. There's also a handful of people off to my right who start pushing and shoving each other. It's at that moment I realize I'm standing next to a moshing circle. I'm not about that life. I wasn't prepared.

Bull tries to barrel through the crowd a fourth time. He doesn't make it. A few guys who were also really fed up with Bull's antics start shoving him back. Hard. One guy starts punching Bull to protect his girlfriend. She was unfortunately too close to Bull when he started to go buck wild. Another guy in front me joins the commotion. I'll name him Hero. Hero puts Bull into a headlock. All of this is happening right in front of me. It was like a scene in a comic book movie. Everything happened so fast and in slow motion at the same time. The sea of people part as Hero drags Bull off the floor. They disappear into the darkness.

Everybody immediately fills in the empty space left by Bull and Hero. We all squeeze together closer to the stage. I have an even better view now and I'm just enjoying the show. I'm still getting pushed around by the moshing circle, but it's bearable. They're just having fun. I occasionally cover my face and put up an elbow to protect myself.

Then it happens. BABYMETAL starts to perform Megitsune (the main song I wanted to see for the night). The mosh circle goes CRAZY. I am soft and squishy. I'm getting tossed around like a rag doll. The mosh circle would shove me, I'd fall into somebody, and they would push me back towards the mosh circle. I felt like a ping pong ball. It was like being caught in the middle of the Roxbury Guys from that old Saturday Night Live skit. I'm in complete disbelief that this is happening. I did the only thing I could do. I burst out laughing.

I decide to take advantage of the situation. I start jumping up and down with the mosh circle so I can squeeze in even closer to the stage. It works. The problem is the mosh circle is now behind me. Instead of being shoved from side to side, I'm now being pressed into the people in front of me. Let me tell you, there's nothing like having your nose pressed into the back of a complete stranger to make you forget all about personal space boundaries.

I loved the show. BABYMETAL brought so much energy and love to the stage. There's something about the vibration of the crowd, the floor bouncing up and down under your feet, the rhythm of the music, the flashing visuals, and being sardined next to strangers that unapologetically pulls you into the moment. The here and now. It was an unforgettable experience. If you have the opportunity to see them perform live, GO!

I took pictures with friends and other T-MODE staff members who were there afterwards. It was funny because I felt like the rapper Lil Jon for the rest of the night. I kept shouting, "Huh? What?" Everything sounded muffled and I could barely hear anything. It's better now, I think. By the way, there's a lot of interesting things left on the floor after a concert. I saw a toothbrush and a full tube of toothpaste. That will forever be a mystery to me.

T-MODE T-Meets are local meetup gatherings and food outings around the Metro DC area. They're a fun, casual way to connect with people and share meaningful experiences. It's about hanging out, having fun, and making friends.

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