One Ok Rock Bring the DETOX Tour to Washington DC

STREET GRRRLS
2 days ago
3 min read

Photos & Words: Claire Johnson

One Ok Rock visited Washington DC last Saturday to play a show to a full house at The Anthem. The Anthem is located along the waterfront of the Potomac River, making it a perfect backdrop for concert goers and music fans. The venue first opened back in October 2017 and has been the host for many artists since its debut opening. On May 31, 2025, The Anthem became a home to One OK Rock for the evening. One OK Rock is currently on tour across North America with Australian pop punk band, Stand Atlantic, promoting their latest album DETOX.

One Ok Rock is a Japanese rock band that formed back in 2005 and currently consists of lead singer Takahiro “Taka” Moriuchi, guitarist Toru Yamashita, bassist Ryota Kohama, and drummer Tomoya “Tomo” Kanki. The band became popular outside of Japan in 2012 with the success of their single “The Beginning” from their sixth album, in which they also started releasing music in English and Japanese. Their first time in the United States was in 2014 where they played a

few one off headline shows. They have continued touring in the U.S. over the years joining the 2014 Vans Warped Tour lineup and opening for artists like All Time Low and 5 Seconds of Summer.

Many fans excited for the show could be identified as I was walking to the venue, adorned in band merch and fun concert outfits. I spoke with a few fans that said they had travelled from Nashville for the show, as well as one fan that traveled from Korea.

While fans waited for the main act, they were treated to a great opening performance by Stand Atlantic, whose high energy helped get the crowd excited. During Stand Atlantic’s set, they also brought out Saxl Rose, a saxophone player and musician based out of Maryland, who often does guest performances for other artists. Saxl Rose was a big hit among the audience as he added his own unique touch to the opening set.

Luckily, fans did not have to wait too long between sets as the lights dimmed shortly after 9:00pm, signalling it was time for ONE OK ROCK to take the stage. Starting the show with “Puppets Can’t Control You,” a song off their latest record, the crowd cheered and screamed as Taka’s voice could be heard singing the opening line “Beat me, break me down, but I’m still standing.” Much of the new album discusses topics of social injustice and wanting a better future than where current leadership in the world is taking us. This is an evident theme throughout the album and can also be a symbol of how people in all stages of life come to the show, fighting with internal and external struggles and are able to leave feeling empowered and encouraged by the end of the set. Another example showing themes of hope against and all odds is their song “Delusional.” But before playing the song, Taka mentions the current political struggles in Japan, as well as the United States, and about how important it is for them to speak up as musicians in a rock band. He even goes as far as saying, even if we are fighting with each other, “don’t fucking kill the people,” to which the responds in erupted clapping and chanting in agreement.

During the entire performance, the audience was taken on a journey, celebrating the band’s extensive discography over the last 20 years. One thing that was mentioned multiple times was the fact that they have been a band for 20 years. Toru specifically mentioned how he started the band when he was 17, it is his first band and how lucky he has been that he is still doing it. They ended the show with a two song encore comprising of “+Matter” off of DETOX and “We Are” from their 2017 album Ambitions. Playing “We Are” was a perfect song to end the show with as it talks about being lifted up and supported by those around you and to keep fighting for what you believe in.

After the show, fans could be seen celebrating and taking pictures to document their time at The Anthem and seeing their favorite band. All in all, it was a lovely evening to visit the wharf and experience an amazing night full of music.

https://www.oneokrock.com/en/

Setlist from May 31, 2025