CONCERT REVIEW: ONE OK ROCK Take Over AFAS Live

On Monday, October 20th 2025, the Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK brought their DETOX Tour to AFAS Live. The venue was divided into several sections. There was a golden circle that required an special ticket, and even the balcony area, which is normally open to everyone, was this time only accessible to visitors with a special ticket.

I hadn’t heard of this band before, but after listening to a few songs, I quickly became excited. The show opened with a short video, after which the band members entered the stage one by one. The moment they appeared, the crowd went absolutely wild.

The stage setup was fairly simple, but it didn’t feel like it needed more. There were a few cameras placed at the front and a couple in the back of the venue. Behind the band was a large screen displaying live footage from these cameras, as well as some visuals. Additional screens on the sides of the stage showed the same feed, giving everyone a great view.

The band started off strong and kept that energy throughout the entire show. When Tiny Pieces began, you could feel the crowd becoming one. Everyone sang along loudly to the slightly melancholic song, with flashlights lighting up the entire venue. It was a beautiful sight.

Between songs, the band members occasionally took a moment to talk. Drummer Tomoya showed off the Dutch phrases he had learned, including “Ik hou van bitterballen” and “Zijn jullie er klaar voor?” which made the crowd laugh and cheer.

There was also a section where each band member had a solo. Ryota started with a bass solo, followed by a drum solo, and then guitarist Toru joined in, bringing the whole band back together. It was clear that this band is incredibly skilled. The vocals of lead singer Takahiro were also very impressive. He hit every high note effortlessly, and I can confidently say he didn’t miss a single one that night.

The opening act also made a brief return. Paledusk joined ONE OK ROCK on stage to perform C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y., a collaboration that also appears on the DETOX album.

Next came Dystopia, which I think was my favorite song of the night. I’m not sure if it was because of the lyrics or the performance itself, but it really stood out to me.

After Dystopia, Takahiro spoke about the new album. He explained that it contains more political songs than before because the band felt it was important to speak up. He said, “You don’t have to sing along to the next one, but think about it.” Then they started Delusion:All. The lyrics were displayed on the screen behind them. The song criticizes the illusion of democracy and questions the sincerity of those in power. You could truly feel the emotion in this performance.

To keep the mood light, they followed with Stand Out Fit In, a more upbeat song that got everyone jumping. During Tropical Therapy, there was a fun moment of interaction when Takahiro sang a few lines, and the crowd sang them back. Every time, the crowd got louder and louder.

Before officially ending the show, they said their goodbyes and promised to return to the Netherlands. They closed with The Pilot </3, featuring the fitting lyrics, “I’m going home, wherever home is.” One by one, the band members left the stage, with the Tomoya being the last to go.

Or was the show really over? After what felt like a few minutes, Tomoya returned, followed by the rest of the band. They for the encore, they played +Matter and We Are.

When the show truly ended, everyone left with full hearts and big smiles, myself included. If you don’t know ONE OK ROCK but they happen to play near you, I definitely recommend going. The vocals were on point, the music was fantastic, and the vibes were unforgettable.