You’d think I’d be used to attending concerts headlined by Japanese artists like Kenshi Yonezu, Hololive, and Man With a Mission—especially here in New York City, one of the most popular places for live music. But every time still feels surreal. As I mentioned in my coverage of the Kenshi Yonezu concert at Radio City Music Hall, there’s a unique energy that surrounds each of these shows.
Unlike Radio City, though, this concert took place on June 18, 2025, at Terminal 5—a more tucked-away venue located on the West Side near Hell’s Kitchen, far removed from the chaos of Times Square. When I heard that the renowned artist LiSA was coming to town for her Another Great Day tour, I was instantly interested—and very excited.
If you’ve watched any anime, chances are you’ve heard her music. From her breakout hit “oath sign” in Fate/Zero, to “crossing field” from Sword Art Online, “Gurenge” from Demon Slayer, and more, LiSA has become a staple in anime soundtracks. I personally knew her from “crossing field” and “Rising Hope,” so I was already familiar with her talent and well-earned reputation. She’s made waves in the industry for years, and her recent track “ReawakeR” from Solo Leveling Season 2 made this concert a must-attend for any fan.
After experiencing it firsthand, I can say LiSA’s Another Great Day tour wasn’t just a great day—it was an absolutely incredible one.
(Disclaimer: Ticket was provided by Sony Music Masterworks for review and coverage of the event. All statements made here are solely my own and not reflective of SONY or any of its properties. Biggest thanks to Jamie Bertel and Joshua Piedra for the opportunity.)
When I arrived at the venue on Thursday, June 19th—Day 2 of the tour—there was a forecast of isolated thunderstorms. So, naturally, I came prepared with a raincoat after work. Knowing LiSA was performing, I fully expected a crowd and a long line to start forming at least three hours before showtime. And I was right. Add in the fact that it was Juneteenth—a federal holiday—and most people had the day off. I wasn’t so lucky.
The line wrapped underneath the building and down to the corner. Thankfully, I was invited, so all I had to do was check in at will call. No waiting in line for me. Big kudos to the staff and to security guard Chris for being helpful and making the process smooth. Unlike Radio City Music Hall, photos and videos were allowed at this venue, so major props to the Terminal 5 team for that.
If you’ve been to any smaller concert venues, you probably know the layout already. Terminal 5 isn’t a grandiose theater like Radio City or your typical Broadway venue. It’s got a main stage, a first-floor lobby with a bar, a second-floor balcony with another bar and the sound engineers, and a third-floor top balcony. It’s a standard setup for many intimate concert halls.
I parked myself on the second-floor balcony near the speakers—close enough to feel the energy without being crushed in the pit. VIP ticket holders were let in early for a general meet and greet with LiSA, and at 7 PM, doors opened to everyone else. The place filled up fast. Standing room only, with a few seats reserved for ADA and medical needs on the second floor.
I’ve been in that mosh pit feeling where you’re stuck and can’t move—and it’s exactly why I chose the second floor. It wasn’t as packed, but it still gave me a great view and solid sound. So if you’re someone with claustrophobia, ADA needs, or bad knees, be sure to let the venue know when buying your tickets. It’ll make your experience a lot better.
(Use the Set List here to follow along with the songs played in this coverage.)
As the crowd gathered and showtime approached, the tension and energy in the air kept building. From the VIP fans packed in front of the stage to those watching from the balconies, everyone was buzzing with anticipation. LiSA—one of the top Japanese artists in both the anime and J-pop scenes—was about to take the stage in just a few minutes.
I’ve seen her perform at sold-out arenas in Japan, and while Terminal 5 is much smaller in scale, the intimacy of a venue like this has its own charm. One of the best things about these local spots? You can take all the videos and photos you want. No strict restrictions. You’re free to capture your favorite moments and songs without security breathing down your neck.
Pure Engagement
Then the lights went down. A video intro kicked off the tour, and from that moment alone, you just knew this was going to be something special. And then—LiSA appeared. The crowd exploded. Fans were screaming, and the energy in the room shot through the roof.
She opened with her iconic song, “oath sign,” and it felt completely surreal. There was this mix of awe, joy, and pure adrenaline. The crowd moved to the beat, completely locked in with the music. Everyone was just absorbed in the moment.
Next up was “Catch the Moment,” which hit just as hard, emotionally and rhythmically. It’s a song about seizing chances, about embracing the moments that become lasting memories. I couldn’t help but smile the whole time. And if you’re a fan of the Sword Art Online movie, you already know how powerful this song can be.
Then came “Datte Atashi no Hero,” the ending theme for My Hero Academia Season Two. It’s such a cheerful, uplifting track about standing tall and finding your inner strength, perfectly fitting for Deku’s journey. And honestly, a solid reminder for all of us to keep pushing forward, no matter what.
If there’s one thing I noticed about LiSA, it’s that she gives everyone her attention. It doesn’t matter if you’re front row, way in the back, or up on the balcony—she makes sure everyone feels seen. Even from my spot on the balcony, she looked directly at our section multiple times, and that simple gesture made a huge difference. No matter what kind of day you’ve had, you can’t help but feel uplifted in her presence. It’s one of those rare moments where you just let go, live in the now, and enjoy the music and the crowd around you.
One perfect example of her crowd engagement was during her next song, “Wild Candy.” Before diving into it, she taught the choreography to the crowd—especially those with light sticks—and split the audience into two teams. Whichever side brought the most hype and energy would be declared the winner. It was fun, silly, and brought everyone together in the best way.
Then she switched gears with “MAKE A MiRACLE,” leaning into punk-rock vibes. Seeing the crowd move in sync with the beat and her vocals was just an awesome sight. But what came next? That was the kind of moment every fan dreams of—and probably the kind that would spark the “It should’ve been me!” meme across the internet.
While getting ready for her next track, LiSA brought a young girl from the audience on stage. After a quick introduction—where the girl even spoke some Japanese to chat with her—LiSA launched into “GL.” She sang directly to the fan, getting up close and personal, even lying down in front of her mid-performance. All while never missing a beat and still engaging with the rest of the crowd. It was wholesome, powerful, and no doubt a core memory that fans will treasure forever.
Right after that, the energy exploded with “RED ZONE,” a track that would fit right in at any club. The BPM was wild, the repeated chorus of “LiSA, LiSA” had me bobbing my head nonstop, and the entire crowd was vibing. After the song set wrapped up, it was time to find out which half of the crowd won the earlier contest. Team B—my side—took the crown. Victory never sounded so sweet.
What came next was pure fan service in the best way possible. With a soft piano intro, LiSA did a live costume change on stage—nothing risqué, as she had training gear and spats on underneath. She emerged in a gorgeous kimono-style outfit and performed “Akeboshi.” The song was stunning. Just like its name, which translates to “bright star,” it carried a message of hope, reminding us that even when things feel dark, there’s always a light in the sky to look toward. Keep your head up. Always.
Now this next song—honestly, it felt haunting in the best way. For context, I’ve never watched Sword Art Online: Alicization (Editor’s Note: What the heck, Will!), so this was my first time hearing “Unlasting.” The moment the lights dimmed and the room shifted into a calm, mellow vibe, I knew something special was coming. And wow—it hit hard. LiSA’s vocals in this song were absolutely stunning. Her voice cut through the silence, and the entire room was just locked in. The stage lit up in a soft blue glow, and there was this elegant stillness in the air. It’s the kind of song that lingers long after it ends. If you’re ever in the mood for a track that makes you stop and reflect, this one deserves a place on your playlist. It’s tailor-made to close a show or a story.
Keeping with that emotional tone, she followed up with “Homura,” the main theme from Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. If you’ve seen the movie, you already know this song hurts. “Homura,” which means blaze or flame, is about carrying on through tragedy and loss. It played as visuals from the film appeared on stage, and the entire crowd was clearly moved. Just a powerful moment all around.
During a break between sets, LiSA took a few moments to talk with the audience. She mentioned how amazed she was by the turnout for both Day 1 and Day 2 of the tour, and how grateful she was for everyone’s support. She also mentioned that she’s been working on her English so she can connect with international fans even more—something the crowd appreciated big time.
Then it was time to shift gears again. With another costume change, LiSA brought the energy back up with “Issei no Kasai” and “QUEEN.” These were pure high-octane, club-ready bangers. Red and green lights flooded the venue, and the vibe was electric. From my view up top, I saw fans near the front headbanging like nobody’s business—and the photographers definitely took notice. It’s always great to see the hardcore fans letting loose and getting some shine.
Next up was “REALiZE,” LiSA’s track for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. This was peak rock LiSA. If you’ve seen the movie, you know exactly how this track fits—it’s loud, bold, emotional, and full of momentum. When I first heard she was doing a Spider-Man song, I was excited. After hearing it live? Blown away. It exceeded every expectation.
The lyrics tied in perfectly with Miles Morales’ journey—navigating uncertainty, finding strength, and taking that leap of faith. Like in the movie, where the message is clear: you never really know when you’re ready to become Spider-Man… you just go for it. That same message hit me here. LiSA making a rare appearance in New York? I had to leap. And I’m so glad I did.
Now we hit one of LiSA’s recent bangers—“ReawakeR,” the theme for Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow. The first season already set the bar high with a Hiroyuki Sawano-produced opening, and now we’ve got another certified hit with Sawano teaming up with LiSA. No matter how you feel about Solo Leveling as a series, you’ve got to give them props—their theme song game is top-tier.
As we always say on the A1 Podcast, you can spot a Sawano track from a mile away. Whether it’s Attack on Titan, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Gundam, or basically any major anime or game he’s touched, the man has a signature style. Add LiSA’s powerhouse vocals and Felix from Stray Kids into that mix, and boom—playlist-worthy gold. Honestly, if I didn’t already know ReawakeR was from Solo Leveling, I could’ve sworn it belonged in Xenoblade Chronicles X. That’s just the magic of Sawano—his music can transcend any series.
As we approached the final stretch, the unmistakable beat of “ADAMAS” kicked in—the opening theme for Sword Art Online: Alicization. With a mountain skyline visual playing behind her, LiSA took full command of the stage and the audience. This song felt like a war anthem, something you’d hear before charging into battle. The crowd joined in for the “WHOA-OH” chorus, and that moment of collective energy? Just pure magic. Seeing an entire room sing in unison is always emotional, but with “ADAMAS”, it was especially powerful. It captured the spirit of the lyrics—shining like a diamond, unbreakable, and full of resolve. LiSA beating the giant drum on stage was like watching a general rally her troops. The energy was unreal.
However, there was a moment mid-song where things got a little tense. LiSA spoke briefly to a stagehand, hinting at a possible technical issue. The performance wrapped without any obvious problems, but afterward, she and the crew left the stage for a break that ended up lasting around 45 minutes. Unfortunately, this extended intermission meant “best day, best way”—a song included in Day 1’s encore—had to be cut.
Still, the audience kept the energy alive. Fans broke into impromptu sing-alongs, helped someone find a lost license card, and honestly kept the good vibes going despite the delay. After nearly three hours of standing, I had to take a seat myself—but for those who stayed on their feet the whole time? Major respect. You’re the real MVPs.
And now, it was time to end the night with the hits such as“Gurenge” from Demon Slayer and “Crossing Field” from Sword Art Online. These are the songs that probably introduced most people to LiSA, and hearing them live hits completely different. No matter how many times I’ve played them over the years, nothing compares to experiencing them in person, standing in front of the very person who made them legendary.
The moment “Gurenge” kicked in, with the bass guitar pounding and clips from the anime lighting up the stage, the entire venue just exploded. Everyone was singing, shouting, moving in sync—even those who didn’t fully know the lyrics were right there, feeling every beat. And when “crossing field” reached its crescendo, the crowd erupted into the chorus together. It was magical. Pure, emotional, nostalgic magic.
As “crossing field” came to a close, the time had come to say goodbye. LiSA introduced her amazing crew and bandmates—the ones who helped make the entire show a reality. She was then handed the official tour banner from the audience, along with a beautifully drawn fan sketch, and stood in front of a message board filled with notes from fans. It was a heartfelt moment. She thanked everyone for coming, saying how much it meant to her, and that she hopes to return to New York again.
She soaked in the applause, smiled brightly, blew kisses to the entire venue—from the floor to the balconies—and then, just like that, LiSA exited stage left.
And with that, LiSA’s New York stop on her Another Great Day tour came to a close. From here, she continued on to Los Angeles for back-to-back shows at the Revy Theater and the YouTube Theater, then wrapped things up at the Pepsi Center in New Mexico. By the time you’re reading this, the tour will have officially ended, and LiSA will have just celebrated her 38th birthday on June 24, 2025.
The LiSA Staff team has already released a recap video for both NYC shows on her official YouTube channel, so if you want to relive the magic of those two unforgettable nights, now’s your chance.
LiSA is more than just a performer—she’s a presence. Bright, full of energy, emotionally charged, and genuinely thankful for her fans. If she ever comes to a city near you, do not miss out. And if you have ADA or medical needs, make sure to mention that when getting tickets—venues like Terminal 5 will do their best to accommodate and make sure you can enjoy the experience just like everyone else.
Personally, the entire experience was just amazing. The LiSA fandom showed up strong, passionate, proud, and full of love. And LiSA herself made sure every single person felt welcome. While I do wish “Rising Hope” had made the setlist, it was already packed with incredible songs, so I can’t complain.
Working through the Juneteenth holiday had me a bit bummed out, but this concert turned everything around. It was the perfect way to close out a long day—and honestly, one of the best nights I’ve had in a while.
Thank you, LiSA, for putting on such a phenomenal show and for being that spark of brightness in so many people’s lives. You gave us the energy and inspiration to keep pushing forward. Fittingly, your tour is called Another Great Day—but for me, it was more than that. It was an amazing day.
Happy Birthday, LiSA! Wishing you continued success and hoping we’ll see you back in New York again soon.
Until next time—Sayonara!
