For a while now, the Japanese culture has been expanding ever so little that it’s ever growing within the last few years I’d say. For instance maid cafe’s have made a welcoming in the U.S. appearing with some permanent spots in Southern California, with other cafe’s touring alongside various conventions. Now Japanese idol groups, or pop idol groups from Japan and within the California terrain are making waves within the anime scene within SoCal.
What is called the “Idol Party In LA” happened with it’s first volume in June 2024 with the second volume in October 2024 and it’s most recent and third volume for February 2025! I had the chance to attend the third volume addition. This time around featuring two acts out of Japan, one being one called “At Home Cafe”, their namesake being named off the same maid cafe of the same name in Japan, with the other act being one called Festive. Other idol performers included Phoebe, Moe Age! and Strawberry Sunday, all local to California. All these acts would play a roughly 30 minute sets, with each rotation switching over rather quickly.
But before any performances would take place, fans would being parking and showing up a little after 1PM, in Alhambra at the Jianghu Restaurant. The restaurant itself being closed to the public, minus this ticketed event, with it’s food and drink offering being provided by Asayoru Maid Cafe, in cooperation with Alice In Project and the IdolFest Foundation! With that, this night idol festival would also feature a meet and greet or Buppan as it’s known in Japan at the end of the evening.
Upon getting in line, and securing VIP tickets, grabbing a wrist band outside, then heading inside a little after the call timeof 2:30PM, heading inside close to 3PM instead. All of the VIP’s and sponsored guests, would be inside, able to take a polaroid or Chekis known in Japan, with all of the idol groups together in one group shot! After the photo shoot, all the guests could purchase merchandise from some of the acts, and maid cafe there. VIPs and sponsors would get 1 free idol themed drink free, along with a special booth seating arrangement, with food options available for purchase.
Before the general admission would be open to the rest of the attendee’s, the two Japanese idol groups At Home Cafe and Festive, would do two interviews, conducted as everyone watched and listened to how their time visiting the U.S. was going and both groups agreed food and sights were exciting! Soon after, the general admission crowd would gather inside, turning on their light sticks, a glow, awaiting the first performance of the night being Strawberry Sunday! Their performance was spunky and fun, giving off a lot of energy, from themselves, being a duo act, to the crowd getting into them, giving off all of the energy and lighting effects possible. One of the highlights was when they did a cover of BabyMetal’s song “Headbanger”! That’s the one that set off the room, causing an uproar, and a circle pit with light sticks in tow to be set a glow full force!
STRAWBERRY SUNDAY:
Following them would be Phoebe, whose performance was mellow yet solid. Her songs being as mentioned mellow, yet bouncy. The crowd was getting into the lyrics behind her music, those light sticks being a spectacle to behold, all shining bright pink! It made her material catchy and rather upbeat, keeping the songs very heartfelt and meaningful at times, that all there were pleased with them. There was also mention of aliens from outer space roaming around, with a song being sung almost a cappella style but the music was played inside, having Phoebe being quite pleased, since this song was having minor issues at her other appearances. But in the end her performance was a fun one.
PHOEBE:
Up next would be Moe Age! Asayoru Maid Cafe’s very own idol group! Their performance would be a full fledged idol group, featuring seven members, a lot of which would be actual maids at the maid cafe itself, which has a main stay in Monterey Park! But yes, their performance was quite jumpy, causing a lot of the audience to jump up and down, down to waving their light sticks high in the air, to others jumping into one another, to be lifted in the air, for the idols to see them up front and center! Their performance, was again very jumpy, bouncy, and energetic to say the least. It made all there being into the beats, that flowed off one another of all those there. They brought that energy and it was given back right at them in more ways than just happiness!
MOE AGE:
But the night was still not over with yet, with two performances left over with At Home Cafe and Festive! At Home Cafe being a trio idol group from Japan is one of the main acts a lot were there to witness. Their performance featured more bouncy action, with fist fighting action moves, to playful banter, that caused an eruption from the audience. Lots of movements with those light sticks, loads of cheering and shouting occurring, with all just being invested in the energy ever flowing, that it kept that momentum in tack. They did briefly talk with the audience during minor song breaks, which didn’t bother anyone, as they were into it either way. They gave off the more fun filled energy that would linger onward into the headlining act wrapping this all up.
AT HOME CAFE:
Festive or FES☆TIVE also from Japan, would cause such a riot with their introduction song, that the whole room would be chaotic. The first song would cause a line dance to happen right there on the floor, people moving from right to left, and then go into a cyclone of a circle pit, light sticks in tow as everyone was off their feet. Others jumping in place, with others jumping towards the stage, with one or two being lifted into the air again, wanting that stage atmosphere for even a moment. It was total chaos yet fun. Through it all though, is what made this band so much fun was just their presence being there. Everyone was constantly cheering and shouting, wanting more of that energy. So much so, that once the last song was sung, the fans begged for an encore, chanting for a good solid 15 minutes straight or so, until the band would come back and finally would do an encore and play one final song! Festives’ entire set was so flawless and fun it made the whole night totally worth it all.
FESTIVE:
Overall it was a night filled with idols that were welcomed with open arms. All those there were pleased and very entertained with all of the acts who played this night. A bonus meet and greet happening right after all of the acts played, all there getting a chance to grab a snap shot or chit chat with these idols, if not pick up some merchandise at hand. It made this night an unforgettable yet memorable one.
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