ILLIT Shines on Main Stage at 'ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2025' with Full Band Live Set

K-pop girl group ILLIT set the main stage ablaze at a massive festival, proving their skyrocketing popularity as banners featuring their faces and names adorned the venue.

ILLIT—comprised of Yun-a, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha—performed on August 14 at the 'ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2025' (RIJF), held at Soga Sports Park in Chiba, Japan. The group delivered an electrifying set of 11 songs, all performed live with a full band.

Celebrating its 26th anniversary this year, RIJF is one of Japan's four largest rock festivals, drawing over 200,000 attendees annually. ILLIT took to the festival's second-day main stage, the GRASS STAGE, which accommodates around 40,000 fans, and filled the venue with their energy.

ILLIT made a grand entrance with a magical, powerful opening, launching into the title track of their first Japanese single, 'Toki Yo Tomare' (original title: 時よ止まれ/Toki Yo Tomare), released on the 1st. The group kept the excitement high with a swing version of 'Tick-Tack' and a nu-disco rendition of 'Lucky Girl Syndrome,' both specially arranged for the festival atmosphere. When the opening notes of 'Almond Chocolate'—a track that dominated local music charts earlier this year—rang out, the crowd erupted in cheers.

The group's live vocal prowess and commanding stage presence stood out throughout the set. ILLIT reimagined their dance track 'Cherish (My Love)' with a powerful rock sound, showcasing their impressive vocals at the standing microphones and revealing a new side to their artistry. During 'I'll Like You' and 'Topping,' the members moved closer to the audience, singing and connecting directly with fans. "We're confident in our live performance with the band, so let's enjoy this together. We'll give you all the energy we've got!" they shouted, igniting the crowd.

For 'oops!', the sea of fans waved towels in unison to the chorus, creating a spectacular sight. In response, ILLIT powered through the demanding choreography of 'jellyous' with infectious energy. The excitement peaked during 'Borrowed Cat (Do the Dance)' and 'Magnetic,' as tens of thousands of fans cheered, turning the venue into a frenzy of enthusiasm.

After 40 minutes of back-to-back performances, ILLIT expressed their awe: "The energy from the audience today is incredible. The atmosphere is even better than we hoped for." The members added playfully, "While singing, we secretly cast a magical spell on you all. From now on, only good luck will come your way!"—sending the crowd into a delighted buzz.

Meanwhile, according to HYBE's music label BELIFT LAB (Chairman Bang Si-hyuk), interest in ILLIT's performances in Japan continues to soar. The group's first Japanese fan concert, '2025 ILLIT GLITTER DAY IN JAPAN,' was recently spotlighted on the popular TBS variety show 'Yoru no Brunch' on the 10th. Their live performance on NHK's flagship music program 'Venue101' on the 13th also received an enthusiastic response from local fans.

Photo Credit: BELIFT LAB 

This article is a translated version of the original Korean article published by Xportsnews, originally written by Myung Heesuk. This article was translated from Korean using AI-assisted tools and human review to deliver an accurate and culturally appropriate version for international readers.