By now, you’ve probably heard of Perfume, the Japanese techno-pop trio turned international sensation. Their music has been featured in Pixar’s Cars 2, and they even made a cameo in OK Go’s music video, "I Won’t Let You Down". On November 9, 2014, after two “World Tours” (that somehow skipped North America), I found myself writing this very article as Perfume took the stage at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

I’ll be honest, I usually dread writing about music or concerts. Critiquing music is tricky. Most of the time, you either like it or you don’t, but Perfume was different. I’ve been listening to them for years, so when the chance came, I jumped at it.

Describing Perfume isn’t easy. At their core, they’re a techno-pop idol group made up of three members: Nocchi, A~chan, and Kashiyuka. Almost 11 years ago, they started as just another idol group among countless others, but their career took a sharp turn in 2007 when the now-iconic "Chocolate Disco" captured mainstream attention.

In 2008, they landed their own variety show, Happy!, which ran for a year and gave fans a chance to see more of their personalities. That same year, they also performed for the first time on Japan’s prestigious New Year’s Eve music program, Kohaku Uta Gassen. Two years later, Perfume stepped onto the international stage at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in Macau—also the first time I heard of them—where they won Best Asian Pop Artist.

Their global momentum came at just the right time. Electronic dance music was booming in Europe, while K-pop was making waves worldwide with girl groups in heels and hot pants. Perfume blended those worlds, evolving from cute schoolgirl idols into sleek electronic dance goddesses in Christian Louboutins.

And their performances? Stunning. We’re talking giant LEDs, lasers, light shows—the works. Outside the Palladium, the line wrapped around the building, with some fans having camped out since 3 a.m. Many even flew in from Japan.

Inside, the merch booth was buzzing, offering everything from T-shirts to exclusive photobooks. We also couldn’t help but smile at the gorgeous flower bouquet, oiwai no hana (congratulatory flowers), which we had sent to celebrate Perfume’s first-ever U.S. performance. By the time the show started, the venue (listed at 4,000 capacity) felt like it was bursting at the seams. The energy was electric, with fans chanting and clapping before a single note was played.

 Post by The-O Network Online

The stage design was simple but striking: stacked cubes that shifted colors across the floor and ceiling.

Even though video and photography were strictly prohibited, a sea of glowing phone screens lit up anyway. As the curtain dropped, the crowd erupted, and Perfume launched straight into "Spring of Life."

They followed with the hypnotic "Cling Cling".

Midway through, the girls paused for an MC segment. This was one of the most charming parts of the night. A~chan spoke as if chatting with a friend on the phone, asking the crowd for translation help. To our delight, she handed the mic to The-O Network’s own host and translator, Alysa McWilliams.

The girls’ comments were as endearing as their music. Nocchi admitted she was shocked by how many fans showed up. Kashiyuka said she loved Jamba Juice. A~chan joked about American showers, puzzled by the lack of detachable showerheads, and mimed her confusion to the audience’s amusement. She also noted how shallow American bathtubs felt compared to Japanese ones. Later, she shared that she really wanted a cheeseburger, specifically from In-N-Out. Not only did she get one, but she started a hilarious crowd chant of “CHEESE! BURGER!”

Performance highlights included the bass-heavy Party Maker and GAME, both backed with go-go-style dancing. Even from the second floor, the bass rumbled through my chest. For the encore, they closed with MY COLOR, inviting the entire audience to wave their hands and count down with them—a perfect way to end the night.

Interestingly, I noticed a lack of glow sticks in the audience. But in hindsight, it made sense, so much of Perfume’s choreography is interactive, encouraging hand motions that naturally involve the crowd.

That’s not to say the night was flawless. The Palladium’s acoustics sometimes produced odd echoes that made the girls sound chipmunk-like. Only a few songs had subtitles on screen; it would’ve been great if more did. And I was disappointed they didn’t include the iconic dress pattern projections that have become a staple of their shows. Finally, their management’s strict image controls felt limiting, especially toward media coverage.

Still, Perfume’s message rang clear. As A~chan put it in her parting words: no matter where we’re from or what language we speak, it’s “same music, same passion.” After two hours of relentless energy, I walked out with my ears ringing and satisfied. It was unforgettable, and I can’t wait to see them again.

Here’s the full setlist provided by management:
(note: this appears to be from the New York show, so LA’s may have varied slightly)

1. Enter the Sphere
2. Spring of Life
3. Cling Cling
4. One Room Disco
5. Nee
6. SEVENTH HEAVEN
7. Hold Your Hand
8. Spending all my time (DV&LM remix)
9. GAME
10. Dream Fighter
11. Party Maker
12. GLITTER
13. Chocolate Disco
14. Polyrhythm

Encore:
1. FAKE IT
2. MY COLOR