Kato Kazuki & Hashimoto Satoshi’s “THE Roots 2026” Concert Review: A Journey Through Musical Roots
A celebration of musical roots and enduring artistry unfolded on February 7th and 8th, with performances in Osaka and Tokyo, respectively. “THE Roots 2026,” hosted by Kato Kazuki, featured guest artist Hashimoto Satoshi in a dynamic exploration of the songs and stories that shaped his career.
A Journey Through Musical History
The February 8th evening performance, attended by a reporter, took place amidst snowy conditions in Tokyo. Despite the weather, the venue was filled with palpable energy. The show began with an overture – a lively rendition of “Show hodo suteki na shōbai wa nai” performed by the Yamashita Kousuke & THE Roots Chamber Orchestra – setting the stage for the arrival of Kato Kazuki and Hashimoto Satoshi. Kato entered to the sounds of “Suki nan dakedo,” followed by Hashimoto and together they launched into a performance of 西郷輝彦’s (Nishigori Hirohiko’s) 1966 hit, “Hoshi no Flamenco.”
Early Influences and Shared Laughter
Kato welcomed the audience and expressed his enthusiasm for showcasing Hashimoto’s musical journey. Hashimoto reciprocated, expressing his gratitude for the invitation. The conversation quickly turned to Hashimoto’s childhood, revealing a shy disposition that, he jokingly admitted, still persists. The discussion then focused on his first record purchase –沢田研二’s “追憶” (Tsuioku) – a gift for his mother, a fan of the artist. This early exposure, Hashimoto suggested, may have been the genesis of the sophisticated persona he is known for today.
A Medley of Nostalgia
Hashimoto dramatically performed “追憶,” followed by a medley of songs that resonated with him from 1974 to 1984, spanning his boyhood and adolescence. The medley included beloved classics such as “Gakuen Tenkai,” “Toki no Sugiyuku Mama ni,” and “Oyogeta Itaki Kun.” Further hits like “Love is Over,” “Kanashii Iro ya ne,” and “Hoshizora no Distance” continued the nostalgic journey. Hashimoto also delivered a rendition of 沢田研二’s “勝手にしやがれ,” complete with a hat toss to the audience, recreating a signature moment from the artist’s performances.
The audience enthusiastically participated, clapping along and singing with the performers. The atmosphere was infused with the spirit of “Showa kayō” – classic Japanese pop music – creating a vibrant and immersive experience.
Beyond Japanese Pop: Expanding the Repertoire
The performance expanded beyond Japanese music with renditions of KISS’s “Beth” by Hashimoto and QUEEN’s “I Was Born To Love You” by Kato. Hashimoto shared a childhood memory of being captivated by KISS’s fire-breathing performance on television, even attempting to replicate the effect in a local park.
A First: Singing Unsung Songs
The first part of the concert concluded with a segment dedicated to songs Hashimoto had rarely performed publicly. He chose 安全地帯’s (Anzen Chitai’s) “Anata ni,” a song he found emotionally affecting. The segment culminated in a duet performance of アリス’s (Alice’s) “Fuyu no Inazuma” by Kato and Hashimoto.
Second Act: Anime and Musical Theatre
The second act featured a segment dedicated to fulfilling Kato’s desire to perform anime theme songs with Hashimoto. This resulted in a dynamic medley spanning iconic anime titles, from “鉄腕アトム” (Tetsuwan Atomu) to “ちびまる子ちゃん” (Chibi Maruko-chan). The medley included high-energy tracks like “愛をとりもどせ” (Ai o Torimodose) from “北斗の拳” (Hokuto no Ken) and “キャッツアイ” (Cat’s Eye), alongside more whimsical selections from “キャンディキャンディ” (Candy Candy), “Ｄｒ．スランプアラレちゃん” (Dr. Slump Arale-chan), “ドラえもん” (Doraemon), and “アンパンマン” (Anpanman).
The energy remained high as Hashimoto discussed his voice work in “リメンバー・ミー,” where he portrayed the legendary singer Ernesto de la Cruz. The conversation then shifted to his experience performing in “ミス・サイゴン” (Miss Saigon) and “レ・ミゼラブル” (Les Misérables) on consecutive days – a challenging feat that required a complete transformation from the role of Engineer in “Miss Saigon” to Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables.”
Hashimoto then performed “If You Want to Die in Bod” from “Miss Saigon” and “Soliloquy” from “Les Misérables,” delivering powerful and emotionally resonant performances. Kato followed with a stirring rendition of “Stars” from “Les Misérables.” The duo then performed “Why Do You Love Me?” from “Love Never Dies,” showcasing their chemistry and vocal prowess.
A Grand Finale and Encore
The concert concluded with “Stop the World” from “Come From Away.” Responding to enthusiastic applause, Kato and Hashimoto returned to the stage for an encore, performing 狩人’s (Karyudo’s) “Azusa 2-go,” a song Hashimoto had previously expressed a desire to sing with Kato. The performance ended with a final rendition of a classic “Showa kayō” song, sung with heartfelt emotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the overall theme of “THE Roots 2026”?
The concert centered around exploring the musical roots and influences of guest artist Hashimoto Satoshi, showcasing the songs and experiences that shaped his career.
Which artists were prominently featured during the concert?
沢田研二 (Sawada Kenji), KISS, QUEEN, 安全地帯 (Anzen Chitai), アリス (Alice), and 狩人 (Karyudo) were among the artists whose songs were performed and discussed during the concert.
Where and when did the performances take place?
“THE Roots 2026” was performed on February 7th in Osaka at the Sumitomo Life Izumi Hall and on February 8th in Tokyo at the Dai-ichi Life Hall.
What song holds a particularly strong memory for Hashimoto Satoshi from his childhood?