What is a “lift” at idol concerts that could rival rock bands?
The “lift” you often see at rock band concerts.
It refers to a fan at the show being hoisted up by another fan, and in fact, it also happens at idol events.
This time, I’ll talk about lifts at idol shows.
What is a lift?
First, I will explain the lift.
The act at an all-standing concert where two or three fans lift another fan overhead.
It mainly happens at moments when a wota’s favorite member has a spotlight, and there’s an unspoken rule that the lifted wota has to pump their fist with all they’ve got. When the excitement peaks while being lifted, it can sometimes escalate into a dive.
[Mononofu Terminology Dictionary] Momopedia ♥ Momo Power Research Society
When you watch a live show from the back, you sometimes see a person whose head sticks out alone above the crowd, don’t you?
thata person being liftedIt is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTNM3K7ojQc
It stays lifted for a certain period of time, doesn’t it?
Live concerts by idols—often called “idol genba” (idol scenes)—can actually be as intense as rock band shows.
mosh, lifts anddivehas become commonplace.
When you think of idol concerts, many of you probably think of things like wotagei.
However, in reality, you don’t often see wotagei at idol events.
Since otagei involves swinging your arms around quite a lot, you really can’t do it without a spacious area.
So, when it comes to hyping up idol concerts, there can be intense activities like moshing and crowd surfing, similar to rock band shows.
Basically, you do lifts at idol events when your oshi is singing their solo part.
The method is that two people each grab one of the person’s legs to be lifted and raise them.
Before doing a lift, ask a nearby strong-looking man in advance to lift you up.
And I'll hold glow sticks in my oshimen's color and devote myself to them with all my energy.
After being promoted, you’re basically free to do whatever you want.
In this video, the lift goes up during the drop chorus, doesn’t it?
This person is performing something called Kecak as an offering.
Lift precautions
Also, hitchhiking can sometimes be perceived as a nuisance.
Depending on the idol, the management may prohibit it as a rule.
Even for BiSH, an idol group known for intense live shows, lifting, diving, and crowd surfing are prohibited.
【ダイブ・サーフ禁止のお知らせ】BiSH NEVER MiND TOURよりリフト禁止はもちろんのこと、ダイブ、サーフも禁止となります。発見した瞬間にライブ終了となります。よろしくお願いいたします。
— Former BiSH Official (@BiSHidol)January 4, 2017
Even for the idol group Appare! Harajuku, this is considered a prohibited act.
https://twitter.com/rk_harajuku/status/942409861249171456
When the person in front of me is doing a lift, of courseI can't see the stage.Right? / Isn’t that so?
Anyone who lifts should know that.
This act called lifting has its pros and cons, but if we’re talking about getting the crowd fired up, it’s true that it can be one factor in making a great show—like, “That lift just now was absolutely awesome.”
An idol concert is where the idols on stage give their all singing and dancing, and the fans watching give their all to hype it up—together they create the show.
Only when we clash with each other do truly great live performances come to life.It is (that).
So it means the fans gave it their all in the form of a lift.
However, for those who say they will do a lift, not only the surrounding fans but also definitely...An Idol’s FeelingsWe have to think about it for them.
If you do something an idol dislikes, it’s nothing more than self-gratification.
Some people say that’s fine, and of course, that opinion isn’t wrong either.
However,The best concert is one where both the idols and the fans can say they had fun.Isn't it?
In other words, the ability to discern is important too.
It's about reading the room.
Also, the more famous an idol becomes, the more female fans they will have.
Failing the lift and falling onto the girl is dangerous, so we need to be careful about that as well.
If the site and environment are suitable for lifting, won’t that lead to good lifts?
Lifts at prohibited sites are absolutely not allowed.
In conclusion
At recent events for popular idols, there are sometimes women-only areas set up.
There’s an idol you’re interested in, but you’re nervous about going to a live show—maybe this will help ease those worries a little for girls who feel that way.
Personally, when a really good lift goes up during the drop chorus at a live show, I think it's awesome and get hyped, but I've also had divers climb on top of me and it hurt.
I felt a bit sad when diving, lifting, and surfing were banned at the idol shows I used to attend.
However, once it was banned, we found other ways to get excited, and it also helped us focus more on the live performances.
I felt that what’s important is understanding the feelings of the idols and the management, and enjoying it together.