Whenever I think of my hometown of Torrance, I think of the days of going to Mitsuwa Marketplace, Japan Video, and picking up Japanese Sailor Moon manga in Kinokuniya. If you were to ask my high school self if the city of Torrance would ever have an anime event, let alone an idol event, I would have told you to shut the front door. On August 12, 2023 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, SoCal Idol Fest made it’s debut to over 400 idol fans across California.
SoCal Idol Fest can be best summed up as Coachella, but idols. The main outdoor stage hosted back to back idol group and solo performances. The auditorium area had a small and humble artist alley. There was also another zone for idol groups to have meet and greets and to sell merch. Some of the merch sold at the booths were happi coats, keychains, charms, stickers, and custom polaroids with the idol groups.
What was really awesome about SoCal IdolFest is that it hosted a variety of idols from across the country.
Aquarious covered various anime idol songs on stage including debuting one of their originals. The crowd was going wild for them!
The intergalactic idol, Paida and her minions, hoped to make Planet Earth a better place by having us Earth people worship her by doing good for the planet. I liked how Paida’s act had a narrative in it. It reminded me of live shows from Disneyland.
Local maid cafe, Asayoru covered some anime idol songs and brought kawaii realness to the stage.
Local group, Irodori Idols also performed some covers from Love Live Superstar.
Amanda Tanadinata integrated weapons and props in her dance covers. I had a chance to talk to her after her performance, she is also a figure skater and cancer clinical researcher!
Tokusatsu fans would love Panranger. They sang covers of songs from Kamen Rider including “Climax Jump” and a familiar tunes from Gao Gai Gar.
New Yorker Alexis brought down the house with their fierce vocals.
Filipino American and Bay Area based Phoebe closed out the night to a crowd that was still alive and kicking at 7PM.
We also had a lot of cosplayers come out for SoCal Idolfest 2023.
Overall, SoCal Idol Fest 2023 had an amazing first year. For folks who love coming out to anime cons to watch local idols and musicians perform, this is really the place to be. No announcements for 2024 have been made so far, but after a dry spell of no idol events in California since lockdown, this is what the community needed. Get your light pens and start your cheers, Idol Hell reigns supreme.
Written by Dame Aznable
IG: @damescarletaznable
Twitter: @dameaznable
TikTok: @damescarletaznable