A Debut Overseas Stage Set in Motion at Billboard Live TAIPEI

Aile The Shota, the singer-songwriter nurtured under SKY-HI’s label BMSG, marked a pivotal milestone on December 9 with his first-ever overseas solo performance at Billboard Live TAIPEI. Since debuting with the 2022 single “AURORA TOKIO,” he has steadily built a devoted following through his distinctive vocal timbre and strongly articulated artistic identity. Although he did not make the final lineup on SKY-HI’s audition program THE FIRST, his capabilities were undeniable—ultimately earning him a direct invitation into BMSG and setting the stage for his solo trajectory. Choosing Taipei as the launch point for his international journey carries a clear symbolic weight, signaling the opening chapter of a new phase.

Upon arriving in Taipei, Aile The Shota immediately embodied the sensibility of a “travelling lifestyle artist”—forgoing rest and diving straight into the night-market culture. From meat-thick soup and steamed soup dumplings to braised pork rice, he sampled local flavors with visible enthusiasm, even trying his hand at traditional shooting-stall games. On stage, he recounted these experiences with a sense of vivid delight, noting that “the meat soup was the most surprising taste of the trip.” These moments of everyday observation not only highlighted his approachable charm but also forged an instant rapport with the audience, drawing warm resonance throughout the venue.

A New-Generation Artist in Full Bloom: Aile The Shota Unleashes His Potential

Aile The Shota’s “Billboard Live TAIPEI 2025” performance demonstrated a level of commitment and artistic clarity that underscored his rapid ascent in the Japanese music scene. Delivering more than ten songs and bringing his entire original Japanese team to Taipei, he showcased an uncompromising approach to presenting his craft at full fidelity. The minimalist stage setup, complemented by precise and atmospheric lighting, rendered the dual qualities at the core of his music—supple elegance and rhythmic vitality—while offering the audience a premium audiovisual experience.

The musicians accompanying him were notable in their own right. DJ hiroron, revered for his distinctive musical sensibility, and bassist dawgss (Sota Morimitsu), known for his work with YOASOBI, both contributed to a cohesive live ensemble. Their collaborations on “愛のプラネット feat. dawgss” and “ランデヴー feat. Aile The Shota” exhibited an impressive level of sonic integration, drawing enthusiastic reactions from the crowd. Some fans even traveled from Japan to Taipei specifically to attend both shows, underscoring the event’s significance.

The set opened with the dramatically delivered “DEEP” and “さよならシティライト,” then steadily escalated through “hungover” and “sweet,” each track adding momentum. During the MC segment, Aile The Shota revealed that he had practiced Mandarin for the show, only to discover that “everyone’s Japanese is incredibly good,” eliciting laughter and instantly tightening the bond with the audience. His decision to premiere his 2024 track “月見想” in Taipei added a layer of emotional weight to the evening.

When the beat of “foolish” kicked in, Aile The Shota responded instinctively, moving with a fluid, unforced groove that electrified the room. Fans later remarked that witnessing his dance moves at such close proximity felt “like a sudden jolt of electricity” and “absolutely worth the trip.” Finally, the instant the opening notes of his signature track “AURORA TOKIO” emerged, the crowd erupted—its collective energy signaling a return to the origin point of his artistic journey.

A Stage Elevated by Top-Tier Musicianship: Intimate Charisma That Electrified the Crowd

For the encore, Aile The Shota presented his newly released single “ハナユキ,” which debuted on December 3. With its delicate vocal delivery, the song served as a warm and graceful final chapter to the evening. On stage, he voiced an earnest wish—“If possible, I’d love to sing on the streets of Taiwan”—and further revealed his ambition to collaborate with more artists across Asia, including Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. His remarks underscored a clear intention to expand his presence in the Asian market.

As one of the most anticipated new-generation voices under BMSG, Aile The Shota carries SKY-HI’s profound trust and wholehearted support, often described as an artist whose “very existence is music.” Across the two Taipei performances, he exhibited a remarkable level of stage maturity through more than a dozen tracks, while his bilingual interactions in Mandarin and Japanese highlighted his sincerity and ability to transform travel experiences into a sense of place unique to Taipei.

Aile The Shota’s journey through Asia is only just beginning. His trajectory—musically and performatively—promises even greater developments in the chapters to come.