SMAP starts nationwide tour

Friday 26th September, 05:17 AM JST

TOKYO —

Pop group SMAP on Wednesday started their nationwide tour at Tokyo Dome. They will tour nationwide for the first time in 2 years, according to the organizers. Some 55,000 fans attended the Wednesday concert.

SMAP sang 38 songs which were released the same day in their new album “super.modern.artistic.performance.” SMAP member Shingo Katori accidentally injured his leg after falling from the stage but continued to perform for fans.

The group will tour through December 3 and about 800,000 fans are expected to attend the tour as a whole.

Latest 15 of 26 Total Comments Show All

Betting at 01:26 PM JST - 26th September

800000 people are expected to attend? That is a quite a fan club. I know most of us here are not SMAP fans, but still getting 800000 people to a series of concerts is still pretty incredible.
JackDorff at 02:37 PM JST - 26th September

Betting - Thats a good point. 800 000 fans who are likely to buy a load of merchandise. Why oh why didnt I invest in day-glo sticks last week.
thepro at 03:12 PM JST - 26th September

They should have added one show in a small club in LA so the newspapers could call it a world tour
happyface at 03:59 PM JST - 26th September

eerrrrr...imo, they are too old to be in a boy band. but i guess they still have tons of fans. so good luck to them.
wanderlust at 05:34 PM JST - 26th September

Katori must have watched Izzy in Rock Star...

...but was there blood?
realist at 01:40 AM JST - 27th September

SMAP are nice guys and fantastic entertainers. They have been around for a long time, they are good singers, have great personalities, are great all-round entertainers with a fantastic sense of humour. They are loved by many people in Japan and throughout Asia. More power to them! I am one of their biggest fans and I wouldnt miss their Monday night show for anything. It cheers me up and is one of the best shows on Japanese TV. If I get the chance, I will definately go to see one of their shows.
meiwaku at 08:35 AM JST - 27th September

Realist. Nice sarcasm.
Cap587 at 02:12 PM JST - 27th September

When you look at all the other musical crap that's turned out in Japan, SMAP almost seems bearable.
KansaiBen at 02:32 PM JST - 27th September

Note: Nakai-san is the only one who cant sing in the band which is why you never see him doing solo capella's.

He's better at MCing than singing, put it that way.
realist at 12:21 AM JST - 28th September

meiwaku I was being serious!
Pukey2 at 01:19 AM JST - 28th September

they are good singers

Sure.
onewrldoneppl at 01:31 PM JST - 28th September

EXILE are light years ahead of SMAP. SMAP sounds like when a gyno dabs with a q-tip and examines it under a microscope. seriously, no artist/group produced by johnny's entertainment need be taken seriously. they're in the same vain as britney spears, the spice girls and the backstreet boys. production, without substance. saw EXILE on KinSuma 2 days ago. those guys are cool & inspirational. truly self-made, which is rare in j-pop. completely off-topic but, i think Crystal Kay's much hotter than Teruma Aoyama.
Betting at 04:15 PM JST - 28th September

I saw Exile on KinSuma as well, the story was pretty good. But I think the difference between Smap and Exile is that for fans, Smap is pretty much easier to get into as the members do come across as more friendly (just my opinion of course). Smap guys smile during promo shots, Exile guys scowl (but at least they can dance).
Helly at 01:04 AM JST - 29th September

I've met all the members of SMAP and had the chance to work with them for many years. They are very good guys and good at entertaining people.
vquimbo2002 at 07:46 AM JST - 29th September

Hope they also tour other Asian countries....