Gakuen Idol Master First Star Music Festival Day 1 Report
The Gakuen Idol Master: First Star Music Festival kicked off its first day on February 28, 2026, at Keio Arena Tokyo. This marked the first major live event for the series since the “Class vs. Class First Star Sports Festival” in September 2025. All performers wore the signature “Campus mode!!” costumes, creating a unified visual theme that excited the audience of producers (series fans). The event featured live brass band performances, acoustic arrangements, and special collaboration songs that showcased the musical diversity of the Gakuen Idol Master franchise. The day began with energetic performances and built momentum through various musical styles and arrangements.
The concert opened with “Wakashi Sawagashi Ska-punk,” setting a lively tone with its ska-inspired sound. This was followed by “Kokon Tozai Chochoi no Choi” performed by Amoto Yukary, Usui Yuri, and Nanase Tsumugi, featuring improvised sections enhanced by the live brass band. Re;IRIS (Nagatsuki Aoi, Kojika Nao, and Iida Hikaru) performed “Ameagari no Iris” with added depth from the brass accompaniment. Solo performances included Nagatsuki Aoi’s “Fighting My Way” with three backup dancers, Harusaki Dan’s “Choo Choo Choo” with four dancers in a five-person formation, and Yodaka Mashiro’s “Superlative” featuring intricate choreography. The third-year group performed “Naiwa” with six dancers, creating one of the most visually spectacular stages of the event.
A special “acoustic block” featured unique arrangements, including Kojika Nao’s performance of “Unhappy Light” with live acoustic guitar accompaniment. The trio of Nagatsuki Aoi, Hanaishi Kana, and Minato Miya performed “Sakura Photograph” from the seasonal event “Sakura Mau Start Line” with emotional resonance. The “special block” included Iida Hikaru’s performance of “Kachidoki” from the official manga Gakuen Idol Master GOLD RUSH, marking its first appearance at a major event. Other notable performances included “SEARCH RIGHT” from the real escape game collaboration, “CRYST@LOUD” from THE IDOLM@STER M@STERS OF IDOL WORLD 2023, and Iida Hikaru’s cover of the classic “GO MY WAY!!” The Katamari Damacy collaboration song “Katamarionza Dun” featured three performers rolling imaginary katamari balls with playful choreography.
The live band segment showcased Begrazia’s “Star-mine” with the group’s original costumes, Kojika Nao’s “Ai V” with prominent electric guitar, Hanaishi Kana’s intense “Gekkou,” Amoto Yukary’s powerful “Riron Busou Shite,” and Matsuda Ayane’s energetic “The Rolling Riceball.” The main set concluded with the school anthem “Shirushi” performed with full band accompaniment. During the encore, it was announced that “Kachidoki” would be available for streaming and download starting March 1, 2026. The event closed with Yumepashii’s “Michinaru Hirogaru” and the full cast performing “Gamushara de Ikou!” and “Campus mode!!” in their signature costumes. The First Star Music Festival demonstrated the series’ musical evolution through diverse arrangements and special collaborations that delighted fans.
