Hololive English 1st Concert -Connect the World- sets a strong foundation for what we can expect from Vtubers in this branch’s performances. It very much feels like an introductory experience in some ways. Some performers sang covers of other Hololive members’ famous tracks, for example. The use of some title cards also felt like a bit like it was setting up who everyone is. But we can see how professional and talented all of these individuals are, and that they are more than just streamers. They all feel like experienced singers who deserve all the respect and admiration that comes from the countless hours and training sessions they undoubtedly put into achieving this goal. Honestly, the only quibble I have about the show as a whole was needing to skip ahead to the 24 minute markto immediately get to the concert and not see the preliminary boards with messages, details about merchandise, and shots of the crowd.

Hololive English 1st Concert -Connect the World- starts off very strong with all the Vtubers performing “Shiny Smily Story.” It feels like a very traditional “idol” song, but there’s nothing wrong with that! It’s a high energy track and performance, which is a good way to hype up the crowd. Especially as it was a strong performance by the group as a whole. From there, Kirara and Calliope appeared as the initial MCs and hype people for the show. Which worked quite well. They’re both well-known and staples of the EN branch, and they’re both big personalities. They played well off of each other, but one didn’t overshadow the other. It was a good, charismatic opening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnX8Lk-iSCo&ab_channel=HakosBaelzCh.hololive-EN
From there, Hakos Baelz sang “Psycho.” I absolutely loved it, and I’d say it was one of the best performances overall. She’s one of the strongest vocalists and dancers in the English branch. . “Amelia Watson’s “ChikuTaku” after was just as high energy and matched it well. It’d be very hard to follow Baelz, I imagine, but she did a good job with a very cute track and performance.

From there, Amelia and Ninomae Ina’nis appeared as the second MC duo. They played well off of each other, and they were a bit more mellow than the initial two MCs. Which honestly worked well, because the ambiance of the next few tracks shifted after it. So it felt like they were setting the tone as they led into Gawr Gura’s “Full Color.” This is one of the new songs that appeared during the performance. With this track and her performance at the show, you can really tell how she’s grown as an artist. Ceres Fauna’s “Sweet Night, Sweet Time” is a perfect follow up to her performance. It was yet another soothing and calming song, with similar vocal tone progression. But the thing about Fauna is that while her voice may be soft, it is very strong, and it suited this version of the Tsunomaki Watame song. This “block” of solo songs closed out with Nanashi Mumei singing a take on Tokoyami Towa’s “Palette.” It came across as very heartfelt, especially in succession after the Gura and Fauna performances. I’m always shocked by the emotion present in Mumei’s voice, and how it can go from so soft to some emphatic.

IRyS and Baelz showed up as next two MCs. I felt it was a perfect pairing due to their dispositions, past collabs, and similar energy. Their banter was the best, and it felt like two friends talking to each other in a natural conversation. This was followed by Kirara’s “Sparks,” which was probably the best way to get the concert and audience energy back up again after “Palette.” She encouraged lots of audience interaction compared to past few songs, which really helped with the transition between the MCs and next group of tracks. IRyS followed with “Gravity.” It was genuinely a flawless performance. Her range is always impressive, and this is one of her best overall songs in her discography, so it really helped carry through the show as it reached the halfway point. From there, we got to see Ina’nis again for a rendition of Hoshimachi Suisei’s “Ghost.” It suited her voice well, and she put a lot of energy into it. So much so that I felt the song came across differently in her rendition in a positive way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fevB6h3-kfE&ab_channel=IRySCh.hololive-EN
After that, we got to hear Ouro Kronii sing her new track “Souten ni Moyu.” It was great to see one that had this somewhat different vibe, but matched the overall energy and her personality. The solo section of the ololive English 1st Concert -Connect the World- section closed out with Calliope Mori’s “Wanted, Wasted.” It’s a fantastic song and Calliope does a fantastic job with it during the show. It’s one of the most professional performances here. However, it really sticks out compared to every other performance during the show. It sort of breaks things up. Which is weird, since “Yume Miru Sora e” after goes back to the rest of the vibe the concert set.

Before that, though, the Hololive English Vtubers Mumei, Kronii, Fauna, and Gura all appeared together as the next MCs. It’s honestly kind of a fun dynamic compared to the duos that came before it. They all played well off of each other, and it was sort of fun to see Kronii and Fauna as the “responsible” adults, with Kronii really doing a great job taking the lead. I did appreciate that even though all four were there, their personalities came through. Mumei saying “your screams are music to my ears” honestly made me laugh, and she had some fantastic interjections here.

The two cameo appearances from Hololive Japan and Indonesia followed. Hoshimachi Suisei, Hoshou Marine, and Tokino Sora’s “Yume Miru Sora e” was lovely. It felt great seeing the parallel between them and the Hololive EN Vtuber performances in the concert so far. Like there’s a sense of progression. Their song felt very much like a more traditional kind of idol performance again, and you could see the professionalism.

Likewise, Ayunda Risu, Moona Hoshinova, and Pavolia Reine’s “id:entity voices” served a similar purpose. The three of them did a wonderful job. But in this case, it felt like a first step for three talented Hololive ID Vtubers and like we’re seeing more of a start of their performance journeys, where with Hololive EN we have people who may be more experienced at it. Honestly, the three were such strong singers that I personally preferred their performance to the Hololive JP unit, even though both were great. Their voices blended so well together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbgWUK_tidI&ab_channel=MoriCalliopeCh.hololive-EN
From there, Hololive English 1st Concert -Connect the World- went into “Non-Fiction” by Hololive EN Myth. I really appreciated this choice, because we saw Amelia, Calliope, and Kirara perform these high energy songs. We get something more dramatic and mellow, which lets us see different sides of their vocal performances. I also really loved how with this track, the stronger singers in the group feel like they sort of lift the others. As a result, the group as a whole songs phenomenal. I feel like this also speaks to the capabilities of people like Calliope, since it takes talent as a perform to be able to do that with the people who are singing with you.

IRyS’ “Caesura of Despair” came up after. It is a "Gravity" in terms of energy, style, but matches the overall vibe of the concert. Again, she did a fantastic job, and she also managed to hype the crowd up while doing so. I do sort of wish this was swapped with “Gravity,” since this is almost like an introduction to IRyS in general, so it might feel better earlier in the show. I also imagine it is a delight for people who love her, because she is such a fantastic singer and we get to see her showcased again.

Things drew to a close with Hololive EN Council’s “Rise.” This one felt like a group of four friends hanging out and singing together. While their voices are all very different, they still came together quite well. It felt like one of the more “fun” segments, especially with Baelz’s and Mumei’s contributions. You can tell all four put their all into this performance and had a good time singing together while doing so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bitH6NZ_e2Q&ab_channel=hololiveEnglish
The show then ended with everyone as a whole coming together. First, we got to hear from all of the Hololive EN Vtubers talking about their hopes and dreams, and it was an incredibly heartfelt way to lead into “Connect the World” and “Kirameki Rider.” Both songs, by the way, felt like a great bookend after starting with the Vtubers performing “Shiny Smily Story.” We have these really optimistic, energetic, and bright songs starting and ending it all, and it really helps set the viewer’s mood throughout. The two songs were a good way to cap off the show, and the performers all did a fantastic job. I even felt like in “Kirameki Rider” some individual personalities came through in a way I didn’t expect. (With “Connect the World, this of course happened since it was specifically designed to showcase each person’s specific talent.)

I sometimes get the idea that people don’t realize how multifaceted and talented the Vtubers in Hololive English, and all branches for that matter, are. The Hololive English 1st Concert -Connect the World- is a great showcase of their abilities. These people are, even at their worst, very good singers who you can tell are growing since their debuts. At their best, I’d say they’re as extraordinary as some of the people whose songs get into top-40 lists. The members of Hololive EN Myth, Project: Hope, and Council put on a wonderful show, with the JP and ID guest stars’ contributions also shining, and it’s a delight to watch and see how strong these performers are. It's a show well worth watching, and I enjoyed it immensely.

Hololive English 1st Concert -Connect the World- streaming tickets are still available, with people able to watch the Vtubers' show on-demand until August 2, 2023.

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