[INTERVIEW] PSYCHIC FEVER STOP IN CHICAGO FOR FIRST U.S. TOUR

The cold, snowy Chicago weather didn’t stop Midwest ForEVER from showing up for PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE’s first-ever U.S. tour. Hundreds of fans gathered early in the afternoon, passing the time by singing the group’s songs together and bonding with new friends before being let in to line up for soundcheck. Inside the venue, the group wrapped up last-minute mic checks and stage preparations before heading upstairs for a conversation with POP TOKKI about their music, tour, and plans for 2025.

POP TOKKI: How would you describe PSYCHIC FEVER’s signature sound to new fans?

KOKORO: We want people to start by listening to “Just Like That” and then branch out to our other songs. We’ve been challenging a lot of new genres. From there, they can better see and hear PSYCHIC FEVER’s appeal and uniqueness.

POP TOKKI: PSYCHIC FEVER is known to be a fusion of many different genres, including Hip-Hop, EDM, R&B, and J-POP. Are there any genres you want to try in the future?

JIMMY: There are so many new genres we want to try, but I mainly think electronic and house are the ones we are interested in exploring more at the moment.

POP TOKKI: This is PSYCHIC FEVER’s first-ever US tour and marks a major milestone for the group. What emotions are you feeling right now?

RYOGA: We are very excited about our first U.S. tours. People have been showing up and are excited for us to perform, so we are looking forward to tonight. I feel like it will be a very special experience.

POP TOKKI: Is there anything specific about the tour that fans should look forward to?

WEESA: One of our strongest suits is our live performance, and we put a lot of work and effort and thought into making our live performances. For this tour specifically, we went through each song in the setlist and have done special arrangements just for this tour, so that is something to look forward to. A really special part about this tour is John Fossit has been working with us on the setlist and arrangements and also came to watch our show in New York. It was a memorable moment for us.

POP TOKKI: Which songs from your discography are you most excited to show U.S. fans for the first time?

JIMMY: Our newest song, “What’s Happening” is a song that we are performing for the first time on this tour, and our tour is one of the first places fans can see the full choreography for the song, so we are very excited to show that to our fans.

POP TOKKI: What can fans look forward to from PSYCHIC FEVER for 2025?

KOKORO: We are excited to release new music and perform at events and concerts. We want our fans to connect with us through social media and the other content that we put out. We want our fans to enjoy 2025 with us.

POP TOKKI: Is there anything you want to say to fans who may be listening?

KOKORO: We are very happy to have one of our dreams – this U.S. tour- come true. We are looking forward to more opportunities in the future to connect with our fans and perform for a lot of people, so we are going to work hard to make this happen. We are looking forward to all of your support!

PSYCHIC FEVER’s dynamic and captivating performances proved their deep desire to connect with their fans. The setlist was thoughtfully crafted in a theatrical style, allowing each song to stand out while maintaining a cohesive and authentic feel that showed the group’s unique personality. The members also had the chance to shine through their individual talents, with subunit stages that were centered around rap, EDM, and beatboxing. A standout moment was the performance of “Rocket (Take You Higher)” by Weesa, Kokoro, and Ren — a fan favorite that energized the crowd and amplified the excitement.

The group also shows the audience some of their fan favorites. Kicking off with “Talk to Me Nice” and “Just Like That,” they had the crowd screaming, instantly filling the venue with an electrifying energy. In contrast to the high-tensity opening performances, they delivered more mature tracks like “Cold Rain” and “Paradise.”

Between showcasing their expertise across different genres, the group made sure to engage with the crowd. One of the most unforgettable moments of the night came when ForEVERs and the group together sang “Happy Birthday” to REN, surprising him with a cake to celebrate.

Later, the group played interactive games with a lucky group of fans, bringing a close-knit aspect to the show. The night was filled with laughter, cheers, and even happy tears from both fans and PSYCHIC FEVER, making Chicago a particularly special location for the group.