<aside> 🎤
INDEX
</aside>
Main stages (tracks; versus series, & series, spinoffs) are held in seated theatres of varying size and run for about two hours; ringlights and bracelets are only able to be used during the live part (though most people will put them on before the show starts) and are turned on during the DDB showcase. Cast comes off the stage during a designated song in the live part to walk through the audience. You do not stand at any point save a standing ovation at the very end.
Hypstage Lives are generally held in Zepp venues and are standing lives (though you are assigned a designated seat area you cannot move from) and run about an hour and a half; ringlights and bracelets are used throughout the entire show, and are usually turned on a little before starting time. Historically, the cast doesn’t leave the stage, but lately the Original Divisions have been coming down to walk through the aisles as the Canon Division cast performs on stage.
Arena Lives (Battle of Pride) are held in arenas of approximately ~10,000 capacity and are standing lives (though you are assigned a designated seat area you cannot move from) and can run for upwards of two hours; ringlights and bracelets are used throughout the entire show, and are usually turned on a little before starting time. The cast are very likely to come off stage for a song or two, though they do not necessarily come up to the balconies.
Call and response and cheering is encouraged during the live part at Hypstage performances! There may be audience interaction portions within the main show as well, though those are uncommon. (Note that on streaming and recording days the crowd often makes a conscious effort to stay as silent as possible outside of designated call and response portions). If there’s an announcement post-show however, all rules are off the table. Shriek your heart out, everyone else will be too.
Avoid raising your hands too high when doing the hand motions and handsigns–official guidelines mention keeping it no higher than your own head. There is generally accepted choreography for some of the songs (mainly team and theme songs; usually during the hook/chorus). Don’t worry if you don’t know it, or even feel pressured to learn it. If you do want to, however, chances are someone in the crowd around you will probably know, so feel free to copy your neighbor. For new songs, the actors will generally be guiding you on stage so everyone is learning together. Just do what works best for you!
Any type of recording or photography is banned outside of designated times (the theme song during the live part) during designated fanclub only performances. The actors on stage will tell you when recording is allowed and when it stops, but the general rule is from when the music starts for the final song to when it ends. These photos and videos can be freely posted to social media, though the official stage accounts ask that you tag them with #ヒプステ when you upload them.
While cosplay is prohibited, oshi outfits (channeling your favorite character or your favorite actor’s character) are highly encouraged. Dressing for a character/actor who’s only making a guest appearance is 100% acceptable, though it’s considered good manner to have at least a ringlight or two for the main act if possible. (While it is not specifically a rule, please refrain from wearing ringlights for groups/characters that are not participating in the live.) Follow typical Japanese concert etiquette (remove your hats when you sit down, avoid hairstyles that could obscure the view of the person behind you, don’t scream along to the songs outside of where designated, etc) and you shouldn’t have any problems!
Trying to solicit fanservice from your oshi when they come through the audience during live parts is totally acceptable, just be sane and courteous about it. Waving, showing them a handsign, flashing them a heart, etc are all fine within reason. Please note that it’s taboo at 2.5D shows to call out to an actor using their real name; always use their character’s name. This goes doubly so for Hypstage, where curtain call is done in-character.
Taking photos outside the venue is perfectly acceptable before a performance at any time, however, after a performance the staff will more or less immediately start yelling for the crowd to disperse. Generally you can sneak in a picture or two, but you will get chased away eventually so the cast and staff can leave. (Note that stage dooring is strictly prohibited; at absolute worst you may be faced with a ban from the venue or a stalking charge.)
In a similar vein, opening your random goods purchases/engaging in goods trading inside or directly outside the venue is generally prohibited, but so long as you’re out of the immediate sight line of the staff it’s more or less common practice and the staff will ignore it.
BRING