JO1 Makes History: First Japanese Artists to Rock iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in Fort Worth!
Get ready, Texas! A monumental moment in music history is about to unfold as JO1, the sensational Japanese boy group, prepares to become the first Japanese artists ever to grace the stage of the prestigious iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour. On December 2, 2025, Fort Worth’s iconic Dickies Arena will buzz with anticipation as JO1 delivers a performance set to captivate audiences and redefine global music presence.
JO1’s Historic Jingle Ball Debut: A Night to Remember
The 2025 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball is gearing up to be an unforgettable spectacle, and JO1’s participation marks a significant milestone. Sharing the spotlight with a star-studded lineup including Alex Warren, Jessie Murph, mgk, Nelly, Reneé Rapp, Rachel Chinouriri, Shinedown, and Zara Larsson, JO1 is poised to introduce their unique “JO1-Pop” sound to an even wider international audience.
This groundbreaking performance at Dickies Arena isn’t just another concert; it’s the culmination of an incredible year for the 11-member group. Consisting of Sho, Ren, Ruki, Junki, Keigo, Takumi, Syoya, Shosei, Sky, Shion, and Issei, JO1 has been on a meteoric rise since their 2020 debut, born from the highly popular music competition series Produce 101 Japan. Celebrating their fifth anniversary, the group recently concluded a successful world tour, touching down in major cities like Taipei, Bangkok, Beijing, Seoul, Los Angeles, and New York, solidifying their global footprint.
Beyond J-Pop: Forging the “JO1-Pop” Identity
While often categorized by their origin, JO1 is determined to carve out their own musical genre: “JO1-Pop.” This unique identity emphasizes their versatility, distinctive sound, and commitment to creating music that is genuinely their own. Their special edition EP, Handz in My Pocket, perfectly encapsulates this philosophy, showcasing their dynamic range and infectious energy.
In an exclusive interview, members Sho, Junki, Ruki, and Ren shared their excitement about their forthcoming Texas debut and what it means for their journey.
A Warm Texas Welcome for JO1
Reporter: How are you feeling ahead of the Dallas show at Jingle Ball, especially as you’re the first Japanese artist to perform at the event?
Sho: “This is kind of our first real event that we’ve been invited to, so it’s very exciting for us. We’re excited to see our fans, but also people who don’t know us, and hopefully we’ll be able to make them our fans.”
Reporter: What can these fans expect from the performance in Dallas?
Junki: “This is our first time in Texas and it’s like almost a bit of a challenge. So what we’re going to do is what we do best and show what ‘JO1-Pop’ is and go crazy on stage.”
The anticipation isn’t just for the stage. When asked about their off-stage Texas aspirations, Shoya enthusiastically shared his culinary goals.
Shoya: “I want to eat BBQ and steak. I hear it’s very good! I want to eat some wild food.”
World Tour Insights & American Fan Energy
JO1’s first world tour provided invaluable experiences, particularly their stops in the U.S.
Ruki: “It’s always a great time performing internationally and that gives us kiai (fighting spirit). It was our first time seeing fans in two U.S. locations. We hope to give our best performance to those waiting in Texas as well. We’re excited.”
Ren and Sho highlighted the vibrant energy of American fans.
Ren: “They were very good at dancing.”
Sho: “Yeah that’s so true.”
Ren: “Their vibe was so good.”
Sho: “Yeah, they dance and they also bark a lot.”
Junki: “Yeah, they dance, they sing more than other places. And they’re so crazy and bark like ‘bark bark bark.’ They even knew the Japanese lyrics to our ballads!”
Handz in My Pocket: Unleashing Hidden Potential
The group’s latest EP, Handz in My Pocket, is a testament to their evolving sound and message.
Sho: “We want to show our hidden potential and power and energy for our fans. Everyone has potential, and we want to give them power through our song. They can do anything.”
The selection process for the EP’s tracks was a democratic one.
Sho: “It’s a difficult question. We vote. We chose from many songs… We wanted to change our style. This time we wanted something crazier and more energetic. So we chose our new song ‘Handz in My Pocket’.”
The recording process itself was a liberating experience, resulting in “crazy songs with different sounds and heavy beats.” For their upcoming Jingle Ball show, fans can definitely expect to see the dynamic choreography and “crazy stage” for tracks like “Handz in My Pocket.”
Collaborations and Future Horizons
JO1 also reflected on their unforgettable performances with legends like Eve and Kesha on KPopped.
Junki: “They were so energetic and learned our music seriously, which was really nice… Eve was such a superstar… She’s delicate but really powerful at the same time. We felt her power, soul, and energy.”
When defining “JO1-Pop,” Ren emphasized authenticity.
Ren: “‘JO1-Pop’ is about whether we enjoy doing it or not.”
Junki added to this, highlighting the group’s active role in shaping their music:
Junki: “It’s not just the company deciding which songs to create… We’re the ones who are always thinking about what works for us or what’s fun for us. That’s what makes ‘JO1-Pop,’ ‘JO1-Pop’.”
Looking ahead, JO1 hints at exciting new directions.
Sho: “We haven’t used Japanese instruments yet, so I’d like to incorporate Japanese instruments and sounds… We want to mix genres, include Japanese instruments, and our voices… We think this might be an interesting way to give energy to our fans.”
Don’t Miss JO1 at Jingle Ball Fort Worth!
This is your chance to witness music history as JO1 brings their vibrant “JO1-Pop” to the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball. Be part of the audience cheering on these pioneering Japanese artists as they continue their global ascent.
The 106.1 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth. Tickets are available starting at $40.50. Secure yours and join the celebration!
