As with the first day of WACK in the UK, the second kicks off at noon as those with VIP tickets gain entry for meet and greets and cheki, while outside, a queue starts to form and a party atmosphere is generated as old friends meet up and new acquaintances are made. In fact, the colourful fashions in which many are attired make a relief to the grey English sky and create an air of excitement as the queue grows as we count down towards general admission.
Wack In The UK Vol. 6, Day 2: ZOCX, PIGGS, MAPA
The Underworld, London on 6th June 2025
ZOCX at WACK in the UK vol.6 (Day 2) | Photography by JJ Grant (Wonderlens)
The tension that has been building outside all day as we await the official start of Day 2 is carried into the venue and means that when the lights dim a huge cheer erupts. The stage is bathed in blood red light, but the tension continues to increase until MAPA burst from the wings and then all pandemonium breaks loose. You can feel the sense of relief as the group arrives and the crowd wave their glow sticks in affirmation. The dance routines that MAPA perform are closely related to their lyrics, and even if you don’t speak Japanese, the dances still convey a lot of meaning and this instantly creates a bond between crowd and group. MAPA perform a very energetic set and those who have doubts about the validity of the idol scene need only look around The Underworld tonight because MAPA have put a smile on every face.
MAPA at WACK in the UK vol.6 (Day 2) | Photography by JJ Grant (Wonderlens)
There’s hardly any space between acts tonight, meaning that no sooner have people made it to the bar for a drink to cool down after MAPA than PIGGS appear in all their glory. While MAPA raise their bar exceptionally high with their set, PIGGS take things to a whole new level and proceed to whip the crowd into a frenzy. Their dance routines are performed with razor-sharp precision and there’s a sense of danger that radiates from the stage as if the unit could invade the crowd at any moment. The vocals are equally vivacious, and the two combine in strange and exciting ways which suggests PIGGS are no ordinary Idol group (which, of course, they’re not). During the MC sections, the group shows off some of their special moves (which turn out to be very special) and cause all sorts of havoc. It’s a spirited set and one which has won the hearts and minds of all present and the crowd show their appreciation buy buying a large portion of their merch.
PIGGS at WACK in the UK vol.6 (Day 2) | Photography by JJ Grant (Wonderlens)
Along with the usual line-up changes that usually characterise an alternative idol unit, ZOCX have also appeared under several monikers. It can all be slightly disorientating for the casual fan, but 1st January 2025 is often seen as the group’s point of rebirth, where they adopted their current name and became a co-ed group. However, that doesn’t mean the group have torn up their roots, far from it; there’s still plenty of old tunes in their set to please the faithful, yet there’s no denying the vim and vigour which they display tonight and that becomes immediately apparent when they burst onto the stage. It’s a vitality with which they perform that really shines through as they dance and pirouette like punky ballerinas. The Underworld venue can get awfully hot on nights like these, where the crowd are packed in tightly and you can almost feel the sweat dripping from the ceiling, yet ZOCX raise the temperature by a few degrees with their sultry, sensual show. It’s a very energetic performance and one into which ZOCX throw everything and the crowd responds in kind by singing along with every word and waving those glow sticks in a wild manner. As we reach the set’s conclusion, ZOCX look visibly exhausted, but so does the crowd, and we are all running on fumes as things race towards a frantic conclusion.
Megumi Coshoji, Seiko Oomori and Pour Lui at WACK in the UK vol.6 (Day 2) | Photography by JJ Grant (Wonderlens)
As a surprise, Megumi Coshoji (MAPA), Seiko Oomori (ZOCX) and Pour Lui (PIGGS) came on stage to perform the song primal, originally by BiS, as the final act of WACK in the UK vol.6.
With many idol units appearing regularly at WACK in the UK, things started to feel a little stale and familiar, but volume 6 has really freshened things up, not only as a two-day event, but also by placing artists on the bill who made their debut at this event. It all meant that WACK in the UK has regained its verve and suggests that there’s much more to come.
Photography by: JJ Grant (wonderlens)
