With summer fast approaching, concertgoers are gearing up for this year’s music festivals and live shows. We previously covered numerous Japanese bands and artists performing who overseas this year in parts one and two of this feature, but since the previous entry, even more acts have been announced.

 

Here is a new list of artists embarking outside Japan this summer.

 

Suchmos

For the first time in their career, rock group Suchmos are set to embark on their first ever Asia Tour this June. They will hit up 6 locations, beginning in Hong Kong before heading to Taipei, Seoul, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing.

 

▶︎ Suchmos ASIA TOUR 2019

2019/6/2 @ Music Zone @ KITEC, Hong Kong

2019/6/7 @ Legacy Taipei, Taipei

2019/6/9/ @ YES24 Live Hall, Seoul (*w/ HYUKOH)

2019/6/12 @ B10 Live, Shenzhen

2019/6/14 @ Modern Sky Lab, Shanghai

2019/6/16 @ Tango Live (Floor 3F), Beijing

 

Suchmos Official Website: https://www.suchmos.com

 

→News Update (June 1, 2019)
Following unexpected illness of one of their members, Suchmos have cancelled all remaining dates on their upcoming overseas tour.

 

 

[ALEXANDROS]

Rock band [ALEXANDROS] are also heading on tour in Asia throughout June and July. The band are currently on their “Sleepless in Japan Tour” in promotion of their newest album Sleepless in Brooklyn and will take their concerts across Asia for 8 shows, starting with Shanghai on June 21 and wrapping in Seoul on July 21. This also marks their first time performing in Shanghai and Beijing.

 

▶︎ Sleepless 2019 Asia Tour

2019/6/21 @ Modern Sky Lab, Shanghai

2019/6/23 @ Beijing Omni Space, Beijing

2019/6/28 @ Jakarta (*Venue TBA)

2019/6/30 @ Moon Star Studio 1, Bangkok

2019/7/5 @ Music Zone @ E-Max, Hong Kong

2019/7/7 @ Legacy Taipei, Taipei

2019/7/19/ @ Bentley Music Auditorium, Kuala Lumpur

2019/7/21 @ MUV HALL, Seoul

 

[ALEXANDROS] Official Website: https://alexandros.jp

 

 

Sakanaction

Sakanaction have announced that they will play in Shanghai and Shenzhen at the end of June. Upon unveiling the news the band created their own Weibo account, a Chinese social media platform. The rock band will release their new album 834.194 in June, their first album release since sakanaction was released 6 years ago in March 2013. The Asia dates were added to their ongoing Japan tour. This will be their second set of headline concerts outside in Japan since they performed overseas for the first time back in 2013 in Taiwan. The band are known for their use of cutting-edge technology at their shows, so foreign fans can look forward to seeing what they have in store for them next month.

  

▶︎ SAKANAQUARIUM 2019 “834.194”

2019/6/28 @ Modern Sky Lab, Shanghai

2019/6/30 @ A8 Live, Shenzhen

 

Sakanaction Official Website: http://sakanaction.jp

 

BAND-MAID

Earlier this month, five-piece maid rock band BAND-MAID announced the European leg of their 2019 world tour, one which will begin this June and one whose decided theme is Gekidou, or “tumultuous.” All shows on BAND-MAID’s 2018 world tour sold out completely. The initial European leg of their long-awaited new world tour will take them to 3 countries for 4 performances. They will then head to the US in September.

 

Related Article: BAND-MAID Announces European Leg Of ‘Tumultuous’ 2019 World Tour

 

▶︎BAND-MAID WORLD DOMINATION TOUR 2019 【激動】 ~gekidou~

6/22 – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall

6/23 – Paris, France @ Le Trabendo

6/24 @ Bochum, Germany @ Zeche

6/26 @ Hamburg, Germany @ DAS LOGOS

9/26 @ NYC Gramercy Theater, US

9/28 @ Dallas Cambridge Room, US

9/30 @ LA ECHOPLEX, US

10/1 @ LA ECHOPLEX, US

 

World Tour Info: https://bandmaid.tokyo/contents/241952

BAND-MAID Official Website: https://bandmaid.tokyo/

 

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, CAPSULE, m-flo & More

The biggest names in Japanese pop music are set to take over Los Angeles at QTAQUEST LIVE and OTAQUEST KICK OFF PARTY which is set to take place at THE NOVO by Microsoft on July 3, 2019. Both OTAQUEST LIVE and OTAQUEST KICK OFF PARTY serve as the opener to Anime Expo, the biggest anime convention in the US, which will run from July 4 to 7. CAPSULE, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Crazy Boy, HIROOMI TOSAKA and m-flo are set to deliver Japanese entertainment to US lovers of Japanese music and entertainment.

 

Related Article: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Yasutaka Nakata & CRAZYBOY to Perform at QTAQUEST LIVE in Los Angeles

 

▶︎OTAQUEST LIVE

Date: July 3, 2019

Time: OPEN 17:00 / START 18:30

Location: THE NOVO by Microsoft, Los Angeles, California, US

Line-Up: CRAZYBOY / HIROOMI TOSAKA / m-flo / CAPSULE / Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

 

OTAQUEST KICK OFF PARTY

Date: July 3, 2019

Time: OPEN/START 22:00

Location: THE NOVO by Microsoft, Los Angeles, California, US

Line-Up: ☆Taku Takahashi / TeddyLoid / Yasutaka Nakata (CAPSULE) / …and more

 

Event Website: https://live.otaquest.com/

Tickets: https://www.axs.com/events/372261/otaquest-live-tickets?skin=novo

 

Ai Otsuka

This year, Ai Otsuka celebrates her 15th anniversary since her debut. The singer-songwriter released her greatest hits album Ai am BEST, too in January this year, and she is currently in the midst of her nationwide Japan tour. 5 Asia dates have been added to the tour. Her previous Asia tour took her to just three cities: Taipei, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, but this year she is spreading her wings and will perform in Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai and Taipei.

 

▶︎ AIO PIANO at ASIA vol.2 

2019/7/17 @ Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall, Guangzhou

2019/7/19 @ 特侖蘇音楽庁, Chengdu

2019/7/27 @ BANDAI NAMCO SHANGHAI BASE DREAM HALL, Shanghai

2019/7/28 @ BANDAI NAMCO SHANGHAI BASE DREAM HALL, Shanghai

2019/8/17 @ ATT SHOW BOX 大直, Taipei

 

Ai Otsuka Official Website:  http://avex.jp/ai/

 

 

If you love Japanese music and a Japanese band or artist are coming to a city near you this year, then be sure to show your love and support by getting your hands on a ticket to see them live.

RELATED ENTRIES

  • Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Performs at Fuji Rock for the First Time, Original DJ Mix by Yasutaka Nakata Wows Audience

    03.August.2023 | MUSIC

    On July 30, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu took the outdoor stage at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ‘23 at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata.

     

    This marks the first time that the artist has performed at the legendary Japanese music festival. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has completed five world tours in the past, also performing at Coachella in the U.S. in 2022 and at Primavera Sound in Spain this June. The artist was the first performer during the Sunday Session on July 30, the final night of the festival.

     

    The Red Marquee housed the Sunday Session performances, and the venue was nearly overflowing with excited fans. As the audience began to chant Kyary’s name before she appeared on stage, a DJ wearing a rabbit mask appeared as DE.BA.YA.SHI 2021 began to play. The crowd’s chant only increased in intensity, and soon after, Kyary appeared wearing the famed pink outfit from her world tour held earlier this year.

    Immediately after, the popular singer performed Candy Racer and Dodonpa from her newest album, with the festival-like anthem Harajuku Iyahoi quickly following in a nonstop DJ mix. The crowd’s excitement reached a fever pitch, and fans began chanting along with the familiar tracks. Isshin Doutai, Perfect Oneisan, and Kyary’s debut track PON PON PON quickly followed.

    The sense of unity in the venue was amplified as the singer’s first song rang out, and when the intro to Ninja Re Bang Bang entered the mix, the crowd erupted in a thunderous cheer. Kyary continued with CANDY CANDY, Tsukematsukuru, and Mottai Night Land, with the excitement continuing unabated until the MC.

    “Thank you so much for coming to my first performance at Fuji Rock! I’d love to do it again,” the singer said emotionally. “The next song will be my last! It’s the most ‘rock’ of all of my songs, so would you mind getting pumped up with me?” Fashion Monster marked the finale of Kyary’s first Fuji Rock performance, and the event at the packed Red Marquee concluded with huge success.

    The original nonstop DJ mix for the event was created by Yasutaka Nakata. The crowd was shocked by Kyary’s ‘cool’ persona during her performance, her on-stage aura no doubt honed by her time spent overseas. After the show was over, social media was immediately filled with praise for the performance.

     

    Kyary will be performing at several other music festivals around Japan this summer, so keep an eye out!

      Photo:Ruriko Inagaki  

    [Setlist]

    1. DE.BA.YA.SHI. 2021
    2. Candy Racer
    3. Dodonpa
    4. Harajuku Iyahoi
    5. Isshin Doutai
    6. Perfect Oneisan
    7. PON PON PON
    8. Ninja Re Bang Bang
    9. CANDY CANDY
    10. Tsukematsukeru
    11. Mottai Night Land
    12. Fashion Monster
  • CAPSULE to Share Latest Work in a New VR World, Announce Upcoming Virtual Concert

    26.July.2023 | MUSIC

    Since the start of their career, electro-pop duo CAPSULE has utilized virtual studios in the production of their music. Now, a new world has been created using VRChat, one of the world’s largest social VR platforms, to bring the world of CAPSULE’s latest album, METRO PULSE, to life. Along this exciting announcement also came the news that the duo would hold a virtual concert titled CAPSULE Live in VRCHAT “METRO PULSE” on August 5.   In a virtual world that transcends the limitations of reality, the members of CAPSULE have been transformed into avatars to share their latest Synthwave and city pop album METRO PULSE. Fans are invited to use this opportunity to experience the world of CAPSULE in an entirely new way. The duo continues to lead the Japanese electro scene.   The overall production of this live performance will be handled by ANNIN, a joint production of Activ8, the company behind the legendary VTuber Kizuna AI, and ASOBISYSTEM. Additionally, the concert will be produced by ReeznD, who has experience in live-action music videos and XR live performances. Kinu, who previously performed at the SANRIO Virtual Festival, will supervise the production.  

    ■Stroll around the CAPSULE HOUSE, seen in CAPSULE’s music video, in VR

    The venue for the virtual concert is CAPSULE HOUSE, a special world in VRChat. The CAPSULE HOUSE, seen in the pair’s music video, has been recreated, and as you go deeper into the house, the door to the live performance venue will appear. The CAPSULE HOUSE is open to the public now, and can be visited by logging in to VRChat. Be sure to pay close attention to the countless gimmicks scattered around the house!

    <Comment from CAPSULE>

    “We’re looking forward to sharing our latest work, METRO PULSE, in a new way. We’ll see you all at the CAPSULE HOUSE in VRChat.”  

    ■Official Concert T-Shirts to be available

    To commemorate the virtual live event, CAPSULE's first e-commerce site has also been opened. The first item to be made available will be an official T-shirt.  
  • Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Performs on a Flower-Filled Stage at Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall for Celebratory Midnight Sun Concert

    25.July.2023 | MUSIC

    Following her successful seven-city world tour across four countries including a show at Primavera Sound, one of Europe’s largest music festivals, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has once again taken the stage in her native Japan. On July 15, the artist performed a stunning solo show, Celebrating 100 Years: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Special Live 2023 ~Midnight Sun~, at the Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall in Tokyo.

     

    The performance itself was part of a larger project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Hibiya venue. Fittingly, the theme of this one-night-only show was ‘the biggest celebration of your life,’ inspired by the ‘both joyful and terrifying festival held beneath the Midnight Sun.’ Kyary Pamyu Pamyu directed the performance herself, and the final product felt like it was pulling the audience into a movie world rather than a live performance.

     

    The costumes, made exclusively for this performance, were created by fashion stylist Yudai Ichinosawa. Stunning special effects makeup was provided by Kaiho, who has worked with Kyary in the past. In addition, the floral stage decorations for the live performance, made to be sustainable, were created in collaboration with Hibiya Kadan, whose headquarters are located inside Hibiya Park. Fresh flowers and greenery along with colorful artificial flowers were used to create a unique space for the special occasion.

    To begin the show, the curtain was raised as joyful Celtic music was played by a band of elves. The ‘Kyary Family’ marched onto the stage, their faces hidden by veils. The daughter, Kyary, appeared with dancers dressed as her father, mother, and twin sister, and as the characters removed their veils, the artist began with a performance of Easta, an Easter-themed song.

    During the MC portion of the show, Kyary shared her heartfelt congratulations to Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall for its 100-year history. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a colorful outdoor stage before,” she continued, inviting the audience to take in the gorgeous scenery.

     

    Kyary also shyly addressed her marriage in front of an audience for the first time. The artist also announced that she had invited the person who found her lost shoe sole in Harajuku months ago to the show, causing plenty of excitement in the audience.

    It was a night of celebration at the Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall, between the 100th anniversary of the space, Kyary’s marriage, and the recovery of her beloved shoe sole. The setlist included 22 songs along with an encore, blending both classic and new tracks, including songs not often performed live. The performance was punctuated with Celtic flare, giving the entire show an odd yet welcoming air as the audience celebrated the Midnight Sun with Kyary’s unique family.

    The official Midnight Sun playlist, which includes some special content, is available on major music streaming sites now. During certain portions of the concert, fans were allowed to film, so you can also expect to find some video footage scattered around social media.

     

    Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is scheduled to perform at LuckyFes on July 17 and FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL on July 30. As she continues to take the stage at festivals around Japan, fans are invited to come and see this internationally-acclaimed pop star as she continues to wow audiences.

     

    Photo: Aki Ishii

      ■Playlist Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Special Live 2023 - Midnight Sun - https://lnk.to/KPP_Midnight_Sun  
  • Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Concludes 7-stop World Tour Including Performance at Primavera Sound, One of Europe’s Largest Music Festivals

    14.June.2023 | MUSIC

    Harajuku-based artist Kyary Pamyu Pamyu charmed overseas fans during her first world tour in five years. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu WORLD TOUR 2023 -POPPP- took the artist to seven cities in four countries around the world.

     

    In May, Kyary began the U.S. leg of her tour, stopping in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago with French DJ/trackmaker Moe Shop as her opening act.

     

    The artist performed in Paris and London in June, along with Barcelona and Madrid for Primavera Sound 2023, one of the biggest music festivals in Europe.

    NATHAN GEY – NATHAN GEY

    NATHAN GEY – NATHAN GEY

     

    The Cabaret Sauvage in Paris and the London Earth Hall in London were filled to the brim with local fans, eager to see Kyary Pamyu Pamyu live for the first time in years. The audience sang the popular track Cherry Bon Bon in unison, dancing along with the legendary choreography.

     

    The London show featured Hannah Diamond as Kyary’s opening act. Signed to the UK label PC Music, Diamond is a leader in the HyperPop scene.

    KPOP CONCERT – FANNY LE MONNIER

    JAME WORLD – VANESSA LE PENNEC

     

    Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who continues to be active around the world, wowed the packed London venue with her expert dance moves and musicianship.

     

    At Primavera Sound, a festival taking place over two weeks in Barcelona and Madrid, Spain, a large crowd gathered in front of the stage, instantly captivated by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's unique style and Yasutaka Nakata’s addictive electro sound.

     

    Clips of the world tour have been posted on Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's Twitter and Instagram. Also, check out the Primavera Sound playlist on Spotify.

     

    On July 15, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will perform a solo concert at the Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall, which will also mark her triumphant return to Japan following her successful world tour. The artist will also perform at several summer festivals. Audiences around the world are enthralled with the Kawaii performer, and it’s only a matter of time before she performs for global audiences yet again.

  • Kyary Pamyu Pamyu to Perform Live at FUELFEST JAPAN, America’s Largest Car Festival

    25.May.2023 | MUSIC / Uncategorized

    Last year, one of the largest car festivals in America was held in Japan for the first time. FUELFEST JAPAN was a massive success, bringing in an audience of over 33,000 people to Fuji Speedway and transforming the space into what felt like the world of Fast & Furious. The event is returning to Fuji Speedway on August 11, 2023, and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will be taking the stage for a live performance.

     

    The 2023 event will be on an even larger scale. Actor Cody Walker, the brother of the late Paul Walker, will be in attendance, along with over 2,000 show cars, including many used in the Fast & Furious films. Guests can also enjoy drifting and supercar ride-alongs, a 0-200m drag race, and many other car-centric events, as well as a merchandise and food area. It’ll be difficult to see everything in a single day!

     

    Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is slated to perform at the event. The artist, now hugely popular in the United States, performed at the world-renowned music festival Coachella in 2022, as well as the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles soon after.

     

    Whether you’re a fan of cars or just a fan of good music, FUELFEST JAPAN is sure to impress. This one-day event will be packed with content, so don’t miss this blend of Hollywood supercars and Kyary’s kawaii performance!

  • [Live Report] Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Slays the Stage at Packed Anime Central Show in Chicago

    25.May.2023 | FEATURES / MUSIC

    Heading towards the concert venue inside the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, it was no surprise to see the line for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s show snaking through the halls to wrap around the building. Anime Central–the largest anime and manga convention in the midwest United States–played host to the concert, and fittingly, plenty of fans were clad in over-the-top cosplay, while many others proudly wore past Kyary concert tees, touting their steadfast devotion to Japan’s most kawaii pop princess.   This would be the third stop on Kyary’s first world tour in five years, following successful shows in New York and Los Angeles.   Since her debut over a decade ago, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has steadily amassed a global following, bringing new fans into the fold with every catchy tune and feast for the eyes she releases. Her name conjures thoughts of oversized bows and danceable earworms, and just last year, the artist performed for a hyped crowd at Coachella, a music festival that needs no introduction.   In October 2022, Kyary wrapped up her lengthy 10th Anniversary Tour around Japan, performing the majority of her 105 songs at the legendary Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. During this tour, the artist made global headlines by announcing the Local Japan Project, a way to revitalize towns and cities around Japan suffering from the pandemic’s aftermath through collaborative releases with small businesses. From limited-edition foods to special pink KPP-inspired train cars, the impact was palpable–if not by sheer funds, by contagious cheeriness.   Named Japan’s Kawaii Harajuku Ambassador by the Mayor of Shibuya, Kyary dabbles in a little of everything, from fashion and dance to cultural endeavors. Her natural ease in front of a crowd has a way of pulling in an audience–and Chicago was no exception. She came prepared to share the deeper meaning of kawaii while challenging stereotypes, accepting individuality, and sharing thoughts of a more open and artistic future.   Prior to the start of the show, French DJ and trackmaker Moe Shop warmed up the crowd with an intense set that had the room shaking with a combination of bass and mass jumping. Although seating was provided for audience members, it was impossible to stay standing as the set began, featuring some of the electro-artist's biggest hits from Baby Pink to GHOST FOOD (feat. TOREINA). As the first few seconds of CANDY CANDY (Moe Shop Remix) began, the room seemed to burst open, with more and more pink glowsticks beginning to illuminate the crowd.   Packed with kawaii devotees from wall to wall, brief quiet fell as stagehands rushed to decorate the set with POPPP icons, cueing some guests in the front to begin chanting Kyary’s name. As the venue lights dimmed, a brief film briefly introduced Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s history as if she was a character in a storybook, a hero desperate to illuminate the darkness in the world with all things pink and cute.   With her trusty dancers in tow, she finally took the stage as De.Ba.Ya.Shi. 2021, the techno-heavy first track on Kyary’s newest album Candy Racer, set the stage for a night of addictive tunes and carefree fun.   A highlight of the concert’s first half was Dodonpa, sending the crowd into an absolute frenzy. The experimental track’s erratic energy, heavy house influence, and gibberish lyrics invite anyone to sing along, regardless of mother tongue, making it an immediate fan-favorite with international Kyary fans.   Upon its release as the fifth single from Candy Racer, Kyary encouraged anyone interested to use the song in their online videos, also opening an official contest encouraging creators to send their best interpretation. The artist navigated through the tricky lyrics with relative ease as the audience egged her on, jumping along with the chorus’s hypnotic beat.   As the song concluded, fans screamed and cheered as Kyary finally began her brief English MC clad in a completely pink princess dress, complete with crown. Asking the audience their favorite color, the correct answer was obvious, and the artist nodded enthusiastically. “This is a pink show,” she stressed.   Leaping into Ninja Re Bang Bang, the artist and dancers performed the legendary choreography with ease as diehard fans imitated the shinobi hand gestures in time with the track.   In 2011, Kyary leaped from the local scene in Harajuku to the outside world with the release of PONPONPON. The bizarre and colorful music video immediately made the rounds on YouTube, and despite being relatively unknown at the time, the artist instantly had a viral hit on her hands. During the Chicago show, a remixed intro of the song, originally produced by Yasutaka Nakata, struck fans with the promise of lethal nostalgia. As the track began in earnest, Kyary bid the fans to dance along–it seemed that the request wasn’t necessary, as the audience was already in full swing.     Cherry Bonbon and Kyary ANAN followed, the latter of which saw fans chanting the singer’s name along with the lyrics. Though some present at the concert were likely unfamiliar with the music filling the hall, the energy was unrivaled, and it was nearly impossible to escape the waves of exhilaration and feverish fondness that penetrated the air.   If you weren’t a Kyary Pamyu Pamyu fan when you walked in, you certainly were when you walked out, whether her sound was your typical poison or not.   Invader Invader and Fashion Monster, tracks used in popular GU ads in Japan during the early 2010s, have similar staying power in the U.S., and are both credited as some of Kyary’s most popular songs. Prior to the start of Fashion Monster, a brief interlude began, in which the video monitors broadcast an impressive collection of snapshots of Kyary’s fashion over the past decade. A costume change was imminent, and when the artist returned to the stage, she donned a pink mask and pink ruffled dress, both seen during her Budokan performance late last year. Holding her mic beneath the mask seemed like an annoyance, but Kyary seemed to thrive off of the challenge, not missing a beat.   In its entirety, the setlist included nearly 20 tracks, easily checking off a bucket list item for hundreds of fans in the audience. Entry to the concert was included with a pass to the popular convention, though seating wasn’t guaranteed, causing dedicated fans to line up for hours prior to the show’s 6:30 start time.   But there were no complaints to be heard–instead, there was immense gratitude towards Kyary, her management company, and Anime Central for bringing the singer to Chicago.   Considering Kyary’s upward trajectory to date, it’s impossible to imagine a future in which the singer doesn’t continue catapulting towards the zenith of bubble pop legends in a global sense. The singer will now travel to Europe for the remainder of her world tour, and reports from there are sure to reflect the same general sentiment. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is here to stay, and kawaii culture is sure to continue its spread.   Written by Carley Garcia