ShowMinorSavage, a new unit formed by BMSG’s Aile The Shota along with SOTA and MANATO from BE:FIRST, have released their first EP! ShowMinorSavage was added to all major streaming services on February 22, 2023.

 

The three artists met at a BMSG audition and immediately hit it off, sharing similar musical backgrounds and interests. Unsurprisingly, they formed ShowMinorSavage soon after.

 

Their unit name comes from their intention to transform minor acts in the music scene into major acts, showing how savage they can be. Their first EP was created with this idea very much in mind.

 

ShowMinorSavage / SUPER ICY (Prod. Chaki Zulu) -Music Video-

The EP features the first songs produced under the group name ShowMinorSavage, including No Cap Navy, a song sampled from SKY-HI’s Nanairo Holiday created by the three members, and Thinkin’ bout you, a dope hip-hop track expressing the member’s love and featuring a vocal loop by TRILL DYNASTY. The groovy and extremely danceable song SUPER ICY was produced by Chaki Zulu.

 

The major debut of ShowMinorSavage is sure to create waves in the music scene, and you won’t want to miss it!

The popular boy band BE:FIRST has released the music video for the new song Boom Boom Back on YouTube.

 

Boom Boom Back – BE: FIRST (Music Video)

 

This is BE:FIRST’s first new song in five months. The hybrid hip-hop dance number is effortlessly unique, with the music video showing off each of the member’s personalities as they wander Shibuya.

 

The video brings to life the Shibuya of the 2000s, combining both dramatic shots and dance shots, the latter of which are shot on a Shibuya-inspired stage. With a mix of 90s flavor, 2000s teen beats, and a splash of modern styling, this track is sure to be a hit with fans.

 

The video was produced by a team of talented creators, including director Kensaku Kakimoto, known for his short film Parasite in Love, Shiho Etori, an active editor, and Satomi Inagaki, who is currently active in commercials and documentaries.

 

The addictive choreography was created by KAITA and KAZ the FIRE, choreographers who have been attracting attention on TikTok and Instagram with their #BBB Challenge.

 

Boom Boom Back was released digitally on February 13, 2023. The song is already appearing on a number of major charts, topping the iTunes Overall Song Ranking and the LINE MUSIC Real-time Song Top 100. Major streaming sites are also holding listening campaigns, so be sure to check them out.

 

This is BE:FIRST’s first music video in quite a while, so be sure to give it a watch!

The 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos versions of BE:FIRST’s first album BE:1 are now available on all major streaming services. The album was first released on August 31 and managed to chart extremely high, instantly becoming a massive hit. 360 Reality Audio uses Sony’s 360 impresive stereoscopic sound technology, allowing sound to pour in from all directions. This allows music lovers to experience their favorite songs in three-dimensions, making it feel as if they were at a live concert. 

 

The group’s first album BE:1 contains 15 songs from various genres, including BE:FIRST’s debut song Gifted. It also includes Bye-Good-Bye, which has been streamed more than 100 million times, and Scream, which took the top spot on the Billboard Japan Overall Song Chart JAPAN HOT 100. The album includes a total of 15 songs, many from different genres, so if you haven’t listened, this is the best way to do so! 

A video related to the song Milli-Billi from BE:FIRST’s first album BE:1 was released on November 30 at 21:00! Following its release on August 31, 2022, BE:1 has become a massive hit with fans worldwide.

 

Milli-Billi -???????- / BE:FIRST

https://youtu.be/xW_tCRiiFOs

 

Milli-Billi is a hip-hop track in which each and every member of the group tried their hand at rapping! Filled with BE:FIRST character while also being fresh and new, this fast-paced relay-style song has become a fan favorite.

 

A video of SOTA dancing with KAITA, the choreographer of the song, was posted on TikTok, quickly becoming a hot topic not only among fans but also among dancers. Numerous dance cover videos have been posted since.

 

@befirst_official Milli-Billi 🤑🤑🤑 🕺w / choreographer KAITA #振付師本人 #KAITA #SOTA #BEFIRST #MilliBilli #ミリビリ ♬ Milli-Billi – BE:FIRST

Milli-Billi is very popular among the group’s fans and there’s no doubt that this will be a winner. Every music video that the group has uploaded so far has managed to pull in incredible amounts of views, so we look forward to seeing how well this one performs.

 

Check out the video to see what it’s all about!

Virtual songstress Hatsune Miku will tour Japan in 2023! Hatsune Miku JAPAN TOUR 2023 ~THUNDERBOLT~ will begin in Nagoya in February 2023 and will travel to Osaka, Fukuoka, Tokyo, Sapporo, and other cities in Japan. Miku won’t be the only one performing–Rin and Len Kagamine, Luka Megurine, MEIKO, and KAITO will also appear! The online lottery for tickets will open on November 18 at noon and will end on December 5 at 23:59.

 

Featuring a Main Visual by Aki Akane and Theme Song by jon-YAKITORY

The main visual for the tour was drawn by popular illustrator Aki Akane and features a futuristic and extremely dynamic portrait of Hatsune Miku herself.

 

The event theme song, titled THUNDERBOLT, will be performed by music creator jon-YAKITORY. This will be released at a later date, so stay tuned!

 

Original merchandise will also be available during the tour, so keep an eye on the official website and Twitter page for more details as the tour’s start date gets closer!

On October 19, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu celebrated her 10th anniversary as an artist in the best way possible–by holding her first Nippon Budokan concert in six years. The conclusion of her national tour, the show was mysteriously titled ‘UMA 105.’ 

 

Kyary’s special performance was also streamed to a worldwide audience via Zaiko Connect, with the video available to stream through January 2023. The stage itself reflected Kyary’s unique style, with a UFO sporting disco ball legs on the ceiling, a brightly-lit pyramid with eyes in the center, and mushrooms and octopus legs dotting the sides of the stage.

 

While many fans in the audience were expecting the same set list used during the rest of the tour, they were shocked to find it completely redesigned. The singer performed a whopping 82 tracks, blending full versions, short versions, and medleys, giving fans a chance to relive the past decade of her career. All five of Kyary’s full albums were represented: Pamyu Pamyu Revolution (2012), Nanda Collection (2013), Pika Pika Fantajin (2014), Japamyu (2018), and Candy Racer (2021), along with her first mini-album Moshi Moshi Harajuku (2011). The groundbreaking performance also included a cover of a CAPSULE track–the duo is also managed by ASOBISYSTEM, and due to her love of their music and her working relationship with Yasutaka Nakata, Kyary decided to sign to the same agency.

 

During the opening video, Kyary appeared in a stunning pink dress and mask to address everyone’s question–what does ‘UMA 105’ mean? This refers to 105 unidentified organisms, or 105 songs, that have been released by the singer so far. Suddenly, it was also announced that filming was permitted, and the concert began with two of Kyary’s most popular songs, Invader Invader and PONPONPON. Utilizing the incredible power of 12 additional speakers on the Budokan floor, the sound quality was stunning.

 

While the performance conjured memories of Kyary’s earlier days as a performer, it also showed the evolution of the pop star over the past decade. Beloved by audiences abroad, it’s no wonder that the singer was invited to perform at this year’s Coachella, one of the world’s largest music festivals. The dancers at Budokan had been active as KPP dancers since they were children, growing up with Kyary and her music. Understandably, this made the show even more emotional. 

 

“Good evening and welcome to Nippon Budokan,” Kyary yelled during the first MC portion. “Welcome to the finale of my tour! The title of the show, UMA, means ‘unidentified organism,’ and 105 refers to the number of songs I’ve released so far. How would you like me to perform most of those songs tonight?” A number of fans at the venue were dressed in Kyary costumes from past releases and concerts, and with glowsticks in hand, the audience became a sight to behold.

 

The music scene has undergone major changes over the past decade. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s debut signaled a huge shakeup in the industry, with the artist becoming a leader in both Harajuku and Kawaii culture upon the release of her PONPONPON music video a decade ago. The video spread like wildfire around the world, trending on YouTube and catching the attention of major stars like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Charli XCX, all of whom have been greatly influenced by Kyary’s works.

 

The nineteenth track to be performed was the popular Tsukematsukeru. Created with producer Yasutaka Nakata, the song is known by many as the heart of Kyary’s identity, with her colorful outfit and over-the-top dance moves. Goosebumps appeared on my skin when the intro rang out, and the show continued with a medley from the Nanda Collection album. Kirakira Killer, Mondai Girl, and Crazy Party Night ~Pumpkin no Gyakushu~ rang out in perfect succession, and the audience was enthralled.

 

The dancers were dressed as four different types of monsters, each with unique characteristics. Kyary decided to use four dancers all from different dance backgrounds: Okapi, playing Flat Woods Monster, performed an amazingly technical ballet; SHO→TA, playing the Yeti, utilized his height to put on a powerful hip-hop show; Randy, playing the Mothman, dazzled the audience with his stylish voguing; and brown, playing the Chupacabra, showed off his House moves. 

 

During the intermission, the dancers were given the stage to show off their unique styles and personalities while performing to Kyary’s songs. Kanzen Keitai was paired with ballet, Kimi no Mikata was paired with hip-hop, Slow-mo was paired with voguing, and Jumping Up was paired with House in rapid succession. 

 

To start the second half, the show moved into EDM mode with DE.BA.YA.SHI. 2021 and Candy Racer. The GASH Crew, comprised of three dancers chosen as winners in the Adobe DANCE VIDEO FES dance video contest in August, performed during Dodonpa, and fans couldn’t help but move along.

Fashion Monster, a song loved by audiences around the world, continued to lead the charge, and fans were impressed by the variety of tunes being played in such quick succession. The track was followed by the Pamyu Pamyu Revolution section, paying homage to the legendary album that made Kyary famous. This blended into a unique medley of CAPSULE cover songs. 

If one were to look back on Kyary’s success over the past decade, it was largely due to her gaining popularity in the West. Over the past year, PONPONPON and Cherry Bonbon have seen a resurgence in popularity due to TikTok users in Thailand, Korea, and other countries. 

 

The venue exploded with excitement as the EDM track Harajuku Iyahoi began before flowing in the mellow pop track Kamaitachi. In colorful style, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu gave a full–and very danceable–performance of Gum Gum Girl, and another medley began, this time from Japamyu. Things felt like a 24-hour TV marathon, with the energy starting to reach a fever pitch and the audience in a complete frenzy. Even as Ninja Re Bang Bang and Sai & Co rang out, fans were already begging for an encore.

 

As the seemingly endless applause continued on and on, Kyary changed into a new outfit. Of course, her signature ribbon was in place on top of her head. 

Her emotional MC segment began, with fans giving their undivided attention. 

 

“My voice is worn out…I think I really might have sung too much,” Kyary began with a strained laugh. “Thank you for coming out to the finale of my 10th-anniversary tour. I fell in love with fashion when I was in high school, and at the time, people would giggle at me when I walked down the street. They’d look at me like I was just some weirdo. I was just some odd girl with a big ribbon on her head. But for me, it felt normal. Soon after, I started my career as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. That was a spur-of-the-moment name, and I really didn’t think I’d still be using it a decade later. It’s all thanks to the staff members and fans who have supported me. You’re why I’m standing on stage at Nippon Budokan today.”

 

Through tears, Kyary continued. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I never thought I’d be able to perform at Budokan, let alone three times. I want to keep going, and I want to do my best for another 10 years. I want to become someone who can change nothing into something in this world. Thank you, I’m so happy,” the artist said with a flourish. 

 

“I wanted to push the envelope for my Budokan show. There are things that might seem impossible, but you might be surprised by what you can achieve if you just try. That’s what I wanted to embody with my dancing today. I’m happy that I sang so much that I’m losing my voice! I don’t think I’ll be able to wake up tomorrow, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to talk either, so I’m just going to take a break,” Kyary said with another laugh. Striking a pose, it seemed like the unidentified creature was Kyary Pamyu Pamyu herself. 

 

The show was a culmination of the artist’s growth over the past decade. The last ten years have seen the world of entertainment change dramatically due to the internet, allowing fans from all over to experience music and culture from artists around the world. 

 

Before performing her new electro-pop song Isshin Doutai, Kyary spoke about her accident this summer, in which she cut her leg while swimming in the ocean resulting in ten stitches. “I bought a swimsuit during the tour, and was happy to finally go to the beach, but I really got hurt. It’s healing really well, but I want to love this scar because it’s a part of me. Be sure to watch the music video–I made the scar sing!” 

 

The final song was Chan Chaka Chan Chan, which also served as the final song for other stops on the tour. Rather than saying ‘goodbye,’ the lyrics were changed to ‘see you soon,’ bringing certain members of the audience to tears. After this performance, it’s easy to see that Kyary is continuing to level up. This legendary performance showed off the best of the Queen of Harajuku and was a delight from start to finish.

 

In November, Kyary will appear at True Color Festival THE CONCERT 2022, the world’s largest music festival focusing on diversity and inclusion. This will mark Kyary’s first collaboration with Katy Perry, who helped make the artist popular worldwide. We wish Kyary success over the next decade.

 

Text: Fukuryuu (Music Concierge)

Photo: Aki Ishii

 

[Archived Stream]

10th ANNIVERSARY JAPAN TOUR 2022 -TOUR FINAL- UMA 105

Available to stream worldwide on Zaiko Connect

Stream Available: October 19, 2022 – January 9, 2023

URL: https://connect.zaiko.io/e/kpp10

 

[Concert Information]

[True Colors Festival THE CONCERT 2022]

November 19, 2022 – Doors open 16:00 / Show starts 18:00

November 20, 2022 – Doors open 15:00 / Show starts 17:00

Venue: Tokyo Garden Theater

 

Contact: 

True Colors Festival THE CONCERT 2022 Office

Phone: 050-5541-8600 (9:00～20:00 daily)

 

[Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Special Live 2022 ~Back to Coachella~]

Date: December 20, 2022

Venue: Nanba Hatch (Osaka)

 

Date: December 21 and 22, 2022

Venue: EX THEATER ROPPONGI (Tokyo)

Each year, an incredible event is held at Kumano-Nachi Taisha, a Shinto shrine and World Heritage Site located in the Kii Mountain Range of Wakayama Prefecture.

 

To kick off the ‘diamond celebration,’ a special concert will mark the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi, the Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. Yoshimi Tsujimoto, a shakuhachi player from Hashimoto, will perform in the concert scheduled to begin on October 22 at 13:30. 

 

Moshi Moshi Nippon sat down with Yoshimi Tsujimoto to discuss her music and, most importantly, her interest in sharing the sound of the shakuhachi with the world.

 

 

−How did you become interested in the shakuhachi? 

My father loved the shakuhachi, and because of that, I grew up surrounded by the sound of it. That’s how it all began!

 

−What attracts you to playing the shakuhachi?

I love the timbre of the shakuhachi. 

Those who play the shakuhachi often say that a single note has the power to bring someone to enlightenment. 

Curiously, individual differences in tone are more easily discernible with the shakuhachi than with other instruments. That means that a person can express themselves in more unique ways.

 

 −You’ve performed in many different countries. Do you get different reactions to the shakuhachi in other countries when compared to Japanese audiences?

I have a vivid memory of a time I performed a classical shakuhachi piece solo. This particular type of classical music is called ‘wabi-sabi,’ and it isn’t very loud or lively. 

In Japan, when I finish a performance, people usually clap. But when I performed in South America, as soon as the piece concluded, there was a standing ovation with people shouting “Bravo!” That would never happen in Japan, and it left such a lasting impression on me.

 

−Are there any countries that have left a lasting impression on you, or that you would like to visit in the future?

I have good memories of every country I’ve visited, but I think that Cuba left the biggest impression. I just made me think about how incredible music can be.

I’d love to visit Bulgaria, Morocco, Armenia, Uganda…it’s tough, because I want to visit every country I haven’t been to yet. (laughs)

 

−You’re from Hashimoto City, near Mount Koya. How did you feel when you heard that this concert would be held so close to your hometown?

What I felt was pure joy.

Personally, I’ve always loved Mount Koya, and I went there many times as a child. It’s such a pleasure to be able to perform there.

 

−Tell us some of your favorite memories involving Mount Koya.

I go to Mount Koya at least three or four times a year. It’s not a particular memory per se, but every time I go, I love to eat vegetarian food, explore, and buy wheat buns and sesame tofu as gifts to take home.

 

−Are there any local foods or places that you’d recommend?

The fruit is delicious in Wakayama, and my hometown is famous for persimmons.They are so yummy, and I just want everyone to try them!

Mount Koya and Kumano Kodo are both World Heritage sites, and they are both absolutely breathtaking. Other than those, I’d recommend Adventure World! It has adorable pandas roaming around freely and the most wonderful dolphin shows. Everyone from around the country should visit!

 

−Finally, do you have a message for Moshi Moshi Nippon readers?

Japan is filled with incredible places and culture. The shakuhachi, a beloved traditional Japanese instrument, is one piece of that culture.

I want audiences around the world to hear the sound of the shakuhachi and to make it more familiar. If you have a chance to hear it, I hope you will.

Be sure to follow Yoshimi Tsujimoto’s activities going forward as she shares the beauty and culture of shakuhachi with the world.

Popular boys group BE:FIRST has released the music video for Message. The track was featured on the group’s chart-topping first album BE:1 released on August 31.

Message is BE:FIRST’s first love song, featuring a soundscape punctuated by sweet guitar riffs. The mid-tempo ballad is a collaboration between singer-songwriter eill, whose songs reflect elements of soul and R&B and whose silky, soulful voice is incredibly addicting; Matt Cab, whose musical sense and unique sound is perfect for a wide range of genres; and MATZ and SKY-HI, who have attracted attention as next-generation artists who lead the Japanese dance music scene.

 

The music video shows seven people in love and was filmed like a drama series. The seven performers portray their daily lives as they fall in love, struggle with love, and learn to move forward. The powerful dance is also a highlight. Check out the dramatic performances of the seven members in this elaborate setting.

 

BE:FIRST is currently on its first nationwide tour, titled BE:FIRST 1st One Man Tour “BE:1” 2022-2023. The tour will take the members to 17 cities nationwide for a total of 29 shows.

 

Be sure to watch this dance-filled music video, offering a glimpse at a new side of BE:FIRST.

BAND-MAID, one of the most popular Japanese bands abroad, recently performed at AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL 2022 in Sacramento, California. On October 9, the last day of the massive 4-day rock festival, the band performed their first U.S. show in three years. We’re taking a look at the group’s successful performance, which has audiences anxious for BAND-MAID to arrive in their city.

Appearing on the Coors Light Stage, the group began with the instrumental track from now on. Miku Kobato (Gt.&Vo), KANAMI (Gt.), MISA (Ba.), and AKANE (Dr.) immediately attracted the audience’s attention, still riding the high of their newest EP release, Unleash, on September 21. BAND-MAID, whose intense music is something you’d never expect from a group of girls in maid outfits, showed off their performance ability from the beginning. As the impressive guitar riff of DOMINATION continued along with the cheers of 10,000 fans in the audience, SAIKI (Vo.) made her appearance. Raising both hands to spur the audience on, fans began yelling out the member’s name as Choose me, a very popular song overseas, began. As the momentum continued, BAND-MAID began playing songs from the new Unleash EP, including influencer and, of course, Unleash!!!! The final song, NO GOD, began with an incredible intro arrangement, and the crowd continued to grow–so much so that security guards had to step in to keep the peace. A total of seven songs were performed during the 30-minute show, and audiences were more than thrilled.

After the performance, the group attracted a large number of requests for interviews from international media outlets. Other performers, such as the Mexican trio The Warning and The Pretty Reckless, immediately came to mingle with the BAND-MAID members.

 

The U.S. tour will begin on October 12, and the first solo concert is expected to bring in over 20,000 fans. 12 of the 13 stops on the U.S. tour have sold out, proving the group’s international popularity.

 

In addition to their appearance at MERRY ROCK PARADE 2022 on December 18, the band will hold its largest-ever solo concert at the Tokyo Garden Theater on January 9, 2023. Tickets are now on sale by official lottery, so don’t miss your chance to watch these girls continue down their path of world domination!

 

Japanese music streaming site RecoChoku has announced the top song and album rankings for September 2022.

 

Ado tops both the single and album charts for the second month in a row with her tracks from the movie ONE PIECE FILM RED. The singer provided the singing voice of Uta, the main character in the film which was released nationwide on August 6, 2022. The theme song for the film, New Genesis, ranked top in the weekly rankings on September 7, September 14, and September 28. Back in August, Ado dominated the charts as well, with I’m Invincible and Where the Wind Blows taking the top spots.

 

Ado also took first place in September’s album ranking with her collection of songs from ONE PIECE FILM RED. A number of other popular artists worked on the album, including Yasutaka Nakata, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, Vaundy, FAKE TYPE., Hiroyuki Sawano, Yuta Orisaka, and Motohiro Hata. The album for the film also ranked top in the weekly rankings on September 7, September 14, and September 28. 

In August, Ado took the top spot for both most popular song and most popular album on RecoChoku’s download ranking, and the singer has done it again in September.

 

If you haven’t listened to Ado’s collection of songs from the new ONE PIECE film, this is your sign to do so.

 

 

RecoChoku Monthly Music Award – September 2022

(Announced October 1, 2022)

Single Ranking
1st Place: New Genesis (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED) – Ado (Released June 8, 2022)
2nd Place: Hitotsuboshi – KOH+
3rd Place: Start Over – THE BEAT GARDEN
4th Place: Velvet – back number
5th Place: I’m Invincible (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED) – Ado
https://recochoku.jp/ranking/single/monthly/

Album Ranking
1st Place: Uta’s Songs from ONE PIECE FILM RED – Ado (Released August 10, 2022)
2nd Place: Luxury Disease – ONE OK ROCK
3rd Place: YUZU ARENA TOUR 2022 SEES -ALWAYS with you- Yuzu
4th Place: Hitotsuboshi ~Galileo Collection 2007-2022 – KOH+ 
5th Place: BE:1 – BE:FIRST
https://recochoku.jp/ranking/album/monthly/ 
  

©尾田栄一郎／2022「ワンピース」製作委員会

BE:FIRST, the 7-member boy band created from winners of SKY-HI’s 6-month “THE FIRST” audition, has continued to rise the ranks in the Japanese pop music world. The group has just started its first nationwide tour, ‘BE:FIRST 1st One Man Tour “BE:1” 2022-2023,’ which will see the boys perform 29 shows in 17 cities. The tour began in Hiroshima on September 23. 

The group released its first album, BE:1, on August 31, and it immediately reached the top slot on the Billboard Japan Overall Albums Chart. At the first stop on the tour, the boys performed plenty of tracks from the album, including Bye-Good-Bye which has been streamed over 100 million times. They also sang the album’s leading track Scream and Message, their first love song. As BE:FIRST’s popularity soars, the group announced two additional shows to take place in Tokyo and Osaka. Keep an eye on what they do next!

 

Additional Performances

January 26, January 27, 2023 – Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo

January 31, February 1, 2023 – Osaka-Jo Hall, Osaka

Two Sega purikura machines–ROMAPI and lalamee–will start a collaboration event with BE:FIRST on September 15! Until November 7, fans can get some snapshots with their favorite members at machines nationwide.

 

This collaboration event will feature moving photo frames, with lalamee offering 24 varieties and ROMAPI offering 28 varieties. Fans will also find 25 exclusive stickers featuring the members’ names, mini-characters, and logos! Fans can also take 3-second video moments with the members, giving them the feeling that they’re taking pictures side by side with the popular idols.

lalamee: 24 varities / ROMAPI: 28 varieties

Original Collaboration Effects

Original Collaboration Stamps

Limited Edition Original BE:FIRST Stickers

 

In addition, a total of five songs will appear as background music, including the group’s newest song Scream featured on their first album BE:1. Photos can be downloaded to smartphones using the Purikura ON app, which will also feature voice messages from the members!

 

Select stores will also be holding a gift campaign where customers can get a limited original BE:FIRST sticker by showing off their purikura creations. 30 machines nationwide will also be decorated to celebrate the campaign. 

 

BE:FIRST fans won’t want to miss this exclusive opportunity to get a snapshot with their favorite member!

 

©SEGA