Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Rides Her Own Collaboration Train on Chiba’s Choushi Electric Railway

23.May.2022 | MUSIC / SPOT

On May 18, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu traveled to Chiba to take a ride on the Kyary Train, a collaborative train currently in operation on the Choushi Electric Railway! The collaboration is part of the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project, launched to energize Japan by marketing the appeal of regional towns and cities. The singer also attended a special event celebrating the redesigned Kannon Station with Choshi mayor Shinichi Koshikawa and Choshi Electric Railway president Katsunori Takemoto in attendance. 

 

In January, Kyary began the largest tour of her career, ‘Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 10th ANNIVERSARY JAPAN TOUR 2022 CANDY WAVE,’ with the artist performing 30 shows across Japan. In conjunction with the nationwide tour, the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project was launched, which aims to bring attention and support to local industries and to inspire more tourism to rural areas impacted negatively by the pandemic. In April, Kyary announced a collaboration with Chiba’s Choushi Electric Railway. The railway President is known for his self-deprecating jokes, noting that the railway has seen a serious lack of ridership over the last decade. Fittingly, the collaboration is based on Kyary’s hit song Mondai Girl (Problem Girl). The Kyary Train began operations on the first day of Golden Week, attracting a huge crowd. Surprisingly, the singer herself took time out of her tour to ride the train herself!

 

Upon arrival at the Choshi Dentetsu platform, the Kyary Train appeared, decorated with the collaboration design on the first car. Kyary, seeing the train in person for the first time, greeted it with a happy wave. Upon boarding, the interior was decorated with pink, yellow, and blue balloons inspired by the music video for Mondai Girl. “It’s so cute,” Kyary exclaimed. Other decorations placed in the train also pull from the video, including triangular accents based on Kyary’s outfit and spikes inspired by the male dancer’s hairstyles. The in-train ads feature “problematic” confessions from riders, citizens of Choushi, and Kyary herself. After a while, the departure sound plays, incorporating the phrase Mondai Girl, and the train departs. During the 21-minute ride, Kyary guided riders through the many stations, with announcements playing as the train passed by notable locales. 

 

After the trip, the ‘Mondai ga Aru’ (There are Problems) event took place to show off the new interior of Kannon Station. Broken glass has been replaced and the interior features a light pink paint job, complete with an image of Kyary. Choshi mayor Shinichi Koshikawa and Choshi Electric Railway president Katsunori Takemoto expressed their gratitude. 

 

“Choshi Electric Railway is often the butt of jokes, but I think it takes courage to make those jokes. It’s because the railway is so honest that people are willing to come out and help,” Kyary said. “I’ll do my best so that my music and this railway will both be loved for 100 years.” 

 

A photo booth pulling inspiration from the press conference scene in the Mondai Girl music video has been also been added. Kyary took a seat to share details of a certain moment during Coachella that made a huge impact on her. During the second weekend performance, Kyary performed alone for the first time in her decade-long career after her dancers suffered from a sudden illness.

 

President Takemoto also spoke about a “problem”–too many people showed up to ride the Kyary Train during Golden Week, and the company ran out of its popular products halfway through the week! He also announced a new song, Choushi Mondai Girl, which he performed on guitar.

 

“If there’s a problem, this is a good opportunity to solve it. If we can overcome our problems, we can move on to the next stage. I hope that Choushi Electric Railway will continue to do its best,” Kyary said at the end of the event, inspiring warm applause from the crowd.

 

Be sure to check out the collaboration this spring and summer!

 

Mondai Girl Music Video

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  • 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
  • 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
  • Kyary Pamyu Pamyu to Release ‘CANDY CANDY (Moe Shop Remix), Artist to Perform Solo Concert at Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall in July

    28.April.2023 | MUSIC

    A Moe Shop Remix of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s legendary song CANDY CANDY, originally released in 2012, will appear on streaming services on April 21.   Moe Shop is a DJ and trackmaker whose one-of-a-kind sound is influenced by French electronica and Japanese pop music. Having amassed a global following, the creator claims to be greatly influenced by Yasutaka Nakata, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s producer.   CANDY CANDY (Moe Shop Remix) is the second remix to be released by the Harajuku star. In 2020, Ninja Re Bang Bang (Steve Aoki Remix) was released to massive fanfare. The new pop tune has a completely different vibe than the original, and fans won’t want to miss it.   Recently, it was announced that Moe Shop would be performing as the opening act for the three U.S. dates of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s POPPP world tour starting in May. The two artists will also be collaborating on a special YouTube Live, allowing fans from around the world to participate in the festivities. The jacket illustration for the single, created by illustrator Natsumi Yoshida, has also been unveiled.
      After the world tour concludes, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will hold a special solo concert on July 15 at the Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall. ‘Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Special Live 2023 ~Midnight Sun~’ will be held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the venue.