On May 20, the indescribably unique four-member dance and vocal group Atarashii Gakko! performed Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo! Given their performance at such a well-known venue, the name of their solo concert was fittingly ‘Wha–?! Graduating from Obscurity ~AG! FRIDAY AFTER SCHOOL~.’
The group signed with American multi-media company 88rising in January 2021. The label is attempting to introduce more unique Asian music to the US, and it doesn’t get much more unique than Atarashii Gakko! The girls have over 3.8 million TikTok followers, and their April single WOO! GO! was released as a tie-in with NIKE Juku, amassing praise from audiences worldwide.
As fans of the band have come to expect, the concert began with the sound of chimes, leading into the first song, Toumei Boy. Followed by an intense dance performance, fans were captivated by the show, which was performed overseas last month to an audience of 25,000 fans. Following the song Final Humanity, a bizarre video began playing, leading into the fan-favorite CANDY from the group’s EP SNACKTIME. For the first time in the group’s solo performance history, backup dancers joined them during the track Night Before the Exam.
Starting with Otona Blue, the members appeared clad in colorful decorations, making it seem as if they were singing on TV. The girls have an unprecedented stage presence that has helped them catapult their career forward, from obscurity to performing one of the most well-known venues in Tokyo. Happy Hormones shoed a cuter side to the girls, offering fans a glimpse beyond their usual hardcore dance moves. The audience joined in, waving their hands from side to side and flashing peace signs.
The Italian disco tune Fantastico began with slow-motion movements and added limbo dancing into the choreography, giving the members a chance to show off their comedic skills. Anyone who follows them on social media is well aware of how hilarious they can be!
Suddenly, a man dressed as a construction site security guard emerged on stage, performing an impressive rendition of the robot. This man turned out to be DJ Morley Robertson, who joined the girls in Intergalactic, starting with the members calling out “We are Bestie Girls!” As Atarashii Gakko! danced to this classic Beastie Boys tune, Robertson addressed the audience, shouting “The night is just getting started!”
Pineapple Kryptonite shows off the girl’s dancing skills, but the Pineapple Kryptonite REMIX treated fans to an acrobatic performance that brought the energy in the venue to the max.
Member MIZYU spoke to the audience about the choreography in WOO! GO!, the girl’s newest track, calling on them to join in. The members also performed the Spanish version of Free Your Mind, cementing their place as one of Japan’s most global acts. Towards the end of the live show, the members hugged and showed the audience how close they are as friends, bringing everyone to tears.
The Zepp DiverCity concert was a whirlwind of excitement and energy. Those in the audience could see how Atarashii Gakko! has improved since their debut, and everyone is excited to see how much higher they can soar going forward.
The archived video of the performance is officially available until May 29 at 23:59. Check out a comment from the group immediately after the concert below!
Comment from Atarashii Gakko!
“This was the best live performance we’ve ever done! With our past shows, the four of us have designed everything ourselves. This time we had a lot of other people involved, and we could really feel the love from both the staff and the audience. During the show, I felt like I was having a conversation with the audience without words. I could see everyone’s faces from the beginning to the end, and it made me so happy. Each day, we interact with so many fans through social media, but being on stage in front of them is so different. We can feel how much they love us and we can really be ourselves. Just before the show started, we reminded ourselves to just have FUN! That’s why this became our best concert ever. I hope we can share all of this love and happiness on an even bigger stage next time!”
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Wha-?! Graduating from Obscurity ~AG! FRIDAY AFTER SCHOOL~ Archived Stream
On November 27, Toua will release her first EP, I am I, both physically and digitally.
The lead track on the EP, I am I, became a hot topic following its July release, with over 10,000 TikTok videos in just three weeks. Also included is Young -MINE remix-, TREKKIE TRAX’s Afro-pop rearrangement of the popular 2022 song highlighting the emotions and struggles that teens face. The EP includes four songs in total, from MY Routine, a reggaeton bop with lyrics by up-and-coming rapper Minami Nakamura, and MEmories, a Y2K-inspired song composed by ‘Carpainter’ from MEZZ and TREKKIE TRAX CREW.
With the message of “I, MY, ME, MINE” in each song title, the EP expresses the importance of loving yourself as you are and embracing self-expression.
The cover artwork was created by Keisuke Shimizu once again, who has worked as creative director for THE FIRST TAKE and NHK's music documentary Okaeri Ongakushitsu. “To extract Toua’s character, I decided to highlight her most impactful parts,” Shimizu said. “Even if you only look at the hands, feet, nose, lips, or other body parts, you can easily recognize that it is Toua. That's proof that she is truly iconic!”
The EP will be available in two forms: a Limited First Edition including a 12-inch record-size paper jacket with a CD, a B2-size poster, and a lyrics card, and a Standard Edition including a paper jacket with a CD and an 8-page booklet. Listeners are invited to enjoy the Gen Z icon’s music and visuals together. In addition, select CD shops and online stores will hand out special purchase bonuses while supplies last.
Release events will also be held in various locations, with details scheduled to be revealed soon.
Information
I am I – Toua (1st EP)
Release Date: November 27, 2024
Limited First Edition
12-inch Paper Jacket
CD+B2-size Poster / Lyrics card
AMT-10001 / ¥2,750 (Tax Included)
Standard Edition
Paper Jacket
CD+8-page Booklet
AMT-10002 / ¥1,650 (Tax Included)
Singer-songwriter Natsuki Kawanishi will release her new song, Sentimental & Hot Coffee, on November 20.
The new track is a sentimental love song that describes the difference in views on love between men and women, as well as the common interval between “being strong” and “wanting to be pampered.” At the start of winter, when people begin to miss the touch of human skin, Kawanishi’s warm and resonant voice aims to soothe the loneliness of the masses.
The song has been selected as the “Radio Kansai Recommended Song” for November on Radio Kansai. It has also been chosen as the November ending theme for RSK Sanyo Broadcasting’s KYUN! MUSIC.
[Comment from Natsuki Kawanishi]
“This song is perfect for the winter season, when “cold” and “loneliness” intersect and people miss human touch. This new song shares the emotions of the main character, who wavers between wanting to be strong and wanting to be taken care of. Even when her memories haunt her, she doesn’t say what she wants to say. I expressed my desire to hide that sadness and internal conflict by blaming it all on the season.”
Information
<Song Information> Sentimental & Hot Coffee – Natsuki Kawanishi (Digital Single)
Release Date: November 20, 2024
Streaming URL: https://orcd.co/nk_sentimental_hot_coffee
Available on all major music download and streaming sites
<Live Information> Natsuki Kawanishi ONEMAN LIVE ‘mirror ball’
Osaka Show
Date: February 15, 2025
Venue: Umeda Shangri-La
Time: Doors open 17:00 / Show starts 18:00
Tokyo Show
Date: February 26, 2025
Venue: Shibuya WWW
Time: Doors open 18:00 / Show starts 19:00
On September 27, the vocal dance unit ATARASHII GAKKO! began ‘AG! CALLING WORLD TOUR Pt.2’ at PNE Forum in Vancouver, Canada. The second leg of the tour will see a total attendance of about 40,000 fans.
The group performed two songs from their June album AG! Calling live for the first time: Essa Hoisa and Maji Yoroshiku. During the second half of the performance, the remixed versions of fan-favorite tracks Saisyu Jinrui and Koi Geba were played for the first time to massive applause, ending the first day of the group’s North American tour with a bang.
The group will perform in 13 North American cities, including Seattle, San Francisco, and Mexico City, making this ATARASHII GAKKO!’s largest overseas tour to date.
<Member Comment>
“Finally! AG! CALLING WORLD TOUR Pt. 2 has begun!
How far will our power spread?! I can’t comprehend it but I’m so excited.
Every time we perform overseas and outside of Japan, we’re so moved by how enthusiastic the audiences are and how they’ve been waiting to see us. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of fans we’ll meet on this North American tour.
Our youthful journey is a never-ending story!
After returning to Japan, we’ll be fully devoting ourselves to our Japan tour starting in November, so get ready to see how much we can power up! Thanks for supporting us!”
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<World Tour Details> AG! CALLING WORLD TOUR Pt.2
September 26 / Vancouver, PNE Forum
September 27 / Seattle, Showbox SoDo
September 29 / San Francisco, The Warfield
October 1 / Mexico City, Pepsi Center
October 3 / Chicago, Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
October 6 / Toronto, HISTORY
October 8 / New York, Terminal 5
October 9 / Boston, Roadrunner
October 11 / Washington, D.C., The Anthem
October 13 / Atlanta, The Eastern
October 15 / Austin, ACL Live
October 17 / Dallas, The Factory in Deep Ellum
October 20 / Los Angeles, Hollywood Palladium
On April 14, ATARASHII GAKKO! performed solo at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one of the world’s largest music festivals held in Indio, California.
This year’s headliners at Coachella included Lana Del Rey, Tyler the Creator, and Doja Cat. ATARASHII GAKKO! performed during the grand finale of the GOBI STAGE for the April 14 set headlined by Doja Cat.
The opening sound effects and Taiko project set the mood as the girls appeared on stage in their original padded kimonos, starting with a performance of Toryanse, released in January. Without a pause, they transitioned seamlessly into OMAKASE, performing the song for the first time as the audience cheered loudly in tune with the fusion of Showa-era and modern sounds.
“Everybody jump,” SUZUKA screamed during Pineapple Kryptonite Remix. Not needing to be told twice, the crowd was instantly united, the voltage almost unbearable. “Let me hear you,” the group called out after the song ended, to which the audience instantly responded “ATARASHII GAKKO!” This was the perfect intro to the group’s beloved song OTONABLUE.
The group continued by performing two never-before-heard songs: Arigato and Forever sisters. During Arigato, each of the four members held a broomstick and used it as a guitar, and despite these songs never being heard before, the audience jumped in perfect unison.
With dynamic dance moves typical of ATARASHII GAKKO! , the girls performed their popular 2018 number Saishu Jinrui. To wrap up the set, the group performed Tokyo Calling with the USC marching band, bringing America and Japan closer together and stirring the audience’s hearts. The energy in the air was palpable, and without prompting, fans raised their fists in the air as the members chanted “We are marching!”
The last song performed was NAINAINAI, the first song to be released on the global record label 88rising, bringing ATARASHII GAKKO! to the world. The girls ran around the stage, keeping the fans on their toes until the very end, and closing their set with a smile. Yet again, they have left their mark as “representatives of Japan’s youth” at Coachella, one of the biggest music festivals on Earth.
ATARASHII GAKKO! has announced that a new album is on the way. Details will be released soon.
The group continues to expand, performing in countries around the world and taking on new challenges at every turn. This year, ATARASHII GAKKO! World Tour Part I will take the girls across Europe and Asia.
Starting with the Primavera Sound Festival, one of the largest music festivals in Europe held in Barcelona, Spain, the band will perform a total of 13 concerts across Europe and Asia.
Information
ATARASHII GAKKO! World Tour Part I
6月1日 Barcelona, Primavera Sound Festival ※
6月3日 Brussels, La Madeleine
6月5日 Paris, Bataclan
6月7日 Cologne, Live Music Hall
6月8日 Berlin, Metropol
6月10日 London, Indigo at The O2
6月12日 Amsterdam, Melkweg Max
6月19日 Seoul, Yes24 Live Hall
6月21日 Kuala Lumpur, Zepp
6月23日 Bangkok, Samyan Hall
6月25日 Hong Kong, MacPherson Stadium
6月27日 Taipei, Zepp New Taipei
6月29日 Singapore, The Theatre at Mediacorp
※は音楽フェス
The vocal-dance group ATARASHII GAKKO! made their global debut in 2021 on the 88rising label, which promotes Asian music and culture to the world. The four members have continued to attract attention over the past few years, recently performing on NHK’s New Year’s staple Kohaku Uta Gassen for the first time and starting their own TV show. On January 9, the group held its first concert, SEISHUN SHURAI (Youth Invasion), at Nippon Budokan.
When the first notes of Tokyo Calling began playing, all 12,000 fans in attendance instantly reached maximum excitement as they focused their attention on the 360-degree stage. The LED lights covering the stage began to shine and the members, clad in red sailor uniforms, appeared to the sound of wild applause.
After performing Toryanse, a new song released from embargo just before the start of the concert, and thePineapple Kryptonite Remix, the members began a brief MC, eager to address and thank the audience. “All of you fans out there, can you see us in all 360 degrees? We’ve dreamed of the day that all four of us would be here, standing on our own feet on this legendary stage.”
After a short intermission, the group moved on to a block of songs appearing on their first and second albums, including Night Before the Exam, Tomei Boy, Koi Geba, and other fan favorites, followed by a medley featuring Freaks, NAINAINAI, and other songs released following the group’s international debut in 2021. Rin performed finger drumming and the members amused fans with a cover of the Beastie Boys’ classic Intergalactic while wearing traffic guard costumes.
The audience’s excitement only continued to grow as the girls called out, screaming “Budokan, here we go!” before breaking into an intense performance of Saisyu Jinrui filled with head-banging and shoulder rides. During the last part of the concert, ATARASHII GAKKO! performed their new song BORN TO BE FREE!!!! for the first time. The track’s fast-paced sound immediately captured the hearts of fans, and the girls closed the main event with SEISHUN WO KIRISAKU HADO, an extremely popular song at their live performances.
The first encore song, unsurprisingly, was OTONABLUE, the global hit that has pulled in over 3.3 billion views on TikTok. The audience cheered, joining in with the viral ‘neck swing’ dance during the chorus.
During the final MC portion, there was a tearful moment in which Suzuka cried and hugged the other members. “I don’t want anyone to suffer alone,” she said. “We’re all here together. Thank you all so much.”
The group’s first concert at Nippon Budokan ended with Mayoeba Toutoshi, known as a common final song at ATARASHII GAKKO! concerts. “If you ever feel lost, you can always rely on us–on our concerts, our videos, and everything else,” Suzuka said.
Along with the announcement of a new fan club, the group’s first fan club tour, which will visit five prefectures, was announced during the show. Additionally, the new song Toryanse will be available to stream on January 26.
■SET LIST
Tokyo Calling
Giri Giri
Toryanse
Pineapple Kryptonite (Yohji Igarashi Remix)
Night Before the Exam
Sekigae Gattuso
Tomei Boy
Koi Geba
Dokubana
Shiritai
Freaks
NAINAINAI
Fantastico
Pineapple Kryptonite
Intergalactic
Saishuu Jinrui
Janaindayo
BORN TO BE FREE!!!!
SEISHUN WO KIRISAKU HADO
＜ENCORE＞
OTONABLUE
Que Sera, Sera
Mayoeba Toutoshi
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■Celebrating the 1st Budokan Concert! ATARASHII GAKKO! WOWOW Special
To commemorate the group’s performance, WOWOW will stream the concert and feature ATARASHII GAKKO! for three consecutive months. In February, a music video collection will be aired covering the group’s past activities, and in March, a ‘Special Edition’ will be broadcast featuring footage from the January 9 Budokan performance along with interviews with each of the members.
<Tour Information> ATARASHII GAKKO! NEW FANCLUB TOUR 2024 (Tentative Title)
May 5, 2024 Zepp Fukuoka
May 6, 2024 Zepp Osaka Bayside
May 9, 2024 Zepp DiverCity
May 16, 2024 Zepp Sapporo
May 28, 2024 Zepp Nagoya
As part of the True Colors Festival -Super Diversity Arts Festival-, the diversity dance project True Colors DANCE 2024 will be held alongside several other exciting events. The festival invites artists and audience members to celebrate their individuality in terms of disability, gender, age, language, and nationality through performing arts. Both Miyu and ATARASHII GAKKO! will participate in the project.
Held in September 2019, True Colors DANCE wowed audiences and subverted expectations when focusing on disabilities. The multinational world-class breakdance team ILL-Abilities, whose members all have physical disabilities, and the Japanese group Bboy Shigekixx came together for some intense battles, leaving an impression on viewers.
In 2024, a group of unique dancers, many of whom are junior high and high school students, will hit the stage along with ATARASHII GAKKO!, the dance and vocal group taking the world by storm. Under the themes of individuality and freedom, the unpredictable, wild, and powerful concert is sure to impress audiences next March. The theme song for the event has been announced as Odoru Honnou 001 by ATARASHII GAKKO!
Miyu, active in many fields both in Japan and abroad, and the group SOCIAL WORKEEERZ will work as mentors to support the True Color DANCERS. The latter is led by DAIKI, a dancer with chondrodysplasia, and its members work in the welfare sector helping both children and the disabled.
The schedule for the event next month will be posted on the special True Colors DANCE 2024 website, as well as the official YouTube channel and social media accounts. Details can also be found on the website of the high school dance club magazine D-S-K. We hope you’ll look forward to seeing how the True Colors DANCERS transform the stage with their unique personalities next year!
The theme song for the project, Odoru Honnou 001, will also be aired as the January theme of HNK’s SDGs campaign ‘Minna no Uta ~Hirogare! Irotoridori.’ The project aims to share the fundamental power of dance with a wider audience.
<Comment from ATARASHII GAKKO!>
“Hi there, we’re ATARASHII GAKKO!
We’re happy to announce that our song Odoru Honnou 001 has been chosen as the theme song for True Colors DANCE 2024! When we started performing overseas, we realized that dance is a form of communication that everyone can understand, regardless of differences in gender, language, nationality, or background. We’re looking forward to going all out on stage with these uniquely individual dancers while our song plays! We’ll put on a special show for everyone, so please come watch!”
<Comment from Miyu>
“Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to see True Colors Festival THE CONCERT 2022 in person and I was shocked by the wonderful performance. I hoped that more people would know about it, so when I was invited to participate, I immediately said yes. Though it’s my first time participating, I’ve been looking forward to it the moment it was announced.
I’d like this year’s performance to express each dancer’s personality, and I hope that they can inspire the world itself through dance. I hope to open up even more possibilities while respecting the unique qualities of every person, so let’s have a fun and memorable time together!”
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About the True Colors Festival
The True Colors Festival is an experimental project by The Nippon Foundation’s DIVERSITY IN THE ARTS division, which aims to create a future in which everyone can live together while valuing their own individuality (True Colors). Starting in 2019, the project imagines a future in which those with disabilities and other differences more often appear on stage, and teaches audiences how exciting and unique an experience this can be.
For more information on past initiatives, please visit the True Colors Festival website.