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

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!

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.

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

Japanese music streaming site RecoChoku has announced the top song and album rankings for August 2022!

Unsurprisingly, Ado tops both the single and album charts with her new tracks from the movie ONE PIECE FILM RED. The singer provided the singing voice of Uta, a main character in the film which was released nationwide on August 6, 2022.

New Genesis, the theme from ONE PIECE FILM RED, was released ahead of the movie’s release on June 8, 2022. It ranked 4th in the monthly rankings for June and July, and following the film’s release in August, it shot to the top of the charts for four consecutive weeks, continuing to hold the #1 spot.

Ado also took first place in August’s album ranking with her collection of songs from ONE PIECE FILM RED. Released on August 19, 2022, the album features a number of tracks made for the film, with seven different artists helping to produce these now legendary songs.

For the daily ranking on August 11, the top seven singles were all from this one album. Starting at the top spot, the songs included were: New Genesis, Where the Wind Blows, Tot Musica, The World’s Continuation, Binks’ Sake, I’m Invincible, and Fleeting Lullaby.

In the album ranking, it was number one in the weekly ranking for three consecutive weeks since its release on August 17 and continued its momentum to take the top position in the monthly ranking for the month of August.

Ado had her first top single ranking in February 2021 with Usseewa, and her first #1 album in January and February 2022 with Kyogen.

If you haven’t listened to the singer’s collection of songs from the most recent ONE PIECE film, you’re missing out!

RecoChoku Monthly Music Award – August 2022 (Announced September 1, 2022)

Single Ranking

1st Place: New Genesis (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED) – Ado (Released June 8, 2022)
2nd Place: Start Over – THE BEAT GARDEN
3rd Place: Ame Sansan – King Gnu
4th Place: Where the Wild Blows – Ado
5th Place: Mixed Nuts – Official HiGE DANdism

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: M – INI
3rd Place: BE:1 – BE:FIRST
4th Place: Falling into your eyes Record – Aimyon
5th Place: Suki Toiunowa Rock Daze! (Special Edition) – Nogizaka46

https://recochoku.jp/ranking/album/monthly/

©尾田栄一郎／2022「ワンピース」製作委員会

With over 5.56 million people seeing the films in theaters and box-office revenue of over ¥7.8 billion, the High&LoW film series has inspired audiences around Japan for years with its themes of friendship and struggle. In 2019, the film High&Low THE WORST was released as a collaboration with Hiroshi Takahashi’s manga Worst and Crows, which have collectively sold over 80 million copies. A sequel, High&Low THE WORST X, will be released in theaters nationwide on September 9, 2022.

While the film itself is a massive collaboration between rivals, it will also feature a major collaboration between artists! Kazuma Kawamura and Hokuto Yoshino from THE RAMPAGE, Yuta Nakamoto from NCT 127, and Ryoki Miyama from BE:FIRST have come together to perform the song Wings. The track will be played during key scenes in the film and is sure to pull at your heartstrings.

The song came to be after the four became closer acting in the film. Wings is a positive and emotional song about friendship and trust and evokes the image of irreplaceable friends and a man who will never stop moving forward.

In the new trailer for the song, the images of the four artists performing the track overlap with the images of their characters in the film.

Wings – HiGH＆LOW THE WORST X

https://www.flag-porter.jp/download/r4wWMAoVqQK9b6KMQdEvYnGpx8j6Jm

The film is sure to be the breakout hit of the summer, bringing together powerhouses from THE RAMPAGE, NCT 127, and BE:FIRST when it releases on September 9. The characters, action, and music have all been powered up when compared to the previous film, so be sure to tune in!

Comment from Kazuma Kawamura (Fujio Hanaoka) (THE RAMPAGE)

“This song transcended the boundaries of our group and a dream crossover was able to happen.

Without our collaboration in the film, I don’t think we would have had this incredible opportunity to work together on music so quickly. 

We probably would have just ended up doing a cover or something like that.

It was such a joy for us to be able to collaborate on a new piece of music that was totally our own.

It’s a coming-of-age song that matches our roles and certain scenes in the movie perfectly, and I hope it will touch your heart!”

Comment from Hokuto Yoshino (Tsukasa Takajo) (THE RAMPAGE)

“Even though we’re all in different groups, we were so honored to come together to sing together as a foursome for this film!

I hope lots of people will enjoy this heartwarming and tender ballad, which shows our individuality but also has a real sense of unity.

I hope everyone will be able to experience the world of HiGH&LOW THE WORST X in theaters, and I also hope you’ll pay attention to the scenes in which this song is played!”

Comment from Yuta Nakamoto (Ryo Suzaki) (NCT 127)

“It’s rare to find a song with a medium tempo that’s so emotionally moving, and it was a fresh and fun experience to sing a song for my first movie. Although some parts were difficult, it was a great experience and I’m grateful for it. 

Ryo and Amagai’s relationship is reflected in the lyrics of Wings, and I think that this one will make you emotional.”

Comment from Ryoki Miyama (Amagai Kouhei) (BE:FIRST/RYOKI)

“This was one of the most nerve-wracking recordings I’ve ever done.

Singing with everyone was a valuable experience, and I really wanted to give it my all. I discussed it with the director and after a number of takes, I think we were able to get the most emotional of the bunch.

We’re so happy to bring this film to life, and along with so many talented artists and actors, this song is really the culmination of everyone’s hard work.”

©2022「HiGH&LOW THE WORST X」製作委員会 ©髙橋ヒロシ(秋田書店) HI-AX

BE:FIRST, a 7-member dance and vocal group created through BMSG’s ‘THE FIRST’ audition led by SKY-HI, performed at the ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2022 on August 12 in Chiba. The popular group performed nine songs, including the new song Scream from their upcoming first album BE:1 and a new track BF is…. The latter began streaming the same day, long before the upcoming album’s release.

The song BF is…is a hip-hop tune that will appear on the upcoming first album. Previously, it had only been performed once at VIVA LA ROCK 2022 on April 30. The members of the group took part in the song’s production.

BF is… / BE:FIRST August 12 Stream

https://BEFIRST.lnk.to/BE1

At the ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2022, BE:FIRST began their performance with BF is…, the first song on their first album and a symbol of the group. The powerful members showed off their musical prowess with their hit song Bye-Good-Bye, which has been streamed more than 100 million times worldwide. Following this, they performed Don’t Wake Me Up feat. BE:FIRST, a collaboration with Jonas Blue, the rock tune Brave Generation, and Scream. 

The setlist from the festival is now available as a playlist on a number of music streaming sites, so check it out!

ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2022 Setlist

https://befirst.lnk.to/RIJF2022_SETLIST

BE:FIRST announced its lineup on NTV’s Sukkiri on August 13, 2021. On August 16, the one-year anniversary of their pre-debut, the group will release Shining One (Re-recorded), a track that will also appear on their album BE:1. On the same day, fans will want to check out the group’s YouTube channel at 20:00 to catch the premiere of BE:FIRST’s mysterious video titled -???????-.

-???????- / BE:FIRST

Keep your eyes on BE:FIRST as they hurdle towards the release of their first album!

©ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2022