Concert Review: BAND-MAID perform alongside Arukara at 5-year anniversary concerts

20.July.2018 | MUSIC

BAND-MAID teamed up with the venue Shibuya Eggman to host three concerts there from July 18 to celebrate their 5th anniversary. They were joined by Arukara on the first day.

 

The venue was filled with fans who managed to get their hands on premium tickets, all of which were sold out. A mutual buzz was rife in the air as people waited for the show to start.

Arukara were first to step onto the stage to begin the two-band show. They got the crowd going with several upbeat tracks like Yaru ka Yaru ka Yaru ka da and Suiyoubi no Mannequin wa Warau.

The band said: “Con-gra-tu-lations on 5 years, BAND-MAID! We’re Arukara, eccentrics in the world of rock and acting as BAND-MAID’s butler’s today! Enjoy this next song, a pleasant one to take into the afterlife!” They captivated the crowd with a performance of Saikederinja 2 and their new song Thirsty Thirsty Thirsty Girl.

They took another pause to talk about meeting BAND-MAID and welcomed their 5-year anniversary with praise, saying: “They’re one of the few band’s in today’s rock industry who are meticulous with each and every sound.” Towards the end of their set they vowed to return. “We’re entering our 16th year as a band, and we’re happy to have been able to share such a wonderful day with this timing of BAND-MAID’s 5th anniversary. Let’s to it again!” They finished up their 8-track set with Mirai no Oto.

Sound effects began to sound signaling the entrance of BAND-MAID. The members stepped out and vocalist Saiki shouted, “Are you celebrating BAND-MAID’s 5th anniversary?” The band then went full throttle into their performance.

They began with several classic hits such as REAL EXISTENCE and alone before hitting the masters and princesses in the crowd up with a string of songs from their latest album, WORLD DOMINATION.

Guitarist and vocalist Miku Kobato expressed her thanks on being able to celebrate 5 years and tour with Arukara, which signaled Saiki to say, “Kobato is merely a fan of Arukara,” as well as explain the story behind how the event came to be.

Kobato went on to do her staple ‘Omajinai Time’ call-and-response section where she gets the crowd to say ‘moe moe’ and ‘kyun kyun.’ She then said, “We’ve gone to the effort to tour with Arukara, so we’ve gotta do something,” causing her to borrow Arukara vocalist Inamura’s tambourine to perform Arukara’s own Hankei 30cm no Naka wo Shiranai.

Towards the end of their set the band played their aggressive hits the non-fiction days and DICE before finishing up the first day of their 5th anniversary concert series with DOMINATION.

Arukara will continue to perform with BAND-MAID on July 19 and 20 for the anniversary event. BAND-MAID will release their third major single start over on July 25. They will go on to perform at ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2018 and Summer Sonic 2018 as well as tour throughout Japan and overseas.

Photography: Masanori Fujikawa

 

■InformationBAND-MAID – 3rd Single “start over”

On Sale: July 25, 2018

Price:

First Press Limited Edition A (CD + Blu-ray + Postcard + CD) – ¥7,389 (+Tax)

First Press Limited Edition B (CD + DVD) – ¥3,685 (+Tax)

Regular Edition (CD-Only) – ¥1,000 (+Tax)

 

Tracklist (All Editions)
1. start over
2. Screaming

Blu-ray/DVD (Limited Editions A&B)
Performance at Zepp Tokyo on April 13, 2018. Full set of 26 songs.

Other (Limited Edition A Only)
・BAND-MAIKO – “secret MAIKO lips” (CD)

 

*Only 3,500 copies of First Press Limited Edition A to be sold.

 

RELATED ENTRIES

  • BAND-MAID Reveals New Track ‘Memorable’ Written During 2022 U.S. Tour, Music Video Released

    25.February.2023 | MUSIC

    The globally popular female rock band BAND-MAID released the new track Memorable on streaming services on February 22, 2023. This is the first song to be released in the group’s 10th anniversary year, and fans can also watch the music video on YouTube.

     

    This new song is a ballad written during the 2022 U.S. tour and performed for the first time at the Tokyo Garden Theater on January 9, 2023. The music video begins with footage of Miku Kobato standing alone in the wilderness of Lancaster, Los Angeles, and both American and Japanese fans will be enamored with the unique natural touches present in the new release.

     

    Memorable - BAND-MAID (Music Video)

    The band has also announced that the BAND-MAID TOKYO GARDEN THEATER OKUJI performance held on January 9, 2023 will be released in three formats on April 26. The limited edition will include documentary footage for the first time in BAND-MAID’s history, along with a behind-the-scenes look at the 2022 U.S. tour and a photo book filled with private shots of the members.

     

    In addition to performing at Pointfest 2023, Welcome to Rockville 2023, and the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, BAND-MAID will also perform six solo shows in the U.S. in August. The group will also appear at KNONTFEST JAPAN 2023 for the first time on April 1.

      Follow BAND-MAID as they continue taking over the rock scene around the globe!
  • BAND-MAID to Hold First Performance at KNOTFEST JAPAN 2023 to be Held at Makuhari Messe

    20.February.2023 | MUSIC

    The popular female rock band BAND-MAID will perform for the first time at KNOTFEST JAPAN 2023, scheduled for April 1 and April 2 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba.

     

    KNOTFEST was begun by the American heavy metal band Slipknot, and the festival has been held yearly since 2012. BAND-MAID will perform on Day 1 along with headliners Slipknot, Trivium, and MAN WITH A MISSION.

     

    Tickets for the May shows to be held in the United States as part of the BAND-MAID 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR are none on sale. The group managed to bring in over 20,000 fans during their solo U.S. tour in 2022. In addition to performing at Pointfest 2023, Welcome to Rockville 2023, and the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, BAND-MAID will also perform six solo shows. With some venues selling out instantly last year, you’ll want to snag tickets while you can!

     
  • BAND-MAID Announces U.S. Tour in May, Includes Appearances at Three Major Music Festivals

    16.February.2023 | MUSIC

    BAND-MAID, the globally popular girl’s rock band, has announced more details about the U.S. leg of their BAND-MAID 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR. The group managed to bring in over 20,000 fans during their solo U.S. tour in 2022. In March 2023, the 10th-anniversary celebration will begin, with the group once again planning to visit the United States in May and August. In addition to performing at Pointfest 2023, Welcome to Rockville 2023, and the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, BAND-MAID will also perform six solo shows. Events in August will be announced later.

     

    Some venues on last year’s tour sold out immediately, so the competition is sure to be fierce again this time around. For details on purchasing tickets, check the official website. BAND-MAID is currently appearing as the opening act for THE LAST ROCKSTARS Live Debut 2023 Tokyo – New York – Los Angeles, which began on February 3. The group will hold the finale of their 10th-anniversary tour at Yokohama Arena, marking the largest-ever solo performance.

  • BAND-MAID to Perform at Major U.S. Outdoor Rock Festival Pointfest 2023

    10.February.2023 | MUSIC

    The popular girl rock ground BAND-MAID will perform at the outdoor rock festival Pointfest 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri.

     

    The festival will be held on May 27, 2023. Organized by the alternative rock radio station KPNT, the event is one of the oldest rock festivals in the U.S., with the first taking place 30 years ago in 1993.

     

    This year's headliners include Incubus and The Pretty Reckless. BAND-MAID is sure to be a huge draw at the event–one of the most popular girl bands overseas, the group pulled in over 20,000 fans on their U.S. tour last year.

     

    BAND-MAID is currently appearing as the opening act for THE LAST ROCKSTARS Live Debut 2023 Tokyo - New York - Los Angeles, which began on February 3. In March, the band will begin the BAND-MAID 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR in Japan to commemorate its 10th anniversary, and on November 26, the tour’s finale will be held at Yokohama Arena. This will mark the largest-ever solo performance for BAND-MAID.

     

    Tickets for the first ten stops on the tour are now available by lottery. The band will also perform in the United States in May and August, and in addition to appearing at Pointfest 2023, BAND-MAID will also perform at Welcome to Rockville 2023 and Sonic Temple 2023.

  • BAND-MAID to Perform as Opening Act for THE LAST ROCKSTARS’ U.S. Tour

    30.January.2023 | MUSIC

    Rock group BAND-MAID has been chosen as the opening act for THE LAST ROCKSTARS' first live concert in the U.S., THE LAST ROCKSTARS Live Debut 2023 Tokyo - New York - Los Angeles, starting February 3, 2023.

      THE LAST ROCKSTARS' U.S. shows in New York on February 4 and Los Angeles on February 10 are sold out. Reaction to the group has been incredible, leading to an additional New York show on February 3. To make things even more exciting, BAND-MAID will perform at all three U.S. shows.   THE LAST ROCKSTARS (Paris Mix) Music Video

    BAND-MAID has become overwhelmingly popular around the world. In the United States, the band recently performed at AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL 2022, one of the largest music festivals in the country. They also served as a supporting act for GUNS N’ ROSES during the legendary band’s Japan tour in November. This year, the group will once again perform at a selection of music festivals in the states, including Sonic Temple 2023 in Ohio and Welcome to Rockville 2023 in Florida.

     

    This time around, BAND-MAID will perform as the opening act for one of the most impressive rock bands in recent memory. THE LAST ROCKSTARS is composed of YOSHIKI, HYDE, SUGIZO, and MIYAVI, making it a superband like no other. This will be the first time the newly-formed group will perform in the U.S.

      The Ariake Arena concert on January 27 was broadcast live on WOWOW and was also streamed in movie theaters throughout Japan. The February 10 show in Los Angeles will also be streamed, so be sure to tune in!
  • BAND-MAID Reveals 10th Anniversary Tour in Japan and America, Additional Festival Appearances

    21.January.2023 | MUSIC

    Having amassed a global audience, BAND-MAID is starting off 2023 in the best possible way. The group performed their largest-ever concert, BAND-MAID TOKYO GARDEN THEATER OKYUJI, on January 9. Soon after, they announced a domestic and overseas tour set to begin in March 2023.   BAND-MAID’s 10th-anniversary tour will commence with a show in Kumamoto on March 23 and will then travel to 20 cities around Japan for a total of 23 performances. The legendary finale will take place at Yokohama Arena on November 26, marking the largest-ever solo performance for the band. In May and August, the girls will tour the U.S. and appear at a number of major festivals. More details will be announced soon. The sold-out TOKYO GARDEN THEATER performance is also available to stream. Tickets are now available through February 8 and fans around the world are welcome to enjoy this incredible show from the comfort of their own home!   To commemorate BAND-MAID’s 10th anniversary, a high-resolution stream of all works after the group’s transfer to Pony Canyon will be available on streaming sites starting January 10.