RADWIMPS are set to hold three virtual concerts titled SHIN SEKAI “nowhere” which will be streamed worldwide from July 16-18. The shows will be a unique musical experience that the band and fans will create and share in the virtual space of VARP. In promotion of the concert series, the band released a new 30-second clip and visual. They also held a pre-showing of the concert to the press.

New promo video

Press pre-showing

Members of the press were granted exclusive access to experiencing the show early at the WHITE CINE QUINTO film theatre inside Shibuya PARCO in Tokyo on July 12. The concert title appeared on the screen, and at the same time, the audience used their smartphones to enter the virtual space as an avatar where they experienced an interactive concert. A talk session was also held with RADWIMPS members Yojiro Noda, Akira Kuwahara, and Yusuke Takeda, as well as Yohei Kajiwara of PARTY, Kairi Manabe, and last but not least Kentarō Ochiai who was the MC for the show. They discussed creating SHIN SEKAI as well as the future of entertainment and music experiences.

Speaking about how the project came about, Noda said, “Last year, we said farewell so a lot of shows on the tour. It was a bottomless pit of sadness. It was at the time when we were wondering what we could do so that our music wasn’t eradicated that we met PARTY. We felt we could do something new, and decided on trying out this virtual concert.”

“It was my first time becoming an avatar,” said Kajiwara. “It was a lot of fun. For example, I could make myself big and enjoy things you can only do in a virtual space.”

Noda added to Kajiwara’s comment, saying, “We could go to space or another world whenever we wanted. Whatever you can’t do in a real concert, you can do at a virtual one.”そ

“If you go virtual, everyone around the world can be in the same place,” explained Takeda. “When I read comments on social media when we did this last time, I saw a lot of people say how they were able to enjoy themselves with people they didn’t know and communicate with people overseas. I feel we were able to foster something new for fans.”

Finishing up the talk, Noda’s final comments were: “I look forward to seeing how we can evolve this technology. I want everyone to be the first people at the door to experience all the incredible things and possibilities we will be able to deliver and to enjoy the excitement of our concerts with lots of others. Please look forward to it on the day.”

As part of Red Bull and King Gnu’s “Go Louder” project, the Japanese pop-rock band held an exclusive live concert at a secret location as part of the Red Bull Secret Gig experience on July 4. That location was Tokyo Bay’s No.2 Sea Fort which invited fans attended on July 4.

Tokyo Bay No.2 Sea Fort

No.2 Sea Fort has a history as formally being a gun battery that’s part of Tokyo Bay Fortress. The site has a lot of large machinery and is normally under strict management, making this the first time a live music concert has been held there. Over 130,000 fans applied to attend the show, and just 70,000 lucky ones were selected to both attend in-person and watch via an official livestream.

To find the venue, fans has to solve a puzzle. 30 illustrations of megaphones were plastered up all around Japan, each facing a different direction. Photos of them were also posted on Red Bull Japan and King Gnu’s official Twitter accounts. The clue fans were given was that all the megaphones were geographically facing the direction in which the venue was located, so everyone had to put their heads together. For those unable to attend or watch the show, part of it along with a behind-the-scenes will be released on Red Bull TV on July 22.

Live Report

An unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. King Gnu and Red Bull’s secret show was truly something special, treating fans to not only throwbacks, but exclusive sights that will never be beheld again. The main reason behind that was because the concert was held on an unmanned island in the middle of the ocean. Setting foot on this island is strictly forbidden under normal circumstances, but for King Gnu fans, it was all access for this one-night show. The band staff constructed a stage from scratch for King Gnu to stand as the first band to ever perform music there. Out of the 70,000 or so people who were successful to witness the show, only 60 very lucky fans were actually allowed to attend in-person (the rest watched online), and this intimate experience took place on June 5.

Red Bull Secret Gig has taken place at over 10 locations in six countries worldwide, and this was the first time for it to be held in Japan. It took about a month to roll out the megaphone images across Japan from April.

For the concert, the audience were split into two groups at No.2 Sea Fort and transported to the island aboard a small Red Bull Secret Gig ferry from Mikasa Terminal in Yokosuka. It took about 30 minutes for them to reach their destination, during which they could look out at the picturesque bright blue and sun-basked sea. Excitement was high amongst King Gnu’s passengers. Constructed between the mid-Meiji Period (1867-1911) and Taisho Period (1912-1925), No.2 Sea Fort saw the Imperial Japanese Army there before WWII, and later the Imperial Japanese Navy used the island as the key spot to protect Tokyo. The shipping of materials to build King Gnu’s stage began a week before the show started. Lots of mirrors which reflected the silver framework of the stage, as well as megaphones and other decorations, gave a dystopian vibe to the venue.

Both groups of fans were treated to performances at the Red Bull Street Jam until they arrived at the island, which saw Red Bull dancers and artists put on a show of breakdancing, freestyle football, and double dutch sessions. Everyone was off the boat by 15:40, and they didn’t have to wait long for the main act to make an appearance. The sound of steel drums surrounded the crowd, white smoke filled the air, and flames roared high from the stage, signalling the start of what was to be a very special day for King Gnu lovers. The band members rolled up to the stage: Daiki Tsuneta began to strum his guitar while Yu Seki began drumming a tight rhythm. The groove ignited the moment Kazuki Arai entered the music with his bass as the band opened with their first song, Senryo Yakusha. The aggressive sound was offset when Daiki Tsuneta and Satoru Iguchi entered with harmonising twin vocals. The band showed off their dynamic performance skills as they offered both a solid yet explosive showcase. Keeping with the exciting energy, they cracked the gears up as they moved on to Sorrows. The stage lit up in a blaze of flames while black smoke shrouded the stage. It was a breathtaking backdrop to behold as the fire, smoke, stage, and setting itself was akin to a mirage floating in a desolate wasteland. But the smell of the smoke, the heat of the crowd, and most of all the flesh and blood of the band’s performance confirmed to everyone that this experience was indeed real.

Aerial shot of the concert

From Kasa to McDonald Romance, King Gnu displayed how unique their music is as they elevated the soundscape from the stage to the sky. McDonald Romance in particular stood out, the love song’s exquisite sound combining a gorgeous groove with Kazuki’s transient and beautiful vocals.

After a short interval, the band moved onto Hikotei. The flames erupted for this heated performance, and black smoke poured around the stage, so much so that the band couldn’t see, but this only served to enhance the performance in all its grand and massive sound. Some of the song’s lyrics struck a cord as they reminded one of how our lives have been drastically affected since 2020.

Black smoke turned to red smoke for Slumberland. This performance was the embodiment of King Gnu establishing a new sense of values during this chaotic period we’re going through. What the crowd witnessed was a band able to perform so well in so much smoke, a condition that wouldn’t be able to be replicated in a normal venue. They didn’t falter even once – their musical precision made them seem almost unhuman, or at least that they definitely aren’t ordinary people.

Changing up the vibe, Daiki went ahead for a peaceful piano solo. The sound of a helicopter could be heard in the sky, adding to the otherworldly atmosphere of the show. Daiki began with The Hole, a delicate and beautiful ballad which Satoru provided some synthesiser for. The music had a tinge of pain and uncertainty to it, a compelling message reminiscent of the times we live in today. It was a standout amongst the set list.

White smoke covered the stage once more, and at the same time, Satoru reappeared having changed clothes into a tank top and red half-pants. This of course could only have meant one thing: Teenager Forever. Satoru was dancing and singing around the stage even more than usual, and Daiki joined in without thinking as he sang too. This rock tune is the most youthful-sounding song in King Gnu’s discography, so it was a refreshing thrill to the set.

King Gnu wrapped up the show with Summer Rain Diver. It opened up the beautiful endless sky overhead with its mysterious and alternative sound which sounds almost like a hymn. This musical fusion of dreams and reality served as the perfect ending for the secret show.

The members looked at the crowd with smiles and satisfied looks before leaving the stage. For King Gnu, this was a show that can never be re-experienced.

Two days after the concert, the stage was dismantled and everything taken back, leaving the island floating quietly and solitarily as if nothing had happened. But fans know that of course isn’t the case, as King Gnu made history there as being the first band to perform live. This Red Bull Secret Gig was a once-in-a-lifetime, unprecedented work of art, and quintessentially King Gnu.

SET LIST

1. Senryo Yakusha
2. Sorrows
3. Kasa
4. McDonald Romance
5. Hikotei
6. Slumberland
7. The hole
8. Teenager Forever
9. Summer Rain Diver

A behind-the-scenes is will be released on Red Bull TV Japan on July 22, 2021.

As part of Red Bull and King Gnu’s “Go Louder” project, the Japanese pop-rock band are set to hold an exclusive live concert at a secret location as part of the Red Bull Secret Gig experience, which has taken place at over 10 locations in six countries worldwide. The show is scheduled for early June this year, and applications for tickets opened on April 27.

Tickets to the Red Bull Secret Gig shows are free, but the venue is kept a secret until the last minute, and concertgoers must solve puzzles and riddles. There are two ways to attend the King Gnu concert: in-person and online, each of which will be determined on fans’ success in the endeavour.

A collection of Japanese companies, such as IMAGICA GROUP, IMAGICA EEX, PICS, Robot Communications, IMAGICA Lab., Photron, IMAGICA IRIS, Cosmo Space, and more are coming together to host NEXT VISION JAPAN 2021 XR LIVE (NVJ2021 XR LIVE), an no-audience concert that will take place at the Geo-Cosmos stage at National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Odaiba, on Tokyo. It will be streamed live on  YouTube for free on March 16, 2021 from 20:00 (JST).

NVJ2021 XR LIVE will incorporate the latest in XR technology to create an entirely new online live music and future entertainment experience.

The event has an incredible line-up of artists set to perform including singer-songwriter Sayuri, Cö shu Nie who is known for their themes for the Tokyo Ghoul anime series, ixR from AKB48, ballet dancer Mizuka Ueno, the New Japan Philharmonic orchestra, and more.

According to a survey carried out on July 30, 2020 by CyberZ, OEN, and Digital InFact, it is predicted that the amount of money that will be earned from online live concerts in Japan will grow to 100 billion yen by 2024. It is fitting then that events such as NVJ2021 XR LIVE are working to create more immersive and innovative shows.

National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation | Comment

“Geo-Cosmos is an exhibit that was made to connect lots of people allowing them to see the everchanging Earth from space. It uses several different pieces of scientific data to project the real appearance of the earth and shows the possibilities of 3D visual representation created by scientists and creators. This concert will serve as a new challenge for Geo-Cosmos. We hope you look forward to seeing Geo-Cosmos ‘transform’ on the live stage in this fusion of the real and the virtual.”

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Hatsune Miku Symphony, three concerts are being held in Japan. The first took place at Suntory Hall for the first time on September 21, the second in Yokohama on October 17, and the third is scheduled to take place tomorrow (November 27) at Festival Hall in Osaka.

Fans unable to attend the final show will be pleased to know that part of the set list from Hatsune Miku Symphony 2019 is also being released tomorrow on Amazon Music HD in Dolby Atmos® format.

Dolby Atmos is a surround sound format that breaks the wall on the limits of mono and stereo sound and allows sounds to be interpreted in 3D, creating an entirely new immersive experience. This will make listening to a show like Hatsune Miku Symphony a true delight to Vocaloid lovers.

Those attending the Osaka concert will be able to listen to Miku Symphony in one of the Amazon Echo Studio booths that will be available at the venue. These booths will also be equipped with Dolby Atmos through Amazon Music HD.

The Yokohama performance that took place on October 17, 2020 is scheduled to be released on Blu-ray on February 3, 2021. It will be available to pre-order at the Osaka show.

Embroidery Art – ¥16,500 (Tax Included) | Acrylic Key Rings (7 Designs) – ¥800 (Tax Included)

A selection of merchandise will be available to buy at the Osaka show including an all-new piece of embroidery art, acrylic key rings, and more. These items will also be available to pick up at Magical Mirai 2020 in OSAKA taking place this weekend (November 28 and 29).

© Crypton Future Media, INC. www.piapro.net

US rapper Dumbfoundead will spearhead the DOUBLE HAPPINESS Global Holiday Festival, a global online music festival set to stream for free via Eastern Standard Time on December 2 and 3 depending on where you live. The event will welcome performances from top Asian artists.

Over 30 artists will perform across 8 hours. Headliners include music duo NxWorries, eight-member South Korean idol group ATEEZ, K-pop artist CHUNGHA, and others. Atarashii Gakko no Leaders a.k.a. ATARASHII GAKKO! from Japan will also perform.

▼Line-Up

Ardhito Pramono、Atarashii Gakko no Leaders a.k.a. ATARASHII GAKKO!、ATEEZ、Audrey Nuna、AUGUST 08、Balming Tiger、BVNDIT、CHAI、Chi Pu、CHUNG HA、Dumbfoundead、Dvwn、Fern.、Guapdad 4000 、Jason Dhakal、Joey Alexander、Josephine Alexandra、Kiana V、Leila Alcasid、 MADDOX 、Massiah、、Milli、Numcha 、NxWorries 、Pamungkas、RIRI、Seori、Stephanie Poetri・The Resonanz Children’s Choir Alumni、warrenisyellow、Wolftyla 、Year of the Ox、Ylona Garcia 、Yuna

ONE OK ROCK released their new DVD and Blu-ray ONE OK ROCK “EYE OF THE STORM” JAPAN TOUR on October 28, 2020 which features their entire Yokohama Arena set held in Japan last year as part of their nationwide arena tour.

To promote the release, the band asked fans to create a playlist of their dreams—what songs they’d want to see ONE OK ROCK perform at a full live concert. The winners were announced today via the campaign website.

Three fan playlists were selected for Spotify, Apple Music, and LINE MUSIC. The three winners will each receive a signed posted from the band.

Be sure to check out the three playlists on the campaign site.

To promote the release of their live DVD and Blu-ray ONE OK ROCK “EYE OF THE STORM” JAPAN TOUR, ONE OK ROCK has released an AR filter for fans to use on their Instagram stories.

Available on mobile only, the AR filter features a CG rendition of Taka’s face from their performance of Eye of the Storm during their ‘Eye of the Storm’ tour.

The live DVD and Blu-ray, which released in Japan on October 28, 2020, features ONE OK ROCK’s performance at Yokohama Arena in January of this year as part of their ‘Eye of the Storm tour.’ The tour kicked off on September 22, 2019 in promotion of their Eye of the Storm. The release includes a 100-page photo book, commentary, live report, and more.

Be sure to check out ONE OK ROCK’s GIPHY campaign too.

ONE OK ROCK are set to release their new DVD and Blu-ray ONE OK ROCK “EYE OF THE STORM” JAPAN TOUR on October 28, 2020 features their entire Yokohama Arena set held in Japan last year as part of their nationwide arena tour.

The band launched a special website today (October 15) in promotion of the release where they also announced a playlist campaign and GIPHY campaign.

Playlist Campaign

For the playlist campaign, ONE OK ROCK are reaching out to fans to ask them to create the set list of their dreams—what songs they’d want to see ONE OK ROCK perform at a full live concert. Fans will create their playlists on Apple Music, Spotify, and LINE MUSIC and share a link to them on Twitter with the hashtag #oor_dream. One winner will be chosen for each of these three music streaming services for a total of three winners. Their playlist will be posted on the promotional site for the DVD and Blu-ray and they’ll also receive a signed poster.

GIPHY Campaign

Fans can now get access to a selection of exclusive ONE OK ROCK gifs via the promotional site which can be used on social media. They are free for everyone to use.

ONE OK ROCK’s “Eye of the Storm” tour originally kicked off on September 22, 2019. The show that will feature on the DVD and Blu-ray will be their one at Yokohama Arena which was held in January this year. The release will include a 100-page booklet along with photos, commentary, a live report, and more

ONE OK ROCK held their first ever online live stream, ONE OK ROCK 2020 “Field of Wonder” at Stadium Live Streaming supported by au 5G LIVE, on October 11, 2020. The band performed at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba.

The stream was originally to be archived temporarily until October 13 but it has been extended to October 15 at 11:59 (JST), so if you missed the stream there’s still time to catch it before it’s gone.

ONE OK ROCK also announced a DVD and Blu-ray release of their Japan arena tour from last year, ONE OK ROCK “EYE OF THE STORM” JAPAN TOUR, which will hit shelves in Japan on October 28, 2020.

The long tour originally kicked off on September 22, 2019. The show that will feature on the DVD and Blu-ray will be their one at Yokohama Arena which was held in January this year. The release will include a 100-page booklet along with photos, commentary, a live report, and more.

ONE OK ROCK is set to release the video of the ONE OK ROCK “EYE OF THE STORM” JAPAN TOUR on October 28, 2020. The tour celebrated the release of their album Eye of the Storm and kicked off on September 22, 2019.

Alongside the DVD, which includes the performance at Yokohama Arena in January 2020, fans can enjoy a booklet of over 100 pages containing illustrations of the band members, commentaries, reports from the live performance and much more exciting contents. 

For the first time in their career, ONE OK ROCK will be performing live online. The ONE OK ROCK 2020 “Field of Wonder” at Stadium Live Streaming will take place on October 11, 2020 at ZOZO Marine Stadium without a live audience. The stream will go live worldwide simultaneously, providing a whole new experience for fans.

From the wild excitement of a national arena tour to an online stadium live performance without an audience, ONE OK ROCK has so much exciting contents for you to check out.

DEAN FUJIOKA has announced that over the next 4 weeks he will premiere his live performance of My Dimension held at Osaka-jo Hall back in 2016 over on his official YouTube channel starting on August 6, 2020 at 20:00 (JST).

DEAN FUJIOKA wrote My Dimension back in 2008, a song that would go on to be released for the first time in 2013 when it was used as the main theme for the Japanese film I Am Ichihashi: Journal of a Murderer which DEAN FUJIOKA also directed and starred in.

The live performance footage to be premiered is taken from the artist’s concert DEAN FUJIOKA Special Live “InterCycle 2016”.

DEAN FUJIOKA “My Dimension” Live from InterCycle 2016

DEAN FUJIOKA will premiere more live performances over the next four weeks on his YouTube channel.

The singer-songwriter is re-releasing My Dimension under the song title Neo Dimension on August 19 which breathes new life into the 12 year-old song with new lyrics.