Upon my arrival on Thursday, November 16, I wondered if the intimate space of the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota would be able to contain the massive personalities of ATARASHII GAKKO! The four members never hold back–either on or off the stage, it seems–and as fans began to arrive en masse, it was clear that the Twin Cities wasn’t lacking a fanbase for the dance-vocal group currently taking the world by storm.

Just under three weeks prior, ATARASHII GAKKO! had performed for a whopping 8,000 fans at their first arena concert, held at the famed Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Now, they were preparing to walk out to a crowd of only a few hundred, most with cocktails in hand and lyrics memorized. The majority of the concertgoers seemed more than passingly familiar with the group, though a few bewildered onlookers couldn’t possibly have been prepared for what the night would bring. Needless to say, although the stage was quaint, the concert was anything but. None of the members’ usual energy had diminished, and despite this being the final stop on the U.S. portion of the tour, there wasn’t a hint of fatigue to be found during the hour-long set.

The show was sold out weeks in advance, and plenty of eager fans equipped with glowsticks and wearing the group’s signature socks rushed toward the stage to secure the best spot. Other attendees swarmed the merch booth, eager for a hoodie or bag to show their pride.

For the show to be standing room only was a boon–it’s unlikely anyone in the audience could have remained seated once the four girls appeared following the intro, quickly leading into the high-energy number Seishun wo Kirisaku Hado. Fans were instantly chanting in unison, responding eagerly as Suzuka addressed the room, her enthusiasm bordering on contagious.

Nine years after its formation, ATARASHII GAKKO! Recently announced that the group would be making its Kouhaku debut at this December’s 74th Kouhaku Uta Gassen. The New Year’s Eve staple features performances from the most popular musical acts of the year, proving that the group has found its footing both domestically and abroad.

Fans swatted balloons around and jumped in time to the beat as saisyu jinrui, one of the group’s older songs, began to a sea of applause. Suzuka, Rin, Mizyu, and Kanon didn’t seem phased to hear the largely American audience singing along in Japanese, though their appreciation and joy were palpable as they moved in perfect unison. CANDY and The Edge followed, with the members taking turns asking the audience to raise their hands or clap along. Anyone who wasn’t already a fan was likely converted by the commanding energy sweeping the room, making it impossible not to move along.

During the MC portion, the members showed off their English, asking the audience “do you know Seishun?” They explained that it means “to live your life to the fullest,” and quickly invited the audience to celebrate this important idea. Throughout the show, they would often initiate a call and response, teaching those assembled a few words in Japanese and expressing their interest in returning to America for another tour in the future. Given how quickly the tickets sold out this time around, the sky’s the limit for concerts in the future.
In January, ATARASHII GAKKO! will perform at Nippon Budokan for the first time, ushering in a new era of popularity for the four members. It makes me wonder what massive U.S. venues may someday play home to another of their unforgettable shows. Madison Square Garden? Radio City Music Hall? The Hollywood Bowl?

As the question “Suki?” rang out, the crowd cheered, as Suki Lie has become a fan favorite since its release earlier this year. The girl’s choreography, as usual, was a highlight of the show, with Fantastico and the Yohji Igarashi remix of Pineapple Kryptonite quickly sending the audience into a rhythmic frenzy.

Just in front of me, I watched a couple mimic the vast majority of moves in perfect unison, taking time to laugh and joke when they failed to hit the mark. That’s the essence of ATARASHII GAKKO!–fun. The group represents ‘fun’ in its purest form, asking fans to recall the freedom of youth and to reach out to grasp it one more time, without fear of failure or embarrassment. Dance as if no one is watching, sing along in a language you cannot understand, and dress up in a school uniform despite being in your upper 30s. Why not?

As expected, the entire building shook as fans marched along during the group’s newest release Tokyo Calling. It had been enough of a warm-up, and as each of the girls placed a hand behind their heads, Otona Blue, the group’s magnum opus, rang out to a sea of screams. The track has amassed an incredible response on TikTok over the past year; this, despite being released way back in 2020. ATARASHII GAKKO! performed the song on THE FIRST TAKE, with the YouTube video now sitting at 50 million views. Everyone likely woke up with a sore neck after mimicking the classic choreography during the chorus.

After the explosive energy of WOO! GO! and NAINAINAI, the girls began to say their goodbyes, asking their fans to visit Japan someday and promising to return to St. Paul sometime in the future. Exiting the stage, they returned only a few minutes later after the audience demanded an encore, this time dressed more casually and eager to chat with a few fans at the front, one of whom was holding up a skilled drawing of Suzuka. The singer accepted the gift gladly, with other fans handing bouquets to the other members. As the lights in the venue brightened, the group snapped a few photos with the audience, creating the perfect keepsake for such a perfect night.

No one wanted such an energetic time to end, and the group knew just how to bid farewell to America–with the lively rock track Free Your Mind. The venue became a sea of clapping hands, and the concert came to a close on the highest possible note.

With a performance at Kouhaku fast approaching and their first-ever Budokan show only two months away, it’s almost certain that ATARASHII GAKKO! will return to the U.S. in the future. Until then, American fans will continue to support these four powerhouses from afar, eager for the day we meet–and dance–again.

Report: Carley Garcia

 

USA

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ATARASHII GAKKO! 新しい学校のリーダーズ(@japan_leaders)がシェアした投稿

After releasing the new MANINGEN EP on August 16, the members of ATARASHII GAKKO! announced that they would embark on their first overseas tour, ATARASHII GAKKO! The SEISHUN Tour, this November.

The group’s song OTONABLUE has reached an astounding 3.1 billion views on TikTok, winning the TikTok Trending Award for the first half of 2023 with over 14 million followers on the social media site. ATARASHII GAKKO! performed in New York in May and at the Head in the Clouds festival in Los Angeles in July, continuing to make headlines. Their tour will kick off at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles and continue for 10 shows across North America, Hong Kong, and Bangkok.

Before embarking on their global tour, the group will perform a solo show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on October 29. Tickets sold out quickly, and the group’s more dedicated fans can’t wait for the rare opportunity to see ATARASHII GAKKO! perform solo in Japan.

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.

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.

KYARY ANAN pic.twitter.com/aw77siGxOL

— きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ (@pamyurin) May 20, 2023

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

Idol group FRUITS ZIPPER will embark on its first nationwide tour, FRUITS ZIPPER JAPAN TOUR 2023 -AUTUMN-, this September.

FRUITS ZIPPER has been climbing to the top of the idol scene at a breakneck pace. Their first overseas solo performance in Taiwan was recently a huge success, and tickets for their first anniversary live shows at Toyosu PIT in Tokyo and Namba Hatch in Osaka in May sold out immediately after going on sale.

The tour will begin with a concert in Osaka on September 3, followed by performances in Aichi, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, and Kanagawa. Tickets for the presale lottery are now on sale for members of the KAWAII LAB fan club.

FRUITS ZIPPER’s single Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro, released last year, has inspired over 700 million related videos on TikTok, while the music video has been viewed over 10 million times. Keep an eye on their activities in the near future!

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will embark on her world tour POPPP in May, performing in seven cities around the world. Trackmaker and DJ Moe Shop, a leader in the world of Future Funk, will appear as the opening act for three U.S. tour dates.

Moe Shop’s unique fusion of French house music and Japanese pop and club tunes has earned the artist over 26 million views per year on YouTube and over 31 million views per year on Spotify, making them one of the most popular electronic music artists around the globe. The artist has gone on record to say that they have been largely influenced by Yasutaka Nakata, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s producer, and their addictive sound is making waves in both Japan and abroad.

To celebrate this incredible collaboration, a playlist of songs selected by Moe Shop is now available on Spotify. Be sure to give it a listen!

【Spotify】Kyary Pamyu Pamyu meets Moe Shop

The Kyary Pamyu Pamyu World Tour 2023, titled POPPP, will begin this May!

This will be the singer’s first world tour in five years, as last year’s planned international tour was canceled. Kyary will perform in six cities–New York, Los Angeles, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, and London. The Spain shows will take place during the massive Primavera Sound music festival.

In 2022, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu performed as the final act on the Gobi Stage at Coachella, the world’s largest music festival held in Indio, California. The artist received accolades from both the American audience and viewers from around the world. This year, Kyary is continuing to attract attention as the first Japanese solo artist to be featured in Global Spin, an original showcase of artists from around the world made by the Recording Academy in the U.S., the organizer of the Grammy Awards.

FRUITS ZIPPER held the final performance of FRUITS ZIPPER 1st LIVE TOUR 2023 -WINTER- ♡BE AT THE HEART♡ on February 12, 2023 at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA.

FRUITS ZIPPER debuted on April 24, 2022. The group’s song Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro skyrocketed in popularity after its release on April 29 of last year, becoming a huge hit on TikTok and one of the most popular tracks in the idol world.

Much like the numerous festivals FRUITS ZIPPER appeared in during the summer of 2022, as soon as the concert ended, the idol fans packed into the venue quickly dispersed as if a storm had come through.

The group’s first tour was announced in October 2022. The announcement that there would be a male-only show and a female-only show was a surprise to many female fans, and two weeks later it was announced that the Osaka venue would be changed to Namba Hatch due to huge ticket sales. Soon after, it was announced that the tour finale would be held at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA.

The difficulty of organizing a tour for a new idol group and attracting fans seemed clear, but the shows at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA and Namba Hatch managed to sell out well before the tour began, creating a ton of buzz in the idol world.

LINE CUBE SHIBUYA was close to overflowing, and the live soundtrack was created by trackmaker YUC’e for this tour. As the live title ♡BE AT THE HEART♡ suggests, the emotion and excitement in the venue continued to grow with every heartbeat.

Following the opening track, FRUITS ZIPPER appeared on stage to perform the song RADIO GALAXY, also by YUC’e. The tour finale opened with this beloved track that perfectly expresses the group’s NEW KAWAII concept.

Following this, the group performed the new song Welcome to the ♡ Furuppa!, a track that introduces each member. Performed for the first time on this tour, it’s a great way to open a concert and get the audience hyped and up to speed.

The members introduced themselves during the MC, expressing their thoughts about the concert and sharing their gratitude to the packed house. While the members were nervous, Karen Matsumoto was smiling as usual. “I’ll do my best,” she said with a smile.

Following the MC, the group continued with well-known tracks like Kimi no Akarui Mirai wo Oikakete, skyfeelan, Re→TRY & FLY, and We are Frontier.

After a video was played, Yui Sakurai’s solo part in the song Sekai wa Kimi kara Hajimaru drew the audience’s attention to the stage. Performed during this tour, the song Zutto, Zutto, Zutto shared FRUITS ZIPPER’s kawaii vibe.

During the next MC statement, FRUITS ZIPPER began a special corner seen on Atsumare☆Furuppa!, a stream available once a month on OPENREC.tv to subscribers only. Titled ‘The Valentine’s Day Heart-Pounding Phrase Contest,’ the members shared their most romantic and heartwarming lines with the audience. For those who were unable to attend the show, be sure to tune into Atsumare☆Furuppa!

As the concert continued, the audience waved their towels in the air along with Furefure Summer! and Kanpeki shugi de☆, both staples at FRUITS ZIPPER live shows. The group’s anthem Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro began to play, summoning heart-shaped messages to fall from the ceiling and rain down on fans.

The final song performed was Happy Chocolate, which was just released on February 1. The song was created to become a standard Valentine’s Day track for Gen Z and has already become a smash hit on TikTok.

FRUITS ZIPPER appeared on stage for an encore following seemingly endless clapping. The members took turns chatting about anything on their minds, with many of the girls shedding some well-earned tears. “From Harajuku to the world! Please continue to follow us,” Luna Nakagawa cried out to the crowd.

For the encore, the group performed the never-before-heard song Cho Medetai Song ~Konna ni Shiawase de Iinokana?~ (The Super Joyful Song ~Is It Okay to Be This Happy?~), created by Yamamoto Sho and Gento Miyano.

The tour’s finale concluded with a second performance of Happy Chocolate.

During the last MC, the members announced that they would be holding a solo concert in Taiwan. An official fan club for KAWAII LAB. was also announced, along with a FRUITS ZIPPER first anniversary concert to be held on May 4 at Toyosu PIT and on May 26 at Namba Hatch.

After this tour finale at LINE CLUB SHIBUYA and the group’s first-anniversary concert announcements, I could only think one thing–” It’s only been a year?!”

It’s clear that FRUITS ZIPPER is only getting started. Be sure to follow them as they continue to take the idol world by storm in 2023.

Text: Mizuki Hasegawa

Photo: Yuuna Yoshimori

FRUITS ZIPPER 1st Anniversary Photo Book

Tokyo News, the publisher of B.L.T and other popular TV magazines, will release a photobook celebrating the first anniversary of FRUITS ZIPPER on April 24, 2023!

FRUITS ZIPPER is a 7-member idol group that debuted in April 2022 under the concept “from Harajuku to the World.” The group’s second single Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro became a massive hit on TikTok, pulling in over 600 million views. Having become incredibly popular, the group’s first solo tour in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka in February sold out at all venues, including LINE CUBE SHIBUYA and Namba Hatch. A photobook commemorating the first year of FRUITS ZIPPER will be on sale in April.

FRUITS ZIPPER Live in Taiwan 2023

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.

Atarashii Gakko! will hold solo concerts at Zepp venues in Tokyo and Osaka in April and May of 2023.

These performances will be held almost a year after the girls held their solo concert at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo last May. This year’s events will be held at Zepp Osaka Bayside on April 30 and Zepp Shinjuku in Tokyo on May 2.

ATARASHII GAKKO! – HANAKO (Official Music Video)

ATARASHII GAKKO! – Pineapple Kryptonite (Official Music Video)

ONE OK ROCK has become an incredible success with audiences around the world. The Japanese rock band will join Muse’s North American tour starting in February 2023 as special guests along with Evanescence, and the three musical acts will tour arenas in the US and Canada for around a month.

The band released their album Luxury Disease in September. Immediately following this, ONE OK ROCK headlined a 23-city North American tour, selling out a number of shows.

Be sure to follow ONE OK ROCK as they continue their upward climb to become international superstars!

WILL OF THE PEOPLE WORLD TOUR 2023

02/25/2023 Chicago, IL – United Center

02/26/2023 Minneapolis, MN – Target Center

02/28/2023 Austin, TX – Moody Center

03/02/2023 Houston, TX – Toyota Center

03/03/2023 Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena

03/05/2023 St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena

03/07/2023 Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena

03/09/2023 Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

03/11/2023 Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre

03/12/2023 Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre

03/14/2023 Montreal, QC – Bell Centre

03/15/2023 Montreal, QC – Bell Centre

03/17/2023 New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

03/19/2023 Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

*ONE OK ROCK will perform from February 25 until March 19.

Globally popular girl band BAND-MAID has successfully concluded their first solo tour in the U.S. in about three years. Immediately after returning to Japan, the group was met with a sold out crowd when they performed as the supporting act for the Guns N’ Roses JAPAN TOUR held at Saitama Super Arena on November 6, 2022. Following the event, BAND-MAID even became a trending topic on Twitter!

BAND-MAID made a splash during their U.S. tour, playing a total of 13 packed shows and getting plenty of media coverage. Given that the Guns N’ Roses JAPAN TOUR was the group’s first performance after returning home to Japan, it received massive attention from fans both locally and abroad.

Miku Kobato (Gt. & Vo.), KANAMI (Gt.), MISA (Ba.), and AKANE (Dr.) strolled onto the stage and performed the instrumental track from now on. The audience was shocked watching these petit girls in maid outfits perform such heavy rock! SAIKI (Vo.) appeared as the following song, DICE, began to play, with her powerful voice tearing through the intense ensemble. BAND-MAID’s goal of world domination certainly came through in their performance–of course, the song DOMINATION began to huge fanfare, with the girls being shown on the big screen next to the stage. It was clear that each of them was enjoying the performance to the fullest. During Manners, MISA’s incredible bass took the spotlight, with the sound of shredding guitar punctuating the powerful track. Miku Kobato’s strong chorus was also a fan favorite, and as the song Daydreaming began, SAIKI’s voice captivated the audience. BAND-MAID left the stage amidst a sea of applause after performing a total of seven songs ranging from quiet instruments to rock ballads.

In addition to their appearance at MERRY ROCK PARADE 2022 on December 18 in Japan, the band will also perform solo at Tokyo Garden Theater on January 9, 2023. This will be the largest solo performance in the band’s history, so fans won’t want to miss it!