London-based Japanese Artist Rina Sawayama Covers Hikaru Utada’s Legendary ‘First Love’ at Tokyo Concert
Born in Niigata and living in London, international singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama released her second album Hold The Girl on September 16, 2022. Her Japan-based Hold The Girl Tour saw successful shows in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo, with Sawayama generating plenty of buzz. During the final show on the tour, the singer surprised the audience with a cover of Hikaru Utada’s hit songFirst Love. The video of this incredible performance is now available to watch on YouTube!
First Love – Rina Sawayama (Hikaru Utada Cover, Tokyo Garden Theatre)
Prior to the Tokyo show, Sawayama took to Instagram, posting a comment for fans. “Since this is the biggest show I’ve ever done, I think I should cover a special Japanese track to commemorate the event,” she said. The singer had previously asked fans to share the songs they’d most like to see performed.
“Without this artist and without this song, I probably wouldn’t have become a musician or an artist. I heard this track when I was around six years old, and I remember dancing for my parents who were sitting on the sofa. This artist also celebrated her 40th birthday yesterday. This is my first cover, but I think it’s the perfect way to commemorate this special event. Please enjoy,” Sawayama concluded.
The audience responded to this surprise with a chorus of excitement, and this was surely an unforgettable night for many fans.
Rina is currently on the Hold The Girl Tour in Europe. At the end of March, she will make her Hollywood debut in the fourth John Wickmovie.
Information
Hold The Girl (2nd Album)
On Sale Now
Listen/Purchase: https://umj.lnk.to/RinaSawayama_HoldTheGirl
Purchase Bonus Details: https://www.universal-music.co.jp/rina-sawayama/news/2022-07-28/
Official Site: https://www.rina.online/
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Concert Report: ATARASHII GAKKO! Mesmerizes Packed Crowd in St. Paul during the Final U.S. Performance of the Seishun Tour
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 -
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.
Information
ATARASHII GAKKO! The SEISHUN Tour
(All dates local time)
11/7 Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
11/8 San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
11/10 New York, NY- Music Hall of Williamsburg
11/11 Washington, D.C.- Black Cat
11/13 Toronto, ON- The Axis Club
11/15 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
11/16 St. Paul, MN- Amsterdam Bar & Hall
11/18 Mexico City, MX- Corona Capital (https://www.coronacapital.com.mx/)
12/2 Hong Kong- Clockenflap Festival (https://www.clockenflap.com/) *Tickets available anytime
12/3 Bangkok, TH- Maho Rasop Festival (https://www.mahorasop.com/) *Tickets available anytime[Tickets]
Spotify Presale: August 17, 2:00AM ~ Limited 1-day sale
General Sales: August 18, 10:00AM (August 19, 2:00AM JST)Special Tour Site
https://atarashiigakko.com/atarashii-gakko-the-seishun-tour<NEW EP>
MANINGEN EP – ATARASHII GAKKO!
Release Date: August 16【Tracklist】
M1: MANINGEN
M2: KOIBUMI
M3: Que Sera Sera
M4: OTONABLUE – From THE FIRST TAKE
M5: NERAIUCHI (50 th anniversary cover)Streaming URL: https://lnk.to/MANINGEN_EP
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Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Concludes 7-stop World Tour Including Performance at Primavera Sound, One of Europe’s Largest Music Festivals
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.
Information
■World Tour
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu WORLD TOUR 2023 -POPPP-
May 15 – New York|Webster Hall
May 17 – Los Angeles|The Novo
May 19 – Chicago|Anime Central
June 2 – Barcelona|PRIMAVERA SOUND 2023 Parc del Forum
June 5 – Paris|Cabaret Sauvage
June 7 – London|London Earth Hall
June 9 – Madrid|PRIMAVERA SOUND 2023 Ciudad del RockSpecial Tour Site: https://wt2023.kyary.asobisystem.com/
【Spotify】 Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Primavera Sound 2023: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7Gzl5MVmefJJKSIEEdi1SG
■Concert Information
Celebrating 100 Years: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Special Live 2023 ~Midnight Sun~
Date: July 15, 2023
Venue: Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall
Time: Open at 16:30 / Show starts at 17:30
*No admission for preschool-aged children
General Ticket Sales: June 17, 10:00~
https://www.red-hot.ne.jp/play/detail.php?pid=py23966
Sponsor: Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall 100th Anniversary Executive Committee
Planning/Production: ASOBISYSTEM Co., Ltd.Contact:
HOT STUFF PROMOTION
050-5211-6077
https://www.red-hot.ne.jp/[Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Profile]
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Birthday: January 29, 1993
Birthplace: Tokyo
Artist
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu made her major debut with her mini-album ‘Moshi Moshi Harajuku’ in 2011, produced by Yasutaka Nakata. Since 2013, she’s successfully completed four world tours, and in 2020, she was selected by Lady Gaga as one of the most powerful women from around the world for the “Women of Choice” playlist, made in celebration of International Women’s Day. Her boundless creativity, not bound by global norms, and her powerful self-expression have made Kyary incredibly popular both in Japan and abroad. In April 2022, she performed on the GOBI stage at Coachella, one of the biggest music festivals in the world. The concert was streamed live on YouTube, and the world went wild over her fiery performance. In November 2022, Kyary also performed with Katy Perry at the TRUE COLORS FESTIVAL, an event supporting diversity in the arts. In 2023, the artist held a seven-city world tour in Europe and the United States.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is a Harajuku and Japanese pop icon who continues to push the boundaries of self-expression.◆Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Official Site: http://kyary.asobisystem.com
◆Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 10th Anniversary Site: http://kpp10.jp
◆Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/pamyurin
◆Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Staff Twitter: https://twitter.com/kyarystaff
◆Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyarypappa/
◆Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Staff Instagram: https://instagram.com/kyarystaff/
◆Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Official Fanclub (KPP CLUB): https://kyary.net/Check out the latest news here: https://lit.link/kpp
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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, 2023Information
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://kyary.asobisystem.com
OFFICIAL Twitter: https://twitter.com/pamyurin
OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kyarypappa/
OFFICIAL FANCLUB「KPP CLUB」:https://kyary.net/
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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!
Information
FRUITS ZIPPER JAPAN TOUR 2023 -AUTUMN-
Date: September 3, 2023
Venue: Zepp Namba / Osaka
Time: Doors open at 16:00 / Show starts at 17:00
Contact: Kyodo Information – 0570-200-888Date: September 5, 2023
Venue: Zepp Nagoya / Aichi
Time: Doors open at 17:30 / Show starts at 18:30
Contact: Sunday Folk Promotion – 052-320-9100 (12:00~18:00)Date: September 8, 2023
Venue: Zepp Fukuoka / Fukuoka
Time: Doors open at 17:30 / Show starts at 18:30
Contact: Kyodo West Japan – 0570-09-2424 (11:00~15:00 / Closed on Sundays and Holidays)Date: September 10, 2023
Venue: BLUE LIVE HIROSHIMA / Hiroshima
Time: Doors open at 16:00 / Show starts at 17:00
Contact: YUMEBANCHI (Hiroshima) – 082-249-3571 (Weekdays 12:00~17:00)Date: September 13, 2023
Venue: PENNY LANE24 / Hokkaido
Time: Doors open at 17:30 / Show starts at 18:30
Contact: Mount Alive – 011-623-6555Date: September 16, 2023
Venue: KT Zepp Yokohama / Kanagawa
Time: Doors open at 16:00 / Show starts at 17:00
Contact: HOT STUFF PROMOTION – 050-5211-6077 (Weekdays 12:00~18:00)[Tickets]
VIP Standing: ¥16,500 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
miniVIP Standing: ¥7,700 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
General Standing: ¥5,500 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
2F Reserved Seat: ¥5,500 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
*Available tickets for Hiroshima and Hokkaido are VIP and General Standing onlyKAWAII LAB. Fan Club Presale Tickets (Lottery)
Entry Period: April 10 at 21:00 ~ April 17 at 23:59
URL: https://kawaiilab.asobisystem.com/
*Up to 2 tickets available per person per showNew information will be announced on the official FRUITS ZIPPER social media pages when available.
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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 ShopInformation
▼Moe Shop Performances
May 15
New York|Webster Hall
https://www.axs.com/events/471702/kyary-pamyu-pamyu-tickets
May 17
Los Angeles|The Novo
https://www.axs.com/events/471552/kyary-pamyu-pamyu-tickets
May 19
Chicago|Anime Central
https://www.acen.org/registration/
▼Other Performances
June 2
Barcelona|PRIMAVERA SOUND 2023 Parc del Forum
https://www.primaverasound.com/
June 5
Paris|Cabaret Sauvage
https://www.seetickets.com/fr/d/event/kyary-pamyu-pamyu/cabaret-sauvage/8769451
June 7
London|London EartH Hall
https://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/kyary-pamyu-pamyu
June 9
Madrid|PRIMAVERA SOUND 2023 Ciudad del Rock
https://www.primaverasound.com/
Tour Website
http://cw.kyary.asobisystem.com/
<LINKS>
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Official Website: kyary.asobisystem.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/pamyurin
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kyary_official
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kyarypappa/
Facebook (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/kyaryofficial/
Facebook (English): https://www.facebook.com/KPP.FC/
Fan Club: https://kyary.net
Moe Shop
Twitter: twitter.com/korewamoe
Instagram: www.instagram.com/korewamoe/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCcKTRoHPP2hPaom63QGaiBw
Facebook: www.facebook.com/moeshopmusic/
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/moeshop