Latest news with #ATARASHIIGAKKO!
Hype Malaysia
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Interview: Japanese Singer Tatsuya Kitani On His First Visit To Malaysia & Upcoming Releases
Tatsuya Kitani (キタニタツヤ) is a name familiar to many anime fans, having sang the theme songs to several popular series including 'Jujutsu Kaisen', 'Oshi No Ko' and 'Rurouni Kenshin'. As such, fans were ecstatic to learn that the singer-songwriter is making his first visit to Kuala Lumpur later this month, for the upcoming 'CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur'. The joint concert marks Tatsuya Kitani's first performance in Malaysia, so the anticipation is high. Lucky for us, Hype Malaysia has the chance to speak with the 29-year-old to hear what he has to share about the concert. At the same time, we also talked about what he's looking forward to in Malaysia, what it was like working with Kento Nakajima, and his future projects. Keep scrolling to learn more: 1. Is this the first time you've met the other acts from the 'CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur' lineup? What is your first impression? I've only briefly greeted ATARASHII GAKKO! members on a TV show. As for Creepy Nuts, I performed on a music program in 2019 where DJ Matsunaga was the MC, and I've been in touch with him since then. Both are artists I admire for their cutting-edge musical expression, so I initially thought meeting them in person might be intimidating…but in reality, they turned out to be the kind of humble and refreshing people you would love to meet. 2. What are your thoughts about performing at this joint concert with ATARASHII GAKKO! and Creepy Nuts? Both artists create new and innovative music like no one else did, so I'm looking forward to seeing them perform as a music fan (rather than just as a fellow performer). 3. What are you looking forward to the most in Malaysia? I'm not sure if we'll have the time, but I'd love to visit the Islamic Arts Museum. The Masjid Negara is also unique, so I definitely want to see it in person. And of course, the Petronas Twin Towers! There are so many fascinating architectural sites that catch my eye. 4. Can you share a teaser for your performance? What do you have prepared for fans? I'm preparing my body to be in good shape and will do my best to perform as usual, so that everyone can enjoy the music! 5. Do you have any upcoming projects that you are excited to release? Can you share more about it? I've been working on a few songs that focus on the essence of Japanese pop music that I love. So, I'm both excited and a bit nervous to see if the people who've been following CENTRAL will enjoy this kind of music. 6. At festivals, each artist is given a specific duration for their set. How do you choose the songs you want to perform within the given timeframe? Since this is my first live performance here, I'll do my best to play as many songs that most of you know as possible. 7. Is this your first time in Malaysia? What is your first impression of the country? It's my first time. Historically, Malaysia has been a crossroads of multiple cultures, so I think that unique harmony can be seen in its architecture and food culture. I'm looking forward to it! 8. Are you familiar with the local cuisine? Is there anything you are looking forward to trying? I plan to try out laksa! 9. You're also active as a duo (GEMN) with Kento Nakajima. What's it like working with him? As an idol, Kento's musical expression is rooted in a completely different foundation from mine, and he pursues the most pure and traditional form of the Japanese 'idol' concept. Working together with him has led to countless discoveries. It's a great learning experience for me about what it means to be involved in the entertainment industry. 10. Apart from sajou no hana, in your early days, you were a part of bands like Hitsuji no Mure wa Warawanai and 'humanic'. What can you recall from those times? I believe we were making good music, but unfortunately, we didn't gain much recognition from the public, so there aren't many fond memories from that time. However, everything I learned back then has become the foundation of what I am doing now, so it was definitely an experience I couldn't do without. 11. Before becoming a singer, you were a Vocaloid producer. What made you want to become an artist yourself? I was influenced by seeing artists like Kenshi Yonezu and wowaka from Hitorie transition from the underground scene to the mainstream with their own voices. Also, I felt that if I wanted my music to be heard by people like my family and friends who aren't particularly into music — the best approach was through my own voice. 12. Your music video for 'Chained' is the first one where you incorporate both live action and animation for your solo project. What was the inspiration behind it? There was a restriction where NATORI couldn't express himself through live action, so I thought about how to make the most of that. A large part of the inspiration came from the past works of the director, Bivi. 13. You worked on the OP for several animes like 'Jujutsu Kaisen' and 'Oshi no Ko'. Is there an anime that you'd love to do the theme music for? I'd love to try working on a pure love story. It's quite different from my usual style, so I feel like it might bring me fresh inspiration. Tatsuya Kitani will perform at the 'CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur' at Zepp Kuala Lumpur, on 26th April 2025 (Saturday) alongside Creepy Nuts and ATARASHII GAKKO! Tickets are still available on the BookMyShow website. In the meantime, here's a listen at the singer's latest track, 'You More':
Hype Malaysia
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Interview: J-pop Sensation ATARASHII GAKKO! On Their Malaysian Fans & Collaborating With AURORA
ATARASHII GAKKO! (新しい学校のリーダーズ) is taking the world by storm with their spunky performances and energetic stages! After a successful stop for their first world tour, the quarter is back in Malaysia – this time performing alongside Creepy Nuts and Tatsuya Kitani at the highly-anticipated 'CENTRAL MU SIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur'. Before the girls take the stage at Zepp Kuala Lumpur on 26th April 2025 (Saturday), Hype Malaysia had the opportunity to speak to them to hear what they have to share about their upcoming show. Besides that, ATARASHII GAKKO! also talked about their Malaysian fans, what they want to do when they're back in KL, and what they have planned for the future. Keep on reading to find out: 1. Is this the first time you've met the other acts from the 'CENTRAL MU SIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur' lineup? What is your first impression? We've met Kitani-san before, but this will be our first time sharing the same stage! We once saw him dancing, and it was so cool—we'd love to dance together next time! As for Creepy Nuts, we've met each other a few times and performed at the same festivals, but this will be our first proper collaboration. When we think of Creepy Nuts, we immediately think of their incredible freestyle rap and DJ skills! We've been watching their live performances since six or seven years ago, so we're really looking forward to this! 2. What are your thoughts about performing at this joint concert with Tatsuya Kitani and Creepy Nuts? It's like a crazy musical buffet! Everyone is in completely different genres, and it's interesting to see how each brings their own 'flavor' to the stage. We love how unpredictable the lineup is. Hip-hop, rock, and whatever-we-are (laughs)—it's going to be an explosive night! 3. What are you looking forward to the most in Malaysia? Last time, we didn't have much time to stay, so we couldn't try a lot of Malaysian food. This time, we definitely want to enjoy it as much as we can! We're also excited to see the fans who have been waiting for us in Malaysia, as well as meeting the Japanese people living here. And of course, we're looking forward to connecting with new audiences too! 4. Can you share a teaser for your performance? What do you have prepared for fans? Do expect a full-body workout! We'll be bringing the wildest, most high-energy performance that will make you laugh, sweat, and maybe even wonder if this is really happening!? 5. Do you have any upcoming projects that you are excited to release? Can you share more about it? We'll be celebrating our 10th anniversary as a group this July! We're preparing a lot of exciting things for it. There are plenty of plans now in progress, so be sure to keep an eye out for each announcement! 6. At festivals, each artist is given a specific duration for their set. How do you choose the songs you want to perform within the given timeframe? It's like putting together a rollercoaster ride! The crazy highs, unexpected twists, and moments where you can just take a deep breath before diving back in, these are the balance we took into consideration when putting everything together. Above all, what matters most to us is keeping the crowd hyped up and moving throughout the show! 7. This is your second show in Malaysia. What do you remember the most about the last visit? What stood out the most was seeing so many fans dressed like us, wearing outfits inspired by our costumes, or styling our merch in their own unique way! Also, the energy from the crowd was incredible—they were so enthusiastic and made everything feel even hotter! 8. Did you manage to try any Malaysian food during your last visit? What was your favorite? We didn't get to try much last time, so this time, we definitely will! We're really looking forward to having nasi goreng! 9. You recently collaborated with AURORA. Can you share your experience working with her? She's the artist from the farthest country we've ever collaborated with, so being able to stand on the same stage and connect through music despite the distance was such a beautiful experience. The song itself was also a new genre for us, and it felt like it expanded our world. Aurora is like a fairy, like an angel—and she's incredibly smart in the way she thinks and carries herself! 10. You've worked with many artists, both from Japan and internationally, but do you have a dream collaboration? There are so many! But we'll leave it to the flow of the universe to see what kind of encounters await us. We'd love to collaborate with artists from different countries, expand our world, and enjoy the magic of creative chemistry! 11. The lyrics for your single 'Change' are quite straightforward, and the music video appears to have a theme of reflection, as it involves mirrors. Could you walk us through the creative process behind the song and video? The song is about growth, how we evolve, but at the core, we're still us. The mirrors in the music video represent that inner dialogue, where you're facing different versions of yourself. It's a little introspective but still fun and quirky, just like us! One of the themes of 'Change' is our journey of constantly moving forward and evolving. The chorus choreography, which looks like riding a horse, was created with the idea of facing ourselves while transforming negative emotions into positive energy. So be sure to pay attention to the choreography as well! 12. Is there a genre of music or concept that you'd like to explore in the future? Of course! We want to challenge ourselves with different genres and concepts, blending them into ATARASHII GAKKO!'s unique style and enjoying the creative chemistry that comes from it! ATARASHII GAKKO! will perform at the 'CENTRAL MU SIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur' at Zepp Kuala Lumpur, on 26th April 2025 (Saturday) alongside Creepy Nuts and Tatsuya Kitani. Tickets are still available on the BookMyShow website. In the meantime, here's a listen to the group's latest track, 'One Heart':
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO! & YOASOBI Showcase Best of Today's J-Pop at matsuri '25 Event in L.A.
Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO! and YOASOBI graced the stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles for matsuri '25: Japanese Music Experience LOS ANGELES on Sunday, March 16, the music event by Japan's Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA). YOASOBI opened the show, and when the duo's name on a banner flashed on the screen behind the stage, the 7,000 fans in the audience cheered loudly. As the banner was torn down by the hand of a monster, low-pitched sounds and mysterious music played over the speakers. ikura and Ayase appeared on stage to the announcement, 'Welcome to the world of Surrealism,' and the crowd shouted and waved their glow sticks to express their excitement. The intro to 'Seventeen' began to play after a brief silence, and ikura said in English, 'Welcome to matsuri '25. We are YOASOBI from Japan. Get ready to have a blast tonight. L.A., are you guys ready?' Fans responded with shouts of 'Oi! Oi!' and the band kicked off the event with a bang. More from Billboard For the 'Win': Tamela Mann Scores Record 12th No. 1 on Gospel Airplay Chart Lady Gaga Announces Dates For North American, International 2025 Mayhem Ball Tour Selena Gomez Hates Feeling a 'Tad Bitter' About Trolls Commenting on Her Weight While 'Nobody Cares' About Those Things With Men ikura took a moment to explain the purpose of the event, saying, 'Three acts from Japan — Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, and YOASOBI — have come this time, hoping to enjoy great music, J-pop music, with everyone here.' She then asked the audience to light up their phones and sway to create a sense of unity, and the duo performed the poignant mid-tempo ballad 'Tabun.' Following 'The Brave,' the band performed 'Monster,' a fast-paced track with thumping low beats that satisfy performed live. 'As a J-Pop artist, we've been trying to spread our music from Japan to the world,' said ikura in English. 'We are so so so happy to be able to share with all of you. Thank you very much. I love you guys. We dive into the second half. Let me see your passion, OK? You ready to go loud? Can you give us some more? Ok, let's sing together.' The pair then went on to perform some of its biggest hits back-to-back, with the exhilaration of 'Into the Night,' the unity of the chorus in 'Blue,' and the energy and enthusiasm of the audience in 'Idol' filling the venue. The overwhelming delivery of the last three songs proved that YOASOBI has indeed become one of Japan's top acts whose concerts sell out instantly whenever they perform overseas today. Following a 15-minute changeover, the four members of ATARASHII GAKKO! appeared from the audience aisle to the sound of ringing school bells, holding big white flags over their heads. When the members — SUZUKA, RIN, MIZYU, and KANON — gathered on stage, SUZUKA greeted the crowd with the sound of a trumpet in the background: 'Hello everyone. We are ATARASHII GAKKO! Everybody, are you ready?' The words 'Seishun Nihon Daihyo' (Youth Team Japan) appeared on the screen and the women began their set with 'Change,' the members swinging their arms around and performing immaculate choreography off the bat. During 'Fly High,' RIN called out, 'L.A., are you ready? Jump!' and fans were more than happy to comply. For 'Arigato,' each member sang while holding a broomstick like a microphone stand, or fake-played it like a guitar, playfully reminding us of our school days. The audience reacted enthusiastically to the intro of the group's breakout hit 'Otona Blue,' and the members captivated the crowd with their signature head-shaking dance and distinctive choreography. Following a group chant with SUZUKA, who hyped up the audience calling out, 'Everybody, ganbatte (hang in there)! Woo!' the women performed 'Toryanse.' Fans waved their glow sticks towards the stage during the intro and danced to the lively rhythm accompanied by electronic sounds of Japanese instruments. Each of the four members called out, 'Everybody jump!' 'Say yeah!' and 'Say change!' in time with the lyrics during the set, confidently charging the crowd with their energy. An image of the Tokyo metropolis appeared on the screen and ATARASHII GAKKO! launched into 'Tokyo Calling.' SUZUKA came down from the stage and sang enthusiastically while making her way through the crowd, regally marching back to the lyrics of 'We are marching.' The women closed their set with 'One Heart,' the word 'SAIKO' ('the best') appearing behind them on the screen, and the audience joined in and sang along. The lyrics 'AG want to take you higher' is like the Japanese modern version of Ike & Tina Turner's 'I Want To Take You Higher,' and the song uplifts and inspires like the best kind of music. Watching ATARASHII GAKKO!'s performance, this writer couldn't help but agree with what Creativeman Productions' Rob Kelso said during the press conference before the event: 'The best way to integrate these [artists] is to realize we lost the last excuse. Their last excuse was it must be in English…anything in the U.S. must be in English. And that doesn't exist anymore. Now it is ok not to be in English…let's take advantage of that. Doors are opening again to other languages.' The members of ATARASHII GAKKO! know how to entertain the crowds at their shows overseas, encouraging call-and-response with fans using short Japanese words like 'ganbatte' and 'saiko,' and getting them excited in English, saying, 'Everybody jump!' and 'Say yeah!' Plus, the group's shows never look cheap or over-the-top, thanks to the four members' well-coordinated dance moves, SUZUKA's vocal prowess, and the individuality of each member. Whether you're Japanese or American, anyone who sees ATARASHII GAKKO! will be able to enjoy its performances to the fullest, and the group's set at matsuri '25 was a testimony to that. Then the 'Ado Box' was set up in the center of the stage for the event's final artist, the enigmatic singer Ado, who never shows her face. The 22-year-old songstress immediately launched into her hit banger 'Show,' then performed 'New Genesis,' 'Usseewa' (which sounded faster and more powerful than when this writer saw her on her North American tour a year ago), and 'Lucky Bruto' in succession. The stage production was designed to be visually enjoyable as well, with Ado performing 'RuLe' by dancing and singing while seated on a chair in her box. After calls of 'Let's go, Ado' from the audience, the singer addressed the crowd for the first time, talking about how living in Los Angeles for a month last year was one of the best experiences of her life. She shared some episodes that showed her personality, like how she enjoyed In-N-Out burgers and going to Macy's. 'I'm proud to be able to share the stage with ATARASHII GAKKO! and YOASOBI,' she said, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to perform at the event. 'I'm so happy that you've come to experience Japanese music and culture today. It will really make me happy if you'll continue to love Japanese music and culture. This has been a really great evening. Thank you.' She then invited the audience to sing and dance with her before performing the last song of her set, 'Odo.' It was unthinkable in the past that an artist who maintains her anonymity by never revealing her face would perform on stage in a box. But it's true that many people listen to Ado's music and when she announces shows outside of her home country, many fans rush to buy tickets. This is in line with what Goldenvoice vice president Ellen Lu said at the conference that 'festivals are booking with a global sense now. Because that is what people are listening to, so if we are to stay in touch with what people are wanting to see that is not just exclusive to the U.S. or Europe which historically has been the case. It just puts these [international] artists in front of audiences that want to see them or have never had a chance to see them.' This is why Ado was able to successfully tour the world last year, and is set to embark on her second global trek this summer at even bigger venues including arenas. The three acts that performed at the matsuri '25 event all had previous experience performing live in North America, and it was a luxurious and precious experience to be able to see them at once. It was an evening that surely made fans want to support other Japanese artists that will follow these groups and go on to perform on the world stage. —This article by Tomoya Ogawa first appeared on Billboard Japan Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
