On January 29, HYDE celebrated his birthday with a special orchestral performance at Tokyo Garden Theatre. The show was streamed worldwide via Live Viewing Japan and simulcast in theaters across all Japan’s 47 prefectures, marking a luxurious and emotional kickoff to his first orchestra tour in five years.

If you haven’t watched yet, there’s still time! Grab your pass for unlimited concert replays, available until February 2, 2026 (23:59 JST); it’s absolutely worth it. From HYDE’s hilarious and heartfelt emcee segments to surprise celebrity guests, this is the kind of performance that sneaks up on you emotionally. Expect laughter, goosebumps, and possibly tears.

“HYDE”: Another side

The two-hour show unfolded with elegance and restraint. It felt like both a prelude to his upcoming tour JEKYLL and a gentle counterpoint to the all-out rock intensity of his previous release, HYDE [INSIDE]. Tokyo Garden Theatre was filled with a rich, sultry soundscape; less rock spectacle, and more of a slow burn to be savored.

This tonal shift offered a glimpse into HYDE’s next era and his upcoming album JEKYLL, set for digital release on March 11. During an emcee session, HYDE introduced the album as a spiritual successor to his first solo release ROENTGEN, aiming for a lush, cinematic atmosphere: “ROENTGEN II”, in his words. He also revealed that his newest single, THE ABYSS, dropped that same day, complete with a music video.

Despite the word “orchestra”, the concert was anything but stiff or dated. The ensemble reimagined HYDE’s catalog through a wide range of styles: jazzy arrangements with punchy bass and guitar, a breezy bossa nova take on L’Arc~en~Ciel’s HONEY, and powder-soft romances like So Dreamy. HYDE even performed a bittersweet, slowed-down arrangement of Glamorous Sky, which he composed for the popular romance series Nana. The warm closeness of the orchestra paired seamlessly with HYDE’s vocals, offering familiar songs in an entirely new light and revealing fresh layers of depth and complexity.

The night was made even more special by guest appearances from DAIGO and YOSHIKI. DAIGO surprised HYDE with a birthday cake and led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday”, while YOSHIKI traveled to Japan to celebrate, presenting HYDE with a bouquet of red roses. Together, HYDE and YOSHIKI then performed Red Swan, an Attack on Titan opening theme, in a tender duet of piano and raw, emotional vocals.

HYDE with his birthday cake as the audience joins in wishing him a happy birthday.HYDE on X

For fans old and new, the archived live stream offers a rare chance to experience HYDE from a deeply intimate and orchestral perspective.

The HYDE Orchestra Tour 2026 JEKYLL began earlier this month in Koriyama, Fukushima, and concludes at Pia Arena MM in Kanagawa on March 31 and April 1. HYDE will then make history on May 25 in Austria, becoming the first Japanese rock artist to perform with a Vienna Orchestra.