On May 16, 2026, visual kei fans from all over gathered in Brooklyn for VKNY’s launch event. Although Japanese artists and visual kei bands have been visiting the US more frequently in recent years, large-scale standalone events celebrating visual kei and Japanese subcultures as a whole seem to be few and far between on the East Coast.

The excitement was palpable. Before doors even opened, a line in front of the venue had formed, extending along the street and around the block. It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and people were ready to party.

The Meadows Brooklyn proved to be a perfect venue for the event. The back yard provided a space for vendors and merch tables to set up, and for attendees to shop or step out for a breath of fresh air. Next to the ample standing room space in front of the stage was an open room with walls lined with couches and plenty of areas to lean if your feet got tired.

As attendees filed in, there was no doubt that there would be visual kei there that night. Stage costumes are a given, but it wasn’t just the musicians, everyone was dressed up for the occasion; anime and band T-shirts, white “shironuri” face paint and teased hair, gothic Lolitas, people cosplaying musicians like Kyo from DIR EN GREY—there were all kinds of Jfashion and visual kei inspired looks.

If anyone wanted to add to their outfit or just have a memento to bring home, the vendors in the back yard fit right in with the night’s theme.

Meet the vendors

Angel Wing Syndrome
Old school Elegant Gothic Lolita inspired handmade accessories.

marlya
Mixed media wearables.

Angel Wing Syndrome and marlyaLin (JROCK NEWS)

Planet K Creations
Handmade punk maximalist accessories.

Planet K CreationsLin (JROCK NEWS)

LIVE BAIT
Upcycled and second-hand J-fashion.

Live Bait ApparelLin (JROCK NEWS)

Rococo Beat
Fashion and music print magazine.

The spread at Rococo Beat’s tableLin (JROCK NEWS)

Starryfae
Handmade patches, ceramics, clothing, and more made from upcycled materials.

Rococo Beat and Starry FaeLin (JROCK NEWS)

Live performances

eve claret

After some shopping and mingling, it was time for the music. “eve claret” was the first band to perform, taking the stage with BUCK-TICK’s BABEL playing in the background. Crowds can take time to warm up, but this was not the case at VKNY. As eve claret opened with an energetic song full of screams, the floor matched their vibe, headbanging and dancing along in a frenzy.

eve claret setlist:

1. mannerisms
2. widower
3. fragments
4. vesselia
5. sublimaze
6. lotus eater

Canary Complex

In stark contrast to eve claret’s anguished sonic obliteration, the next act; solo project Canary Complex, mesmerized the crowd with melodic vocals and visuals that dreamily hearkened back to ’90s visual kei. The whole floor swayed, danced, and screamed and when the frontman plucked a rose from the flower-adorned microphone stand and waved it, everyone followed suit.

Canary Complex setlist:

1. Corsets Fall
2. Bel Esprit
3. Déshabillez-Moi
4. Seance
5. Pierrot
6. AEGEN ~sugisarishi kaze to tomo ni~ (Malice Mizer cover)

Saki Rose

Saki Rose kept the beautiful visuals going, entering with their head covered in a blood-red lace cowl that matched the rest of their outfit. With such an angelic appearance, you’d expect an angelic voice to match—that wouldn’t come until later.

Before there could be angels, it was time to unleash the demons with the opening scream to Undying by the GazettE. The venue exploded with screams and the enthusiasm continued as Saki Rose and their band performed visual kei sing-a-long favorites. Saki Rose also performed two brand-new original songs, Bloodletter and Pale, that will be released as singles. 

After introducing their band members, Saki Rose spoke to the crowd about the need for local events that provide community for visual kei fans, and explained that VKNY was born from that need.

Saki Rose setlist:

1. Undying (the GazettE cover)
2. Bloodletter
3. The World (Nightmare cover)
4. Pale
5. Devon – Moonfall (Saki Rose’s support lead guitarist and bassist’s band)
6. The Final (DIR EN GREY cover)

Breathe In with Shola Aurora

After Saki Rose’s set, everyone took a group photo and prepared to go wild for the next band; Breathe In with Shola Aurora.

Breathe In brought the high-energy stage presence you would expect from a metal band inspired by visual kei, video games, anime, and cinematic scores. Their set included covers as well as original songs from both the band and their vocalist, Shola Aurora’s, solo releases.

Saki Rose joined Shola Aurora’s powerful vocals for an unreleased single the two artists wrote at the beginning of their friendship and the crowd was encouraged to wave along with lighters or lights. The crowd obliged once again when Shola Aurora asked for a circle pit and the floor opened up. After the set, fans clamored for picks and drumsticks that the band members threw into the crowd.

Breathe In with Shola Aurora setlist:

1. White Flag
2. Misfortune’s Hand
3. Venom
4. Hakai (feat. Saki Rose)
5. Falling
6. Inside Of Me (VAMPS cover)
7. Fallujah

DREAMDRIVER

All ticket holders were given a raffle ticket at the door and Saki Rose’s guitarist led giveaways before the final performer, DREAMDRIVER, closed out the night. Lucky winners received CDs, guitar picks, and figurines of popular Jrock and visual kei artists.

DREAMDRIVER got everyone dancing with a DJ set of visual kei songs mixed with EDM beats.

DREAMDRIVER setlist:

1. Dress (Remix)- BUCK TICK
2. Unreleased
3. Unreleased
4. Go Mad

VKNY’s first event saw an amazing turnout, proving that you don’t need to go to Japan to experience the heart and soul of visual kei.

The organizers are looking for feedback for future events, so if you were there for VKNY’s debut, let your voice be heard. Fill out the form here.

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a visual kei scene in the US, VKNY is here for you. A scene isn’t just about music or aesthetics, what makes it are the people, so be sure to show up and support the next event.

Although it will be in a different format from this first event, VKNY has announced a partnership with FAKE STAR USA that will bring gothic visual kei performer, Kaya, to New York on September 19, 2026. Tickets for general admission and VIP upgrades are on sale now, so grab yours while you can!