Tour and event

The latest Japanese rock tours and events.

Interview with Kouki: Bridging cultures through music and passion

20 September 2023

Meet Hanamizakura Kouki, a star in the visual kei scene dedicated to promoting Japan's distinctive culture to global audiences. With a Tsugaru-jamisen guitar in hand and a resplendent folding fan, he embarks on...

Report: Kouki ignites emotions and connections at Otakon

Erica

10 September 2023

Report and review, Tour and event

Kouki, the charismatic vocalist of the visual kei rock band D=OUT eagerly accepted the invitation to perform at Otakon, a revered gathering for anime enthusiasts and one of the largest Japanese culture conventi...

Step into Luv PARADE’s “NEW WORLD”, original debut track

Erica

6 September 2023

Online Concert, Releases, Tour and event

Luv PARADE, a visual kei session band featuring former members of ex-D'espairsRay, will release their first original song titled NEW WORLD on September 9. The release coincides with their highly-anticip...

DEATHGAZE revives for 20th anniversary concerts

NBT

6 September 2023

Disband/Hiatus/Revive, New Look, Tour and event

As the members of DEATHGAZE gradually reunited one by one—and even filmed a studio performance—the spark that was ignited has now prompted the band to come back to life for its 20th-anniversary celebration!...

YouTube Music Weekend 7.0 joined by 57 artists: Eve, ZUTOMAYO, Reol, YOASOBI

NBT

25 August 2023

Doujin, Music Video, Online Concert

A fantastic new installment of "YouTube Music Weekend 7.0" is commencing today, August 25, and will run through until August 27. The online event brings various videos, including live performances, talks, and n...

Report: BAND-MAID completes 10th anniversary victory lap in North America

Nori and Jonathan Lane

23 August 2023

Report and review, Tour and event

The hard rock waitstaff of BAND-MAID conquered the west on their 10th ANNIVERSARY TOUR, wrapping up the North American leg in Mexico City on August 18. JROCK NEWS reporters Jonathan Lane and Nori made a few lon...

Countdown begins to Rurunone’s debut at Meguro Rockmeikan, “Hajimarinone”

Erica

22 August 2023

Music Video, New Band, Tour and event

In July, the new band "Rurunone" (ルルノネ) burst onto the scene, featuring former members of the special project band YMCP (an abbreviation for "Yamon Company"). Since their sudden debut, the band ha...

PassCode’s US tour 2023 begins next month!

Jonathan Lane

22 August 2023

Tour and event

Loud rock-idol group PassCode comes in screaming in September with "PassCode US TOUR 2023 -GROUNDSWELL-". The group will assault the ears of fans in Dallas, New York, and Los Angeles on September 3, 5, and 7. A...

YOSHIKI makes directorial debut with documentary “YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY”

Bri

20 August 2023

Entertainment, Tour and event

The world of music is about to witness an unprecedented cinematic experience as international rock sensation YOSHIKI steps into the realm of film direction with his debut feature, "YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY". The ...

Report: Dream Theater unites metalheads across Silicon Valley

Nori

14 August 2023

Report and review, Tour and event

Prog bellwether Dream Theater hunkered down in San Jose, California on July 24 with colleagues Animals as Leaders and Devin Townsend for another night of its traveling festival Dream Sonic. With only three stop...

THE MUSMUS’ first music video in four years “Yamiyami”!

NBT

13 August 2023

Disband/Hiatus/Revive, Music Video, Tour and event

THE MUSMUS went on hiatus in 2019 due to a series of tragic events, including miscarriage and member departure. However, after four years, the band is back with fresh new activities, and surprises with a music ...

Interview: Dream Theater’s John Petrucci on breaking international barriers

Nori

11 August 2023

Interview, Tour and event

For nearly 40 years, prog metal flagbearer Dream Theater has stood tall and fortified the redoubt of guitar-driven rock. For aspiring amateurs as well as professional musicians across the world (and especially ...

BAND-MAID makes history at Lollapalooza 2023

Bri

11 August 2023

Tour and event

The electrifying sounds of world-renowned girl band BAND-MAID took the stage at this year's Lollapalooza in Chicago, leaving a lasting mark on the iconic music festival. The powerhouse hard rockers have made wa...

Visual kei pioneers JILUKA make North American debut at Anime Weekend Atlanta 2023

Astrid

8 August 2023

Tour and event

Cutting-edge visual kei band JILUKA joins the musical guest lineup for Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA), held from October 26–29 at Renaissance Waverly and Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. AWA marks the gro...