WagakkiBand
OVERVIEW:
WagakkiBand is an 8-piece band that fuses traditional Japanese musical instruments and rock music to bring a fresh and yet authentically Japanese live experience.“I want to deliver ‘the real music entertainment that only Japanese can express’ to Japan and the world.” The WagakkiBand project started in October 2012 with this wish from the Shigin master and vocalist, Yuko Suzuhana.
LIVE:
Since their major album debut in 2014, WagakkiBand has completed 2x successful national tours including sold out solo concert at world famous Budokan in 2016. and exuberant international dates covering Taipei, Singapore, Paris, New York, LA, San Diego and San Francisco headlining at legendary places like Irving Plaza, and The Filmore. NPR named WagakkiBand one of the top 100 bands to check at 2016 SXSW.
BACKGROUND:
Front woman Yuko Suzuhana is the champion of a nationwide Shigin (poetry recitation rooted in Japanese traditional performing arts) contest and 4 other members playing traditional instruments are the master class accompanists and they have been performing recitals and live shows around the world.
JAPANESE TASTE & TOTAL ENTERTAINMENT:
Their visual presentation adopting Kimono influenced costume, KANJI character body paining, stage prop such as katana (sword), and noh masks as part of Suzuhana’s traditional dance routine are undeniably Japanese and mesmerizing.
WagakkiBand will gain more worldwide attentions towards 2020 Tokyo Olympic and shall become an ambassador to bridge between Japan and the rest of the world, passing modern and traditional art form as well as cool and elegant sensibility. Their music and images are so chic and stands out that could influence the global pop music trend in coming years.