After a 3 year break from Hyper Japan Festival, they are back featuring an all new dedicated weekend of live Japanese pop and alternative music.
This is Hyper Live.
Spread over 2 nights at Hyper Japan Festival, and teaming up with promoters Orion Live, Hyper Live is an exclusive celebration of Jpop and alternative artists. Featuring an impressive lineup of fan favourites and some banging newbies, J music fans were chomping at the bit for what would be an unforgettable weekend at the UKs first mini Jmusic festival.
Hyper Party.
Friday nights Hyper Party, a pop inspired night of energy inducing beats, kicked off with fan favourite 2& (Double And) who burst on to the stage with gusto. Saki Chitose has been delighting fans for the past decade with her pop-punk idol experience.
And her set did not disappoint fans with 2& favourites Red Shoot, Machigai Darake and Chippoke Hero to name a few.
A blistering setlist full of Saki-chans well known energy had the crowd chanting and singing along. Those who didn’t know this Tiny Hero before will be sure to not forget her after a great opening to Hyper Party.
Next up is Jpop singer-songwriter MIKUROMIKA who has been supporting FEMM on their recent European and UK tour. Mika brought her nostalgic Jpop infused house beats to the stage featuring tacks from last summers MIKUROPOP album. Product Boy, Good Day and the smash hit Ocean featured in this absolute vibe of a performance that the crowd really got behind. A fast as lightning costume change mid way through the set ensured Mika kept the crowd on a string as her incredible vocal range and dance style impressed fans and gained her an army of new ones.
Singer-songwriter and vocalist Mika Kobayashi, famed for her vocals on anime themes and games such as Attack on Titan, The Promised Neverland and FINAL FANTASY XI, wowed the crowd with her impressive range and stage presence. Her powerful performance and style pricked the ears of those unfamiliar with her, and a group of fans were quick to whip up a frenzy as she owned the stage. I am sure new fans were made after this performance, as it was clear from the crowd reaction that a good time was being had. Performing a decent set, her fans were delighted to be centre stage with their idol, encouraging those around them to dance and chant in unison.
Next up was 6 member virtual idol group NHOT BOT, a unit formed by 3 Japanese VTubers. With upbeat pop music and visuals on the big screen, there were some fans in the crowd who enjoyed the short set. It did feel like a lot of people weren’t sure about what was going on, so we welcomed the stage being set up for the next act.
And that act was none other than Blank Paper. After a lengthy wait, a surge in techno beats erupted with lasers and visuals on the big screen. There we were given a run down of ‘bpm’, blank paper medicine, with each dose containing high energy and emotion. What was to come?
Core members C45P3R and T3R354 entered the stage with so much energy it was palpable. Huge break beats filled the hall and the crowd responded with delight. This set was a high point of the night, with fans literally being made as each song was played. The members stage presence pulled that crowd in til they were completely under their spell. With only a handful of tracks under their belt thus far, fans were also treated to some anime song covers. We look forward to more from this unit.
And finally, our headline act for Hyper Party is none other than Jpop rap fusion legends, Far East Mention Mannequins, known as FEMM. Hot off the back of their first international tour, FEMM-ISATION, RiRi and LuLa delighted their fans, known as agents, to a fast paced set of classic hits.
We Flood The Night got the party started as RiRi and LuLa’s unique and hypnotic dance style wowed the crowd. Classic hits such as Astroboy, Wannabe and the infectious White Noise whipped up a frenzy. Viral megahit Fxxk Boyz Get Money a highlight for the set. I witnessed a young fan on the barrier living her best life, FEMM mesmerised us all to no end.
Hyper Alternative.
Saturday nights Hyper Alternative featured an impressive lineup of Japanese underground idol and artists, and what a way to start with none other than industrial metal idol Yuffie Sakimura, better known as the one and only Garuda.
Bring the darkness! Garuda appears on stage with such ferocity and presence, plague mask and dark angel wings aesthetic captivated the crowd. With an impressive international following, Garuda had us all under her dark spell as she belted out Garuda. New release Poser was a crowd-pleaser with chants throughout. She dominated the stage.
With a yell of ‘I’ll kill you all!’, she jabbed her infamous bat at the crowd who revelled and chanted in unison. Garudas energy picked up pace with Wake Up, before fans were treated to Still Dead Or Alive, usually a song performed with Yuffie-sans idol unit Melon Batake a gogo. An unforgettable set that enraptured the buzzing audience as Mou Sugu Yuki ga peaked us to a frenzy.
The next artist was something a little different, 蛮 -BANG. Founded in 2017, Team Bang uses his unique dance style to mesmerise his audience. After a short intro the crowd were asked to sit down. And so began Bangs routine. With hypnotic dance moves he captured the crowd, breaking down some of the moves for us to join in. It was certainly different to what we were expecting, but fun none the less.
With a wave of cheers, Ayme walks onto the stage. Performing as a solo artist since 2018, Ayme has been both writing and composing his own material, much to the joy of his ever growing fan base. A set that was slightly marred by technical difficulties, Ayme showed true professionalism throughout. Speaking with fans in the crowd, the place erupted in cheers and chanting as the music rang out. Ayme certainly has a popular appeal among fans, entertaining with flair and excitement. Ignoring the minor blips, his set was highly entertaining and full of vigour.
As the stage darkened for the final act of Hyper Live, the crowd went wild as the ultradark idol NECRONOMIDOL took up their positions.
Skulls in the Stars, a great opener for the dark quartet who bound onto the stage full of energy, more so when the fans call and respond began during the chorus. The girls were precise in their choreography, and beaming smiles to the audience at every opportunity as Nyx kicked in.
Leader Himari Tsukishiro took command as the next three songs were performed with just 3 members. Ritual belted out and the crowd went with it, mini mosh pits opened up in front of the stage as NECRONOMIDOL delighted us all. The set was certainly on the heavier side, with Necropolis and End of Days featured.
Finale track Ithaqua, a Necroma favourite both back in Japan and internationally, brought the evening to a spectacular close with all 4 members taking to the stage. Cries of joy erupted among the fans.
Hyper Live has truly been a highlight of the year for many of us in the Japanese music community. Not only for bringing live Japanese music back to the UK, but for the rekindling of friendships old and the making of those that are new. After the past few years we needed this to bring us back together in support of Japanese music.
We thank Hyper Japan and Orion Live for bringing the music back. And to all the performers, we hope you join us again soon! We will continue to cheer and support the artists and idols.
Lets do it again soon!
https://twitter.com/HYPERJAPANevent https://twitter.com/_OrionLive
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