Articles by "Yoshiki"
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YOSHIKI and HYDE unveiled the long-awaited full version of the new theme song for the hit anime series ATTACK ON TITAN titled “Red Swan.”

YOSHIKI completed “Red Swan” in Los Angeles early last month and divulged the secret that “Red Swan” was created partially based on a section from X JAPAN’s hit song “Rusty Nail”. Speaking about the collaboration, YOSHIKI said “Creating a song that will break down walls, in more ways than one. That was my mission, in a manner of speaking. I never thought I’d actually accept it though!” “Nobody can turn down a request from YOSHIKI,” HYDE added, laughing, “but seriously I was truly delighted to join this collaboration.”

Check out the track here: https://lnk.to/RedSwan.

YOSHIKI gave some insight into the stories behind the two CD covers. First, on the “YOSHIKI feat. HYDE disc” CD cover, YOSHIKI explained that it was designed with elements of the cover for “Rusty Nail”, with the blue blood trickling down. He also mentioned that a brand-new illustration was created especially for the “Attack on Titan” version of the CD.

YOSHIKI and HYDE will team up again for a performance on October 28 at HYDE’s Halloween Party 2018. The pair also shared the news that HYDE is set to appear for a guest performance during November’s YOSHIKI CLASSICAL 2018 ~Two Violet Nights~ YOSHIKI with Philharmonic Orchestra event in Tokyo, YOSHIKI’s first classical concerts since his two back-to-back sold-out performances at Carnegie Hall in January 2017.

YOSHIKI feat. HYDE “Red Swan”
Release Date: October 3, 2018

YOSHIKI feat. HYDE Disc – PCCA-70532/\926 +tax
M-1 Red Swan
M-2 Red Swan (Instrumental)

Attack on Titan Disc – PCCA-70533/\1,111 +tax
M-1 Red Swan
M-2 Red Swan (Instrumental)
M-3 Red Swan -TV Edit-

YOSHIKI feat. HYDE “Red Swan” Special Website: http://yoshiki-hyde.com.

Attack on Titan Season 3 Official Homepage: https://shingeki.tv/season3/.

TOUR DATES:

Halloween Party 2018
Venue: Makuhari Messe International Convention Centre – Halls 9, 10 and 11
Concert Dates: Fri-Sun 26-28th October 2018
*YOSHIKI’s performance will be on the 28th
Doors Open: 15:30/ Performance: 17:00
http://hwp2018.hyde.com/.

YOSHIKI CLASSICAL 2018 ～Two Violet Nights～ YOSHIKI with Philharmonic Orchestra
Venue: Tokyo International Forum
Concert Dates:
November 12th (Monday) – Doors open 18:00 / Start 19:00 p.m.
November 15th (Thursday) – Doors open 18:00 / Start 19:00 p.m.
12:29 PM
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YOSHIKI will create a special musical performance to celebrate the Grand Opening of Japan House Los Angeles at Hollywood & Highland on Friday, August 24th.

Japan House Los Angeles is a premiere venue designed to showcase Japan’s art, culture, business, technology, and entertainment to help strengthen cultural ties between Japan and the world. YOSHIKI serves as an advisor for Japan House along with honorary advisor Larry Ellison. With facilities in London and São Paulo, this will be the first time Japan House will open its doors in L.A.

YOSHIKI has been invited to give a special congratulatory performance at the unveiling of the newly-completed facility, which will include a special cocktail reception and a seated dinner with international government, business, and cultural leaders, including the Ministry officials of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Consul General of Japan, and celebrities.

Demonstrating his commitment to the mission of Japan House, YOSHIKI personally made arrangements for a limited number of American fans to attend the private event in the unique, intimate setting in Hollywood. YOSHIKI announced the invitation today on his official Instagram, and applications for the rare passes surpassed the capacity limit just minutes after he posted the news.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl_rOIEgI3H/

YOSHIKI’s performance at Japan House Los Angeles will take place just hours before he returns to Japan to appear on a major TV program in Japan which has not been announced yet.

Yoshiki will then begin his second set of sold-out dinner shows “EVENING WITH YOSHIKI 2018 IN TOKYO JAPAN 6 DAYS 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL”. He began the anniversary shows last month, and this 2nd half will complete the 10 shows over 6 days, which also includes his charity fundraising through his 501(c)(3) Yoshiki Foundation America.

Japan House Los Angeles: https://www.japanhouse.jp/losangeles/.
2:24 PM
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On Saturday, July 28, YOSHIKI made a surprise appearance on stage with internationally famous DJ and producer Skrillex at one of Japan’s biggest outdoor music events, Fuji Rock Festival ’18, held at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata, Japan.

The 40,000 fans at the main stage were shocked by YOSHIKI’s arrival, but soon began cheering and shouting for the unexpected collaboration between two globally famous artists. As Skrillex played a special mix he created for YOSHIKI, YOSHIKI began to perform X JAPAN’s "Endless Rain" on a crystal piano. At the otherworldly intro, loud cheers shook the venue, and the voices of tens of thousands of fans sang the song’s famous chorus while YOSHIKI played accompanied by Skrillex’s guitar.

VIDEO: https://www.instagram.com/p/BlzKVPmgWy-/.

YOSHIKI then moved to his drum set for one of Skrillex’s top hits, "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites", creating an amazing fusion of classical and rock music with EDM. YOSHIKI shared his thanks with the audience, "Thank you Skrillex! Thank you everyone here! You all are awesome!" Skrillex responded in Japanese "Domo arigatou! (Thank you so much!)", gaining further applause from the audience. Fans continued chanting "WE ARE… X!" long after YOSHIKI left the stage.

YOSHIKI and Skrillex, a multiple Grammy Award winner who is counted among the top 10 "DJ Mag Top 100 DJs", are close friends, and when Skrillex visited YOSHIKI’s L.A. studio several months ago and pitched this surprise collaboration, YOSHIKI accepted enthusiastically and made last-minute changes to his recording schedule to return to Japan for this day.

After his performance, YOSHIKI appeared on YOSHIKI CHANNEL and said about the event: "It was so satisfying! The fans were warm, and I was touched to hear everyone. The audience was wonderful." Skrillex also joined the YOSHIKI CHANNEL broadcast and talked about the reason for choosing "Endless Rain". "I’ve visited Japan a few times, but this was the first song I sang here," he said. The pair talked further about their comradery as artists from different genres who mutually inspire each other.

"Like hip hop expanded through collaborations," said YOSHIKI, "I want to expand, too, and contribute to the revival of rock in this world."
6:53 PM
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YOSHIKI gave fans a special preview of his new theme song for the anime series Attack on Titan on his official Instagram page, revealing the clip of "Red Swan" by "YOSHIKI feat. HYDE" along with a montage of imagery from the anime’s third season which begins July 22 on NHK in Japan.

The new song, featuring YOSHIKI’s first-ever recording collaboration with vocalist HYDE (L’Arc~en~Ciel), was announced at Anime Expo on July 8 while still in progress. The "TV Edit" of the song will be released on digital platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, RecoChoku, and others on July 23. A CD release is planned for autumn from Pony Canyon.

"What can I do to make this a song a world-wide hit?" said YOSHIKI during his July 20 appearance on YOSHIKI Channel. "I was desperately wondering, "What is the missing element that could make this the best song and the best album? How long will I be fighting in life? When will I be able to say to myself, "Well done?" And those struggles brought this song — "Red Swan" — to life."

During the broadcast, YOSHIKI also gave a surprise piano performance of the new song, and expressed his thanks to his collaborators. "I’m extremely grateful to X JAPAN’s members, HYDE, and the production committee that invited me to contribute to this story."

This is YOSHIKI’s second contribution to an anime soundtrack this decade, following 2014′s "Hero", from the animated film Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary. YOSHIKI has previously appeared on stage with HYDE, with whom he shares a deep public and private friendship and mutual artistic respect, at large-scale music events such as VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT and VAMPS’ HALLOWEEN PARTY, but "Red Swan" is their first attempt at collaborating on a piece of music, and the song is also a contender to appear on X JAPAN’s upcoming album — the band’s first studio release in 22 years — which includes other international guest artists such as Marilyn Manson.

YOSHIKI’s Official Instagram (Video):
Red Swan by YOSHIKI feat. HYDE
https://www.instagram.com/p/Blc2FNRHDyM.
12:37 AM
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YOSHIKI completed the first wave of his sold-out dinner shows in Tokyo on July 16, a marathon 7 shows over 4 days celebrating the fifth anniversary of his intimate concert series.
"EVENING WITH YOSHIKI 2018 IN TOKYO JAPAN 6 DAYS 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL" included guest appearances by Yoshikitty, a string quartet, guest vocalists Katie Fitzgerald and Ashley Knight, a YOSHIKIMONO fashion show, a collaborative performance with the Maki Asami Ballet Group, and a surprise drum performance from YOSHIKI.

In addition, YOSHIKI continued his fundraising efforts through his non-profit 501(c)(3) Yoshiki Foundation America with a charity auction of the rock star’s clothing worn in TV performances and music videos as well as precious personal items including a signed ball from FC Barcelona player Gerard Piqué, who attended YOSHIKI’s dinner show the same week. The total bids over seven performances amounted to ¥47,760,000, bringing the total amount raised from YOSHIKI’s dinner show charity auctions to ¥148,220,000.

Other guests who attended YOSHIKI’s special concerts included former MLB player Barry Bonds, Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, Takarazuka Star Troupe’s top star Yuzuru Kurenai, Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi, and former British and US ambassadors.

YOSHIKI told the audience, "I’m amazed at how happy I am. I think I can keep going again tomorrow because I can see everyone’s faces like this." There were moments where he was moved to tears, and he expressed his gratitude and joy to his fans for being able to stand on stage again, saying, "Being supported by everyone like this, I want to create songs that can become support for others, even if it’s only a little."

EVENING WITH YOSHIKI 2018 will continue with three additional sold-out performances on August 31 and September 1.

EVENING WITH YOSHIKI 2018 IN TOKYO JAPAN 6 DAYS 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Final Day – July 16 (Mon) @ The Grand Hyatt Tokyo
1. Amethyst
2. Opening Video
3. The Last Song
4. Golden Globe Theme
5. HERO
6. Anniversary
7. YOSHIKIMONO video
8. Hello Kitty Theme / YOSHIKIMONO Fashion Show
9. YOSHIKI FOUNDATION AMERICA video
10. Charity auction
11. YOSHIKITTY introduction
12. Drum solo
13. I’ll Be Your Love
14. Swan Lake (w/ Maki Asami Ballet Group)
15. Forever Love (w/ Maki Asami Ballet Group)
16. Miracle
17. Without You
18. Kurenai
19. Art of Life
20. Endless Rain
21. Curtain Call
11:26 AM
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After YOSHIKI received the report of heavy downpours and flooding in July 2018 which greatly damaged various places around western Japan, he made a donation of 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society through his own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Yoshiki Foundation America. The Japanese Red Cross Society also began accepting donations for the "July 2018 Heavy Rain Disaster Relief Fund" on July 10th.

YOSHIKI sent the following message via social media, re-posting the article from the New York Times. "I just saw the news in the U.S. I pray for those who passed away. And I truly hope the damage caused by heavy rain will not spread any more."

In 2011, YOSHIKI donated 11 million yen, the highest bid on his personal crystal piano used in X JAPAN's final concert, to supporting Japanese earthquake restoration through Yoshiki Foundation America. In the earthquake restoration charity auction in 2016, he donated 6 million yen, which was the highest bid on his favorite drum set.

Furthermore, in 2016, YOSHIKI donated 10 million yen to earthquake disaster in Kumamoto, and 25,000 dollars to aid Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas. He later donated 100,000 dollars to the charity foundation MusiCares© of the Recording Academy (presenters of the Grammy Awards) to aid hurricane victims. He also donates regularly to the Make-A-Wish® America, Points of Light Institute, Grammy Foundation, and other organizations.

The members of X JAPAN donated all the fee of their appearance on the a-nation 2011 to Tohoku earthquake disaster relief. In 2015, they donated total proceeds of 28,289,358 yen from Ishinomaki Disaster Restoration Concert, which was used to support the victims.

YOSHIKI established the  501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Yoshiki Foundation America in 2010 in order to support children who lost family to suicide, since YOSHIKI himself lost his father to suicide when he was a child. He says, "I will continue to engage in charity activities as long as I am working as an artist."

Japanese Red Cross Society
July 2018 Heavy Rain Disaster Relief
http://www.jrc.or.jp/contribution/180710_005337.html.

YOSHIKI FOUNDATION AMERICA Official Website: http://www.yoshikifoundationamerica.org.
9:01 PM
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Yoshikitty’s worldwide popularity has taken a great leap forward by placing third in the 2018 Sanrio Character Awards, announced July 1st at Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo.

This year’s results mark the highest ranking ever for Yoshikitty, who has now placed in the top 10 for three years in a row. The popular character, based on X Japan leader YOSHIKI and created by Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi, also achieved first placed in the regional rankings in China, Italy, Germany, and France.

Fans from around the world voted to support Yoshikitty in the 2018 Sanrio Character Awards, which went on for one month, starting on Thursday, May 10th, with results announced on July 1st. In total, 465,907 votes were cast in favor of Yoshikitty, who is the only Sanrio character modeled after an existing person.

Yoshikitty has appeared in the Character Awards for four consecutive years starting in 2015, and has grown in popularity in that time through its battles with other characters in the rankings, including beating the ever-popular Hello Kitty in this year’s voting. Boosted by YOSHIKI’s and X JAPAN’s international popularity, Yoshikitty placed in the top 3 in seven out of eleven countries officially represented, in competition with the top 100 Sanrio characters.

First Place – China, Italy, Germany, France
Second Place – South Korea, Brazil
Third Place – Great Britain

http://sanriocharacterranking.com
6:12 PM
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YOSHIKI shocked fans at LUNATIC FEST. 2018 with a moving tribute to X Japan guitarist hide and guest collaborations with members of LUNA SEA, GLAY, and MUCC in his first-ever solo classical performance at a music festival.

YOSHIKI opened his set with Beethoven’s "Moonlight Sonata" as a thematic homage to the festival’s organizers, LUNA SEA. As the final notes resonated over the audience, an image of HIDE appeared on the screen above the stage, causing shouts and tears from fans. With scenes from the documentary film We Are X and the newly-released HIDE 20th Memorial Project Film HURRY GO ROUND playing in the background, YOSHIKI performed a special arrangement to accompany HIDE’s unreleased vocal recording of "HURRY GO ROUND".

YOSHIKI was joined by guest musicians SUGIZO (LUNA SEA/X JAPAN) and TERU (GLAY), who came on stage for "Say Anything", RYUICHI (LUNA SEA) for "Kurenai", and SUGIZO, RYUICHI, TERU, Tatsurou and Miya (MUCC) joined together for "X". 20,000 fans joined together to do the "X-Jump" with YOSHIKI and the all-star musicians on stage.

"Without You" was dedicated to TAIJI and HIDE, and "ART OF LIFE" brought emotional reactions from the crowd, and the set climaxed with thousands of voices singing "Endless Rain".

YOSHIKI later returned to the stage for LUNA SEA’s performance of "I for You". In the 30 years they have known each other, this is the first time YOSHIKI and LUNA SEA have performed on stage together, and each of the band’s members embraced YOSHIKI in appreciation. At the end, he appeared with HIDE’s guitar in hand and played together with all the performers for a grand finale.

SET LIST:

1. MOONLIGHT SONATA
2. HURRY GO ROUND
3. SAY ANYTHING
4. MIRACLE
5. KURENAI
6. X
7. WITHOUT YOU
8. ART OF LIFE
9. ENDLESS RAIN
6:09 AM
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YOSHIKI's collaboration with film director David Lynch gets special mention in the auteur's new autobiography, "Room to Dream", which was released this week. You can view the book here: https://amzn.to/2JUQVEA.

Lynch says about working with YOSHIKI: "I did this thing for a song called 'Longing' that wound up being really fun... Some of the frames are so fuckin' beautiful you can't believe it."

YOSHIKI just posted a behind the scenes clip from the music video shoot for "Longing", directed by Lynch, which has never received commercial release. Check it here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BkOn6CwARPP/.

YOSHIKI's message: "Amazing to be a part of your story". #DavidLynch new book #RoomtoDream
https://amzn.to/2JUQVEA. #XJapan #Longing #SeemsLikeYesterday
4:43 PM
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YOSHIKI has announced a solo performance at this year’s LUNATIC FEST 2018, to be held at Makuhari Messe on June 24.

YOSHIKI made the reveal with a video message in English and Japanese on his official Instagram account, found HERE where he promised special surprises for his appearance at the visual kei music festival produced by the band LUNA SEA. The announcement came a mere ten days before the day of the performance, and YOSHIKI will make an emergency trip back to Japan from Los Angeles, where he’s currently finishing work on X JAPAN’s upcoming album.

This will be the first time YOSHIKI has performed solo at a music festival. Starting with a his classical performance at L.A.’s Grammy Museum in 2014, YOSHIKI has been holding solo concerts in dozens of countries throughout the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia. His upcoming appearance at LUNATIC FEST will be his first solo outing since his two sold-out Yoshiki Classical concerts at New York’s Carnegie Hall last year.

YOSHIKI commented, “I’m sorry to all the fans who were hoping for X JAPAN to perform. This time I will be performing solo, but I’d like to do my best to bring energy to LUNATIC FEST for my precious friends in LUNA SEA. I promise to impress you. Please be cheering for me.”

A select number of event tickets for the June 24 LUNATIC FEST concert are now available exclusively for YOSHIKI Fan Club members. YOSHIKI CHANNEL right HERE will also broadcast live from YOSHIKI’s dressing room on the day of the performance.

LUNATIC FEST 2018 Official Website: http://lunaticfest.com.
10:40 AM
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Fueled by massive international fan support, Yoshikitty — the popular Sanrio character based on X JAPAN leader YOSHIKI — is now in a close 3-way race for the top spot in Sanrio’s annual Character Ranking Contest.

In this week’s midway results announcement, Yoshikitty achieved #1 in the regional rankings in five countries (South Korea, China, Italy, Germany, and France), scoring #1 on Rakuten Ichiba’s official Sanrio shopping site “Sanrio Zone” and #3 overall worldwide. Only 20,000 total votes separate the top 3 characters, with the remainder of the 100 eligible characters trailing by large margins.

Yoshikitty, the first Sanrio character based on a living person, has surpassed even the original Hello Kitty character in this year’s voting and has strong momentum leading into the final weeks of the contest which ends June 11. Final results will be announced at Sanrio Puroland on July 1.

YOSHIKI aims to have the character rank first this year, with the help of powerful backup from fans across the globe who can vote daily to support the spiky-haired, headbanging rock star of Sanrio’s lineup. YOSHIKI also created the “Hello Kitty Theme Song”, titled “Hello, Hello”, which was dedicated to the late Sanrio VP Kunihiko Tsuji.

Fans can vote at this link every day from any device:
https://sanriocharacterranking.com/en/characters/yoshikitty/.

Video: Headbanging Yoshikitty
https://www.instagram.com/p/Biog7YOA0TA/

The "Sanrio Character Ranking Contest", held for the 33rd time this year, is a month-long voting event featuring the top 100 Sanrio characters selected out of more than 450. Every year, Sanrio fans wage a fierce battle in order to achieve victory for their favorite. Yoshikitty placed 12th in 2015, when she was featured in the contest for the first time, and 7th in both 2016 and 2017. She has succeeded in ranking in the top 10 for 2 consecutive years alongside very popular characters such as Pom Pom Purin, My Melody, and the original Hello Kitty. Yoshikitty’s popularity has been increasing yearly, and she continues to establish herself more and more as a prominent Sanrio character.
10:45 AM
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Yoshikitty — the popular Sanrio character based on X JAPAN’s leader, YOSHIKI — got off to one of her strongest starts ever in Sanrio’s annual Character Ranking Contest. In the initial results released after voting began May 10th, Yoshikitty ranked 4th on the very first day, while the original Hello Kitty ranked 3rd.

YOSHIKI aims to have the character rank first this year, with the help of powerful backup from fans across the globe who can vote daily to support the spiky-haired, headbanging rock star of Sanrio’s lineup.

https://sanriocharacterranking.com/en/characters/yoshikitty/.

Yoshikitty, created by the collaboration between YOSHIKI and Hello Kitty, is the first Sanrio character based upon a real-life figure. (Yoshikitty’s origin is detailed by Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi in the special features of the We Are X Blu-ray release.) YOSHIKI also created the Hello Kitty Theme Song, titled “Hello, Hello”, which was dedicated to the late Sanrio VP Kunihiko Tsuji.

The “Sanrio Character Ranking Contest”, held for the 33rd time this year, is a month-long voting event featuring the top 100 Sanrio characters selected out of more than 450. Every year, Sanrio fans wage a fierce battle in order to achieve victory for their favorite. Yoshikitty placed 12th in 2015, when she was featured in the contest for the first time, and 7th in both 2016 and 2017. She has succeeded in ranking in the top 10 for 2 consecutive years alongside very popular characters such as Pom Pom Purin, My Melody, and the original Hello Kitty. Yoshikitty’s popularity has been increasing yearly, and she continues to establish herself more and more as a prominent Sanrio character.

YOSHIKI voted for his own character on his phone during the episode of YOSHIKI CHANNEL which was broadcast live on May 10th, titled “The Yoshikitty Special”. He also sent an encouraging message live from L.A. to Yoshikitty, who made an appearance in the studio as a guest, and urged her to aim for 1st place. In addition to this, three public promises were made during the broadcast, which are to be carried out if Yoshikitty succeeds in placing first:

1. "Yoshikitty will play the drums on "YOSHIKI CHANNEL'"
2. "X JAPAN will release their new album"*
3. "Yoshikitty will collaborate with Nyango Star" (the mascot who previously wowwed Yoshiki with his drum cover of X JAPAN’s "Kurenai")

YOSHIKI added that X JAPAN’s album will be released regardless of whether Yoshikitty places first or not. Fans from all countries can vote for Yoshikitty once a day from all their devices (PC, smartphone, tablet) through Monday, June 11th, and the results will be announced on Sunday, July 1st.

Yoshikitty seemed pumped about the news of X JAPAN’s album release, as this will be the band’s first album release in 22 years and one that has been long-awaited by fans worldwide. Likewise, YOSHIKI was visibly happy to hear the heartwarming news regarding “Yoshikitty” during a hectic time when he is very busy putting the finishing touches on the band’s new album.
9:14 PM
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X JAPAN made their Coachella debut on April 14 — YOSHIKI’s first major concert on drums since the band headlined SSE Wembley Arena in London last year — with a hard-rocking set that drew praise from music fans and media alike.

"…there was some perfect Beyoncé counter-programming in the form of X JAPAN, the only metal band of the entire otherwise largely rock-free weekend. Playing their first U.S. gig since the 2014 Madison Square Garden concert immortalized in their rockumentary "We Are X", the Japanese glam legends performed a pyrotechnic, utterly unsubtle set featuring band leader YOSHIKI playing a crystal piano while joined by Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland, Guns N’ Roses’ Richard Fortus and–in a different sort of reunion–holograms of the band’s two deceased members, Hide and Taiji. …the adjective "epic" very much applied to their ferocious, face-blasting show." –Lyndsey Parker, YAHOO Entertainment (4/15/2018)

"…a masterful rock n roll performance." –Brett Callwood, LA WEEKLY (4/15/2018)

"X JAPAN landed in the Mojave Tent to deliver on the flash and melodrama that has made them hugely popular across the globe. …There were hard rock explosions and teary ballads… "Jade" began with a speed metal riff and geysers of pyro, then shifted into an emotional glam melody and lyrics sung in English. The star behind the drums and piano was band mastermind YOSHIKI, shirtless and wearing a leather neck brace. He ended the night with the band’s traditional show of unity, shouting "We are! We Are!" and their followers responding with a rousing "X! X!"" –ROLLING STONE "The 18 Best Things We Saw At Coachella Weekend One" (4/16/18)

YOSHIKI, leader of X JAPAN, added his own comment: "Coachella is not only one of the biggest festivals in the world, but it’s edgy and fashionable," he said. "I love the style and I’m heavily influenced by David Bowie, so we wanted to do something unusual and exciting. It was an honor for us to rock Coachella this year and we’re looking forward to doing it all again next Saturday with even more surprises."

X JAPAN returns for their final Coachella concert on Saturday, April 21, 2018!

X JAPAN
Coachella 4/14/2018
Set List:

1. Miracle
2. Jade
3. Rusty Nail
4. Kiss The Sky
5. I.V.
6. Kurenai
7. Endless Rain
8. Born To Be Free
9. X
10. Tears
10:28 AM
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Yoshiki will visit Moscow for the Russian theatrical premiere of We Are X on January 29. The award-winning film will be shown in a special double-feature event featuring renowned Russian rock band Mumiy Troll, and Yoshiki will participate in a live Q&A after the film.

The Moscow premiere is a part of the 2018 “Year of Japan in Russia” project to increase cultural exchange between the two countries, created after talks between Prime Minister Abe and President Putin. Information is available on the website of the Japanese embassy in Russia.

Japanese: http://www.ru.emb-japan.go.jp/japan2018/jp/event/mo7049-jp.html
Russian: http://www.ru.emb-japan.go.jp/japan2018/ru/event/mo7049-ru.html

The collaboration arose from the friendship of Yoshiki  and Ilya Lagutenko, the leader of Mumiy Troll, whose mockumentary film SOS to Sailor will screen as the first part of the Moscow event. YOSHIKI will continue his Russian promotional tour with a second We Are X screening and Q&A in St. Petersburg on January 31, his first-ever public appearance in that city.

This month’s promotional visit is Yoshiki ’s first time returning to Russia since his highly-acclaimed “Yoshiki Classical Tour – Part 1″ brought him to Moscow in 2014. After the premiere, We Are X will open in approximately 100 theaters across Russia on February 17.

TICKETS:

Moscow (1/29): https://karofilm.ru/film/3085
St. Petersburg (1/31): http://bit.ly/WeAreX_SPRussia

Watch the Russian sub-titled We Are X trailer:
http://www.wearexfilm.com/ru.html
4:24 PM
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Yoshiki, leader of X Japan, made his return to the drums during a live television broadcast on New Year’s Eve, shocking the audience of the popular Japanese television program Kouhaku Uta Gassen with a rocking drum performance just over six months after his neck surgery last May.

X Japan’s appearance at the 68th annual Kouhaku, the holiday music showcase which gathers all of Japan’s top performers, began with an elegant rendition of “Endless Rain” – with Yoshiki on piano and Toshl on vocals – before the performance suddenly transformed into X Japan’s legendary rock song “Kurenai”.

As Yoshiki descended the stairs from the piano, his drum set appeared on the stage before him and the entire auditorium ignited with cheers. During the broadcast, social media was flooded with comments as all of Japan and music fans around the world shared the excitement. Performers and staff alike began applauding backstage, and many media outlets quickly reported the news.

With only half a year having passed since his surgery, Yoshiki was still not completely used to his artificial intervertebral disc. However, after his doctor told him that “performing on drums shouldn’t be a problem if it’s just one song,” he decided to make his drumming return on New Year’s Eve. While it couldn’t be said that his drumming was back to perfection yet, Yoshiki was determined to do his best in his current condition, practicing all night the day before in preparation for the special occasion on the renowned Kohaku Uta Gassen stage.

2017 had been a dramatic year for X Japan and Yoshiki, with his solo performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall followed immediately by X Japan’s Wembley Arena concert in London. X Japan’s tumultuous history was documented in the award-winning film We Are X, which opened in countries across the globe.

Yoshiki said, “I’m very proud to have been able to perform on drums on the stage of Kouhaku Uta Gassen. We will continue to push ahead toward new things next year as well, and I hope all of you will look forward to what X Japan has in store.”
3:35 PM
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YOSHIKI and Nobel Prize winner Shinya Yamanaka have joined together for a special video interview in support of the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Launched by the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in August, the “ONE TEAM PROJECT” is an endeavor to inspire and build enthusiasm for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, led by a unified team of the most important creators and innovators of Japan.

In the third edition of the Committee’s special programs, titled “A Prelude to 2020″, X Japan leader YOSHIKI and Professor Shinya Yamanaka, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and Director of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, engage in a deep conversation about the upcoming Olympic events and the personal significance of the year 2020.

VIDEO (with English subtitles):
https://youtu.be/oA8JH91srE8

VIDEO (making of)
https://youtu.be/nHZjLIyFJJY

LINK:
https://participation.tokyo2020.jp/jp/oneteam/03.html

Leaders in their respective fields, the passionate conversation between YOSHIKI and Professor Yamanaka (who also has experience running full marathons) covers topics such as Yamanaka’s goals for IPS research, parallels between their personal ambitions and the training goals of the Olympic athletes, and YOSHIKI’s goal of helping Asian musicians become more prominent in the fields of rock and classical music. The second half of the video also includes a live piano performance by YOSHIKI of X Japan’s famous song “Forever Love”.

ABOUT THE “ONE TEAM PROJECT”

The goal of the “ONE TEAM PROJECT” is to cultivate anticipation and a desire to engage and participate, led by a unified team of the leading cultural influencers and artists of Japan who will inspire and build enthusiasm towards the Games, together as “ONE TEAM.” The first edition featured the Kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa, and the second edition featured the participation of the Kyogen stage actor Mansai Nomura and the karateka Kiyou Shimizu.

The “ONE TEAM PROJECT – A Prelude to 2020″ discussion event became a reality when YOSHIKI and Professor Yamanaka (with whom YOSHIKI has a close personal friendship) both gave their approval of the endeavor’s aims and goals. Both men perceive the year 2020, when the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are to be held, as a major turning point for themselves personally as well. The objective of this video — featuring two globally prolific leaders passionately talking about their goals and sentiments — aims for viewers to express their own ambitions and passions for the year 2020, and enhance anticipation towards these future tournaments.

Comment from YOSHIKI: “By the year 2020, I want to be recognized as both a globally relevant musician and a Japanese person. This opportunity to confirm my goals for 2020 together with Professor Yamanaka has reinvigorated my resolve. To the athletes who aspire to compete in 2020 in Tokyo, I’m behind them with all my heart as a fellow comrade who is chasing his dreams. And I hope the viewers of this video will also share the same hopes and dreams. We are ONE TEAM.”

Comment from Professor Yamanaka: “This opportunity has reaffirmed to me that the year 2020 is — for myself as well as for the Japanese people — an extremely important year. Personally, as a sports lover, as a Japanese person, I am looking even more forward to the 2020 Tokyo Games. I hope that this video can help to enhance anticipation for the 2020 Tokyo Games for as many people as possible. Experiencing YOSHIKI’s live performance was truly a moment of bliss for me.”
3:42 PM
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X Japan leader YOSHIKI reunited with VAMPS frontman Hyde on the final day of Halloween Party 2017 for a powerful collaboration performance.

YOSHIKI flew directly from France to make the October 29th concert at Makuhari Messe after completing an exhausting promotional tour of Europe for the award-winning documentary film We Are X. YOSHIKI and Hyde first teamed up at VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT 2016, and performed together again at Halloween Party 2016.

For their third collaboration, the stage curtains drew back to the sound of X JAPAN’s “Kurenai” on piano as YOSHIKI appeared on the stage as the female character Pris from the film Blade Runner. Next, Hyde appeared on stage in a “Yuki-onna” (“snow woman”) costume to the intro from “Jojoushi” by L’Arc～en～Ciel, making the crowd go wild with applause.

The two artists spoke to each other about their friendship, with Hyde repeating how glad he was that YOSHIKI could come, and Yoshiki replying, “I’d do anything for Hyde!”. They performed a piano and voice duet of “Endless Rain” by X Japan, bringing the whole arena together in song. Both Hyde and YOSHIKI said it was their favorite performance together, saying “it felt like a dream to be singing”, and “it felt like a dream to be playing”.

Appearing after the concert on the “Yoshiki Channel” broadcast, YOSHIKI explained his Halloween costume choice — Blade Runner 2049 had just opened in Japan days before, and YOSHIKI felt a connection to the iconic Pris character from the original film. Pris struggled to come to terms with her fate, and rebelled against mankind. “She has the spirit of rock in her,” he explained, and added that he was looking forward to the new movie. “I can’t wait to see how the story has developed since the last film."
9:20 AM
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X JAPAN leader YOSHIKI returned to Paris, France, on October 24th for his final day of a marathon tour promoting the European premiere of award-winning documentary, We Are X.

YOSHIKI will immediately return to Japan to appear at the HALLOWEEN PARTY 2017 concert event at Makuhari Messe on October 29th presented by VAMPS. Next week, on November 3rd, YOSHIKI CHANNEL (ranked first among artist channels on Japan’s largest video site “NicoNico”) will broadcast a visit to the new YOSHIKIMONO exhibition and present a guest performance from Wagakki Band.

YOSHIKI began the We Are X European promotion tour on October 12th in Berlin, Germany, traveling to 11 cities in 10 countries in just under 2 weeks. Including multiple Q&A sessions with fans at sold-out screenings, YOSHIKI maintained an intensely packed daily schedule totaling over 130 interviews for international television, web, and print media.

Still recovering from his surgery months ago, YOSHIKI followed doctor’s orders and had to cancel his Iceland premiere appearance to avoid further strain from overworking. Expressing his regret for the last-minute cancellation, YOSHIKI sent hundreds of signed photos to his fans who had gathered to see him in Iceland, showing his appreciation for their support.

After a few days rest, YOSHIKI returned to Paris as scheduled to complete the Europe tour, broadcasting on YOSHIKI CHANNEL and resuming his full interview schedule, even making appearances on the talk and weather segments of France’s most famous TV channel “TF1.”

Following YOSHIKI’s television appearance, it was announced that over 50 theaters in Paris alone will screen We Are X as a result of YOSHIKI’s promotional efforts.

“At the beginning of my career, I traveled around Japan for promotion, and now I’m doing the same thing around the world. I’m really beginning to understand how big this world is,” YOSHIKI said as he completed his final day of European tour. “I’m going to work hard to get X JAPAN back on stage again.” YOSHIKI is currently finalizing X JAPAN’s first studio album in over 21 years. “It’s almost finished, except for a few guest artists tracks,” he assured interviewers. “Get ready for it.”

The Limited Edition We Are X DVD/Vinyl Soundtrack bundle is now available from PledgeMusic.com - https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/wearex.

YOSHIKI CHANNEL
https://secure.ch.nicovideo.jp/bylaw/ch2612527

November 3rd (Friday) 4:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. ~ 4:30 p.m. YOSHIKIMONO Exhibition
6:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m. YOSHIKI x Wagakki Band Performance

TOUR DATES:

October 12 – Berlin, Germany
October 14 – Florence, Italy
October 15 – Vienna, Austria
October 16 – Amsterdam, Holland
October 17 – Oslo, Norway
October 18 – Helsinki, Finland
October 19 – Stockholm, Sweden
October 20 – London, UK
October 21 – Reykjavik, Iceland (cancelled)
October 24 – Paris, France
11:34 AM
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PIKOTARO appeared on Niconico Douga’s #1 subscribers of artist channel, YOSHIKI CHANNEL’s 2nd Year Anniversary!

Speaking of YOSHIKI, he’s world widely known as member of the band X JAPAN, who have achieved showcases at world’s top 3 holy venues – Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, and Wembley Arena.  Lately, he was much-talked-about as the first Japanese man to be featured on the cover of VOGUE magazine.  PIKOTARO was requested by this international star to collaborate “PPAP” and X JAPAN’s “Forever Love” as an ad-lib during the show.  Amazingly, it turned out to be one of the most beautiful PPAP ever presented.

PPAP x Forever Love Collaboration:

https://youtu.be/PowMGIkZMHY

During the second half of the show, PIKOTARO presented his latest anime, “PIKOTARO’s LULLABY LALA BY”  and Japanese festival & dance music fusion track, “Love & Peace ONDO.”  Various positive reactions of the anime arouse from the fans, and YOSHIKI also praised PIKOTARO’s talent commenting, “Your idea about the music and anime are both simply amazing!!”

“PIKOTARO’s LULLABY LALA BY”

http://avex.jp/piko-lullaby/

"Love & Peace ONDO"

https://youtu.be/RZYCYM1aWYY

* ONDO = dance song

This is PIKOTARO's new idea of "Uhhh-ing" Japanese traditional dance, Bon Dance, and dance music... "Bon-Dance Music.”  PIKOTARO also fused Robot Dance, choreographed by worldwide famous animation dancer, Koutei Sennin.  His dance team, Time Machine, is known for catching the world’s attention when they won the first Golden Buzzer in the history of Asia’s Got Talent in 2015.

PIKOTARO would like to spread the Japanese traditional culture worldwide through this new fusion of Robot Dance + Obon Dance = "Robon-Dance"

As you may have noticed, the ‘cat’ headphones PIKOTARO is wearing is Ariana Grande’s model!  He admires Ariana so much that he personally purchased during his US visitJ.
8:28 AM
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On October 9, 2017, YOSHIKI donated $100,000.00 to help get immediate aid to hurricane victims in the United States and its territories. YOSHIKI delivered the check in New York to MusiCares®, a charity of the Recording Academy™ via Jennifer Leff, LCSW Senior Director, Health & Human Services. The donation will be funded immediately to MusiCares’s current hurricane relief efforts through Yoshiki Foundation America 501(c)(3). 100% of all donations to Musicares go directly to people in need.

“I’m from Japan but I live in America,” YOSHIKI said. “When Japan got hit by the Tsunami Earthquake in 2011, the people of America supported Japan. I was really moved by that, so I’d like to keep supporting America as much as I can. My heart goes out to all those who are affected.”

http://www.yoshikifoundationamerica.org

The donation ceremony followed a Q&A with YOSHIKI and a special screening of WE ARE X, the award-winning documentary about X JAPAN — one of the most successful rock bands in Japanese history — at the Bryant Park Hotel in New York City.

WE ARE X has been released in a limited edition DVD and Vinyl soundtrack bundle now available worldwide through PledgeMusic: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/wearex.

YOSHIKI is currently touring 10 countries in Europe for WE ARE X theatrical premieres.
8:28 AM

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