The Japan Foundation has recently announced that popular JPop acts HYDE, Wagakki Band, Misia, and PuffyAmiYumi will be performing in the Japan Night concert. It will be held on May 12 with two schedules: HYDE and WagakkiBand will perform at 6pm at the PlayStation Theater (1515 Broadway), while Misia and PuffyAmiYumi will perform at the Sony Hall (235 W. 46th Street) at 9pm.
The concert is part of the Japan Foundation’s Japan 2019 campaign, which “aims to broaden understanding of and interest in Japanese culture in the United States”. The Japan 2019 campaign is also part of the country’s promotions for the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, to which Japan will play host to.
Shiroyasu Ando, President of the Japan Foundation is hopeful that Japan Night will be able to offer Americans “a taste of contemporary Japan”: “In Japan 2019, we are introducing a wide variety of Japanese culture. In particular, Japan Night presents live music performances of top-level artists that are highly respected and vastly popular in Japan. We hope to offer a taste of contemporary Japan to New Yorkers who are accustomed to such quality arts in their daily lives.”
Best known for being the vocalist of popular JRock band L’Arc-en-Ciel, HYDE has also released several solo albums, started his own indie record label, and has contributed soundtracks to shows such as Great Teacher Onizuka, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, and most recently for a collaboration song with X Japan’s YOSHIKI for “Red Swan”, OP of Attack on Titan’s 2nd season.
WaggakiBand has performed theme songs for anime such as Sengoku Musou and Twin Star Exorcists, and is also known for mixing contemporary rock sounds with traditional Japanese instruments.
Misia has performed songs for King of Thorn and Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans and has recently won the Best Vocalist Award in the 60th Japan Record Awards.
Finally, PuffyAmiYumi is perhaps the most familiar to American audiences, what with their own Cartoon Network series, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, which aired from 2004 to 2006. They have also appeared in various TV shows and events in the US as well, including Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the 2005 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.