Ready for Japan Expo Paris? The event will take place in one week and the programme is full with interesting activities. One of the interesting activities are the many performances of many Japanese acts and that is what this article is all about. During the 20th anniversary of the big festival, Japan Expo Paris is offering for more than 20 Japanese musicians a stage to show what they got.
1. Ai Otsuka
One of the guests of honour during Japan Expo Paris 2019 is J-pop singer Ai Otsuka. This year she is celebrating the 15th anniversary of her career and will be performing for the first time in Europe. The singer-songwriter made her debut as a professional artist in 2003 with the single Momo no Hanabira. The releases that came later on sold well and became hits. During Japan Expo, she will do signing sessions, a panel and showcases, on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
2. angela
Japan Expo celebrates anime music on Friday after the festival with the Anisong Festa concert and angela will be performing on this party. angela consists of atsuko, vocals, and KATSU, guitar and arrangement. They made their major debut with Ashita e no brilliant Road, the opening theme song of the TV anime Stellvia in 2003. Since then, angela have been in charge of the theme songs for various popular anime such as FAFNER in the Azure, K, Knights of Sidonia, and many more. angela will be joining Mika Kobayashi and miwa for the Anisong Festa at Japan Expo. You have to buy a separate ticket for this event.
3. KAIEN
KAIEN is a multinational musical project that brings together artists from diverse backgrounds. Their origins or function within the group varies: DJ, music producer, video jockey (real-time visual performer) and dancers team up to create a musical work that links modern Japanese identity and electronic music. The group has worked together to create a very special presentation for this occasion. Their performances will take place on the 5th and the 6th of July.
4. THE SIXTH LIE
This electro-rock band have performed before at Japan Expo Paris and it was an experience that left them wanting more. THE SIXTH LIE will let you hear their newest songs, such as the one that is used as opening theme for A Certain Scientific Accelerator, a spin-off of the popular animation series A Certain Magical Index (To aru kagaku no index). In addition to several showcases, they will have Q&A’s, signing sessions and a photo shoot.
5. miwa
Along with angela and Mika Kobayashi, singer-songwriter miwa will join to perform at Anisong Festa on the Friday. Inspired by female singer-songwriters such as Sheryl Crow and Carole King, miwa started to write her own songs at the age of 15. Her performances in small clubs in Shimokitazawa and on the streets caught the eyes of the industry people, which led to her debut in March 2010 with the single don’t cry anymore. You have to buy a separate ticket for this Anisong Festa.
6. IRON ATTACK!
Power metal band IRON ATTACK! consists of artists coming from various horizons and is known as doujin band. The members of IRON ATTACK! are regulars of the world of music. The leader of the group IRON-CHINO is also the leader of the legendary heavy metal band LIGHTNING. The singer YAMA-B is also the singer of the neoclassical metal band Galneryus. And the female singer, Minus-iyon, composes titles for Haruko Momoi. The band will perform a full show on Sunday, but will furthermore have signing sessions, Q&A’s and more.
7. Izuru Amase
Izuru Amase used to be one of the stars of the Takarazuka Revue. It has existed for more than a hundred years and is part of Japan’s cultural heritage. It is unique all over the world, being only composed of women. Izuru Amase left the Takarazula Revue in 2009 and now works with several theatres. She presided over the school preparing girls to join Takarazuka and shared her knowledge as a lecturer. During Japan Expo, she will, with several actresses, present a show that is halfway between musical and theatre. Furthermore, she will have a panel and signing sessions.
8. Mika Kobayashi
Singer-songwriter Mika Kobayashi is known for her participation in famous anime theme songs, such as Attack on Titan or Kill la Kill. She performed at Japan Expo Paris last year and will return to the event to perform at Anisong Festa with angela and miwa, but also perform with samurai artist group KAMUI. Mika Kobayashi started learning the piano when she was young. Though she was keener on acting and dancing at certain times of her youth, she ended up creating her own music band in high school. This led her to a decision to pursue a career as a singer. She moved to Tokyo at the age of 18 and started to compose songs, becoming a singer-songwriter and dancer. You have to buy a separate ticket for this Anisong Festa.
9. Task have Fun
The origin name of Task have Fun came out of the concept of completing a daily task while having fun. Since 2016 active, Task have Fun is a popular idol group in Japan and the rest of Asia. Their song 3WD is seen as iconic as the song is inviting to dance and sing on it. On all days of Japan Expo, the trio will be attending to do a Q&A, photoshoot, showcases and signing sessions.
10. DADAROMA
The announcement of the performance of DADAROMA can be seen as one of the most surprising announcements of Japan Expo Paris 2019. The Visual Kei band never performed in Europe and will have its debut during the French expo. During the whole event, they will have signing sessions, performances, Q&A’s and even a cooking show. On Saturday 6 July, they are having a day off, probably to roam around in the streets of Paris. The grand finale is on the last day of Japan Expo, where the Visual Kei band will have a showcase from 16.15.
Many more musicians will be performing on Japan Expo Paris, be sure to check out the website of the expo to get informed about all the musicians performing.
Source: Japan Expo Paris
