When the ladies of the Japanese pop-rock band GIRLFRIEND announced at the end of 2019 that they would perform outside Japan again, it was impossible to predict what eventually became of these shows. The shows that were scheduled at conventions in the United States, Brazil and Germany, not the least conventions, unfortunately, had to be cancelled due to the current situation we are in. A pandemic.
The situation GIRLFRIEND got into, planning the shows and eventually seeing these plans go up in smoke applies to many other bands that have gone before them. The uncertain situation made it unclear what would eventually happen, what the various governments would decide, but also what the organisers of the conventions would have to decide. Here in The Netherlands we know that we will have almost no bigger events this year and that is painful, the various online events including the live streams, online conventions and podcasts that have arisen because of this strange situation keep us busy for a while. But it is a fact for many music lovers that in the meantime we are starting to crave an experience of a live performance.
Anime Boston was supposed to take place last month, while Anime Friends and AnimagiC had plans to take place in the Summer month of July. It would also be a European premiere for the show in Germany, for the shows in the United States and Brazil it would be also a premiere. We can, of course, hope that GIRLFRIEND will try again next year, when the situation has improved worldwide. In addition, the girls of GIRLFRIEND also have to cancel their performances in Japan for the same reasons and often stay at home, as the Japanese government – like many others – advises.
At the moment we are often told that we have to stay at home, #StayHome is a thing on social media. It is perhaps ironic that the latest release of GIRLFRIEND, which they would also promote during their gigs outside Japan, has the title HOUSE. An hour of music, consisting of 14 tracks with the two tracks used for the anime series Black Clover and animated film Jigoku Shoujo. At the moment the physical release of this second album is postponed, but we can enjoy the music through various online channels, including Spotify. In addition, the band has put a music video online to promote this album, from the cheerful song FULL HOUSE.
In the meantime, the girls are trying to entertain the fans via social media, including live streams on Instagram.
Source: GIRLFRIEND
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