Between Heaven And Hell: Japanese Underground Idols Hit London

Two unique artists representing the underground idol scene stop by London on the first of three dates that comprise a whirlwind jaunt across Europe. With a bright and breezy personality, along with songs that come marinated in a pop sensibility, Yurapico can be seen to represent the lighter side of the scene, whilst GARUDA, with a black metal aesthetic, the darker. It’s an interesting juxtaposition and a tension of opposites that catches The Water Rats between light and shade, and heaven and hell.

Live Report: GARUDA + Yurapico – The Water Rats, London, 06.06.2024

Even those familiar with Yurapico are taken aback by the explosion of energy that occurs when she hits the stage. As soon as the first note from the backing tape rings out (and I mean the very first note) Yurapico tears across the venue like a mini tornado and she’s all over the stage like a rash. In fact, her general insanity is not confined to the stage and she makes the first of what will be several sojourns into the crowd. Seemingly intent on making contact with everybody in the venue,

Yurapico is dishing out the high-fives and putting the microphone in the face of various audience members, inviting them to yell and sing along…and it’s still only the first song! It is a very interactive performance; this isn’t the kind of show where you arrive and expect to be entertained, rather you become a participant and two crowd members are pulled on stage to join a dance routine with Yurapico, and what is really cool is that they know all the moves. Gradually disrobing as the set progresses, Yurapico loses her wings and jacket, and loosens her tie as she heats up the venue through a kind of spontaneous combustion. It’s a full-on affair, and one that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Given the incendiary nature of what’s just occurred, it takes a special kind of artist to follow Yurapico, and that’s precisely what GARUDA is and she follows after a short interval. Attired all in black, GARUDA looks like an angel who has been burnt to a crisp in the fires of Hades. Wearing a plague mask and singing into a microphone that glows fiery red, GARUDA makes for an arresting experience, and one that takes many present by surprise. The music is black metal; it’s ice cold like permafrost, blast beats and spidery guitar solos permeate, whilst the vocals are suitably shrieky and spread throughout the venue like cracks through ice.

There is a sense of danger emanating from the stage that makes a few present wary of getting too close, but the crowd require little goading to punch the air and chant in unison. When GARUDA takes off the mask is when things get really interesting as a swirling circle pit erupts and GARUDA sings from the centre, charred wings flapping like an angel of death. As the set reaches its conclusion GARUDA pulls out a baseball bat that has been studded with nails, heightening the sense of danger and suggesting this is one artist you shouldn’t mess with, but when the music is this good why would you?

In combination with Yurapico, GARUDA has left the crowd exhausted, tired and sweaty, but that’s exactly what a good gig should do.

Photography by Wonderlens