With Japanese oshare kei band An Cafe recently celebrating their twentieth anniversary, and having announced their reformation (with all original members aside from Bou) along with the promise of a 2025 tour, it is looked like it will be a busy time for the band’s vocalist Miku. However, he’s still found time for a whirlwind, three-date European tour including an evening at London’s legendary The Water Rats venue.
Miku, The Water Rats, London on 26.02.2025
After a brief, sold-out tour of Latin America, Miku brought his magic to the United Kingdom, and a decent-sized crowd has turned out to fill The Water Rats venue nicely. Billed as the MIKU around the world -NYAPPY PARTY EUROPE 2025-, there was certainly a party atmosphere prevailing tonight as we eagerly await the appearance of the Antic Cafe man. However, his set got off to a stuttering start with some technical issues marring the first song.
Yet, Miku brought all his experience to bear and handled them like a true professional before smoothly moving into An Cafe’s 2007 single Ryuusei Rocket. From here, he moved on to Kakusei Heroism before a short MC break when he expressed his delight to be back in the United Kingdom and got a brief Nyappy chant started. Giving the fans exactly what they wanted, Miku delivered a selection of classic tracks including Cherry Saky Yuuki!! and Tekesuta Kousen, with each successive song initiating delight in the crowd. Miku made his performance a very interactive experience and creates a real bond between the crowd and the performer.
It transpired that affection was a two-way thing, as the following AROMA lit up the crowd and puts smiles on plenty of faces. During his next MC break, Miku expressed his gratitude to the Cafekko faithful who always make his sojourns overseas so delightful. Those technical gremlins emerged again as some microphone issues briefly halted the set, but Miku was soon back in action and swinging like the fan towels that filled the air. In the final third of the show, Miku played fan favourites MY HEART LEAPS FOR “C”, BondS～Kizuna～, but also gave space for an Lc5 song, and concluded with Smile Ichiban Ii ♀ (Onna), all of which ensured that no one left disappointed.
A great start to the tour and one that is sure to replicate the success of his Latin American jaunt.
Set list
01. SE オープ〇ング (Ope〇ng)
02. 流星ロケット (Ryuusei Rocket)
03. 覚醒ヒロイズム (Kakusei Heroism)
-MC-
04. Cherry咲く勇気!! (Cherry Saky Yuuki!!)
05. テケスタ光線 (Tekesuta Kousen)
06. AROMA
-MC-
07. エスカピズム (Escapism)
08. Only you～キミとのキヅナ～ (～Kimi to no Kizuna～) — (Lc5 song)
09. 千年DIVE!!!!! (Sennen DIVE!!!!!)
10. MY HEART LEAPS FOR “C”
11. BondS～絆～ (～Kizuna～)
-MC-
12. スマイル一番イイ♀ (Smile Ichiban Ii ♀ (Onna))
Photography by: JJ Grant (Wonderlens)
Thanks to RIT and Visual-kei Night for making this live report possible.
