After the international crowdfunding campaign for AINAKANNA’s European tour had ended, it was time to get everything sorted for the tour. The two-piece band had been given the opportunity to tour the United Kingdom in 2023 and wanted to add more European locations for this summer. The tour dates for the European tour, entitled Rising Sun Tour Europe, have now been announced and will take place from 25 August to 13 September.
With plans to perform in various European countries, the band joined forces with Lithuanian progressive rock band The Skys to organise a full European tour. During the crowdfunding campaign, the two-piece band mentioned several potential countries where they intended to perform. After careful consideration, a European tour was announced with ten shows in three countries: a return to the United Kingdom and first performances in Poland and Lithuania. Some performances will be with the Lithuanian band The Skys, but there will also be shows where AINAKANNA shares the stage with other bands.
The band name AINAKANNA comes from the first name of the two band members, vocalist Aina Ougi on keyboard and drummer Kanna. AINAKANNA’s sound is best described as pop-rock, fusing aspects of Japanese pop and Western rock. In addition, they describe themselves as a band with two band members, which for them is the minimum for a band, but according to the two, their sound is actually maximum.
Both musicians have interesting musical backgrounds, Aina Ougi had been active with music since childhood. Before founding AINAKANNA, she was a singer-songwriter and debuted through Victor Entertainment. For the Japanese horror film Rinne, she made a theme song. Kanna has been active in several bands, mostly session bands, but also in bands like CHERRY LEZ LOLiTA and Moto-Psycho R&R Service.
In 2016, the two ladies came together to start the current band. In 2019, they released their very first album, 東雲プレリュード (Shinonome Prelude). This was soon followed up with another album, titled TRANSIT HAKKEI, in 2020 and a third album in 2022, titled 暁 (Akatsuki). Last November, AINAKANNA released a documentary mini-album about their first tour in the UK, titled 天ノ原 (Amanohara) -Resounding in the UK-.
AINAKANNA “Rising Sun Tour Europe” 2025 Dates
Monday 25 August, 2025: Box Rocks – Box, United Kingdom
Tuesday 26 August, 2025: Firebug – Leicester, United Kingdom
Wednesday 27 August, 2025: The Chapel – Nottingham, United Kingdom
Monday 1 September, 2025: Gregson Arts & Community Centre – Lancaster, United Kingdom
Tuesday 2 September, 2025: Gregson Arts & Community Centre – Lancaster, United Kingdom
Saturday 6 September, 2025 Withington Public Hall Institute – Manchester, United Kingdom
Sunday 7 September, 2025: Hope and Anchor – London, United Kingdom
Tuesday 9 September, 2025: TBA – Poland
Wednesday 10 September, 2025: Stary Klasztor – Wrocław, Poland
Friday 12 September, 2025: TBA – Rumšiškės, Lithuania
Saturday 13 September, 2025: Tamsta Club – Vilnius, Lithuania
Keep an eye on AINAKANNA’s social media for updates. A link page has been created for direct links to tickets.
