Francisca Hagen

The musician AiNA THE END and dancer AOI YAMADA are dressed in what seems orange/red-coloured clothing and are standing very near to each other, almost in a hugging position. While AOI YAMADA has her eyes closed and her head up, while AiNA THE END eyes are looking towards the camera but her head is not facing the camera. Photography by mumuko

Japan's influential and at the same time notorious music agency, WACK, known for producing nonconventional pop and rock stars, is...

Nana Kitade is dressed in a white dress and high heels and sits in a bathtub filled with blue water.

Nana Kitade’s 20th-anniversary tour final will be streamed worldwide

by Francisca Hagen

19 October 2023

To celebrate her 20-year career, singer-songwriter Nana Kitade has been performing almost all over the world this year, from North...

Still from CANDYGIRL's music video for "WATERFALL". A man with a blue shirt is standing in front of a waterfall. In the still, the back of the man is shown.

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 41, 2023)

by Francisca Hagen

15 October 2023

With a large music industry such as Japan has, the second largest in the world, it is inevitable that music...

The picture shows the two women of AINAKANNA sitting on the ground and surrounded by traditional decorations (fan, umbrella, swords, masks, toys, tableware) and a gold-coloured wall. They are dressed in Japanese traditional clothing, kimono, and one is holding a pipe, while the other holds a small cup.

AINAKANNA will finally tour the United Kingdom after three years of waiting

by Francisca Hagen

12 October 2023

Two-piece band AINAKANNA will head to the United Kingdom for a tour at the end of October. After the duo...

Five members of DIR EN GREY stand against a dark background for a group photo. They are arranged in two rows – three in the front and two in the back. The band members are dressed mostly in black, complementing the backdrop.

DIR EN GREY to tour Europe for the first time in four years

by Francisca Hagen

12 October 2023

The five men of DIR EN GREY are set to make a triumphant return to Europe with their EUROPE TOUR24...

Three members of Tonari no Hanako are standing in the water, enjoying a sunny day. They are wearing white clothing. One of the members, is looking into the camera, while the others have their backs turned to the camera.

Tonari no Hanako to perform at Japan Expo Orléans 2023

by Francisca Hagen

11 October 2023

At the end of October, Tonari no Hanako will travel to France for performances at Japan Expo Orléans. In addition...

Still from Pulplant's music video for "何者 (Nanimono)". Bokeh effect while the camera is moving.

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 40, 2023)

by Francisca Hagen

8 October 2023

With a large music industry such as Japan has, the second largest in the world, it is inevitable that music...

This photo captures an intimate moment between the musician YOSHIKI and his Kawai piano on stage. He wears a red jacket and a black blouse. YOSHIKI has his eyes closed and appears to be deeply focused on his music.

YOSHIKI’s classical concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall will be streamed globally

by Francisca Hagen

6 October 2023

The Yoshiki Classical 10th Anniversary World Tour, in which YOSHIKI will perform a series of classical concerts with a full...

Text of "Bandcamp Friday" and "Suggestions October 2023" on top of a radio, edited in a way that there was a glitch. The result is that there are more radio's in the image. With added filters it is made colourful with the added colours of red, blue and green and mixes of that.

Five Japanese artists and labels to support during Bandcamp Friday (October 2023)

by Francisca Hagen

6 October 2023

It is the first Friday of October, you know what that means: Bandcamp Friday is back! When a Bandcamp Friday...

Artistic and blurry, out of focus photo of Phew in action (during a performance). The dominant colors are brown and black, while a white accent colour adds a subtle hint of vibrancy to this otherwise dark setting. The photo is taken by Masayuki Shioda.

Phew returning to Europe for a short October tour

by Francisca Hagen

5 October 2023

Avant-garde vocalist and experimental electronic music pioneer Phew will be touring Europe starting in a few days. Earlier this year,...

RYUJIN © Napalm Records - Four band members of the band RYUJIN are dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, hakama, their look is inspired by samurai, especially with the addition of the swords, and one of them has an oni mask on. All members are facing forward and surrounded by old Japanese buildings. The dominant colours in this photo are dark; black and green-greyish. The sky is dark and cloudy, illumminated by flashes of lighting. The scene has an air of mystery about it, but is placed in Japan giving an extra touch to the traditional vibe.

RYUJIN to tour Europe as support act for Peter Tägtgren’s PAIN

by Francisca Hagen

2 October 2023

At the start of 2023, the Japanese heavy metal band RYUJIN kicked off the year with some significant moves. They...

Still from DaimonOrchestra's music video for "キシロカイン (Xylocaine)". One of the members of DaimonOrchestra is walking in the streets past shops with windows plastered with advertisements. She wears a white wool jumper and a blue scarf. The still is a bit blurry because the camera and the musician are both moving.

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 39, 2023)

by Francisca Hagen

1 October 2023

With a large music industry such as Japan has, the second largest in the world, it is inevitable that music...

Left: Pikachu inspired by Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, Naoyo Kimura (1960), The Pokémon Company International. Right: Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, Vincent van Gogh, 1887, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum celebrates 50th anniversary with Pokémon collaboration

by Francisca Hagen

28 September 2023

After a surprising video on Pokémon's YouTube channel, it is now known what we can expect from the collaboration of...

Still from the music video for "ゴキブリ人間 (Gokiburi Ningen)" by the band 炙りなタウン (Aburi na Town). The camera moves really fast away from the band making the view blurry and colourful. One of the members is still in the frame while the camera moves further to the right.

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 38, 2023)

by Francisca Hagen

24 September 2023

With a large music industry such as Japan has, the second largest in the world, it is inevitable that music...

MION in a yukata holds her signature electric guitar. © MION

Singer-songwriter MION extends European tour with new dates for October

by Francisca Hagen

23 September 2023

By now, singer-songwriter MION can look back on a successful spring and summer full of shows in Europe and it...

Monochrome photo of the five members of Violent Magic Orchestra (VMO), standing next to each other and seemingly dressed in black clothing. Four members with corpse paint on their faces are shaking their heads a lot while the vocalist Zastar is standing still and looking into the camera. Photo by Genki Arata.

Violent Magic Orchestra (VMO) returning to Europe for second tour in 2023

by Francisca Hagen

23 September 2023

They have already completed a European tour this year, last February, but it has been revealed that Violent Magic Orchestra...

This image shows a group of women that are part of the Japanese band Little Lilith in various costumes, gathered together for a photo. The majority of the group wears black clothing, with some variations in style and colour. The photo seems to be taken in an industrial space.

Little Lilith to make live debut in Europe

by Francisca Hagen

20 September 2023

Coming October, the Tokyo-based four-piece metal band Little Lilith will tour Europe for the first time. The four-piece will performing...

A monochrome photo of Yuko Araki, dressed in white and black, while she is posing and holding a cable that is part of the electronic gear that she uses to make her music. The background behind her is plain white, allowing for all attention to remain on the subject in focus. Photography by Room40/Lawrence English

Yuko Araki announces new album “IV” and European tour

by Francisca Hagen

19 September 2023

Besides being multi-instrumentalist Yuko Araki is active in Kuunatic, which toured Europe just last summer, she is also active solo...

Still from the music video "ティーネイジャーの夜に (Teenager no Yoru Ni)" by 変心芙蓉 (Henshin Fuyou). The vocalist of Henshin Fuyou walks around in a street in the middle of the night, she wears dark-coloured jacket and red pants and earphones. A street light is shining light on her while she is having her hands in her pockets and looks toward the camera.

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 37, 2023)

by Francisca Hagen

17 September 2023

With a large music industry such as Japan has, the second largest in the world, it is inevitable that music...

CAMERA JAPAN's poster design for the 18th edition in the year 2023. The poster design uses the colours red, yellow, blue, white and light pink. A character is watching a film on their smartphone. It is not announced who designed this poster.

5 films you should not miss at CAMERA JAPAN 2023

by Francisca Hagen

16 September 2023

Are you looking forward to the 18th edition of CAMERA JAPAN Festival in Rotterdam (20 - 24 September) and Amsterdam...

Still from OTO MAYUMI's music video for the song "だって (Datte)". The singer-songwriter is standing in front of a wall on which a beamer shines seemingly psychedelic-like patterns. As she stands between the beamer and wall, a shadow of herself is created on the wall. She looks up after dancing. The video is directed by Pierluigi Patella.

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 36, 2023)

by Francisca Hagen

10 September 2023

With a large music industry such as Japan has, the second largest in the world, it is inevitable that music...

Still from Hammer Head Shark's music video for "たからもの (Takaramono)". In a natural setting, it shows bubbles spawned from a bubble blower.

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 35, 2023)

by Francisca Hagen

3 September 2023

With a large music industry such as Japan has, the second largest in the world, it is inevitable that music...

Collage of promotional photos of GARUDA and Satanic Punish, on the left is Yuffie aka GARUDA dressed in a gothic-style dress and wings leaning on a baseball bat decorated with spikes. She also holds a long-beaked mask in her hands towards her face as if she were about to put it on. On the right is ManaManomu dressed in a gothic lolita dress and long hair in twintails.

IKIGAI – Vol. 1 brings GARUDA and Satanic Punish to the Netherlands and Germany

by Francisca Hagen

2 September 2023

In less than a week's time, Tokyo-based underground idols GARUDA and Satanic Punish will embark on a mini tour in...

Text of "Bandcamp Friday" and "Suggestions September 2023" on top of a radio, edited in a way that there was a glitch. The result is that there are more radio's in the image. With added filters it is made colourful with the added colours of red, blue and green and mixes of that.

Five Japanese artists and labels to support during Bandcamp Friday (September 2023)

by Francisca Hagen

1 September 2023

It is the first of September and it is a Friday, you know what that means: Bandcamp Friday is back!...

Japanese music agency WACK to make overseas debut in London with “WACK in the UK” show

Nana Kitade’s 20th-anniversary tour final will be streamed worldwide

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 41, 2023)

AINAKANNA will finally tour the United Kingdom after three years of waiting

DIR EN GREY to tour Europe for the first time in four years

Tonari no Hanako to perform at Japan Expo Orléans 2023

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 40, 2023)

YOSHIKI’s classical concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall will be streamed globally

Five Japanese artists and labels to support during Bandcamp Friday (October 2023)

Phew returning to Europe for a short October tour

RYUJIN to tour Europe as support act for Peter Tägtgren’s PAIN

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 39, 2023)

Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum celebrates 50th anniversary with Pokémon collaboration

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 38, 2023)

Singer-songwriter MION extends European tour with new dates for October

Violent Magic Orchestra (VMO) returning to Europe for second tour in 2023

Little Lilith to make live debut in Europe

Yuko Araki announces new album “IV” and European tour

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 37, 2023)

5 films you should not miss at CAMERA JAPAN 2023

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 36, 2023)

7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 35, 2023)

IKIGAI – Vol. 1 brings GARUDA and Satanic Punish to the Netherlands and Germany

Five Japanese artists and labels to support during Bandcamp Friday (September 2023)

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