July 12th, 2024 – Fresh from the RADWIMPS WORLD TOUR 2024 “The way you yawn, and the outcry of Peace,” singer-songwriter and RADWIMPS frontman, Yojiro Noda, is thrilled to release the new song “LAST LOVE LETTER” from his solo album, ‘WONDER BOY’S AKUMU CLUB’, set for release on September 25. Listen here: https://lnk.to/LASTLOVELETTER
The album is a collection of Noda’s personal story with a total of 13 tracks, including “EVERGREEN feat. kZm”, released this April, which features much acclaimed Japanese rapper kZm and “KATATOKI,” a collaboration track with American rapper J.I.D featured on the game “Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name”. Noda shares, “I am releasing my first album as Yojiro Noda. I became a band member of RADWIMPS at the age of 15, and while the band remains the core of my musical existence, I started to wonder what it’s like to play around carelessly and freely and swim through the ocean of sound with the approach that I can only try at present time. So for the past 2 years, when I found time, I created music, trying out different things and ended up with these 13 songs through struggles and many moments when I almost gave up. The process was fun. I wasn’t trying to write good songs, but I think I created a great album. I want to thank Kuwahara and Takeda who participated in a few of the tracks, and HOLLY for giving me the idea to start working on this album.”
As part of this exciting release, the Limited Edition CD comes with a T-shirt featuring the original character “AKUMU-KUN” created by the manga artist and illustrator Posuka Demizu. Originated from Noda’s idea to express his solo project with an icon that can freely embody his music, through numerous exchanges of ideas between Demizu and Noda, the one-and-only “AKUMU-KUN” came into life as universal and invincible character based on the image of Noda as a model. The Vinyl edition of the album and worldwide digital release are also set for September 25 with more info to be revealed soon.
Japanese rock band RADWIMPS enthralled a sold-out crowd of thousands at the Araneta Coliseum on the 1st of May.
RADWIMPS, composed of vocalist Yojiro Noda, guitarist Akira Kuwahara, bassist Yusuke Takeda, drummers Mizuki Mori and Masafumi Eno marked their first visit to the Philippines with their Manila stop for The way you yawn, and the outcry of Peace World Tour.
Photo by PULP Live World
Their two-hour setlist felt like a visceral space exploration with the band at the helm, guiding the crowd to the different phases the spacecraft would take and making them see all the places around. As Yojiro Noda put it during the concert, “Receive it (the music) in your body, in your heart, is that okay with you guys? Will you capture it in your heart? And hold tight until the next time?” He asked the crowd, similar to how a friend would ask you to keep something important for them in the future.
In all honesty, that was the best way to experience their concert. The majority of RADWIMPS’ lyrics were in Japanese. While a lot of fans have studied the language, a good portion of the audience was not well-versed with it. However, that did not stop the crowd from immersing themselves in the show’s beats and melodies. They didn’t have to know each song by heart, they just had to feel the music and let it take them away from there. They clapped, stomped their feet, waved their hands, and sang along to each song.
Photo by PULP Live World
Since their formation in 2001, RADWIMPS has created a robust discography composed of 13 studio albums, with genres including alternative, rap-rock, ska, emo, punk, and more. From these albums, there are three tailor-made soundtracks for Makoto Shinkai’s critically acclaimed movies, specifically “Your Name.” (2016), “Weathering With You” (2019), and “Suzume” (2022). These movies, which have captured the imaginations and hearts of millions of people worldwide, played a big part in the band’s global success. Interestingly, the band wove all the vital elements and fit them right into a compact 18-song setlist.
Blasting off with the EDM-infused “Lights Go Out” and “NEVER EVER ENDER”, the Big Dome instantly turned into a bustling and screaming dance pit. This was followed by the fiercely belligerent tone of “DARMA GRAND PRIX” which sustained the flow of the energy.
The band paused to scan the crowd. With the lights on, it was easily visible how the Big Dome was packed with people from the pit area to the bleachers in the general admission area. “This is incredible. This is so f— incredible! Thank you so much for coming out. This is our first show in the Philippines. You guys are already amazing,” Yojiro said. Following this, the laid-back pop-rock tracks “September-san” and “Nanoka” were easy sing-alongs for the Filipino crowd.
The mood turned solemn when the lights dimmed and the bluish hue filled the stage. Suddenly, the words “Is there still anything love can do?” flashed on the screen. Immediately, everyone recognized this as the track from the movie “Weathering With You”—the song, which is about the kind of love that seeks to overcome darkness. Soon after, the eerily familiar ru-ru-ru-ru-ru was heard in the background, signaling the time for Toaka to join the band on stage for “Suzume”.
The live RADWIMPS experience was further enhanced by the state-of-the-art lighting design all throughout the concert. The lights moved symbiotically to the music – they folded and expanded, burned and weakened to the sway of the melodies. It was easy to imagine the Comet Tiamat in “Your Name” – the streaks of blue, pink, and purple falling gracefully in the night sky or the turbulent reddish dust similar to the skyline in “Suzume”. This is why it felt more precious to hear the piano introduction of “Katawaredoki” leading to the much-awaited “Sparkle” and “Zenzenzense”.
Photo by PULP Live World
RADWIMPS have this innate (most likely engraved) synchronicity on stage – they have been together for more than 20 years now after all. As the frontman, Yojiro has this mesmerizing charisma which is palpable in the unwavering way he carries their songs and the gentle way he speaks.
The other members also reciprocate this energy – in loads of rambunctious outbursts. When they did individual instrument face-offs/solos for “Oshakashama”, they just seemed like a bunch of teenagers having the greatest time of their lives on stage. They also came prepared to face the crowd with a whole load of properly translated Filipino messages (and we don’t mean the Google Translate kind).
“Hello sa inyong lahat! Ako si Kuwahara. Masaya akong makilala ka. Salamat sa pagpunta ngayon. Matagal na namin kayo gustong makita,” Akira Kuwahara, the zestful guitarist greeted the crowd.
“Magandang gabi! Ako po si Yusuke. Kamusta? Nice to meet you. First time namin pumunta sa Pilipinas. Masaya kami ihandog ang concert na ‘to sa inyo. Maraming salamat po sa pagpunta. Sana maging memorable ang concert na to sa inyo. Handa na ba kayo? Gawin nating epic ang concert na ito,” Yusuke followed up.
Beyond this, Yojiro also took the time to say something quite unexpected of any artist. He mentioned that the day before the concert, he went to a few historical places specifically relating to the era of World War II. As seen on his Instagram stories where he took a video of himself riding a kalesa, he seemed to be in Intramuros.
“I know what the Japanese army did to people,” he spoke in a slightly fragmented manner at first. “We don’t want to forget what the people did. I truly feel thankful to be able to stand in front of you guys and perform music and you guys cheer up on the music. This means so much to us. We would like to keep this peace moving on with our music,” he went on. The tour title The Way You Yawn and the Outcry of Peace was chosen for this purpose.
Towards the end, RADWIMPS went back to their older material to play “Yuushinron”, ”Iindesuka” and “Kimi to Hitsuji to Ao”.
“Thank you so much for being an amazing audience! Is it ok if we come back in the future? Definitely, we will be back. Please be happy, please be healthy until we meet again,” Yojiro said to bid the crowd goodbye.
Photo by PULP Live World
For the encore, RADWIMPS completed the spectacular evening with “Nandemonaiya” and “05410-(n)”. We were expecting simple sparkles, but RADWIMPS delivered a lot more than that. Their concert was inspiring and spellbinding – truly a memorable experience. Hoping to see them again in the near future!
Special thanks to PULP Live World!
by Sandra Mae Laureano
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RADWIMPS WORLD TOUR 2024 The way you yawn, and the outcry of Peace IN MANILA Setlist Lights Go Out NEVER EVER ENDER DARMA GRAND PRIX September-san Nanoka Is There Still Anything Love Can Do? SUZUME – feat. Toaka DADA G-Koui Oshakashama Katawaredoki Sparkle Zenzenzense Yuushinron Iindesuka Kimi to Hitsuji to Ao Nandemonaiya 05410-(n)
Radwimps is a well-known Japanese rock band that has garnered a significant following both in Japan and internationally. Their music is characterized by catchy melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and a unique blend of rock, pop, and punk influences. The band has released several critically acclaimed albums and has become known for their energetic live performances.
PULP Live World is bringing the acclaimed band to the Philippines through the RADWIMPS WORLD TOUR 2024 “The way you yawn, and the outcry of Peace” in Manila, gracing the Philippine stage for the first time on May 1, 2024, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Yojiro Noda, Yusuke Takeda, and Akira Kuwahara debuted independently in 2003 and later on a major label in 2005. According to the band, Radwimps was formed from two English slang terms, “rad” and “wimp,” a coined word with several meanings, including “excellent weakling.”
Radwimps’ signature sound has not only captivated Japan but also achieved international acclaim, creating music for blockbuster animated films like Makoto Shinkai’s “Your Name,” “Weathering with You,” and “Suzume.” Which won the Best Film Award at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024 held recently. Their songs feature dynamic instrumentation, heartfelt vocals, and introspective lyrics that explore themes of love and longing. With infectious hooks and emotional depth, their songs have resonated with fans around the world.
RADWIMPS WORLD TOUR 2024 “The way you yawn, and the outcry of Peace” is more than just a music event, as the band continues to make a meaningful impact on their fans and the world at large. Their tour in Asia will kick off on April 6 in Tokyo, followed by Yokohama, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Jakarta, and Bangkok, ending with a two-day show in Seoul.
RADWIMPS WORLD TOUR 2024 “The way you yawn, and the outcry of Peace” in Manila is presented by PULP Live World.
TICKET PRICES:
Platinum Standing or Seated —Php6,000
Gold Seated —Php5,500
Gold Standing —Php5,000
Box A —Php3,500
Box B —Php2,500
*Ticketing charges apply.
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