Sat, May 31, 2008 (8:47pm EDT)
Singer Nana Kitade has been announced as a musical guest at the 10th AnimagiC convention in Bonn, Germany, which is being held on August 1-3 (website here). This is her fourth consecutive year performing at a Japan-related event overseas. She previously made appearances in Hong Kong, U.S., and France.
Kitade is releasing a new single, titled "PUNK & BABYs," on July 23.
Kitade is releasing a new single, titled "PUNK & BABYs," on July 23.
Sat, May 31, 2008 (7:53pm EDT)
The 2008 MTV Video Music Awards Japan were held at the Saitama Super Arena on Saturday. Among the presenters were Shun Oguri and Yu Yamada, appearing together at an event for the first time since they publicly acknowledged their relationship in early May.
EXILE had the most successful night, taking three awards: Best Video of the Year ("I Believe"), Best Album of the Year ("EXILE LOVE"), and Best Karaoke Song ("Toki no Kakera").
Best Male Video and Best Female Video were won by foreign artists this year, going to Ne-Yo's "Because of You" and Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry." m-flo won Best Group Video, while Motohiro Hata earned Best New Artist Video.
A complete list of winners is available in the forums.
EXILE had the most successful night, taking three awards: Best Video of the Year ("I Believe"), Best Album of the Year ("EXILE LOVE"), and Best Karaoke Song ("Toki no Kakera").
Best Male Video and Best Female Video were won by foreign artists this year, going to Ne-Yo's "Because of You" and Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry." m-flo won Best Group Video, while Motohiro Hata earned Best New Artist Video.
A complete list of winners is available in the forums.
Sat, May 31, 2008 (7:17pm EDT)
The highly successful duo KinKi Kids have scheduled a nationwide tour from July to November, their first summer concert tour since 2000. The total attendance is projected to reach 390,000 people, spanning 27 shows at 13 venues.
The tour starts at the Tokyo Dome on July 21, the 11th anniversary of their debut single. It ends on November 23 at the Kagoshima Arena. This tour will be the first time that the pair plays in Niigata, Nagano, Fukui, Oita, and Kagoshima.
All 26 of the KinKi Kids' singles have charted at #1, qualifying them for a Guinness World Record. They also hold a record for the most Tokyo Dome concerts, which will be extended to 32 with this tour.
The tour starts at the Tokyo Dome on July 21, the 11th anniversary of their debut single. It ends on November 23 at the Kagoshima Arena. This tour will be the first time that the pair plays in Niigata, Nagano, Fukui, Oita, and Kagoshima.
All 26 of the KinKi Kids' singles have charted at #1, qualifying them for a Guinness World Record. They also hold a record for the most Tokyo Dome concerts, which will be extended to 32 with this tour.
Sat, May 31, 2008 (6:39pm EDT)
Pop duo 80_pan (Hare Pan) is heading to London to participate in London Calling 2008, a major international music industry event. They will be the only artist from Japan at the event, which takes place on June 19-20.
Originally a trio, 80_pan has undergone two name changes and is now experimenting with electropop and new rave. Their new album "DISCO BABY," featuring production by a member of British band The Pipettes and by Scottish dance-punk band Shitdisco, goes on sale July 2.
Originally a trio, 80_pan has undergone two name changes and is now experimenting with electropop and new rave. Their new album "DISCO BABY," featuring production by a member of British band The Pipettes and by Scottish dance-punk band Shitdisco, goes on sale July 2.
Sat, May 31, 2008 (6:05pm EDT)
Akihabara idol group AKB48 has decided to expand into Nagoya. Using the name SKE48, the unit will start holding performances in the city's Sakae ward in the near future.
AKB48's popularity has grown rapidly through their almost daily performances in Akihabara, and just recently they completed their 1000th performance. They have also made their major label debut and made their first appearance at Kohaku Uta Gassen last year.
It is not yet clear whether the group will recruit new members for SKE48 or simply send their current teams to Nagoya, but a press conference on June 5 at the Sunshine Sakae will reveal more details.
AKB48's popularity has grown rapidly through their almost daily performances in Akihabara, and just recently they completed their 1000th performance. They have also made their major label debut and made their first appearance at Kohaku Uta Gassen last year.
It is not yet clear whether the group will recruit new members for SKE48 or simply send their current teams to Nagoya, but a press conference on June 5 at the Sunshine Sakae will reveal more details.
