A night at the opera...er, not really. This night was one where the world famous Japanese composer and songwriter Yoshiki performed at the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco as the second stop on his "Yoshiki Classical World Tour." Yoshiki, the band leader and drummer for legendary group X Japan, is a trained classical pianist and here his headbanging style gave way to a more graceful sounds of strings.
Unfortunately my memory card seems to have died right before the concert started. I personally would like to think that Yoshiki's awesomeness could not be contained in such a small digital form, so in the absence of photos I will have to do my best to describe it with words.
Notorious for his talents as a songwriter, drummer and pianist, Part 1 of Yoshiki's 2014 world tour is starting later this month and will include ten different countries: US, Mexico, Russia, Germany, France, United Kingdom, China, Thailand, Taiwan and Japan. In the US in particular, he will be performing in Costa Mesa (4/25) and San Francisco (4/28), California.
Mega Super J-Rock Band to Hold Music Video Recording Event the Evening of
July 1, 2010 at Club Nokia Immediately Following the Yoshiki Foundation
Launch Party
Los Angeles, CA and Tokyo, Japan (June 24, 2010) ‹ Fans of X JAPAN, are in
for a once in a lifetime treat, will have the opportunity to ³X-perience²
the power and magic of the legendary J-Rock super-band in the filming of the
epic band¹s upcoming music video at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles at
L.A. Live on the evening of July 1, 2010 immediately following the Yoshiki
Foundation launch party.
Fans are encouraged to ³dress to impress² as the entire band will take over
the famous Club Nokia venue and ³rock the house²!
Calling X Japan the most successful rock band in Japan is not a statement
made lightly. X Japan has sold more than 30-million albums, singles and
videos, headlined and sold out Japan's 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome 18 times - so
far - and has started playing to tens of thousands of fans outside of Japan.
The band's look and sound sparked a global interest in Japanese
entertainment, especially with the Japanese cultural rock phenomenon,
"Visual-Kei," a movement X Japan pioneered that went on to become a catalyst
for today's worldwide Anime craze.
Yoshiki, the band's leader/songwriter/drummer and classically-trained
pianist, has been referred to by his first name only throughout his
professional career, and is arguably Asia's most influential musical artist
and biggest rock icon. According to one industry insider, "Yoshiki is to
Japan what Bono is to the UK." The members of X Japan include Yoshiki, Toshi
(vocals), Pata (guitarist), Heath (bass), and Sugizo (guitar).
While they won't be appearing for a live, members of X Japan will make a public U.S. appearance together on January 9th, 2009 in Hollywood. The band will be filming four music videos that day, closing down Hollywood Boulevard in the process. Fans can sign up for more information through J Rock Nation. Since this will be one night only event, be sure to sign up and not miss this historic band's first American appearance!
Update: Added press release.