Korean rock band Rolling Quartz is closing out their 2025 America tour and stopped by San Francisco as part of it. The Great American Music Hall, in the heart of the Tenderloin, played host.
When it comes to South Korean music, many of us might think of groups like New Jeans, BTS, Stray Kids, Blackpink, Twice, and many others. Not so many rock acts make it internationally but tonight we have a stellar example of one.
Read more: Live Report: Rolling Quartz on Tour in San Francisco
Two months ago, a couple of shows popped up on my radar out of nowhere. Dethklok. BABYMETAL. Dragonforce. Nekrogoblikon. That's a lot of names, and they were all coming to San Francisco in some sort of unholy collision. This would be a new extension of the Babyklok tour that I finished last fall. I went to both of the finale shows at Los Angeles' YouTube Theater, and now we're back for more.
Read more: The Babyklok Tour returns: Dethklok and BABYMETAL at the Masonic in San Francisco
YOASOBI is hot off their first weekend of performances at Coachella. The festival has become a mainstay of California music for quite a while, and they've been bringing more and more Japanese acts.
Now, personally, I prefer solo shows over festivals. At a festival you're given anywhere between 30 minutes, maybe 60 at max, and that'd be a long set. It can feel a bit rushed and you're limited to how many songs you can do. I will admit festivals do allow you to see a bunch of acts in one weekend, and maybe discover new ones you hadn't seen before. A solo show, on the other hand, allows you to do what you want, set up as you want, and gives you a lot more flexibility and creative control. You can really go over the top.
YOASOBI at the Shrine Auditorium was exactly that. They pulled out the stops.
Read more: Concert Report: YOASOBI at The Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall
Night one of Coachella had the back to back combo of YOASOBI and Hatsune Miku. Coachella, out in the deserts of Indio, California, has been bringing over a number of Japanese talents for the past few years. Previous years have featured Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Perfume, Joji, Utada Hikaru, and more.
Read more: YOASOBI and Hatsune Miku at Coachella 2024 Report
The Nippon Budokan is one of Japan's storied venues. Originally built for the 1964 summer Olympics, it has also functioned as a concert hall for many famous names. The Beatles, KISS, X Japan, Mariah Carey, and many others have played upon its stage. And now? Nemophila.
Read more: NEMOPHILA 5th Anniversary at the Nippon Budokan - Live Concert Report
Page 3 of 10