With the ongoing rise of Japanese metal, it was only a matter of time before HANABIE. finally came back to the UK, and the time finally arrived yesterday. The general admission queue was already spanning around the street around six in the evening, a whole thirty minutes before the doors, as the fans were excited to see their favourite band. Featuring Yukina on vocals, Matsuri on guitars and vocals, Hettsu on bass and backing vocals and Chika on drums, the Harajuku-core band was formed in 2015 and celebrates a ten year anniversary this year.
At the last stop of the UK leg of the tour at Electric Brixton, HANABIE. were supported by the Italian-British band Lake Malice, for whom this was the last date on the tour.
Lake Malice
As soon as the doors opened, the venue became busy, as the night was sold out. Many fans’ first stop was the merchandise stall in the standing section, as HANABIE. brought their infamous merchandise gacha, and everyone tried their luck on the prize eggs. When the lights went off, Lake Malice took over the stage in their own, aggressively energetic fashion, and all fans started cheering. Since the members Alice Guala (vocals), Blake Cornwall (guitars) and Emily Ainger (drums) swiftly started their first song, it was clear their set was not an ordinary one, with Alice’s aggressive vocals and Blake’s high jumps. The band played their latest singles Scatterbrain and Nobody Wants To Be You, as well as their older songs like Mitsuko, Blossom and Stop The Party. A big surprise of the evening was an unreleased song from the band’s upcoming debut album, that received big ovations and love from the audience – and rendered Alice very emotional for a minute. The band also reminded the crowd that their shows are always a safe space for everyone right before one of their well-known songs Creepers, to a big support from the fans once again. The Brighton-based trio left the stage with big applause and cheers from the crowd, indicating they were a perfect support band to start the unforgettable evening.
HANABIE.
As Lake Malice was the only support band of the evening, it meant only one thing – it was finally time for HANABIE. to bring their J-pop metalcore hardcore punk to London. Once the lights dimmed, all fifteen-hundred people started cheering for their favourites, and it was only a matter of time before Yukina, Matsuri, Hettsu and Chika ran onto the stage and started playing their first song Warning!!!. The energy in the venue changed instantly as everyone started singing, dancing and jumping, and as the band continued with their songs Bucchigiri Tokyo and Spicy Queen, the enthusiasm only increased. Although the members’ English was not perfect, it did not stop them from talking to the crowd in between songs and interacting, and it only made the set more special. At one point Hettsu brought onto the stage a can of British beer only to drink most of it in one sip, to the support of everyone present. As the evening swiftly progressed, the band played songs like Meta-moru-phose!, Ware Amatou, Kotoshi koso Gal~Shoka ver.~, GIRL’S TALK and Reiwa Matching-sedai, and Yukina’s raw vocals only became more aggressive with each song, with the devotion of the fans who knew the lyrics word-to-word.
As the night was their last one in the United Kingdom before starting their EU leg with a new support band, Hettsa welcomed all members of Lake Malice onto the stage to thank them and celebrate the successful debut tour with them. Alice, Blake and Emily were emotional as they received presents from the headliner, as well as glasses to drink with them, and this wholesome moment was celebrated by the audience as well. After that, the set continued swiftly, with the songs GAMBLER, Choujigen Galaxy, NEET GAME, TOUSOU, Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu. and Today’s Good Day & So Epic being the last few before the end of the night. As HANABIE. left the stage, all fans started chanting for an encore, and they were indeed heard with the last song of the night, O•TA•KU Lovely Densetsu. After that, the band expressed their deepest gratitude to the amazing crowd they received on another sold out headlining performance in the capital and left the stage to a massive applause that was more than deserved.
Waiting for Setlist.fm updated setlist
HANABIE.’s performance brought tears of happiness to many fans present at the concert, as their enthusiasm, energy and passion were seeping into every corner of Electric Brixton. Coupled with the power-house and one of the most prominent bands of the British metal scene that is Lake Malice, a dull night was never an option. If anything, it is only a proof that Japanese metal bands are always welcomed in the home of music that is London.
