Japan's hottest export, WagakkiBand has been announced as the Anime Expo 2015 Guest of Honor. They will perform their first U.S. show as part of the “Anime Expo Presents Cool Japan Festival” on Saturday, July 4th, 2015 at Club Nokia L.A. LIVE. Anime Expo is the largest Japanese cultural event in North America with over 220 thousand attendees over the course of the 4-day event. WagakkiBand is an 8-piece band that fuses Shigin, poetry recitation rooted in Japanese traditional performing arts, Wagakki, traditional Japanese musical instruments, and rock music to bring a fresh and yet authentically Japanese live show. Their YouTube smash hit,“Senbonzakura” has over 21 million views and counting and their latest single, “Ikusa/Nadeshiko Sakura” is the theme song for the anime TV show adaptation of Koei’s “Samurai Warriors.”
Front woman Yuko Suzuhana is in fact the champion of a nationwide Shigin contest. Backing Suzuhana are 7 members playing traditional instruments including Shakuhachi (bamboo flute), Shamisen (3 string guitar like instrument), Koto (Japanese Harp), and Taiko (Japanese drum).
They released their debut album Vocalo Zanmai in 2014, which hit Top 10 twice during a 22 week stay in the Top 100 of Japan's Oricon weekly charts. While their video "Senbonzakura" hit 10 million views within a few months of release.
The band's performances in Japan historically sell out on the same day the tickets were released and their performance in Paris was the highlight of the 15th Japan Expo to over 4,000 fans.
Ticket prices for their US debut on July 4, 2015 will start at $50 and are available via the Anime Expo website: Anime-Expo.org
Premier Fans who wish to apply their included ticket to this event can make their request here. Please note that Premier Fans who request General Admission (Floor/Balcony) tickets will be allowed early access with Pit ticketholders.