J-pop icon Kenshi Yonezu brought his first-ever world tour, JUNK, to Radio City Music Hall in New York on April 4. After a successful 16-show run in Japan, Yonezu delivered his electrifying debut performances in Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul, London, and Paris, before heading to New York and Los Angeles. Due to high demand, the New York show quickly sold out, with many American fans eagerly anticipating their first chance to see the artist live.
Since his Vocaloid days (under the stage name Hachi), Yonezu’s work has attracted many listeners with its eclectic mix of pop, rock, and electronic influences. Besides music, he is recognized as a talented, versatile artist, from designing his album covers to creating illustrations for his music videos.
New York, the city that never sleeps, was full of lively spirits on a warm Friday night, especially for this show. Attendees began snapping photos when the advertisement truck pulled up in front of the venue. Despite this, phones were put away during the show due to a strict no-recording policy. Many lined up hours before the doors opened in hopes of securing merch, which quickly sold out.
The audience was instantly on their feet the moment the lights dimmed and the heavy bass intro of “RED OUT” thundered through the speakers. Yonezu’s captivating vocals, along with his live band and dancers, created a remarkable, one-of-a-kind spectacle. Since this was a phone-free experience, the crowd remained engaged from start to finish. For instance, fans began chanting “XOXO” towards the end of the song “MARGHERITA” and clapped along for the remainder of his performances.
Yonezu began his initial greetings with, “I’m so happy to be here,” and then shared his thoughts in Japanese. He spoke about how it was his first time back in the States after fifteen years and remarked on the overwhelming turnout of the show. He marveled at how beautiful Radio City was, with all the passionate energy radiating from the audience — as he would repeatedly describe it, “圧がすごい” in his speeches.
The two-hour set showcased a blend of electronic rock tracks and heartfelt ballads. Each performance featured a backdrop displaying stunning visuals and clips from anime productions for which Yonezu composed songs. These elements added a layer of storytelling to the show, immersing fans in the experience as some were seen wiping away tears during his ballads, such as “地球儀 (Chikyugi)” and “海の幽霊 (Umi no Yuurei).” Audible gasps of delight filled the air when Yonezu performed the beloved fan favorite “Lemon,” the poignant track that became the most-watched Japanese music video on YouTube.
One of his most hyped tracks, “KICK BACK” from the Chainsaw Man series, took the anime fandom by storm. With the stage submerged in bright red lights, the crowd cheered and headbanged along to the catchy beats. During the last verse, Yonezu held onto a camera and provided the audience with a POV view, enhancing the chaotic vibes of the song.
During the encore, Yonezu thanked his band members, dancers, and staff for making the tour a reality. As the show was sadly nearing its end, his guitarist Hiroshi Nakajima (a.k.a. Naka-chan) reassured everyone that they would return soon. The final two songs included “Plazma,” showcasing a lively piano solo by Jun Miyakawa, followed by “LOST CORNER” from his latest album. As the end credits began to roll, fans were left in awe while shuffling out of the theater.
Kenshi Yonezu delivered an unforgettable performance during his first world tour. To many fans, the show was a treat that perfectly exhibited his talents as an artist. As the title of his song “さよーならまたいつか！ (Sayonara, Mata Itsuka!)” suggests, it is only a farewell for now, but we hope to see him again someday!
Words by Angela Leung
Photos by Jiro Konami
