On the 20th, Luv PARADE wrapped up their tour WAKE UP and REVOLT with an electrifying performance that left fans yearning for more. Spanning the month of January, the tour showcased the band’s dynamic energy and the path they took as artists.
Luv PARADE, consisting of TAKA (vocals), Karyu (guitar), ZERO (bass) and TSUKASA (drums), originally came together as a session band during D’ESPAIRSRAY’s tour in 2009. After the disbandment of D’ESPAIRSRAY in 2011, TAKA (defspiral) joined as a support vocalist, allowing Luv PARADE, the alter ego of D’ESPAIRSRAY, to continue performing live [READ THE WHOLE STORY]. Despite each member pursuing their own musical projects, Luv PARADE made a comeback in April 2022 after an 11-year hiatus and embarked on a tour in spring 2023. Initially known for their covers of pop songs from the West and unique interpretations of D’ESPAIRSRAY’s tunes, Luv PARADE has since evolved beyond being just a cover band (INTERVIEW HERE). On September 9th, 2023 – which happens to be the anniversary of D’ESPAIRSRAY’s formation – they released their debut original song, NEW WORLD.
On January 20th, 2024, Luv PARADE concluded their anticipated tour, WAKE UP and REVOLT, with a thrilling performance that left fans craving for more. The tour, which spanned the month of January, showcased the band’s explosive energy and the path they are taking as artists. For the grand finale, Luv PARADE took the stage with an air of anticipation. The night kicked off with the band’s brand-new music, MIDNIGHT SUN, a powerful anthem that set the tone for the evening. The energy in the room was palpable, and it was clear that Luv PARADE was ready to give their all. That night showcased, once again, the band’s interesting blend of heavy and soft components as they alternated between female pop covers such as Britney Spears’s Toxic, Lady Gaga’s Poker Face, and Céline Dion’s My Heart Will Go On, and the haunting metal industrial tunes from D’ESPAIRSRAY, including BORN, Forbidden, and DAMNED. On stage, from the setlist to their stage persona, Luv PARADE always strikes a balance between soft and heavy elements. But, this duality extends beyond the live performance. The quatuor truly embodies the dichotomy of sweetness and spice: The band’s name, which connotes a lovey-dovey idea, juxtaposed with the tour’s title, which calls for action and rebellion, perfectly encapsulates what the band represents.
No matter the cover, TAKA’s vocals and pitch infused a fresh vitality into these song renditions, making them unmistakably his own. He effortlessly switched between a clear and melodic voice and a powerful, intense scream. Guitarist Karyu, glistening with sweat, playfully engaged with the microphone, tantalizing the awestruck fans before him. He was undeniably in his element on stage, akin to a fish in water. As he strummed his guitar, his head moved rhythmically, oscillating side to side, up and down with a frenetic energy. Kudos for his body control and coordination. A standout moment of the concert was the band’s performance of INSOMNIA, a song imbued with a sensual vibe and a tribal rhythm. ZERO’s resonant and groovy bass lines harmonized flawlessly with the infectious melody, his groove transcending the ordinary and venturing into the extraordinary. The setlist continued to build momentum with covers from D’ESPAIRSRAY’s repertoire, which the crowd had eagerly anticipated. As they launched into DEVILS’ PARADE, TSUKASA’s powerful and infectious drumming resonated with the audience, captivating their attention from the first beat. The crowd cheered and sang along to the catchy chorus, while the drummer rhythmic hits became the driving force behind the band’s powerful sound. Amidst the energetic performance, a playful interlude showcased the camaraderie between the band members. ZERO kneeled in front of TAKA, only to be humorously disrupted by Karyu. Their comradeship on stage was definitely an extra layer of enjoyment to their performance. The crowd’s enthusiasm reached new heights during the performance of Forbidden as Karyu fully embraced his role on stage, blowing kisses to the audience and reciprocating their love. During the performance of MIRROR, the musicians moved to the very front of the stage while TSUKASA’s powerful drumming united the crowd in a collective headbanging frenzy in perfect synchrony. As the concert neared its end, the band members generously distributed picks to the audience as a token of appreciation. With only one pick left, ZERO engaged in a friendly game of rock-paper-scissors with three fans vying for the coveted item. Kudos to their warmth and friendliness.
During the concert, towards the end, Luv PARADE announced an exciting new tour titled JOKER (see dates below), consisting of five shows scheduled for June 2024. This announcement holds special significance for the band, as it coincides with the anniversary of their comeback in 2022. The month of June holds a special place in their hearts, and they are thrilled to celebrate it with their fans through this tour. In addition to the tour, Luv PARADE is also hard at work on new music. After the show, they shared an exciting piece of news: a highly anticipated original new music will be released later this year, which promises to showcase the band’s growth and evolution. Luv PARADE is ready to embark on the next phase of their musical journey, and they invite their fans to join them on this exciting adventure. Stay tuned for more. We early await what the future holds for Luv PARADE.
Mandah FRÉNOT
(c) VMJ
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[Luv PARADE | SETLIST]
01. MIDNIGHT SUN
02. Toxic (Britney Spears)
03. Poker Face (Lady Gaga)
04. LOVE IS DEAD (D’ESPAIRSRAY)
05. BORN (D’ESPAIRSRAY)
06. Insomnia (the Underneath)
07. BAD GUY (Billie Eilish)
08. DAMNED (D’ESPAIRSRAY)
09. My Heart Will Go On (Céline Dion)
10. Hyperballad (Björk)
11. Dub-I-Dub (Me & My)
12. DEVILS’ PARADE (D’ESPAIRSRAY)
13. BITE THE BULLET (the Underneath)
14. Forbidden (D’ESPAIRSRAY)
15. BRILLIANT (D’ESPAIRSRAY)
16. MIRROR (D’ESPAIRSRAY)
-ENCORE-
01. NEW WORLD (BUG)
02. sk8er boi (Avril Lavigne)
03. The NeverEnding Story (Limahl)
04. NEW WORLD
-ENCORE-
01. MIDNIGHT SUN
> SEE MORE PHOTOS
Photography by Yoann CLOCHON & Mandah FRÉNOT
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[LIVE-STREAMING INFORMATION]
— DATE: January 20, 2024 (Saturday)
— VENUE: Shibuya Dive
— LOCATION: Tokyo [JP]
— TIME: 16:45 (JST/UTC+09:00)
— LIVE-STREAMING: 17:00 (JST/UTC+09:00)
— FEE: ¥4,000 (tax included)
— PURCHASE: CLICK HERE
⩺ Ticket sales from Jan. 16th, 2024 (Tue) 18:00 to Feb. 19, 2024 (Monday) 21:00.
⩺ Archive viewing period (maximum): until Feb. 19, 2024 (Mon) 23:59.
⩺ For more info, visit: Luv PARADE’s official website, X (Twitter), and YouTube
▼ Stream here https://parade.zaiko.io/e/WAKEUPandREVOLT
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[Luv PARADE TOUR 2024 JOKER]
⩺ June 1st (Saturday) – Shin-Yokohama NEW SIDE BEACH!!
・ Open at 16:30 / Starts at 17:00
⩺ June 2nd (Sunday) – Nishikawaguchi Hearts
・ Open at 16:30 / Starts at 17:00
⩺ June 8th (Saturday) – Nagoya SPADE BOX
・ Open at 16:30 / Starts at 17:00
⩺ June 9th (Sunday) – OSAKA MUSE
・ Open at 16:30 / Starts at 17:00
⩺ June 16th (Sunday) – Shinjuku ReNY
・ Open at 16:15 / Starts at 17:00
※ Standing tickets: 7,000 yen (tax included)
※ Shinjuku ReNY only: Standing tickets: 7,500 yen (tax included)
※ For more info visit: Luv PARADE’s official website, X (Twitter), and YouTube
