HANABIE Brings Harajuku-Core to California.
HANABIE Sold Out Ace of Spades in Sacramento 5/31/24
On May 31, 2024, I went to Ace of Spades in Sacramento, California, to take photos of Tokyo’s own Harajuku-core band ( which means combining heavy music with harajuku aesthetics), HANABIE. I was lucky enough to interview the band before the show (check it out under the “interview” tab of this website!) so I was super excited to get to take photos of them. You can see the photos HERE.
The venue was packed for the sold-out show. OUTLINE IN COLOR and LEFT TO SUFFER had whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Though I missed OUTLINE IN COLOR's performance, I was front and center for LEFT TO SUFFER. When Taylor Barber, the lead vocalist, announced, "Whoever does the craziest sh*t in the pit will get free merchandise!" it sparked absolute chaos. Shout out to the security at Ace of Spades in Sacramento! The crowd was so hyped that they chanted for a full minute after the band's last song, demanding, "One more song! One more song!"
HANABIE took the stage a few minutes early and immediately captivated us with "O TA KU Lovely Densetsu," one of my favorite songs from the band. I discovered a few YouTube videos from that night, and someone clearly caught me dancing, clapping, and screaming to the song.
When YUKINA sang "GIRL’S TALK," the band’s latest single, the crowd erupted with excitement. YUKINA’s dynamic and versatile vocal range allows her to seamlessly transition between clean singing and intense growls. Her vibrato is mesmerizing, allowing her to capture the crowd’s attention and convey whatever emotion she wants you to feel in that moment.
I was able to get up close and personal with bassist HETTSU a few times (check the photos out!) and I got some awesome photos of her absolutely shredding her bass. Her “depth-defying” baselines and her stage presence help engage the crowd and immerse them into the aesthetics of the show. MATSURI's lightning-fast guitar riffs and vocals are as intricate and impressive as expected. Her sound complements YUKINA's in a way that clearly demonstrates their long-time collaboration. CHIKA is an absolute powerhouse on the drums. She keeps the band on tempo and her drumming is a key component to the synergistic performances of HANABIE. Even though she started with the band in 2023, CHIKA’s skill and stamina make her an essential part of the band’s live shows.
The May 31st show at Ace of Spades marked the tour’s final U.S. performance. Next, they head to Poland on June 5, 2024, followed by stops in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the UK, Italy, France, and Finland—all within the month of June! Overall, I’d rate the show/tour featuring HANABIE, LEFT TO SUFFER, and OUTLINE IN COLOR at Ace of Spades a solid 9 out of 10 horns up. I'd give it a perfect score, but missing the first band's performance was a real disappointment! It’s on me, I know, but it is what it is.
5/31/24 Set list:
1. O•TA•KU Lovely Densetsu
2. NEET GAME
3. Bukkowasu!!
4. Kotoshi koso Gal~Shoka ver.~
5. Ware Amatou
6. Reiwa Matching-sedai
7. GIRL'S TALK
8. Warning!!
9. ghost mania
10. TOUSOU
11. Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu.
12. Want to TIE-UP
13. Today's Good Day & So Epic
