The Japanese duo YOASOBI recently spoke with CLASH about their debut performances in London, supporting Coldplay, and their desire to enjoy a “really great tasting drink.”
A decade ago, Ikura was performing in the streets of Japan while passersby largely ignored her. Now, her band YOASOBI has just headlined two nights at Wembley Arena, captivating 10,000 fans singing along.
The journey for the duo, comprised of composer Ayase and vocalist Ikura, has been remarkable. They have headlined the Tokyo Dome, gained international acclaim with hits like ‘Idol’ and ‘Monster,’ and supported Coldplay on their ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour.
Having played at Coachella and sold out shows across the US, it's now Europe's turn to witness the YOASOBI sensation.
During their inaugural UK shows, the Japanese band felt right at home, taking the vibrant audience on a thrilling 90-minute ride. Describing a YOASOBI concert is challenging because it’s a distinct experience that must be experienced live.
UK audiences have embraced Japanese music, which is more popular than ever, as evidenced by YOASOBI’s two extraordinary shows at Wembley Arena. Additionally, heavy metal band Babymetal recently made history as the first Japanese artists to headline and sell out a performance at the O2 Arena, alongside superstar Ado’s upcoming show there this month.
After the concert, Ayase took to Instagram to express his appreciation for the experience and his affection for London following their two headline shows. He mentioned that YOASOBI plans to return to London and hopes to perform at a stadium next time.
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CLASH: I loved the concert! It was your first time performing in London… How was the experience?
Ikura: It was amazing because it was heartwarming to see so many people who had been waiting for us to come to a place so far from Japan. While I was singing, I could see everyone’s expressions, and they were singing in Japanese as well. Even though they might not be native speakers, they were singing along, which was wonderful. It was the best!
Were there any surprises during your first European shows at Primavera and London?
Ayase: It was fantastic. It was also our first time in Barcelona. Since Primavera is a festival, I assumed there were many in the audience who might not know who YOASOBI was, so we felt a bit nervous before our performance there.
In the end, it went wonderfully; the crowd seemed to enjoy our set, dancing and really engaging physically. It became a treasured memory for us and helped boost our confidence on the international stage. After Wembley, we felt a strong desire to do more solo shows abroad.
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Since it was your first visit to London, did you have time to explore the city? If so, what was your favorite part?
Ikura: We haven't seen much of London yet, but we’re staying a bit longer, so we’re hoping to visit some sites. We tried some curry, but that’s not to say it was a highlight! We plan to go to Beyond Retro [a vintage clothing shop in London] and play some ping-pong to create more memories.
I loved the moment you took out the guitar for the encore, it was fantastic! Given the UK’s rich rock and roll history, do you have any favorite bands or influences from here?
Ikura: In regard to rock and roll and legendary musicians, I’ve definitely been influenced by icons like The Beatles. More immediately, I can’t name many, but a couple come to mind: Ed Sheeran, and although she’s not British, Taylor Swift. Both artists perform with guitars on stage, and their music has greatly influenced me. It was an honor to play electric guitar in the UK.
You supported Coldplay in Tokyo during their ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour in 2023… Did that experience help you prepare for larger crowds?
Ayase: Yes, definitely. The timing of that guest performance with Coldplay was just before our own concerts at the Tokyo Dome, so we learned a lot from that experience, which prepared us for our own big stage. Coldplay fans are very musically engaged and energetic; if we put something out to them, they responded with such enthusiasm. It was a beautiful moment filled with love, which gave us the confidence to perform on our own biggest stages.
At the end of the show yesterday, Ikura, you recalled playing on the streets with your guitar at 14 and performing at small venues where no one paid attention… When did you realize people were beginning to notice you?
Ikura: I shared that story because it marked ten years since that part of my life, highlighting how far we’ve come. To clarify, I began performing on the streets ten years ago, and throughout high school, I received some recognition as people stopped to listen and bought CDs. While in high
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The Japanese duo YOASOBI talks with CLASH about their initial performances in London, their role as a supporting act for Coldplay, and their desire to create a “really great tasting” experience.