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"I really appreciate that blend of sincerity and fun, and it feels quite natural to me." With that in mind, your second EP ‘Queen Of Queens’ delves into complex and varied emotions of insecurity and anxiety. How do you manage to bring together these emotionally contrasting aspects? Do you ever find it difficult to maintain that equilibrium between sincerity and fun? Not at all - I truly enjoy that mix, and it comes easily to me, as I am an emotionally conflicted, anxious, and insecure person who is also quite sincere and sometimes has a good sense of humor, haha. Who would you consider your ultimate festival headliner? Me, obviously! And my friend's band, Mumbletide, because they are fantastic and really deserve to achieve great success. If there is one message you hope listeners take from your music, what would that be? Joy! Finally, DIY are coming over for dinner - what dish are you preparing? I just returned from Greece and I adore their cuisine, so I would serve stuffed vine leaves, peppers, and tomatoes as a starter; veggie moussaka with Greek salad for the main course; and for dessert, honey and nut baklava accompanied by homemade pistachio ice cream.

To promote his solo Japanese debut album, ‘HIBI’, Chanyeol launched ‘The Days’ Japan Tour, which culminated in a headlining performance at the National Convention Hall in Pacifico Yokohama. Chanyeol gained fame as a member of EXO, one of the most renowned and impactful K-pop groups in history. More recently, he has made a name for himself as an actor in K-dramas and as a solo artist with mini-albums like ‘Upside Down’ and ‘Black Out.’ He recently unveiled ‘HIBI’, marking his solo debut in Japan. In an interview with The Japan Times, he mentioned being inspired by his passion for J-pop, aiming to infuse his own style into the genre. His popularity and lasting influence in the K-pop scene across East Asia was clear as 5,000 fans filled the picturesque National Convention Hall in Yokohama, reminiscent of London's Southbank Centre. — — As the main lights dimmed, ‘Moonlight’ by EXO-K played, illuminating the audience with their glow sticks. It’s fair to say that around 80% of the crowd had glow sticks, creating a mesmerizing scene as they swayed in unison. Chanyeol opened the show with ‘Back & Forth’ and ‘Black Out.’ The latter performance was particularly thrilling as he began with an acoustic guitar, then switched to an electric guitar when the stage lights went dark, showcasing his guitar skills. The energy in the hall was immediately electrifying, and it was evident that Chanyeol thrived off this atmosphere, fully engaging with the audience on stage. A quick note on the overall concert experience in Japan: it was refreshing to see the crowd fully present, mostly without their phones. The lack of devices contributed to a more genuine and immersive concert experience, which seems to be diminishing in Europe and the US. — — Chanyeol’s songs took on a new vibrancy during the live performance, especially with the heavy rock influences featured prominently in ‘Upside Down.’ He left the stage during the instrumental outro of ‘Nothin’ by EXO-SC, allowing the incredibly talented band to take center stage and deliver an impressive rock solo. The performance showcased great versatility, as he skillfully shifted the mood with songs from ‘HIBI’ like ‘Tokyo Tower’ and the R&B-influenced track, ‘Cherry.’ During an EXO medley, Chanyeol ventured into the crowd, interacting with thrilled fans on the arena's first floor before returning to the stage to perform on his electric guitar amid bursting smoke cannons. Witnessing such a high-caliber performer was a delight. Chanyeol demonstrated his mastery as a performer, captivating the audience throughout the show. This is no surprise, given his decade-long experience performing in large arenas and stadiums with EXO. What stood out was his ability to connect with the audience in Japanese, singing, chatting, and sharing anecdotes throughout the performance without a translator. Chanyeol's solo career saw substantial growth in 2025 with the release of two mini-albums and a Japanese tour. However, he is not done yet, as EXO has announced their long-awaited return with a fan meeting in December, followed by the release of their eighth studio album in early 2026. — — Words: Adam Davidson

The Scottish band The Twilight Sad has released a new track titled 'Waiting for The Phone Call'. Their last album, 'It Won’t Be Like This All The Time', was well received.

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