Last night, Japanese pop sensation Yoasobi graced the stage at Resorts World Ballroom for the very first time, putting on an exhilarating show to 5,500 fans. The night started off with a banger, yoru ni kakeru, a hit that took the world by storm not too long after its release in 2019.
Fans cheered loudly song after song without fail as Ikura san and Ayase san, together with their band members, Yamamoto Hikaru (bassist), Misohagi Zaikuro (keyboardist), AssH (guitarist) and Honogumo (drummer), ignited the stage with their incredible energy and music. And it wasn't just the music that amazed us; the laser lights and dynamic background visuals were certainly a feast for the eyes too.
Yoasobi continued to deliver tracks like Yasashii Suisei, Haruka, Tabun, Another Yume wo Nazotte one after another, including the recent Pokémon track Biri-Biri. Finally, for die-hard fans in the know, there was absolutely no doubt that the night would climax with none other than the viral hit, Idol, bringing the amazing show to an unforgettable close.
Beyond the big name Yoasobi, just how well do we know the Japanese duo? Today, we had the privilege of getting up close and personal with Ikura san and Ayase san to recap their Singapore concert, uncover the source of their inspiration and get a glimpse into their personalities offstage. Read on for the inside scoop!
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Yoasobi means ‘nightplay’, but in real life, are you both really night people? Or are you morning people?
I&A: We are both night owls! (laughs)
The concept of turning novels into music actually came from two of our managers who said to us, “why don't you create a unit that adapts and converts novels into music?” And that’s how we started.
You started writing songs based on short stories, where did this idea come from?
A: In terms of the members involved in the musical activities of Yoasobi, the performers you see on stage are not the entire team. There are altogether six people that are heavily involved in the musical activities, this includes one of our managers that is involved in the planning of our musical activities. The concept of turning novels into music actually came from two of our managers who said to us, “why don't you create a unit that adapts and converts novels into music?”, and that’s how we started.
The way we create our music is different because the story and the novel already exist.
A: I like creating music from scratch and there are more steps involved in our music creation process. The way we create our music is different because the story and the novel already exist. Firstly, I must take in and absorb the story through my filter and interpret it in my own ways to produce my music. Then, Ikura san will listen to it and use her imagination to understand what the character in the song is feeling. And then she will record it.
...all my inspirations are all linked to events that take place in my daily life.
Besides novels, do you guys get inspiration from other sources as well?
I: Yes, my inspiration also comes from manga and movies that I read and watch. However, at the same time, the inspiration just pops up out of the blue as I am taking my walks or as I’m watching the sunset outside, or even when I’m talking to people. And when there’s a good exchange between myself and the person I’m talking to, that's when the inspiration hits me and I think, oh yeah, I want to make music about this. What is common in both sources – manga and conversations – is that all my inspirations are all linked to events that take place in my daily life.
Your debut yoru ni kakeru became a big hit in no time when it was released in 2019 – did the rapid success in the last 4 years feel surreal, and did it take some time to get used to the fame?
I: The debut was made towards the end of 2019 that coincided with the pandemic and at that time, many people stayed home most of the time. And because of this, we couldn't feel that we were getting famous as we couldn’t meet people and most activities were online as well. We didn't feel much change in our lives. However, once Covid ended, we were able to hold live concerts, and our music started getting into global rankings in different countries. It is only then that we started to feel that we were actually getting recognised. But mostly it is through the live performances that I feel the impact the most.
A: Yes, I do feel that we are moving forward as a group. However, I don’t want to see this as our ultimate success because once I start feeling that way, it means I've already reached the goal. And that is not how I am feeling right now.
Yoasobi has released an English EP which is quite rare for Japanese artists to do, and your English EP actually mirrors the Japanese version very well. What is your main approach to translation considering the nuances of both languages?
I: Koni-san is our translator. He puts a lot of emphasis on retaining the sound and rhythm of the Japanese lyrics and maintaining the meaning after it is translated to English. Koni-san is an amazing person.
I just get out of my house, and beyond the door awaits my audience and my live performance starts.
About your concert, how do you maintain so much energy during the concert? It’s really amazing how you can sustain that power for so long. Are there any special rituals that you guys do to prepare yourself for the stage?
A: As a composer, my day to day work involves working with my computer. I don’t really need to use much energy when composing songs, I use more mental energy. So the live stage is a place where I can emit all the energy that has accumulated within me and have the audience capture it and throw it back to me. I don’t have to do anything to sustain the energy, it comes out naturally. There are no particular rituals, I am a very natural person. I just get out of my house, and beyond the door awaits my audience and my live performance starts. I enjoy the change in mode between daily life and stage life.
I: Before going on stage, we will form a circle with all the members and we will cheer to unite our energy before going up on stage. Personally, there are a few things I do prior to the live performance. I rehearse the entire setlist at one go so I will get used to the energy level required. I also make sure I get enough sleep, eat well, practise my vocals and meditate before going up on stage so that the moment I encounter the audience I will be able to maintain my composure and be my natural self.
Since this is your first Singapore concert, what were your feelings before and after?
I: We have been receiving messages from our Singapore fans through social media so we know the fanbase exists but we had no idea how the fans will react to us live – what kind of people are they? But as we went up on stage, they welcomed us very enthusiastically and we were very happy about that.
Have you guys had any chance to try the local dishes in Singapore yet?
I: Yes! We tried pandan cake and chicken rice. It was absolutely delicious! Shiok! (laughs)
We have deep love for the music, and are releasing songs that we both can present with confidence based on our playfulness as musicians.
What do you think is Yoasobi’s charm?
A: There are many charms, but our forte is that we can take on different genres of music. We are actually borderless and not constrained to one type of music. Although Ikura san and I are very different, we are both very playful. We have deep love for the music, and are releasing songs that we both can present with confidence based on our playfulness as musicians.
Please keep listening to our music so that we will be able to come back and perhaps be able to perform at a bigger venue.
Lastly, is there a message you want to tell your Singapore fans?
I: Once again, thank you everyone for all the love you have given us. It is your love that made our Singapore concert possible. We definitely want to come back to Singapore again so please continue to listen to our music. The more support we have, the happier it truly makes us! We will continue to make more music passionately.
A: Thank you very much for all your support. I am very happy to be able to see the faces of our Singapore fans during our concert. We want to continue to make music that the Singapore fans can be excited about. Please keep listening to our music so that we will be able to come back and perhaps be able to perform at a bigger venue.
