YOSHIKI to Be the First Japanese Artist to Headline Historic Venues Including Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and More in a Classical World Tour with Orchestra!

Japanese rock artist YOSHIKI's highly-anticipated 2023 classical world tour was announced at the GRAMMY Museum® yesterday May 15.

During a press conference attended by U.S. and international media, YOSHIKI – composer, classically-trained pianist, rock drummer, and leader of rock bands X JAPAN and THE LAST ROCKSTARS – revealed details of the upcoming tour, titled Yoshiki Classical 10th Anniversary World Tour with Orchestra 2023 "REQUIEM".

YOSHIKI will perform a series of classical concerts with orchestra this October, headlining shows at Tokyo Garden Theater (Tokyo), Royal Albert Hall (London), Dolby Theater (L.A.), and Carnegie Hall (New York). This tour will be the first time a Japanese artist has headlined all these historic venues. The concerts will celebrate the tenth anniversary of his Yoshiki Classical album which reached #1 on iTunes Classical charts in 10 countries.

YOSHIKI will perform his new compositions, orchestral performances of his chart-topping songs from X Japan and his new groups, and pieces by classical composers Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff. The tour will also feature several special guest performers to be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to his groundbreaking world tour, YOSHIKI will release his latest single, "Requiem", on July 21. X Japan's first single in eight years, "Angel", will be released on July 28. YOSHIKI was invited by the GRAMMY Museum to make the announcements at a performance and conversation event hosted by the museum's Chief Curator and VP of Curatorial Affairs Jasen Emmons. During the event YOSHIKI had also released a teaser video for “REQUIEM” which can be viewed below!

Be sure to check out all the information for YOSHIKI’s Upcoming World Tour below!

Yoshiki Classical 10th Anniversary World Tour with Orchestra 2023 Requiem

Tokyo Garden Theater

Tokyo, Japan

Performances: October 7-9, 2023

Ticket information (Japan time)

YOSHIKI Card Holder and Membership-Only Pre-Sale:

Tue. 5/16 12:00 - Sun. 5/28 23:59: Yoshiki Rakuten Card (first tier)

Mon. 5/29 12:00 - Sun. 6/4 23:59: Yoshiki Rakuten Card (second tier)

Mon. 6/5 12:00 - Sun. 6/11 23:59: Yoshiki Visa / Yoshiki MasterCard pre-sale / UDO Premium Members

Mon. 6/12 12:00 - Sun. 6/18 23:59: Yoshiki Mobile / Yoshiki Channel / UDO Members

Mon. 6/19 12:00 - Sun. 6/25 23:59: Overseas residents / Team Yoshiki / Lawson

Sat. 7/1 15:00 - General On Sale

https://l-tike.com/yoshiki-classical/

---

Royal Albert Hall

London, UK

Performance: October 13, 2023

Tickets on sale:

Thursday, May 18 at 10:00am (UK time) – Royal Albert Hall Friends & Patrons pre-sale

Friday May 19 at 10:00am (UK time) - General on sale

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2023/yoshiki

---

Dolby Theatre

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Performance: October 20, 2023

Tickets on sale: Tuesday, May 16 at 10:00am USA PT

https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/09005EABD2E95718

---

Carnegie Hall – Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage

New York, NY, USA

Performance: October 28, 2023

Tickets on sale: Tuesday, May 16 at 1:00pm USA ET

https://www.carnegiehall.org/calendar/2023/10/28/yoshiki-classical-0800pm

“YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X” Join us! You’re the next super star! Go global together! “Nothing is Impossible!”

With the strongest members from Japan to the world, a boy band audition to discover the next superstar - produced by YOSHIKI.

YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X

We’ve got massive response, with some days receiving about 1,000 applications! With number of demands for extension of the application period, we’ve decided to accept additional applicants! Group (multiple-member) application is also accepted!

The detail of the audition is being revealed gradually!Two groups may debut - a dance & vocal group, and a band. Worldclass specialists from different genre will be gathered as a training team! YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X YOSHIKI as a producer, the audition to find and develop the world’s next iconic a boy band will be accepting additional applicants starting noon on Monday, April 11. This time in response to many inquiries, applicant as a band or a group is also accepted. During the online meeting on March 31 between YOSHIKI in LA and NTV audition staff broadcasted live on YOSHIKI CHANNEL, they discussed about the day they received about 1,000 applications in a single day, and also about the messages they were receiving such as “application period is too short,” “I’m not sure what kind of video to take,” and so on. In response, YOSHIKI brought up an idea of additional call for application, and the details were released today.

Also during the program, YOSHIKI expressed his vision about the group saying, “I have a feeling two different groups may debut; a dance & vocal group and a band.” He also said, “After meeting applicants in person, my ideas may change - and in that sense, this audition is a collaboration of applicants and us.” He also quoted about his detailed plans about their debut, “At this point, we’re looking at the timing sometime between the end of this year and spring, and I also want to prepare the right stage for that day.”

About the training team for the group, YOSHIKI says “I’m reaching out to worldwide specialists in various genre: for instance, people like fashion experts and voice trainers.” YOSHIKI has lived in Hollywood for some time and has a wide network of contacts worldwide, and therefore a strongest team possible is planned to be put together. YOSHIKI seems to be gradually watching the performances of the applicants. He comments,“Maybe I can set aside some time to watch all the performances with a hachimaki wrapped around my head (laugh)!” He also shared his surprising episode of him meeting an applicant who was a staff of the restaurant he went in LA.

For upcoming auditions, he’s now trying to set his schedule so that he can meet the applicants in person. As of the selection criteria, according to YOSHIKI, “ I will be cooperating with specialists of each genre, but I am an artist myself and also a producer, and I do wide range of music from rock to classic. So, for instance, I may notice something other great producers may not notice. From the perspective as a rock musician, I may find things in a dance & vocal group which professional dancers may not find. I have confidence in my keen eye for finding new talent.”

To this day, YOSHIKI has challenged “the existing concept of what is normal” and created a new era. With his keen eye to find true talent, this time as a producer, we can’t wait to see how he will deal with the applicants, with what kind of criteria he uses for selection, and finally, what kind of a boy band he will produce – this reality show sets itself apart from the many other audition programs looking for new talents.

With strongest members from Japan to the world – YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X – YOSHIKI as a producer, this competition series will be aired on “Sukkiri” and “Gyoretsu no dekiru sodanjo” (NTV) and also streamed on Hulu.

Please check our official website for details on additional applications, beginning noon on Monday, April 11.

≪YOSHIKI’s comment≫

Thank you for all of you who already applied. We are finding lots of wonderful performances. As I have experienced, going through audition is a tough procedure, forcing you to compete. You need to be strong mentally, and there will be number of challenges you’ll face. It’s so easy to give up, but including myself, I chose the tough way and moving forward on this path. I look forward to meeting such people through this audition.

As in the title “Superstar,” our staff and I are all working together so we can bring out a superstar to the world, so even if you aren’t sure about yourself, please don’t hesitate! I am so excited to meet all of you.

≪Audition Outline≫

Audition name: “YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X”

First recruitment for a boy band: March 1 ~ March 31, 2022 (application now closed)

Additional recruitment for a boy band: Monday, April 11 noon ~ Friday, May 20 23:59

Official website: https://yoshikisuperstar.com/en/

Official Twitter: @ yoshiki_s_star

Official Instagram: @yoshikisuperstar

Official TikTok: @yoshikisuperstar

Olympic Figure Skater Used Yoshiki's Composed “MIRACLE” in the Beijing 2022 Olympics!

Mana Kawabe, representing Japan in figure skating at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, will be free skating to "Miracle", composed by YOSHIKI, this past week on February 17.

Originally written and composed in Italian by YOSHIKI as a classical song, "Miracle" also opens his band X Japan’s live shows. In 2018, a collaboration version was released with world-famous soprano Sarah Brightman. The combination of the majestic, beautiful melody with Brightman's powerful singing voice brought "Miracle" to Top 10 Classical Music charts in 15 countries.

Last night, YOSHIKI posted a New York Times article on his Twitter account. Along with touching upon the problems occurring in the Olympic figure skating world and adding "Hope everything goes well for everyone", he sent out some "miracle power" with the following statement: "There has been a lot of big news about the Beijing 2022 Olympic figure skating competitions here in the United States. To all the Japanese athletes, I am supporting you from America. Mana Kawabe will be free skating using 'Miracle', a song which I composed. I would be happy if 'Miracle' could provide her with strength."

Songs composed by YOSHIKI have been used by a number of championship skaters. In 1993, US athlete Midori Ito performed using X Japan's "Rose of Pain", while Mai Asada performed using "Amethyst". From 2015 to 2016, Daisuke Murakami used "Anniversary", which is a congratulatory song for the 10th anniversary of His Majesty the Emperor's coronation. Yamato Tamura, who represented Japan at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, is famously a big fan of X Japan, loving to use both "Kurenai" and "Amethyst" for his exhibitions.

Be sure to check out her previous performance of the track below!

YOSHIKI FOUNDATION AMERICA Teams with MusiCares® on $100,000 Annual Grant Supporting Mental Health with Focus on Suicide Prevention and Awareness!

In March 2021, YOSHIKI donated $100,000 in support of mental health to MusiCares®, a partner of the Recording Academy® and the leading music charity, to help music creators and industry professionals affected by depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health concerns.

Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares, said "We are so thankful to YOSHIKI and Yoshiki Foundation America for their continued support of MusiCares. This annual grant will help us continue to provide important mental health services to the music people we serve. Artists, bands, stage and touring crews and so many others in the music industry have been greatly impacted by the pandemic. It is our responsibility to support them with the necessary services to help them make it through these difficult times."

Yoshiki said, "If I didn’t have music and my fans’ support, I could have easily been the one to take my own life like the people who were close to me, including my father and my band member. I’d like to not only contribute from my experience but try to support those in need. It’s such an honor to be working closely with MusiCares on these issues."

Yoshiki Foundation America’s annual grant of $100,000 to MusiCares will be used to help those in the music industry in need of assistance in the following ways:

● Assist music professionals in receiving individual psychotherapy, psychiatric care, inpatient and outpatient services, and group therapy

● Expanded mental health educational content will be available through workshops and panels offered throughout the year

● Sponsor an annual moderated panel about Suicide Prevention and Education

● Panel will include YOSHIKI, invited guests, therapists, educators, artists, and experts on suicide prevention and education, and will be live streamed on musicares.org and yoshikifoundationamerica.org

YOSHIKI to Receive Prestigious Japanese Medal of Honor for Distinguished Charitable Works!

YOSHIKI’s Medal of Honor

On March 9, 2021, the Japanese Government announced that rock star YOSHIKI has been awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor for his numerous charitable works, including his support of frontline medical professionals during the ongoing crisis.

YOSHIKI received the Medal with the Dark Blue Ribbon, which is awarded to individuals who have made exceptionally generous financial contributions to the national government, local governments, and public entities.

YOSHIKI commented, "I am very honored to receive the Medal of Honor. I hope to continue supporting these efforts in the future. I would be grateful if the circle of charity would expand further through these activities. Thank you very much."

Last April, YOSHIKI donated 10 million yen (appx. $100,000) to Japan's National Center for Global Health and Medicine through his 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Yoshiki Foundation America. The Center researches infectious and autoimmune diseases, including the ongoing pandemic. YOSHIKI's swift action to support medical personnel fighting on the front lines inspired other celebrities, who moved to make their own donations to aid the collective national effort. YOSHIKI also donated $100,000 to the pandemic Relief Fund in the U.S. established by the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs and its charitable foundation MusiCares to help music artists and professionals affected by the pandemic. 

Also in 2020, YOSHIKI donated 10 million yen (appx. $100,000) to the Japan Red Cross in commemoration of the ninth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and donated a total of $24,000 to Meals on Wheels branches across Los Angeles for seniors affected by the  crisis.  He has supported numerous other humanitarian causes around the world, including donating $100,000 to disaster relief for Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas in 2017. In recognition of his active philanthropy and influence, YOSHIKI was selected as one of Forbes Asia’s 30 Heroes of Philanthropy in 2019.

For those interested be sure to check out YOSHIKI FOUNDATION AMERICA here!