City Pop Waves Proves Japan’s Retro Sound Is Still Making New Fans in London
The three Japanese artists who graced the stage for the U.K.'s City Pop Waves were Masayoshi Takanaka, Junko Yagami & Himiko Kikuchi.
Palace Bowl Presents, an open-air festival in Crystal Palace Park, South London, began in July and August with a diverse lineup featuring rock, soul, gospel, Afrobeats, electronic, and Japanese city pop. The first-ever city pop concert in the U.K. featured three Japanese artists: Masayoshi Takanaka, Junko Yagami, and Himiko Kikuchi.
Kikuchi started the concert with "Ducky Ducky," played on a Hammond organ, capturing the attention of the crowd. FLYING BEAGLE's music, released in 1977, continues to resonate with modern audiences, as evidenced by the enthusiastic response from British fans. Yagami performed "Tasogare no Bay City" in English, which led a fan from the Netherlands to sing along in support of the song.
Yagami's "TERRA" addressed global warming and war, with lyrics displayed on screen for the audience. Masayoshi Takanaka mesmerized the audience with his fusion of guitar technique and melodies, followed by an encore featuring his signature surfboard guitar. Takanaka promised to return to Wembley next year, closing the show with a wave of applause from the diverse crowd.
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