Atarashii Gakko! ready to take on the global stage
J-Pop group Atarashii Gakko! headlined Bobapalooza 2024 at the Filinvest Grounds in February. The group comprises wellrounded members Suzuka, Rin, Mizyu, and Kanon.
Since 2017, the Japanese youth representatives explored genres such as hip-hop, jazz, techno, and rock, with hit tracks “Otonablue,” “Koi Geba,” “Suki Lie,” and “Nainainai.” Through AG’s music and videos, the artists’ quirkiness and solid cultural identity sets them apart on the global stage.
Hours ahead of their performance, Music Geek had the opportunity to interview the quartet.
Once the artists entered the hall, their gentle yet bubbly personalities already peeked through.
Suzuka led the interview and shared their goals, emphasizing their desire to reach a global audience through music.
Initially, they found satisfaction in performing in front of an audience, whether there were only one or ten people in the room. But eventually, they wanted to perform in front of a bigger assembly, “Now, it’s different. We want to perform for everyone and let them understand our music, not just in Japan, but the world.”
Furthermore, when asked what music means for the band, Atarashii Gakko! revealed that music is power. It is their means to deliver their energy to their listeners.
“We’re exploring genres, but music is mainly about expressing our energy to the listeners.”
For instance, their latest release, “Hello (from The Tiger’s Apprentice),” showcases their intent to connect with international listeners with greetings in multiple languages such as German, Chinese, English, and Spanish.
During the interview, the girls also demonstrated their commitment to serving as J-pop representatives, sharing the unique qualities that make the performers appealing to fans globally.
After the interview, the Bobapalooza attendees cheered for Atarashii Gakko! They stunned their fans with “Toryanse” wearing specially designed costumes for their Manila show.
“Seishun wo kirisaku Hado” and “Saisyu Jinrui” amplified the energy, leaving the audience in awe with their impressive vocals and choreography. With its playful rhythmic beats, “Candy” had the concert-goers automatically join the group’s choreography, raising their hands and bopping along.
“The Edge” and “Giri Giri” induced a spellbinding moment while fans admired their vocals. And as soon as the intro of “Tokyo Calling” played, everyone chanted along with the band. AG members did not miss a beat and delivered outstanding performances.
In classic Suzuka humor, the singer called out to everyone possibly watching the show, even the audience in establishments from a great distance. “Crimson Hotel, are you having fun?! Bobapalooza, are you having fun?!” They then proceeded with hit tracks “Koi Geba” and “Otonablue.”
Halfway through the set, they performed “Freaks,” “Nainainai,” and “Fantastico,” which elevated the liveliness at the event grounds.
Accordingly, during the “Pineapple Kryptonite” performance, a fan thoughtfully gifted the artists with an actual pineapple, which they even used it as part of their choreography.
The musicians performed “Intergalactic (original cover)” and “Free Your Mind” to conclude the festival. As they were about to bid their farewells, Suzuka made one more effort to connect with the fans as she boldly approached the crowd at the edge of the stage. Despite the demanding choreographies, they sustained their energy proficiently.
Ultimately, AG listeners are in for a treat as the group will perform in festivals such as Coachella in April and Head In The Clouds New York in May.
Atarashii Gakko! is just getting started. Fans can look forward to seeing the band more as they are to release more exciting music this year.