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LUNATIC FEST 2025 Writeup (in progress)
LUNA SEA's drummer Shinya (Yamada) made a "surprise" appearance at LUNATIC FEST 2025 after deciding to sit out from performing due to the discovery of a brain tumor several months ago. He decided to turn over the drumming duties to a long trusted friend; his former student and drum technician, Jun-ji (Sakuma) who was the drummer for SIAM SHADE (and has been support drummer for many different acts).
Doctors originally informed him that he might require the use of crutches for 3 months while undergoing chemotherapy (which began in September 2025), but he has been able to stand and walk unassisted after just the first month (back in early September, he still attended a festival in his hometown albeit in a wheelchair, and required assistance to stand for a short time to perform the opening ceremony/make a short speech). Part of me believes this rapid recovery is due to the inherent stamina required to even play the drums the way he does.
He made this appearance on day 1 of the festival (walking on stage, giving a short speech of thanks/gratitude, and announcing the bands Xmas concert where he hopes to be able to play the drums at least in a limited capacity), and did the same on day 2 (though it didn't have the same surprising/emotional effect). It was incredibly inspirational to have been able to experience this moment in person.
NOTE: excuse the raw audio vocal quality; it's basically minimally processed soundboard where you can hear how rough the vocals are (can still hear how Ryuichi's singing voice still hasn't recovered after past vocal chord surgeries). Will be interesting to hear the broadcast version in December and the future Bluray DVD release once the audio goes through its usual post-production processing.
This performance was for Triumph’s induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame at the 2025 LEGENDS, held at the Meridian Arts Centre in Toronto Canada on October 17, 2025. Rik Emmett is Triumph's original guitarist and Phil X took his place in 1992 (after Emmett left in 1988). Triumph's recently announced 2026 reunion will have Phil X joining as a supporting musician.
This performance sort of highlights how both will compliment each other during that tour; Rik has definitely lost that high end vocal range for this song but Phil is able to cover a good part of it in his own way. Emmett's guitar was also definitely lower for the solo in this live mix, but his guitar playing still sounds true to form even after being in retirement for several years now along with the arthritis in his hands (not bad for someone who is 72 years old and beat his 2024 announced prostate cancer). Watching this gave me goosebumps for sure.
Hosting (approved by Timo) this unmuted VOD (muted music audio on Twitch) with Twitch chat (out of sync delayed for 1-1.5 minutes for at least the first hour) of BOB2025 (formerly known as BOSF or the Beppu Onsen Shower Fes) for TimoInBeppu which she live streamed on August 23, 2025 JST (her guest is her friend, Vanessa). The festival started in the morning and was held at Matogahama Park/Beppu Spa Beach. This VOD has the performances for 宮迫博之, DJ O.G（三崎優太）and Marc Panther (ex-globe).
ESP Ltd M-400 Dual EMG
Live edit from Animelo Summer Live 2006 -Outride- at Nippon Budokan on 2006.7.8
Took over 18 years to make this composite edit 🥴😂. Circa 2006 (Hekiru's 300th memorial live performance at Zepp Tokyo) + 2008 cover (ESP Ltd MH which I no longer own). That show was also the last I did event staffing for.
Live opening 2024 & 2023; ONE OK ROCK began doing these opening intros into songs transition starting around 2015 or 2016 tours. 2024 is from their Premonition tour (a really heavy jam that can get the adrenalin rushing) at Ajinomoto Stadium where I transitioned it to the more pop rock jam session they did for 2023's Luxury Disease tour at Tokyo Dome, leading into the guitar cover portion.
Live performance version of their first release (November 2024) post-Sakurai Atsushi of 雷神 風神 - レゾナンス (Raijin Fujin – Resonance) that was performed at Nippon Budokan on December 29, 2024.
![(2024.12.14 The Republik, Honolulu, HI) 羊文学 [Hitsujibungaku] - First Live Concert in the U.S.](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9qa3HlsFwiU/maxresdefault.jpg)
Best Japanese Alternative Artist for the 2025 Music Award Japan (held May 2025 in Kyoto)
Setlist:
• Opening: Yokan (予感); instrumental
• Girls
• countdown
• Party wa sugusoko (パーティーはすぐそこ)
• Sabaku no Kimi e (砂漠のきみへ)
• Hikaru Toki (光るとき)
• Aimai de iiyo (あいまいでいいよ)
• Eien no Blue (永遠のブルー)
• tears
• honestly
• MAYOIGA (マヨイガ)
• Burning
• OOPARTS
• more than words
• GO!!!
• 1999
• Addiction- ENCORE -
• Jingle Bells
• FOOL
Thanks to Aizawa Toshi
![(2024.12.14 The Republik, Honolulu, HI) 羊文学 [Hitsujibungaku] - Addiction](https://img.youtube.com/vi/pqlARI3jDzE/maxresdefault.jpg)
Best Japanese Alternative Artist for the 2025 Music Award Japan (held May 2025 in Kyoto)
![(2024.3.8) 羊文学 [Hitsujibungaku] - Addiction (Official Music Video)](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AteWl40-UP8/maxresdefault.jpg)
3rd track off of their December 12, 2023 album (4th major album) "12 Hugs (Like Butterflies)".
As soon as I heard the guitar tone of the opening riff (with the distortion and "atmospheric" groove), I immediately took a liking to this song before hearing the entire thing. This official music PV released a few months later (March 8, 2024) cemented the deal.
Hitsujibungaku (formed in 2011 by Shiotsuka Moeka) is Moeka Shiotsuka (vocals, guitar), Yurika Kasai (bass) and Hiroa Fukuda (drums); on hiatus due to health issues (currently being filled in for by Yuna).