On February 28th, the Apollo Theatre was adorned with cherry blossoms to welcome Miku, who stopped by Paris for a concert as part of his world tour “Nyappy Party Europe – Miku Around The World“
The career of the sweetest of Japanese rock singers over the past two decades began with the band An Café in 2003. Despite occasional breaks, the band has remained a constant thread in his career, and it is still the group through which he can most regularly express himself today. The vocalist’s musical style can vary within the subgenres of Visual Kei. For example, the musical definition he attributes to his original band is “Harajuku Dance Rock” a personal variation of Oshare-kei. In another of his formations, 【Lc5】, there are rather J-rock influences closer to the traditional image of Visual Kei.
For this concert, nearly the entire setlist was composed of An Cafe songs, with just one track from【Lc5】’s repertoire making an appearance.
The night was designed to be an intimate gathering, bringing together Miku’s closest fans in a venue that held a maximum of 300 people. This setup created a shared feeling of closeness, allowing everyone in the room to fully immerse themselves in the moment.
The stage design featured five vertical screens, arranged like animated kakemono, continuously showering the venue in a gentle cascade of cherry blossom petals. The scene felt like it could have been the backdrop for a Kabuki play, until Miku himself stepped into the spotlight to open the show.
The myriad of colors filling the audience quickly came to life in a kaleidoscope of glimmers as the first notes of Ryusei Rocket echoed from the speakers, and Miku began the first anthem of the evening.The fans, who had earlier shared with us that they had been following Miku since their teenage years, threw themselves wholeheartedly into the festive atmosphere. “Ryusei Rocket” was the perfect launchpad for the night.
Alone on stage, Miku danced and sang, guiding the crowd through the choreographed concert moves for each song. His presence filled the entire venue as he made sure to cover every inch of the stage during his performance.
The night was punctuated by frequent MC segments and interactions that deepened the connection between Miku and his devoted fans. After the second song, “Kakusei Heroism” Miku read out a heartfelt message to his audience in French, specially prepared for the occasion. His pronunciation wasn’t flawless, but he playfully acknowledged this by joking that we would forgive him because of his cute face.
“Cherry Saku Yuuki!” followed, and it was perhaps the song that best matched the evening’s theme. Dressed in a pastel pink outfit, Miku blended seamlessly with the cherry blossom petals flowing across the screens. Twirling along with the music and engaging the crowd, he truly gave the feeling of performing at a Hanami festival.
Next came “Tekesuta Kousen” and “Aroma” both keeping the joyful, spring-like atmosphere alive.
“Escapism” then took the stage, bringing a more traditional depth to the Japanese rock scene while maintaining An Cafe’s signature freshness. Fans paid close attention to the shift in mood, adjusting their movements accordingly—this time incorporating headbanging into the otherwise choreographed dance routines.
The show continued with “Only You” the sole【Lc5】track of the night, well known in France as an anime opening for Beelzebub. Miku took a moment to dedicate the song to his audience, declaring that the “you” in the title referred to every single fan in the room.
This track, while grounded in classic Visual Kei elements, carried a light and romantic tone, fitting seamlessly into the setlist. It served as a reminder that Miku isn’t defined by just one project but instead possesses a distinctive artistic universe of his own.
The moment the first notes of “Sennen Dive!!!” rang out, the venue erupted into a full-blown dance festival. The energy surged as fans gave their all, jumping, shouting, and answering Miku’s calls for headbanging—driving away the lingering winter chill outside and replacing it with the warm salty air of an early summer night.
This electric atmosphere carried through the next two songs, “My Heart Leaps for ‘C’” and “Bonds” marking the concert’s emotional peak.
Miku then made an announcement that touched everyone: the arrival of the closing song, but soon we were smiling again at the thought of the new anthem awaiting us. The whole room knew that Miku would not leave his audience in a tearful state of anticipation for long, and he would do his best to leave a lasting impression at the very end of the show. Smile Ichiban ii onna was then performed, and together, with one voice and one heartbeat, we experienced what could be described as the awakening of the incandescent fire of adolescence. A fleeting and fiery flame took hold of the collective entity, blending the artist with his audience, burning the ties of society and everyday life for four minutes of carefree joy.
Like a true vehicle for the dreams and hopes of an entire generation, An Café, through its spokesperson, proves that our hearts still have the right to abandon reason and live moments of uncontrollable effervescence. Miku, with his presence alone, managed to convey emotions in everyone, reminding us of the beauty and tangy taste that still exists in our world. This intimate concert served as a reminder that the fans are still numerous and ready to gather for unforgettable moments with their favorite artists.
The editorial team of NIPPONGAKU thanks Miku not only for his presence but for the energy and wonderful moments he continues to give us after 20 years.
NYAPPY GO AROUND THE WORLD 2026?
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