At this point in your career, what motivates you to keep creating, touring, and reaching new audiences?
As long as I’m on stage, I want to keep pushing my potential, even if only a little. I’m always looking for new inspiration and want to keep giving something back to the audience.
On this tour, what was the concept behind the outfits and makeup?
We went with the outfits I wore in 2024, designed to express “beauty and decadence.” The tailoring is simple, but the silhouette stands out, and even though they’re monochrome, they have a very luxurious feel. It’s a gothic and elegant style that also allows me to perform with intensity. As a detail, the corset I wore is from Moi-même-Moitié.
When you first set foot in Latin America, what impression did you get? Was there anything about the local fans that surprised you?
It was my first time there, so I started by taking in the atmosphere of the airport and the city. What surprised me was how much everyone takes photos.
Some people felt you looked more relaxed and smiled more in Latin America than in Japan. Do you think the place brought out a new side of you?
I didn’t intentionally try to show anything different from Japan. Still, seeing everyone’s faces enjoying themselves so openly, my own expression naturally changed at times.
During the live, the distance with the fans was very short: you sang among them, went down into the crowd, and even spoke in Spanish. Was that spontaneous or planned?
Mostly spontaneous. I think there were a lot of good ad-lib moments.
Through this tour, did you realize anything new about yourself?
That even abroad, I keep my own pace, just like in Japan. There’s more, but for now, I’ll keep it to myself.
The concert in Peru also came true. For Peruvian fans, it must have been a dream moment. What memories do you have from there?
Peru, which was added, ended up being the first date. Time was really tight, there were some small troubles, and since it was my first overseas live in a long while, honestly I didn’t have much leeway. But from the start of the live to the meet & greet, everything flew by in a flash, and riding that wave, I enjoyed it immensely.
If you could learn something from Japanese fans and Latin American fans respectively, what would it be?
I don’t mean to categorize fans by country, but maybe Japanese fans are a bit more subtle. Latin American fans show their support very directly! I want to give more than 100% to every type of fan.
Were there moments when, even without sharing a language, you felt you understood each other from the heart?
Isn’t that exactly what a live is all about?
Within this tour’s setlist, was there a song that gained a new impact or deeper meaning when performed in Latin America?
With DAVID, I’d say “Stigmata.” We released it in 2019, and it had naturally faded from the set, but thanks to many requests, I was able to rediscover its appeal. From my earlier days in Megaromania, it would be “Sabbath.”
We’re also curious about your relationship off stage. Any anecdotes from the tour?
I once showed up at the wrong meeting point in a pretty big way. It was a long flight, and even with transfers, I always ended up with an aisle seat. And actually, at every show I was the only one who couldn’t use in-ears.
Do you have any personal or group routines before going on stage?
Drinking an energy drink.
As artists and as people, where would you say each member’s charm lies?
Seth’s warmth, and Kouki’s curiosity and drive to act.
On stage, when do you most feel “I’m alive right now”?
As long as I’m on stage, I feel alive.
When you receive the cheers and the eyes of the audience, what do you feel? Does it affect your performance?
Of course it does. Because a live is something we build together.
For you, what is music: a form of relief or more like a battle?
It’s the staircase of my growth and my source of power. Staying active in the scene is also a battle.
In your life so far, has there been a moment when you felt “your own voice saved you”?
If my own lyrics have taught me things, then yes.
During this tour, was there a moment you felt like a “miracle that only happened because of these members”?
By coincidence, Seth and I both went to the wrong meeting point.
Within TRIAD, who’s the most free-spirited, the most sensitive, and the funniest?
The most free-spirited, Kouki; the most sensitive, me; the funniest, Seth.
If you had to describe the backstage atmosphere in one word, what would it be?
Relaxed.
When performing abroad, is there any Japanese item, charm, or custom you always bring with you?
My regular throat medicine to keep my voice in good shape.
Among the gifts or messages fans have given you, is there one that especially stayed with you?
That they’ve kept me in their thoughts since they were kids.
Do you usually check comments or posts on social media after a live? How do you take in those reactions?
They make me happy in a very direct way.
After finishing a live, what kind of impression would you like to leave on the audience?
That they want to know more and come see us again.
How do you see the future of TRIAD? Is it a time-limited project or do you have a vision of continuity?
I’m in the position of having been invited, so if we get another offer, there might be a continuation of this tour. In that case, I’d like to create some original songs as well.
There are many fans waiting for concerts in Europe. Can you share a little about what’s next? Any country or city you’d like to visit?
Right now DAVID is on pause, so there’s nothing I can announce. But I was really happy to be able to meet overseas fans before the pause. I’ll keep working hard so that we can see each other again soon and so that some new activities can happen.
Lastly, if you could send a message to your past self, what would you say from where you are now?
I don’t have any specific words to tell him. Just that, both in the past and in the future, music will always be by my side. I guess it’s something you can never fully cut away.
Finally, a direct message for the fans in Latin America who welcomed you so warmly.
Thank you for supporting us across borders. Today we live in a time when, thanks to the internet, you can access a lot of content; even so, I believe there are still barriers when it comes to following certain things. To respond to that feeling, I’ll create music with pride. I hope visual kei won’t be seen as just something from Japan, but that from now on, we can all love it and make it grow together around the world. We’re all living in the present: be proud of what you love, and leaning on music and the people you cherish, let’s keep living together from here on.
