Interview with HYDE: Japanese Super Star to Rock the US

HYDE, one of Japan’s most celebrated rockers, is returning to the United States for what is sure to be an electrifying spectacle the which many attendees of the show will have never experienced before. This highly anticipated tour will be accompanied by renowned acts such as In the Moment, Sevendust, and Light the Torch as well as his attendance at music festivals and headline shows in select cities throughout this legendary tour. Alongside HYDE’s upcoming return to the US, he will also be releasing his new album “anti” digitally to coincide with this tour. TreasureBox PRESS has been given the opportunity to discuss the upcoming tour with the man himself as anticipation builds for the U.S. invasion.


What do you think is required for Japanese music to succeed in Western markets?

Obviously English is necessary, but other than that, you need a serious enthusiasm for exploring.

Also, showing consideration for and prioritizing others before yourself is the national characteristic of the Japanese people as a whole, so in general, they tend to be too timid compared to the people of other countries.

As an international artist, we imagine you’ve experienced your fair share of unforeseen issues when touring abroad. If you could give any advice to artists who are about to tour outside their home country, what would it be?

It would be good to calmly and objectively understand the differences between themselves and the local artists, regardless of whether the differences are good or not, or if you decide to embrace them or not.

What is the biggest challenge when touring internationally?

Making sure my sensibility resonates with people all over the world.

American audiences are often stereotyped as being unreceptive to media that is unfamiliar or not easily accessible. When performing for American audiences who have never heard of your work, do you feel any resistance from the crowd?

I do understand that that is the general stereotype, but personally, I haven’t felt any resistance before.

What factors are you considering while preparing the set list for the upcoming US tour? Since your upcoming album “anti” was announced to have an early digital release prior to your US tour, will any English versions of the Japanese tracks on your upcoming album be performed on the road?

I decide on what I want to do based on what I want to express in my own way, while also considering the demographics of the audience and the reactions/feedback that we get in the U.S.

I decided to do the digital release of the album specifically for this tour.

For the most part, when I perform outside of Japan, all of the songs will be in English.

The music video for “AFTER LIGHT” grabs the viewers attention immediately because of neon colors and striking gothic flair that has been perceived as very Marilyn Manson-inspired. Since Marilyn Manson has been open about working with Japanese musicians such as Yoshiki, who you have also worked alongside on songs like “ZIPANG” and Yoshiki’s “RED SWAN”, do you desire or plan to collaborate with Marilyn Manson on any future projects?

Working with Marilyn Manson would be cool~.  I think artists like Lady Gaga would also go well with me and my music.

What is the highlight of your headline show?

I’ll be putting on a show with a high level of completion that I’ve been perfecting during the tour in Japan.

These shows will be like an away game for me, but I think you’ll be able to see something unexpected and extraordinary.

TreasureBox PRESS would like to thank you so much for your time and for providing answers to our burning questions in anticipation of the HYDE US Tour 2019. For fans of HYDE and for audience members who will be hearing you for the first time alongside In This Moment, Sevendust, and Light the Torch, do you have anything you’d like to say?

I finally made it back to the U.S.

This is just the beginning!

After seeing my shows, I think you’ll leave thinking Japanese bands are not at all bad.


For all the fans eagerly awaiting the return of HYDE, but are unsure which cities the Japanese Super Star will be conquering as well as the curious onlookers hungry for more of his striking Japanese rock style, all of the dates are provided below.

Article written by:

Rock music enthusiast who studies Japanese and wants to spread Japanese music across the globe!

%d bloggers like this: