Skip to main content
 
  • Recording Academy
  • GRAMMYs
  • Membership
  • Advocacy
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
  • Advocacy
  • Membership
  • GRAMMYs
  • Governance
  • Jobs
  • Press Room
  • Events
  • Login
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
  • More
    • MusiCares
    • GRAMMY Museum
    • Latin GRAMMYs

The GRAMMYs

  • Awards
  • News
  • Videos
  • Music Genres
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Music Genres
    • Recording Academy

Latin GRAMMYs

MusiCares

  • About
  • Get Help
  • Give
  • News
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Person of the Year
  • More
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Person of the Year

Advocacy

  • About
  • News
  • Issues & Policy
  • Act
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • About
    • News
    • Issues & Policy
    • Act
    • Recording Academy

Membership

  • Join
  • Events
  • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
  • GRAMMY U
  • GOVERNANCE
  • More
    • Join
    • Events
    • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
    • GRAMMY U
    • GOVERNANCE
Log In Join
  • SUBSCRIBE

  • Search
See All Results
Modal Open
Subscribe Now

Subscribe to Newsletters

Be the first to find out about GRAMMY nominees, winners, important news, and events. Privacy Policy
GRAMMY Museum
Membership

Join us on Social

  • Recording Academy
    • The Recording Academy: Facebook
    • The Recording Academy: Twitter
    • The Recording Academy: Instagram
    • The Recording Academy: YouTube
  • GRAMMYs
    • GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • Latin GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • GRAMMY Museum: Facebook
    • GRAMMY Museum: Twitter
    • GRAMMY Museum: Instagram
    • GRAMMY Museum: YouTube
  • MusiCares
    • MusiCares: Facebook
    • MusiCares: Twitter
    • MusiCares: Instagram
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy: Facebook
    • Advocacy: Twitter
  • Membership
    • Membership: Facebook
    • Membership: Twitter
    • Membership: Instagram
    • Membership: Youtube
Yoshiki

Yoshiki

Photo: Courtesy of Yoshiki

News
Yoshiki Donates 10 Million Yen To Flood Relief yoshiki-donates-10-million-yen-disaster-relief-japan

Yoshiki Donates 10 Million Yen To Disaster Relief In Japan

Facebook Twitter Email
In the wake of devastating flooding, the X Japan founder provided generous and much needed support
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jul 16, 2018 - 4:47 pm

International music superstar Yoshiki has sprung to the aid of his native country in the aftermath of heavy downpours and flooding that has caused extensive damage in western Japan. The celebrated musician has donated 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society through his own charitable foundation, Yoshiki Foundation America. 

Yoshiki: X Japan

"I just saw the news in the U.S. and I pray for those who passed away," Yoshiki said in a statement. "I truly hope the damage caused by heavy rain will not spread anymore."

The damage in western Japan is staggering, with a death toll surpassing 210 victims and warnings circulating of even more landslides to come. The devastation has been intensified by a heat wave that hit southern Japan, meaning Yoshiki's generous support is coming at a critical time for those battling to survive the disaster.

This is far from the first time Yoshiki has opened his heart and his wallet to help in the wake of a natural disaster. Last year he donated $25,000 to aid Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas, and he lent another $100,000 to the Recording Academy's MusiCares for disaster relief for hurricane survivors in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. In 2016 he donated 10 million yen to earthquake disaster relief in Kumamoto.

Those seeking to support the flood relief efforts in Japan can donate to the Japanese Red Cross Society. For more information on Yoshiki Foundation America, please visit the organization's website.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Yoshiki

Yoshiki

Photo: Rich Fury/Getty Images

News
Yoshiki Says X Japan Album Due By Early Fall yoshiki-says-x-japan-lp-due-fall-marilyn-manson-track

Yoshiki Says X Japan LP Due By Fall With Marilyn Manson Track

Facebook Twitter Email
After wowing Coachella, X Japan's next album is due in just months and will include a Manson collaboration track
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
May 7, 2018 - 12:13 pm

Flush with new fans from X Japan wowing Coachella festivalgoers and performing "Sweet Dreams" at the fest with Marilyn Manson during the second weekend, Yoshiki has promised his band's next album by "late summer or early fall."

The band's previous studio album was Dahlia in 1996. The current album has been in the works for 10 years already. While the band previously announced a new album would be coming in 2016, X Japan guitarist Pata had a serious medical issue that led to the project being shelved. "I know it's a long time," said Yoshiki, "but when you listen to the sound you'll understand why it took that long."

"Recording's done pretty much, we just have to mix it," Yoshiki told Consequence Of Sound. "It's pretty edgy. It's eclectic. Even though people want to say X Japan is heavy-metal or hard rock, the album is very eclectic and a wide range is covered."

Yoshiki also revealed that "99 percent of the songs are in English and it's our first record targeting a worldwide audience." In addition, fans can look forward to a Manson collaboration on the new record, which seems to be a perfect fit given their amazing performance at Coachella.

"This is the evolved version of X Japan," Yoshiki said. "Regardless of what happened in our past, it's a new album."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Yoshiki of X Japan

Yoshiki of X Japan

Photo: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

News
Watch Yoshiki Of X Japan On "Jonesy's Jukebox" yoshiki-talks-x-japan-coachella-david-bowie-more-jonesys-jukebox

Yoshiki Talks X Japan At Coachella, David Bowie, More On "Jonesy's Jukebox"

Facebook Twitter Email
The X Japan drummer discusses playing the popular SoCal festival at the same time as Beyoncé, his band's new documentary and his love for David Bowie
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Apr 18, 2018 - 8:42 am

X Japan made their big Coachella debut this past weekend in Indio, Calif. On April 17, the band's drummer, Yoshiki, was the featured guest on Steve Jones' KLOS-FM radio show "Jonesy's Jukebox," where the two discussed everything from favorite rock bands, to X Japan's history, to what it was like going on stage the same time as Beyoncé's instant classic set.

"I wanted to see Beyoncé," said Yoshiki "Originally, we were supposed to be playing a few bands before Beyoncé. I'm gonna rock hard, get drunk, and then watch Beyoncé, that was my plan [laughs], but now we're playing the same time."

X Japan returns to Coachella for weekend two this Saturday, and Yoshiki teased a special guest during X Japan's set. Although he wouldn't reveal the guest's identity, he did say he is "very shocking."

Yoshiki also talked about the band's new documentary, We Are X, including the incredible story of X Japan's breakup and reunion, the mysterious death of their former guitarist, and using holograms on stage. He and Jones also discuss their mutual respect for David Bowie, who Yoshiki cited as his favorite artist, the Sex Pistols' legacy and how both artists' tumultuous childhoods led them to a find an outlet in rock and roll.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Beyoncé performs at 2018 Coachella

Beyoncé

Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

News
#Beychella: Highlights From Coachella Weekend One beyonc%C3%A9-x-japan-mason-ramsey-more-coachella-2018-weekend-one

Beyoncé, X Japan, Mason Ramsey & More: Coachella 2018 Weekend One !

Facebook Twitter Email
With reunions, special guests, explosive debuts, and plenty of only-in-Indio moments, Coachella's first weekend had festivalgoers and social media drunk in love
Steve Baltin
GRAMMYs
Apr 15, 2018 - 11:42 pm

Looking at social media this weekend, all of the music talk centered around Beyoncé's career-defining performance at Coachella on Saturday night. And rightuflly so. 

The only reunion that matters! The glorious, @DestinysChild reunited at #BeyChella!

(via Coachella/ GIPHY) pic.twitter.com/aGRqJGhXgu

— BET (@BET) April 15, 2018

 

Whether it was her precision opening that featured 100 dancers in perfect choreographed unison, the surprise appearances of husband Jay-Z and sister Solange, or the reunion with former Destiny's Child band mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, the combination of Queen Bey and Coachella proved uncontainable for pop culture. (And so did the hashtag #Beychella.)

"This is a very important performance for me," she told the crowd in between performances of "Sorry" and "Bow Down/I Been On." "I'm happy to be back home on the stage tonight."

If Beyoncé — who made history as the first-ever black woman to headline Coachella — had given the exact same performance at another festival, say Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza or New Orleans Jazz Fest, would it have had the exact same impact? No, according to her fellow Coachella performers.

"It's few and far between where there's a setting where there's so much focus. Coachella is the epitome of that. The world is watching, so the artists really put the focus in," says Odesza's Clayton Knight. "It's a cool thing to be part of and history in the making in a lot of ways. Whatever happens this weekend sets the tone for this year almost."

The Neighbourhood’s Zachary Abels concurs. 

"It feels a little different. There's an aura around it," said Abels while at the KROQ House. "You feel like you're someplace special."

Outside of Beyoncé dominating this weekend's headlines, per usual, Coachella offered an abundance of moments that stirred up social media.

She is amazing. I wanted to watch #Beyonce , but we are playing at the same time @coachella. @XJapanOfficial #Coachella https://t.co/4fGdNAWi27

— Yoshiki (@YoshikiOfficial) April 16, 2018

For starters, there was the typical plethora of big-name guest stars. Just on night one, GRAMMY winner Kendrick Lamar made surprise appearances with both Vince Staples and SZA; Steve Aoki joined Alan Walker; and Carly Rae Jepsen played with Jack Antonoff and Bleachers. For her Sunday Coachella set, Cardi B brought out Chance The Rapper, G-Eazy and Kehlani for her reported $300,000 set.

One-off collaborations like these are part of what make Coachella so unique according to Odesza's Harrison Mills.

"I think what's cool about Coachella is because there are so many eyes on it, it can create collaborations you would never think of, like just celebrities in the crowd seeing acts they would never see otherwise cause their lives are so intense," says Mills.

#IG | Justin Bieber has now posted the photo on his Instagram. pic.twitter.com/F43KAnYcO6

— Greta Van Fleet Updates (@GVFDaily) April 14, 2018

 

Proving Mills' point, Justin Bieber posted a photo hanging out with up-and-coming rock stars Greta Van Fleet. Maybe the photo-op doesn't represent a potential musical pairing per se, but given Bieber’s staggering 98.6 million followers and the photo's 3 million-plus likes, it equated to tons of exposure for the Detroit rockers. And it happened at Coachella, of course. 

There's no question the proximity to L.A., and the fact that the festival has become the epicenter of glitz and glamour in the music world for the two weekends, plays a big part in Coachella's lofty status. It's a chicken and egg question as to whether the celebrities have helped make Coachella or Coachella was so big already and that's why artists like Madonna were willing to play it as far back as 2006.

Coachella has transcended music to also become a major event for fashion. For an artist like X Japan's Yoshiki, the marriage of music and fashion that takes place is part of what excited him to travel all the way around the world be one of the major rock acts on this year's bill.

Music Festival Essentials: 11 Must-Haves, From Apps To Packs & More

"Coachella is not only one of the biggest festivals in the world, but very edgy [and] fashionable," says Yoshiki. "I love the style, so we wanted to do something unusual. I'm heavily influenced by David Bowie, so fashion wise I wanted to do something exciting."

.@reddit : #Holograms return to #Coachella! #XJAPAN !!@Coachellahttps://t.co/2EJgFcyos3 pic.twitter.com/aWH9awzjko

— X Japan (@XJapanOfficial) April 16, 2018

 

Speaking of exciting, X Japan's set featured hologram technology that allowed them to feature late band members Hideto "Hide" Matsumoto and Taiji Sawada for a set that also garnered plenty of chatter.

As for other weekend one highlights, David Byrne masterfully showcased Talking Heads' classics like "Once In A Lifetime " and " Burning Down The House"; Chic and Nile Rodgers got funky with classics such as Bowie's "Let's Dance" and Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" — two songs Rodgers produced and co-wrote, respectively; Illenium, one of the top young electronic artists in music, incited thousands of festivalgoers to dance in frenzied joy; and Tyler, The Creator created a series of new worlds with every song — including "Boredom" and "911/Mr. Lonely" — to a stunning visual showcase that was as much live cinema as music.

yo @whethanmusic just brought out the yodel kid at coachella!! pic.twitter.com/BIBqv3UEFo

— paul.psd (@pauldonatelli) April 13, 2018

 

Then there was the "yodeling Walmart kid," Mason Ramsey, who traded up his YouTube star status for a chance to perform alongside DJ  Whethan on Friday afternoon.

With such a diverse lineup of talent — from the jazz of Kamasi Washington to the folk-pop of First Aid Kit and the plethora of dance music, including icons such as Jean-Michel Jarre — Coachella even turns the performing artists into fans.

"Whatever happens this weekend sets the tone for this year almost." — Odesza's Clayton Knight

"I went to see St. Vincent, saw Vince Staples bring out Kendrick, that was a really cool. Beyoncé [was] the thing to see ... David Byrne, I’m a big fan of Talking Heads," says English singer/songwriter Declan McKenna, who performed at his first Coachella.

That is Coachella, where, as Odesza says, everybody has to up their game. And that was shown time and again this past weekend. For some, like Illenium, it is a coming-out party. For Haim, who performed in front of tens of thousands thanks to being the direct support for Beyoncé, it was the best night of their lives, according to Este Haim, who told a hilarious story about her unique experience being at Coachella for Prince back in 2008 with her close friend Kesha. Playing the main stage of what they called their "hometown festival" topped that, she told the audience.

For so many artists, who live and attend shows in L.A., Coachella represents a major goal. "It's a big thing growing up in L.A. — everybody wants to go to Coachella," says Sage Chavis of the L.A.-based Regrettes.

If weekend one is any indication, Coachella's reputation as the most unique festival going in music looks to be secure.

"It's like no other festival I've ever been to," says McKenna.

(Steve Baltin has written about music for Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, MOJO, Chicago Tribune, AOL, LA Weekly, Philadelphia Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, and dozens more publications.)

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Yoshiki

Yoshiki

Photo: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

News
Yoshiki's Coachella Dreams Come True x-japans-yoshiki-coachella-2018-part-my-dreams

X Japan's Yoshiki: Coachella 2018 "Is A Part Of My Dreams"

Facebook Twitter Email
Scheduled to perform the same days as Beyoncé, Japan's metal vets are bringing a Coachella debut that will have new listeners feel the power of their music
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Apr 10, 2018 - 3:38 pm

Preparing for Saturday performance slots at Coachella this coming April 14, and the following week on April 21, X Japan's Yoshiki spoke to Forbes cryptically about what's in the works for the band's big festival debut.

"We are going to surprise the audience," he told the magazine, which noted the band will be "the only hard rock act" amid the stellar Coachella 2018 lineup. Beyoncé has also been preparing for her headline spots on those same days.

"The story of our band is too crazy to be true," said Yoshiki, "but somehow we are still here."

One speculation on the surprise is a virtual reunion of sorts. Former X Japan members hide and Taiji died in 1998 and 2011, respectively.

"In our hearts, we are always performing together," said Yoshiki. "Let's just say somehow they'll be joining us."

https://twitter.com/drummagrocks/status/983680244136730624

#XJapan's #Coachella debut is their largest show since bandleader/#drummer #Yoshiki had spinal surgery in May after 40 years of all-out metal drumming and headbanging took its toll. @YoshikiOfficial @XJapanOfficial @coachella #drums #metal #glam https://t.co/U7LPSj5TZM

— DRUM! Magazine (@drummagrocks) April 10, 2018

Last year Coachella became the first reoccurring festival to break the $100 million mark, bringing in 2017 profits of $114 million. As a major festival, it provides a right-size platform for a pioneering band. Considered one of metal's top all-time groups, X Japan headlined Madison Square Garden in 2014. They have sold out the Tokyo Dome, seating 55,000, 18 times. And Yoshiki & Co. have sold a combined total of more than 30 million albums, singles and videos.

There is every expectation new American fans will discover these veterans, learn their story and love their songs.

Bottling his feelings regarding his impending debut at Coachella, Yoshiki said, "This is a part of my dreams!"

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Top
Logo
  • Recording Academy
    • About
    • Governance
    • Press Room
    • Jobs
    • Events
  • GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Store
    • FAQ
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Cultural Foundation
    • Members
    • Press
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • COLLECTION:live
    • Explore
    • Exhibits
    • Education
    • Support
    • Programs
    • Donate
  • MusiCares
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
  • Advocacy
    • About
    • News
    • Learn
    • Act
  • Membership
    • Chapters
    • Producers & Engineers Wing
    • GRAMMY U
    • Join
Logo

© 2021 - Recording Academy. All rights reserved.

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Notice
  • Contact Us

Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.