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.
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"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."
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!"
