S.L.R. Magazine

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LIVE REVIEW AND PHOTO GALLERY: HITSUJIBUNGAKU TAUGHT A MASTERCLASS OF EMOTIVE PERFORMANCE, BY DON MARCELO

AT THE RENOWNED MUSIC VENUE, THE ECHOPLEX IN LOS ANGELES, CA WITH A SOLD OUT SHOW ON APRIL 13, 2025 FOR THEIR FIRST EVER U.S. TOUR Imagine yourself going to work as a house photographer or as a media photographer or both, and you are on assignment to photograph a Japanese Rock band’s very first…

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AT THE RENOWNED MUSIC VENUE, THE ECHOPLEX IN LOS ANGELES, CA WITH A SOLD OUT SHOW ON APRIL 13, 2025 FOR THEIR FIRST EVER U.S. TOUR

Imagine yourself going to work as a house photographer or as a media photographer or both, and you are on assignment to photograph a Japanese Rock band’s very first LIVE performance tour in America and essentially not knowing anything about them except maybe for a couple of songs you heard on Instagram or YouTube and quickly gathering information you read on the internet, and only arming yourself with your cameras as a trained pro and educated photographer and your willingness to listen and hear and embrace a band’s performance and music with an open heart, open ears, and an open mind. Well, that’s exactly what happened to me on this night.

Written by Don Marcelo

Promotional poster for the Japanese rock band HITSUJIBUNGAKU, featuring three members with ethereal backgrounds and performance dates in April 2025 across various cities in the U.S.



On Sunday, April 13, 2025, I had the honor and pleasure of photographing Japan’s enigmatic indie-alt rock, shoegaze-dream pop trio, HITSUJIBUNGAKU, who performed LIVE on tour for the first time in America on a SOLD OUT SHOW at the renowned venue, The Echoplex.


Fans lined up as early as 10am on that Sunday morning. Familiar faces greeted and welcomed me as they saw me walking up to the venue to get in line knowing that I was there to work and to capture some amazing moments for the band, for the venue, and for my media outlet. Shout out to the fans I know who came in early and stood in line for hours just so they can get a good spot to see the band: Kevin and Grace, Anthony, Yoyoka and Mom of Yoyoka Family Band, Rey, Tamaki, and Aliyah.


The packed house filled with loving and loyal fans from all over and curious newbies, like me, embraced the trio with love and adulation as they quietly strutted their way onto the stage ready to perform for the crowd. Wrapped with delicate nervousness and anticipation, the mesmerized audience clapped and cheered with joy as soon as the first notes were struck. The anxiety the fans held onto for hours were quickly cured by the reverberating slow and beautiful noise of the guitar played by Moeka Shiotsuka, the warm and powerful baselines of Yurika Kasai, and the pulsating beats of the drums played by guest drummer, Yuna Chai (Fukuda Hiroa was not available for this tour). All of this while being serenaded as well by the sweet and reserved vocals of Moeka Shiotsuka, often switching from soft whispers sounds to howling cries filled with emotion. Fans were quickly reminded that this is why HITSUJIBUNGAKU is one of the most emotionally charged indie rock group in the Japanese alt music scene today.


Their demure style of singing and playing and stage performance remained reserved throughout the night with hints of explosiveness on certain songs. Yet that same demure style and mannerism give HITSUJIBUNGAKU a force that is truly magnetic, which in turn makes their music speak volumes. A band such as HITSUJIBUNGAKU who has that reserved and quiet intensity can be just as powerful as a band that screams, roars, and jumps around throughout the night.


Visually, the concert was often filled with heavy fog with illuminated lights of dark purples and blues and magentas. This moody lighting added an atmosphere that matched to their style and sound of music and vibe: sweet, emotional, somber, and reserved intensity. No theatrics here. Just pure and authentic and beautiful music, making connections with their fans throughout the night. Between breaks from songs, Moeka would often talk to the audience on the microphone with her soft-spoken voice which felt like as if you are listening and talking to your best friend who is being vulnerable to you and pouring her heart out.


Overall, I was very impressed with HITSUJIBUNGAKU and immediately became a fan after their beautiful and emotional performance. Their music hit me hard even though I don’t speak and understand Japanese. Hitsujibungaku’s April 13 concert at The Echoplex was a masterclass in passion, expression, and emotion. No shouting was ever needed during their performance. Just good music with feels. You don’t need to understand or speak Japanese to have felt the feelings we all felt on this night.

HITSUJIBUNGAKU links


Photo Gallery of the performance by © Don Marcelo Photography 2025

A black and white photograph of a female musician performing on stage, holding an electric guitar and singing into a microphone, with dramatic lighting and fog enhancing the atmosphere.
A drummer performing on stage during a concert, illuminated by blue lighting, with a focused expression and surrounded by drum equipment.
A drummer performing on stage under blue lighting, surrounded by microphones and drum equipment.
A drummer performing on stage, surrounded by a drum set and microphone stands, with a dark backdrop and subtle lighting.
A female musician performs on stage with a bass guitar, wearing a sparkly top and wide pants, illuminated by dramatic purple and blue lighting.
A female bassist playing a black bass guitar on stage with a focused expression, dressed in a sheer top and wide-legged jeans, with amplifiers in the background and moody lighting in shades of purple.
Drummer performing on stage with purple and blue lighting during a live concert.
A musician from the Japanese rock band HITSUJIBUNGAKU performs live on stage, playing an electric guitar with vibrant lighting in the background during their first concert in the U.S.
A musician performing live on stage with a guitar, surrounded by dramatic blue and yellow lighting amidst a foggy atmosphere.
A female bass guitarist performs on stage at The Echoplex, illuminated by colorful stage lights and surrounded by smoke, during HITSUJIBUNGAKU's live concert.
A drummer seated at a drum kit, focused on playing during a live performance, captured in black and white lighting.
A female drummer playing on stage amidst fog and dim lighting during a live performance.
A female musician performing on stage, singing into a microphone while playing an electric guitar, surrounded by fog and moody lighting.
A female musician performing on stage with a guitar, wearing a black outfit, surrounded by lighting fog in a monochrome atmosphere.
A female musician playing the bass guitar while singing into a microphone, illuminated by stage lights against a dark background.
A guitarist with pink hair plays on stage, illuminated by moody blue and purple lights, with a drummer visible in the background.
A female musician wearing a long-sleeved, lace top and baggy pants plays a bass guitar on stage, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A guitarist from the Japanese rock band HITSUJIBUNGAKU performs live on stage at The Echoplex in Los Angeles, surrounded by atmospheric lighting and fog.
A Japanese rock band guitarist performs on stage, surrounded by atmospheric lighting and fog during a live concert.
A Japanese rock band performing live on stage at The Echoplex in Los Angeles, CA, with dramatic lighting and a captivated audience.
A Japanese rock band performing live on stage at The Echoplex, Los Angeles, with dramatic lighting and smoke effects. The musicians are deeply engaged in their performance, showcasing their instruments.
A Japanese rock band performing live on stage at The Echoplex, illuminated by dramatic purple and blue lights, with a dynamic atmosphere capturing the emotion of their music.
A black and white photo of a Japanese rock band performing live on stage at The Echoplex, with a guitarist and bassist in motion and a drummer in the background. The lighting creates an atmospheric ambiance, emphasizing the band's dynamic performance.
A silhouette of a female drummer performing on stage during a live concert, illuminated by soft lights against a dark background.

10 responses to “LIVE REVIEW AND PHOTO GALLERY: HITSUJIBUNGAKU TAUGHT A MASTERCLASS OF EMOTIVE PERFORMANCE, BY DON MARCELO”

  1. Anthony Avatar
    Anthony

    Such a fantastic show. Your photos are great as usual. Thanks for the mention 🤘🏾

    Reply
    1. Don Marcelo Avatar
      Don Marcelo

      Thanks Anthony! And you’re welcome
      Great seeing you on this night

      Reply
  2. John Jennings Avatar
    John Jennings

    The photographer took some great shots! I’ve known Don for quite sometime so I know his work! Though I didn’t see the LA show I saw the SF show and it was amazing! I surely hope that people can check out Hitsujibungaku!

    Reply
  3. Ryan Roman Avatar
    Ryan Roman

    Hitsujibungaku is definitely different from the usual Japanese bands I listen to, but their laid-back live performance style is awesome to watch! Great article Don and for everyone else: please check out Hitsujibungaku someday 🙏!

    Reply
  4. Sabrina Avatar
    Sabrina

    Amazing shots, vibes go crazy

    Reply
    1. j.c. Avatar
      j.c.

      Happy to read about Hitsujibungaku putting on a wonderful performance to a sold-out full venue in L.A.

      I was at the prior (first) stop of the tour, in San Diego, and was similarly a newcomer to their music, but also easily won over and will be following them closely from now on.

      As Don mentioned, the performance’s reserved and demure nature building up into explosiveness was simply captivating, and felt perfectly balanced to me. Everyone in the crowd was clearly united by the delightful music.

      Wishing them continued success, as well as hoping for them to come back to the U.S. again soon (the East Coast deserve to see them, too! lol, ok and everywhere in between our coasts)

      Reply
      1. Don Avatar
        Don

        Thank you J.C.

    2. Don Avatar
      Don

      Thank you Sabrina

      Reply
  5. mame Avatar
    mame

    Maybe the drummer from that disbanded japanese punkband CHAI??

    Reply
  6. Don Avatar
    Don

    Thank you to everyone who wrote a comment, read my article, and liked my photos I captured of HITSUJIBUNGAKU here and on my Instagram page. Appreciate your support of the band, S.L.R. MAGAZINE and my work. Peace!
    – Don

    Reply

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