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HANABIE. Philadelphia debut – Philly loves HANABIE., and  HANABIE. loves cheesesteaks!

Unstoppable Japanese metal sensation, HANABIE. brought their 2026 NORTH AMERICA TOUR to a sold out TLA in Philadelphia on 3/21.  The hard-rocking, headbanging band from Tokyo were supported by two cool West Coast bands, Enterprise Earth and Nekrogoblikon. Written by Jonathan Lane HANABIE’s trajectory toward fame accelerated in 2021with their hit song and music video…

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Unstoppable Japanese metal sensation, HANABIE. brought their 2026 NORTH AMERICA TOUR to a sold out TLA in Philadelphia on 3/21.  The hard-rocking, headbanging band from Tokyo were supported by two cool West Coast bands, Enterprise Earth and Nekrogoblikon.

Promotional poster for the concert tour featuring Hanabie, Nekrogoblikon, and other bands, displaying event dates and venues across various cities in the U.S.

Written by Jonathan Lane


HANABIE’s trajectory toward fame accelerated in 2021with their hit song and music video “We Love Sweets”. With the release of “Pardon Me, I Have to Go Now” in early 2023, their notoriety skyrocketed further. Opportunities opened for an overseas tour, including multiple festivals. That April, in the middle of all this, drummer Sae left the band. By May, current drummer Chika was on board, and in June, was already featured in their next hit, “TOUSOU” (“Run Away”). Several overseas and domestic tours later, the band is touring again in North America, and they’re better than ever!

The show begins

Opening the show and setting the pace for the evening, is Enterprise Earth. This is decidedly a deathcore band, right down to the song titles. Their darkness and intensity are relentless. Deathcore is not my go-to metal genre, but I find their tunes and the overall impact easy to take in and to headbang to. The members deliver impressive, detailed bass, drumming and guitar work, and just the right amount of diabolical harsh vocals.

Enterprise Earth hails from Spokane, Washington and was formed in 2014. The current members are Gabe Mangold on guitar, Travis Worland on (harsh) lead vocals, Dakota Johnson on bass, and Aron Hetsko on drums.

For me, highlights in the set include:

Where Dreams Are Broken  gets pulses racing right away, with ruthless, brutal machine gun delivery. Travis tops this all off with gut wrenching harsh vocals.

Casket of Rust  Though the dark groove and darker lyrics are great interplay between the instruments and in turn, with the vocals.

My love, where did I go wrong? Is this not what you wished I’d become?
I’ve crushed every piece of myself that made me this creature
I’ve begged for your favor, I’ve killed in your name for so long
Where did I go wrong?
When I am nothing will you have finally forgotten me?

Psalm of Agony provides a perfect balance of heavy, syncopated musicianship and impactful vocals, while dropping a shroud of morbidity over the entire house.

In the comfort of the gallows
Cradled by the hate that was bred in the dark
Fed by my heart
Slowly festering until the only voice in my head is fear
I have to find a way out

As Enterprise Earth completes the set with Descent into Madness, the audience responds to this short set with a raucous sendoff – it seems they genuinely love this band.

Enterprise Earth – TLA – Philadelphia, PA 3/21/26

Set List

  1. Where Dreams Are Broken
  2. Chasms of Hell
  3. You Couldn’t Save Me
  4. Casket of Rust
  5. Psalm of Agony
  6. The Descent

Enterprise Earth Links

YouTube Music https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCb7Qq0icEuZnjpoX_sbE11w

Tidal https://tidal.com/artist/6039024

Website https://enterpriseearthband.com/

Photography by Jonathan Lane

https://www.photographer-jonathan-lane.com/home

A male singer performing passionately on stage, holding a microphone, with a guitar player in the background. The scene is lit with dramatic red lighting.
A male guitarist with tattoos passionately playing an electric guitar while yelling on stage, illuminated by stage lights.
A tattooed male guitarist performing on stage with a black guitar, expressing intense emotion, under vibrant purple stage lighting.
A performer with long hair leaning forward while holding a microphone, showcasing a dynamic pose on stage with colorful lighting in the background.
A metal vocalist passionately performing on stage with a microphone, while another band member plays guitar in the background, illuminated by red stage lights.
A bald musician with tattoos plays an electric guitar while singing into a microphone on stage.
A drummer performing on stage, wearing a black shirt and playing a drum set with cymbals overhead.
A musician playing a white bass guitar on stage, wearing a black oversized shirt and a cap, with dramatic lighting in the background.
A male vocalist passionately performing on stage, with a microphone in hand and striking a dynamic pose. The background features purple lighting and a guitarist partially visible.
Lead singer performing energetically on stage with a microphone, wearing a sleeveless shirt, illuminated by red stage lights. A guitarist can be seen in the background.
A musician playing a bass guitar on stage, flashing a playful gesture with one hand and smiling at the audience, with colorful stage lighting in the background.
A bald musician passionately playing an electric guitar on stage, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A lead singer passionately performing on stage, holding a microphone with long hair flowing, while a band member plays bass in the background under colorful stage lights.
A male vocalist performing on stage with long hair, passionately singing into a microphone. He is wearing a black tank top with a graphic design and appears to be engaging with the audience under red stage lighting.
A dynamic live performance by a male vocalist on stage, passionately singing into a microphone with one arm raised, under bright red stage lights, while a drummer and a guitarist play in the background.
A singer passionately performing on stage with raised arms, illuminated by dramatic lighting against a dark background.
A male vocalist passionately performing on stage with a microphone, illuminated by dramatic pink lighting.
Musician passionately playing an electric guitar on stage, illuminated by purple stage lights.
Drummer performing on stage with a dynamic expression, surrounded by cymbals and drums in a dimly lit setting.
A musician performing live with a six-string bass guitar on stage, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A male vocalist performing on stage with energetic movements under vibrant pink lighting, with musical instruments and amplifiers visible in the background.
A tattooed guitarist passionately playing an electric guitar on stage with dramatic lighting.

Up next is Los Angeles-based Nekrogoblikon. Their style is described (Wikipedia) as
“melodic death metal, folk metal, comedy metal, and symphonic power metal”.

The band features a green goblin as vocalist and a giant, inflated likeness of him that dominates the stage, as well as a human co-vocalist who handles the harsh vocals. Also featured are an accomplished group of rock musicians who do a great job of going along for the ride, wherever the two vocalists and wide-ranging tunes take them. Members onstage are:

  • Alex Alereza – guitar
  • Aaron Minich – keys
  • Dave Rispoli (as John Goblikon) – clean vocals
  • Dickie Allen – harsh vocals
  • Eric W. Brown – drums
  • Joe Nelson – guitar

The band opens with a bouncy 2025 song called Show Me Your Goblin. They reveal their “Comedy Metal” – or, perhaps, “Party Metal” side – the instrumentalists execute the mood flawlessly.  After joking with the crowd, John Goblikon and Dickie get down to business, with words that implore someone close to them to get real:

Please, instruct me on the finer points of being you
What you would have done, how it’s for some greater good
Remind me of the valiant tale of how you clearly conquered hate
As it bubbles underneath, seeps through your pores and runs down your face

You crossed every ‘T’ and dotted every ‘i’
Yet you’ll always fail to realize
Despite your ace in the hole
You’re still a fart in the wind
You’re still a fart in the wind

Oh, yeah, I know the reason why you keep me coming back
You’ve got a scab that you’re too afraid to scratch
I see a green light creep through the bars of your prison
Whose world are you thinkin’ we live in?
And show me your goblin

A couple of other set highlights for me are:

Secret Elephant implores a significant other to acknowledge the deep-down issues (or demons) hell-bent on killing the relationship. The manic keyboard work, danceable beat and big clean vocals contrast in interesting ways with the harsh vocals and desperate words:

You may think it’s just you and I
Not gonna lie
We’ve got a guest and he wants us to die
Every time that you’re feeling fine
He enters your mind

It’s the secret elephant
I don’t know how he got here but he won’t stop staring at me
It’s the secret elephant
Won’t you call him by name?

Powercore, released in 2013, features some crazy changes and a crazy, “hurdy gurdy” breakdown. The clean vocal parts also make this a more interesting song. Call me crazy, but I also hear a bit of Bowie in the vocal delivery. The lyrics are sufficiently negative to qualify as death metal, but somehow not quite as desperately hellish as that would imply.

Get out!
Your repugnancy deeply sickens me
You are a failure and I want you to die!
Your dumb look implies that you do not know why
So let me break it down:
You are stifling the power, rotten to the core
Such a massive fail, guess what? You’re boring and I’ve seen this all before
You’re a joke and no one’s laughing
I’m goin’ for baroque and it all comes crashing down

In sum, Nekrogoblikon offers fine metal (and more) musicianship, including some flashy guitar work, interesting vocals, and a snarky attitude befitting a goblin. There will be a new EP in mid-April 2026.

Nekrogoblikon – TLA – Philadelphia, PA 3/21/26

Set List

  1. Show Me Your Goblin
  2. The Many Faces of Dr. Hubert Malbec
  3. Darkness
  4. Bones
  5. Fiend
  6. Secret Elephant
  7. Dressed as Goblins
  8. This Is It
  9. No One Survives
  10. Powercore

Nekrogoblikon Links

YouTube Music https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCRhm-BvX

Tidal https://tidal.com/artist/5062759/u

Website https://www.nekrogoblikontour.com/

Photography by Jonathan Lane

https://www.photographer-jonathan-lane.com/home

A performer in an elaborate goblin costume sings into a microphone on stage, with vibrant lighting in the background.
A performer dressed as a goblin with exaggerated features, wearing a black shirt, is singing on stage in front of a large inflatable backdrop.
A musician playing a bright green electric guitar on stage, wearing a sleeveless black shirt with the text 'PEEPEE POOP.' The background features colorful stage lights and smoke.
A guitarist in a black tank top performs energetically on stage with a bright green guitar, while a keyboardist plays in the background under colorful stage lights.
A performer sticks out his tongue and poses with a microphone in front of a large inflatable head, with colorful stage lights in the background.
A male singer with long hair and sunglasses performing on stage, holding a microphone, in front of colorful stage lights and inflatable props.
A performer wearing a green goblin mask and a black suit with a blue tie, gesturing towards the audience, with another musician singing in the background.
A drummer performing on stage, playing a drum kit with high energy under colorful stage lighting.
A drummer passionately playing a drum set with long hair, expressing intense focus and energy, surrounded by colorful stage lights.
A musician wearing a mask and performing on stage with a large cartoonish goblin prop in the foreground.
A performer in a grotesque mask singing into a microphone, wearing a black shirt and colorful tie, with vibrant green stage lights in the background.
A drummer with long hair playing an energetic performance on stage, surrounded by colorful lights and musical equipment.
A guitarist performing on stage with a bright pink electric guitar under vibrant green and blue stage lighting.
A drummer passionately playing the drums on stage with a colorful, illuminated backdrop.
A guitarist with platinum blonde hair performs on stage with a green guitar, while a keyboardist plays in the background under dramatic red lighting.
A guitarist performing on stage with a green electric guitar, wearing a black tank top and showing tattoos on his arms, under colorful lights.
A live music performance featuring two musicians on stage, one wearing a green goblin mask and the other singing passionately, with dramatic stage lighting and a large monster face backdrop.
Two performers on stage during a concert, one dressed as a goblin with green skin and a suit, and the other with long hair and a cap, singing into a microphone in front of a large goblin prop.
A performer singing into a microphone on stage, wearing sunglasses and a black t-shirt, with an oversized inflatable head sculpture in the background, accompanied by colorful stage lights.
A musician performing on stage in front of a large Yoda-themed backdrop, wearing sunglasses and making a playful expression.

HANABIE. takes the stage

The four members bounce onto the stage one at a time, to an upbeat track, each showing appreciation for the thunderous cheers.

The band members are: Yukina on harsh and other vocals, Matsuri on guitar and clean vocals, Hettsu on bass and backup vocals, and Chika on drums.

Yukina steps up on a riser, roars “Are you ready?” and after some fast-paced cheerleading, HANABIE. performs “NEET GAME”. Fans’ excitement is already at peak levels as “NEET GAME” proceeds. This sets the pace for the balance of the evening.

Altogether, there are 13 songs from various points in HANABIE.’s career up to now.

Highlights for me in HANABIE.’s set include:

TOUSOU (Run Away) 2023   Before this huge hit begins, Yukina does everything she needs to whip the crowd into a frenzy. The opening tones of the song play. Without missing a lyric, Yukina energetically conveys the visual spirit of the music video, a wild chase, as police siren effects blare over the sound system. Yukina jumps into the pit and high-fives fans as she runs from one end to the other. Matsuri, who’s upped her game each time I’ve seen her, sounds great as she wails on her guitar and sings some extended vocal parts.

Be the GAL~Early Summer ver.~ is one of my personal favorites. An original, new intro builds anticipation.  Yukina dons sunglasses, and Hettsu chugs a large can of beer, to get everyone into the summer spirit that this song is all about. Matsuri’s clean vocals shine. Chika furiously and skillfully beats her kit, and cheerleading everyone, Hettsu brings it home with a solid bassline as she bounces up and down to the beat.

Spicy Queen is a celebration of, well, spicy food. Chika’s drumming is itself as hot as the record-holding hot peppers cited in the lyrics – as if to underline the song’s theme, the entire band’s delivery is extra hot! Big inflatable chili peppers bounce around the audience.

Tingling, crackling, stinging, thrashing around
In the mouth, they are killing each other!
Bullshit!
Somehow managed
To clean the plate
We’re electrifyingly hot
Our lips are fierce red, that’s Death Sauce
Bad boys are stunned
They seem to follow us even if we swing them around
Drinking water is no use at all
Sweat is pouring out
Ultimate goal is the terrifying Carolina Reaper
Sweating effects of the Death Diet

Our 7 Days War – In this heavy and dramatic number from 2021, HANABIE. defiantly stands up to a monthly phenomenon shared with women around the world.

O•TA•KU Lovely Densetsu – this provides all the extra goodness of a live HANABIE. performance with the best elements of the recorded version, including soaring vocals by Matsuri.

Tokimeki – About you – from the 2026 EP Hot Topic, features a nice drum solo intro by Chika. Without a solo, there’s so much going on visually and sonically with this band that it’s possible to miss just how good she is ALL the time!

The main set ends with the breakthrough 2023 hit that turbo-boosted HANABIE.’s recognition around the world: Pardon Me, I Have to Go Now. Fans go crazy as soon as they hear the reveal, a new introductory backing track.

After enthusiastic and genuinely warm good-byes, HANABIE. leaves the stage. The crowd reacts with a chant borrowed from their counterparts at concerts in Japan: “Ancoru! Ancoru! Ancoru! …” (Encore).

Encore

HANABIE. returns to the stage and delivers another 2023 favorite, Today’s Good Day & So Epic. This isarguably one of their most positive, encouraging songs, all about taking on the world despite any and all obstacles. The song opens with some lovely, nasty bass licks by Hettsu, and the rest of the band cranks up the energy from there. Yukina promises to return. The closeout by the whole band ends with one more devilish roar by Yukina.

Fans would certainly stick around for another dozen songs, but it’s clear they’re satisfied they have already gotten the thrills they came for.

Photography by Jonathan Lane

https://www.photographer-jonathan-lane.com/home

A musician performing on stage, wearing a sports jersey and leopard print shorts, playing an electric guitar with an expressive pose under colorful stage lights.
A female drummer performing on stage with drum kits, wearing a stylish outfit and surrounded by band banners, while a plush toy hangs from the drum set.
A female drummer performing on stage, raising a drumstick while seated at a yellow drum kit against a colorful backdrop.
A performer on stage holding drumsticks, wearing a stylish outfit with a patterned top and shorts, surrounded by vibrant stage lights.
A female singer performing energetically on stage, wearing a colorful outfit with a red ruffled top, striped leggings, and pink boots, holding a microphone and expressing emotion.
A young female drummer energetically playing a white drum set with the logo 'HANABIE', featuring a stuffed animal on the drums and a vibrant stage background.
A drummer performing on stage, focusing intently on the drums. She has a whimsical appearance with a silver crown and is holding drumsticks, while a small stuffed animal is attached to the drum set.
A female bassist performing energetically on stage, wearing a colorful shirt and camouflage pants, with dynamic lighting in the background.
A female bassist performing on stage, wearing a colorful patterned shirt and camouflage pants, smiling as she plays an electric bass guitar.
A lively performer singing passionately into a microphone on stage, wearing a vibrant red outfit with ruffled details and a colorful skirt, illuminated by dramatic stage lighting.
A musician performing on stage, holding a turquoise bass guitar high above their head while dressed in casual outfits with camo pants and a patterned top.
A female drummer performing on stage, raising a drumstick with a confident expression, against a colorful backdrop.
A lively performer jumping on stage, wearing a colorful outfit with a red accessory, a black top, a frilly skirt, and knee-high striped socks, capturing the energetic atmosphere of a live music event.
A female performer on stage, energetically singing into a microphone while pointing upwards. She is wearing a colorful outfit with a red feathered accessory, a black top, a fringed skirt, and striped knee-high socks paired with red shoes.
A female musician playing a blue bass guitar on stage, wearing a colorful, patterned top and camouflage pants, with a brightly lit concert backdrop featuring a band logo.
A female drummer joyfully playing on stage, wearing a stylish outfit and headband, with a stuffed animal on her drum kit and colorful backdrops.
A female musician with short red hair singing into a microphone while playing an electric guitar on stage, wearing a sports jersey and a bright skirt.
A female musician performing on stage, singing into a microphone while playing a black electric guitar with sparkling finish. She wears a sporty oversized shirt with red and white details and leopard print pants. A silhouette of another musician playing an acoustic guitar is visible in the background.
A musician passionately playing an electric guitar on stage, wearing a sports jersey and leopard print shorts, with hair in motion.
A female musician with long blonde hair wearing a red tutu and striped leggings is performing energetically on stage, while a male guitarist in a jersey-style shirt and yellow leopard-print pants plays beside her.
A performer with blonde hair and a vibrant costume jumps energetically on stage, holding a microphone, with a guitarist in the background.
A musician passionately playing an electric guitar on stage, wearing a graphic shirt and leopard print shorts. The scene is illuminated by vibrant stage lights.
A performer on stage kneeling while playing an electric guitar, wearing a sports jersey, leopard print shorts, and unique socks, with dynamic lighting in the background.
A singer performing on stage, dressed in a vibrant costume with a crown and elaborate accessories, holding a microphone and engaging with the audience under purple lighting.
A musician performing on stage, singing into a microphone while playing an electric guitar. They are wearing a white oversized jersey with red accents and a beaded necklace.
A vibrant image of a female drummer performing on stage, with colorful drum kit and lively background.
A singer passionately performing on stage, wearing a red ruffled outfit and holding a microphone, with a vibrant stage backdrop.
Two female performers on stage at a concert. One is singing with arms raised, wearing a colorful outfit and a feather boa. The other is playing guitar, dressed in a casual style with camo pants.
A female rock performer in a vibrant outfit with a red feather boa, black tank top, and colorful layered skirt stands on stage, holding a microphone. She wears striped leggings and chunky red boots, expressing energy while singing. In the background, a male guitarist plays an electric guitar, dressed in a white shirt and yellow polka-dot pants.
A performer on stage wearing a vibrant red feather boa, raising her arms while holding a microphone, with colorful stage lighting in the background.
A musician in mid-air playing a bass guitar on stage, dressed in a colorful outfit with a green lighting backdrop.
A performer singing into a microphone, wearing a red ruffled outfit and a black shirt, with long blonde hair and a decorative headband.
A female musician performing on stage, playing a bold blue bass guitar. She is wearing a colorful top and camouflage pants, with short hair colored in pastel tones. The background features dynamic stage lights.
A performer energetically playing the drums on stage, dressed in a stylish outfit with bright stage lights in the background.
A performer with blonde hair raises one arm in celebration while singing on stage, dressed in a colorful outfit against a backdrop of blue lighting.
A female musician joyfully playing a bass guitar on stage, wearing colorful clothing and a playful hairstyle, with vibrant stage lighting in the background.
A performer in vibrant attire kneels on stage while singing into a microphone, surrounded by colorful lights and music equipment.
A female singer performing energetically on stage, wearing a bright red feathered vest, a graphic t-shirt, striped thigh-high socks, and vibrant pink boots.
A female singer in a red puffy outfit passionately performing on stage, holding a microphone with one hand, while engaging with the audience.

HANABIE. – Observations

A week earlier in New York, Yukina came down with a sore throat and despite her trying to soldier on, it was decided that they’d have to cancel a couple of performances in the interest of her health. Tonight, she does not seem to be lacking in energy or in her ability to dig deep down into her soul to deliver her trademark growls.

These four women know how to connect with their audience, and make local fans feel equally excited that this is their first time in Philadelphia. Compared to a few years ago, they no longer seem surprised at the raucous reception they get – but still seem hugely happy and appreciative to receive it. Though they are more well-known around the world than a few years ago, their energy and great sense of humor remain fresh.

It sounds like they truly enjoyed trying Philly cheese steaks – and may come back again not only to see these fans again, but for the food, too!

No matter what their appearance, this band and their music are so original and so entertaining, they would generate the excitement and popularity they have earned. That said, their always-changing, insanely original fashion sense – each member with her own style, just adds even more fun to the experience of a live show.

RUN AWAY – and go see HANABIE.!

HANABIE. – TLA – Philadelphia, PA 3/21/26

Set List

  1.  NEET GAME
  2. SUNRISE Miso-SOUP
  1. Reiwa Dating Apps Generation
  2. TOUSOU (Run Away)
  3. 〜 Be the GAL~Early Summer ver.~ICONIC Newest
  4. Spicy Queen
  5. Our 7 Days War 
  6. O•TA•KU Lovely Densetsu –
  7. Tokimeki About you
  8. Hyperdimension Galaxy
  9. Pardon Me, I Have To Go Now.

Encore

  1. Today’s Good Day & So Epic

HANABIE. links


YouTube Music – https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC45-01kcJeBvPczl1_22KXw

Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/31403353

Official Website: https://hanabie.jp/en/

See more features about HANABIE. – check out these links:

A tale of two venues…HANABIE. proves ready for the world stage.
LIVE REVIEW AND PHOTO GALLERY: HANABIE – A Sold Out Show At The World Famous WHISKY A GO GO, on October 5, 2023
PHOTO GALLERY: Hanabie during Jinjer North America 2024 Tour
LIVE REVIEW: HANABIE. electrifying Paris on November 9th, 2025, by Lucie Gougeon
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW : ALL FEMALE JAPANESE HARAJUKUCORE METAL BAND, HANABIE., BY DON MARCELO

Tour info:

https://hanabie.jp/en/live/in.html?liveid=54555

https://www.nekrogoblikontour.com

https://enterpriseearthband.com/pages/tour-dates

Thanks to Philadelphia’s TLA (Theater of the Living Arts) for doing a great job managing a sold-out show, while allowing some good clean metal fun, including moshing and surfing. The sound quality is above average for similar venues, and the same goes for the stage lighting.

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