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HARAJUKU-CORE BAND FROM JAPAN, HANABIE., SPICED UP THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES WITH THEIR SOLD OUT SHOW AT THE BELASCO ON SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026, BY DON MARCELO

Japanese Harajuku-core Metal Band, HANABIE. had an EPIC SOLD OUT SHOW on April 11, 2026 at the famous music venue, The Belasco in DTLA. What was supposed to be HANABIE.’s last show on Saturday April 11th in The U.S. for their 21-Date North American Tour quickly became a 22-Date North American Tour due to the…

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Japanese Harajuku-core Metal Band, HANABIE. had an EPIC SOLD OUT SHOW on April 11, 2026 at the famous music venue, The Belasco in DTLA. What was supposed to be HANABIE.’s last show on Saturday April 11th in The U.S. for their 21-Date North American Tour quickly became a 22-Date North American Tour due to the high number of fans wanting to see HANABIE. at this 1200 capacity music venue. Thus, HANABIE. decided to add an additional show on Sunday, April 12, 2026 to satiate the taste of HANABIE.’s hungry fans for their love of the band and their music.

Written by Don Marcelo

Promotional poster for a concert featuring the bands CYBER HANABI, NEKROGOBLYON, and CULTRATAF. Includes a schedule of tour dates and locations from March 13 to April 11.

THE FANS

Somewhere along my journey in the realm of J-ROCK bands and music photography, someone once coined the term “The Usual Suspects” to describe the Super-Loyal Fans of Japanese Rock Music, who will often go and see their favorite bands more than once and will line up early. These super fans will often line up before dawn and some will even travel from different parts of The U.S. or fly from another country just to see their favorite bands play. On this day, “The Usual Suspects” came and lined up at 6am to secure a spot on the barricade so that they could have the greatest concert magic experience. The first 3 of “The Usual Suspects” were Mark B. From Walnut Creek, CA, John J. of San Jose, CA, and Aaron from Orange County. New to the concert scene is Miguel whose first concert experience was seeing another JROCK band in 2025. I’m sure I will see him more since he got the concert bug after that one concert at Intuit Dome. We also have several Usual Suspects such as Johnny from San Diego where he first saw HANABIE. at VANS WARPED TOUR 2025. Andy from The I.E. who gifted me a Fan Merch. Thank you, for the gift Andy. To the wonder twins, Patrick and Bryan (they are not really twins but they always go together to all the JROCK shows).  And the list of the “The Usual Suspects” goes on from John of New Mexico, Stephen, Tony, and Carlos who are all from LA. And also Misato aka “The other BabyMetal Moa” and Tomo from Orange County. Always great seeing you both. But probably the highlight for me was seeing the number one fan of HANABIE., Itchie, a native of Japan, whom I met in May of 2024 in Seattle for one of HANABIE.’s concert shows. Itchie is well known in the JROCK community and has seen HANABIE. a million times and will travel anywhere to see his favorite HARAJUKU-CORE band. I’m sure the ladies of HANABIE. truly appreciate his support of them as he always gets VIP tickets to all their shows. Always a great time seeing all “The Usual Suspects.”

THE SUPPORT ACTS: ENTERPRISE EARTH & NEKROGOBLIKON

Touring with  HANABIE. are two hardcore-metal core bands from The U.S: Nekrogoblikon and Enterprise Earth. Metal fans on this night were also delighted with these two bands opening up for HANABIE. Their hardcore metal energy was loud and full of raw power and excitement. If HANABIE. is the Main course of the meal, These two support acts were both the appetizers, wetting the palates of the music fans. Flying bodies were everywhere on this night. For Enterprise Earth, The highlight  of the night  was when their lead singer decided to join in on the fun and surfed the crowd. For Nekrogoblikon, seeing one of the vocalist dressed up like a creature that came out of Middle Earth is something to be seen as well as seeing a big Goblin head on stage. Very creative and very fun. And both are very loud. Two great metalcore bands to get all the blood pumping of the fans.

Photos by © Don Marcelo Photography 2026.

ENTERPRISE EARTH

https://enterpriseearthband.com

A guitarist performing on stage with intense lighting and a joyful expression, showcasing intricate tattoos on his arms.
A male performer with long, flowing hair singing into a microphone on stage, showcasing his toned physique.
A shirtless male singer performing passionately on stage, holding a microphone, with dramatic lighting in the background.
A shirtless male performer passionately singing on stage with long hair flying in the air, surrounded by dramatic lighting.
A drummer performing on stage with vibrant lights and a band logo in the background.
A musician passionately performing on stage with a bass guitar, under dramatic lighting effects.
A live performance by a band, featuring a shirtless lead vocalist expressing energy as he sings, accompanied by a bassist, drummer, and guitarist on stage. Bright stage lights and amplifiers create a dynamic atmosphere.
A male guitarist performing energetically on stage, crouched down with a guitar, while a drummer is seen in the background. Colorful stage lights create a dynamic atmosphere.
A male guitarist in a black tank top performs passionately on stage with dramatic lighting, while a drummer is visible in the background.
A musician playing an electric bass guitar on stage, dressed in casual clothing, with dramatic lighting effects and a vibrant backdrop.
A passionate vocalist performing energetically on stage, holding a microphone and intensely engaging with the audience, with dramatic lighting in the background.
A musician playing a white bass guitar on stage, illuminated by green and blue stage lights.
A performer on stage with arms outstretched, bathed in green stage lights, with bright beams illuminating the dark background.
A metal band performing on stage with dynamic lighting. The bassist and guitarist are prominently featured, while a drummer is visible in the background. The lead vocalist is engaged with the audience.
A crowded concert scene with enthusiastic fans enjoying the performance, raising their hands and showing excitement.
A shirtless performer engages with an energetic crowd at a concert, with fans raising their hands and cheering in excitement.
A musician performs energetically on stage, leaning toward a lively crowd with hands in the air, during a concert.
A lively concert scene with a crowd of fans interacting with a band member at the front of the stage. People are reaching out, showing excitement and enjoying the performance.
A lively concert scene with a crowd surfing fan being assisted by security while other concertgoers cheer and capture the moment on their phones.
A musician on stage extends a piece of clothing toward an enthusiastic crowd, with fans reaching out in excitement during a live performance.
A shirt is being tossed from the stage to the enthusiastic crowd at a live concert, with performers actively engaging with fans in the background.
A shirtless performer holding a red item high above their head on stage, with a dynamic crowd visible in the foreground and band members in the background, illuminated by stage lights.
A musician playing a bass guitar on stage, with vibrant stage lights illuminating the scene and a blurred musical setup in the background.

NEKROGOBLIKON

https://www.nekrogoblikonofficial.com

Two musicians perform on stage with guitars under vibrant stage lights, while a large, colorful goblin mask is prominently displayed in the foreground.
A lively concert scene with a crowd surging towards the stage, a person crowd-surfing above them, illuminated by stage lights.
Two musicians performing on stage with guitars, a large grotesque face prop in the foreground, and colorful stage lighting.
Two male performers on stage with bright green and purple lighting, one holding a microphone and the other gesturing, surrounded by a vibrant concert atmosphere.
A performer dressed in a dark outfit and mask stands on stage beside a large, inflatable goblin head, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A live concert scene featuring a performer in a black shirt and a green backdrop illuminated by dramatic stage lights, alongside a character in a colorful costume with long hair.
A performer in a colorful costume with a pink tutu and tall boots stands on stage, accompanied by a large green goblin mask in the foreground. The scene is lit with vibrant stage lights creating an energetic atmosphere.
A performer on stage holding a microphone, illuminated by colorful stage lights in a concert setting.
A live music performance with three musicians on stage. One performer is wearing a pink tutu and animal-themed costume, while the others are playing guitar and singing. Colorful stage lights create an energetic atmosphere.
A large, illuminated green goblin head on stage with dramatic lighting, set against a dark background.
A performer dressed in a colorful outfit poses dramatically on stage next to a large, exaggerated goblin puppet, illuminated by vibrant stage lights.
A performer dressed in a unique costume with a large goblin mask on stage, engaging with the audience. The image is in black and white, capturing the energetic atmosphere of a live music performance.
A black and white image of a live band performance featuring a guitarist and a drummer. The guitarist is energetically playing while singing, and the drummer is smiling and pointing. A large, whimsical goblin head decoration can be seen in the foreground.
A black and white image of a band performing live on stage, featuring a guitarist playing electric guitar and a drummer playing drums, with a backdrop displaying the band's logo.
A performer in a green monster mask holds a mic while standing next to a giant monster head prop on stage, with another musician in the background.
A performer in a green goblin costume sings into a microphone on stage, surrounded by colorful stage decor, with a large goblin head prop in the foreground.
A live performance scene featuring a musician playing guitar on stage, a drummer in the background, and a large, eerie inflatable goblin head in the foreground. The stage is illuminated with red lighting and smoke effects, creating a dramatic atmosphere.

HANABIE. – THE HEADLINER: A SOLD OUT SHOW AT THE BELASCO

“We are HANABIE. From Japan!” – Yukina

If you ask any musician or a band or even a fan, what it means to them to sell out a show or to be part of a SOLD OUT show, you will most likely get a response like, “It’s the best feeling in the world.” Or “It’s concert magic.” Or “It’s an experience of a lifetime where for one moment you will feel the highest of the highs and get post concert blues afterwards.” But one thing is for sure, SOLD OUT SHOWS are the epitome of all LIVE PERFORMANCES. And HANABIE. SOLD OUT this show on April 11, 2026.

So when the lights were turned down for the headliner and The HANABIE. BANNER was lit up, the fans yelled and screamed to the top of their lungs, knowing that the band they came to see was about to get on stage. Pink, blue, yellow and other colors of neon flashing stage lights and a small mist of fog covered the stage for a minute in-synced with the intro music. Chika, their drummer, ran to the center stage first and got on the platform and waved to everyone. Then came Hettsu, their bassist, with her fist high above her head. Then Matsuri, their guitarist and co-lead vocalist. And finally, Yukina, their growler and co-lead vocalist, ran with such enthusiasm and got on to the first platform on the right side (camera right), waved and bowed her head to give the gesture of Thank You. Then she got on to the left platform and finally the center platform giving the same gestures of Thanks.

From the first note of the song that was played on the setlist this evening, “NEET GAME,” to the very last song of the encore song “Today’s Good Day & So Epic,” it was non-stop adrenaline action by both the band members and the fans. I once dubbed them as The Mighty HANABIE. because of their powerful, energized, and fun presence on stage: Yukina with her constant jumping around, screaming and growling and singing and rapping and levitating endlessly, dancing and running around on stage, to Matsuri’s and Hettsu’s head banging while staying on point playing their instruments as well as singing too, and to Chika’s hard pounding drum skills, the ladies of HANABIE. are just getting mightier and mightier every minute. They are the true essence and power of HARAJUKU-CORE music.

This energy was matched every second by all their die hard fans from beginning to the end who were often seen crowd surfing, dancing, screaming, singing, jumping, head banging, and forming mosh pits in the middle of the floor pushing and squeezing fans all the way to the barrier. All in the name of HARAJUKU-CORE MUSIC

I once had a conversation with the band and asked them to define exactly what this term HARAJUKU-CORE means. Hettsu replied back and said, “Harajuku is a place where many different fashions and cultures mix together, and where people freely express their individuality in their own unique ways. In the same way, our music is a mixture of metal, rock, pop, and many other genres and influences. Because of that, we feel a strong connection between our sound and the spirit of Harajuku.”

For more of my interview with HANABIE. , CLICK on the link below:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW : ALL FEMALE JAPANESE HARAJUKUCORE METAL BAND, HANABIE., BY DON MARCELO

THE SETLIST

On Saturday, April 11, 2026, HANABIE. performed the following songs at The Belasco in DTLA:

・M1: NEET GAME

・M2: SUNRISE MISO-SOUP

・M3: REIWA Dating Apps Generation

・M4: TOUSOU

・M5: Be the GAL~Early Summer ver.~

・M6: ICONIC

・M7: Spicy Queen

・M8: WE LOVE SWEETS

・M9: Our 7days war

・M10: OTAKU Lovely Densetsu

・M11: Tokimeki about you

・M12: Hyperdimension Galaxy

・M13: Pardon Me, I Have To Go Now

・EN1: L.C.G

・EN2: Today’s Good Day & So Epic

IN CONCLUSION

There were so many wonderful moments on this night and not just seeing their great performance on stage and listening to their great style of music and fashion and seeing the shenanigans of all the fans. Some notable highlights I would like to add  on this evening are the following: Yukina twirling the fan merch; some staff members got on stage wearing the spicy red pepper hat/headgear on their head and pranced around on stage (usually Yukina will wear something on her head like a hat or a strawberry mask/headgear or something as simple as a funky looking pair of sunglasses); the two lead vocalists of the support acts singing one song with the band; and finally Yukina changing outfits for their encore and wore a Dodger Jersey representing The Great Shohei Ohtani. What a great way to end the evening. Overall, another fantastic show by The Mighty HANABIE. This is my 6th time seeing them LIVE on stage. If you love music of all kinds, you need to see and hear and check out HANABIE. “Do you love sweets?”- Yukina. If you do love sweets, you will definitely love HANABIE. 

Photos by © Don Marcelo Photography 2026.

Hanabie links

Find more about Hanabie on S.L.R. Magazine

A live music performance featuring a band with energetic musicians on stage. The lead vocalist is bending forward, showcasing long hair and a vibrant pink outfit, while another band member plays guitar in the background. The stage is lit with colorful lights, and a banner displaying the band's name is visible.
A lively band performance with a musician in a pink costume energetically jumping and headbanging on stage, while other band members play instruments in the background under dramatic lighting.
A high-energy live music performance featuring a singer mid-air above the stage, with a colorful backdrop displaying the band's name and logo. Band members are visible playing instruments in the foreground, surrounded by dramatic stage lighting.
A colorful band performing on stage with a backdrop displaying their logo. The lead guitarist is energetically playing while dressed in a vibrant outfit, accompanied by another band member singing and interacting with the audience.
A vibrant live music performance featuring a female vocalist in a colorful costume with pink puffy sleeves, singing into a microphone. Two other band members play instruments in the background, with a dramatic stage lighting and a banner displaying the band's name.
A lively performance scene featuring a vocalist in a colorful outfit with pink accents, energetically singing on stage. In the background, a drummer is visible alongside a guitarist, all set against vibrant stage lighting and a large band banner.
A dynamic live performance featuring a band on stage with vibrant lighting. The lead singer, dressed in colorful attire, energetically engages with the audience while holding a microphone. Other band members play guitars and drums in the background.
A lively performance by a singer in a colorful outfit, jumping with a microphone on stage, with a drummer and bassist in the background. The band's backdrop features a logo.
A lively rock band performing on stage, with vibrant lighting and energetic poses. The lead singer, wearing a colorful outfit and pink accessories, dominates the foreground, while other band members play instruments in the background.
A crowd enjoying a live music performance with vibrant stage lighting, featuring enthusiastic fans and a person upside down in the balcony.
A lively rock band performing on stage with colorful lights, featuring a lead singer in a pink outfit holding a microphone, surrounded by musicians playing guitars and drums.
A performer dressed in a pink costume energetically singing on stage, with dramatic lighting and a band playing in the background.
A crowd of enthusiastic concertgoers at a live music event, with people showing excitement and cheering. The venue features an ornate ceiling and a vibrant atmosphere.
A stage setup featuring a large banner with the text 'HANABIE' and a graphic design with splashes and abstract elements, in a purple-lit environment.
A vibrant stage scene featuring a band performing with colorful lights and a dynamic backdrop.
A vibrant live music performance featuring a female singer in a pink outfit and colorful accessories, energetically engaging with the audience on stage, surrounded by band members and dramatic lighting.
A lively rock concert featuring a female vocalist in a pink outfit with colorful hair performing on stage, surrounded by band members and vibrant lighting.

Yukina

A performer passionately singing on stage, wearing a pink outfit and striking a dynamic pose with one leg raised, surrounded by dramatic lighting.
A female performer kneeling on stage, wearing a pink fluffy jacket and knee-high pink boots, holding a microphone with an intense expression, under blue stage lighting.
A performer with light pink hair wearing a fluffy pink jacket holds a microphone and strikes a dynamic pose under stage lights.
A performer singing passionately into a microphone while wearing a pink fuzzy outfit, with colorful stage lights in the background.
A performer in a colorful outfit with a pink top and unique accessories sings into a microphone on stage, with vibrant stage lights in the background.
A performer energetically jumps on stage while holding a microphone, dressed in a colorful outfit with pink accents. Behind her is a rock band setup featuring drums and a prominent banner in the background.
A performer in a vibrant, pink outfit with large fluffy boots and playful hair accessories sings passionately on stage, surrounded by dramatic lighting and a band in the background.
A performing artist in a vibrant costume jumps energetically on stage, microphone in hand, with a colorful backdrop featuring the word 'HANABIE'.

Matsuri

A musician performing on stage with a guitar, wearing a stylish outfit. Vibrant stage lighting enhances the energetic atmosphere.
A guitarist performing on stage, dressed in a skeleton-themed outfit, illuminated by blue stage lights, with an energetic pose and a dramatic background.
A guitarist performing on stage with a black electric guitar, dressed in a skeleton-themed outfit, under bright concert lights.
A musician performing on stage with an electric guitar, wearing a unique outfit featuring a skeleton design and black accessories, against a backdrop with vibrant colors and artistic graphics.
A female musician performing on stage, playing a black electric guitar. She is dressed in edgy attire with mesh sleeves and a unique graphic design. The background features a vibrant banner with bold designs and colors, emphasizing the energy of a live music performance.

Hettsu

A musician performing on stage, smiling while playing a teal bass guitar, wearing colorful clothing with a playful design.
A performer on stage playing a colorful bass guitar while raising one hand in a rock gesture. The musician has long, styled hair with pink highlights and is wearing a unique outfit with various colors and patterns.
A musician performing on stage, playing a guitar, surrounded by blue smoke and dramatic lighting.
A musician passionately performing on stage, playing a bass guitar with long hair flowing in motion, illuminated by vibrant blue stage lights.
A musician performing on stage, playing a guitar with vibrant stage lights and a colorful backdrop.
A guitarist performing energetically on stage with long hair flowing, illuminated by stage lights, and a colorful band backdrop.
A musician performing energetically on stage, playing an electric guitar with colorful hair and striking attire, against a vibrant backdrop featuring a band logo.
A musician performing energetically on stage while playing an electric guitar, with vibrant stage lights and a colorful backdrop.
A performer playing electric guitar on stage with vibrant blue lights in the background.
A musician performing on stage, energetically playing a green bass guitar while kicking one foot up. The background features colorful stage lights and a vibrant backdrop.
A female bassist performing on stage, jumping with her instrument during a concert under bright stage lights.

Chika

A female drummer performing on stage with a vibrant background featuring a colorful banner.
A female drummer performing on stage, wearing a colorful outfit, with a vibrant backdrop featuring bold graphics. She is actively playing the drums and interacting with the audience.
A female drummer performing on stage with a white drum kit adorned with stuffed animals, in front of a colorful backdrop featuring artistic designs and the name 'HANABIE.'
A drummer performing on stage with a drum set featuring the brand 'HANABIE', surrounded by colorful stage lighting and a vibrant backdrop.
A female drummer performing on stage, surrounded by a drum set with the logo 'HANABIE' prominently displayed on the bass drum. The background features a colorful banner with abstract designs.

One response to “HARAJUKU-CORE BAND FROM JAPAN, HANABIE., SPICED UP THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES WITH THEIR SOLD OUT SHOW AT THE BELASCO ON SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026, BY DON MARCELO”

  1. Ryan Avatar
    Ryan

    Great article and photos Don!

    Reply

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