Japanese Indie Rock Trio Hitsujibungaku Ventures on First US Tour
- Megan K
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
On April 15th, at August Hall in San Francisco, we were treated to a performance by the Tokyo-based Japanese indie rock band Hitsujibungaku (羊文学), featuring opener Jonathan Roy.
The trio consists of vocalist Shiotsuka Moeka (塩塚モエカ), bassist Kasai Yurika (河西ゆりか), and drummer Fukuda Hiroa (フクダヒロア). The band shares a long history together—crossing paths during school, growing their love for music through separate projects, and eventually coming together to form this trio. The band has been actively creating and spreading their music since 2011 and have built a fan base steadily throughout their careers.
The night kicked off with Canadian pop singer Jonathan Roy, his lively and vibrant vocals radiating throughout the venue. Accompanied by a live band, they matched the singer’s energy while rounding out the set. This performance was my introduction to the artist and despite my unfamiliarity there’s one thing that’s certain: when a singer truly enjoys performing, the mood skyrockets and their energy can be felt through the audience. Not afraid to move around the stage, interacting with the crowd with his expressive gestures, Jonathan and his band delivered a noteworthy performance.
Soon after Hitsujibungaku stepped on stage, the trio was warmly welcomed by the San Francisco crowd in what was their first-ever performance in the city. Though the members didn’t speak much to the international audience, their bright smiles and music spoke volumes.
As the night unfolded, one thing that was noticed was how beautifully their vocal harmonies synced, and could be heard clearly echoing in their second song “GO!!!” The trio flowed effortlessly from one song to the next while keeping up their energy with the audience. "予感 (Yokan)," from their album Our Hope, featured an extended instrumental interlude that highlighted both guitar and drums, myself with the audience completely immersed in the harmonic sound. “1999,” “GO!!!” and “More Than Words,” each showcased different elements like unique melodies, harmonies, and high-tempo musicality.
We live in a very digital age where recording our favorite memories are a must. Sometimes this can hinder the experience of being in a moment with live music when all one sees is a phone raised above their head to record the view of their favorite singer and song being played before them. However, this show proved otherwise where at some point in the night less phones were up and more hands were being waved up and down to the tempo. Bright smiles and cheers were being shared with the band as fans savored the moment together.
Hitsujibungaku wrapped up the North American leg of their self-titled tour. The trio will head to Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Taipei, Bangkok, and Tokyo beginning in September 2025.
Hitsujibungaku
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