Japan’s leading rock band ONE OK ROCK will finally make it to our shores thisJanuary 19, 2016 at the MOA Arena, Pasay City! Co-presented by PULP Live World and 28 Black, guitarist Toru Yamashita, bassist Ryota Kohama, drummerTomoya Kanki and frontman Takahiro “Taka” Moriuchi are ready to deliver their energized brand of alternative rock, post-hardcore and pop-punk to their J-Rock Manila fans who have been praying for this day to happen. The band is touring in support of their 7th full-length album 35xxxv, their first release since signing up with record label giant Warner Bros. Records and also the first to be released in the United States. ONE OK ROCK will be performing their hits “The Beginning,” “Dreamer,” “Heartache” and “Mighty Long Fall,” among many others.
In 2007, the band released its first single from A-Sketch Inc., a record label based in Japan. Since then, the band has grown at a fast pace and has performed not only at small live houses, where they initially started out, but also at numerous large concert venues. ONE OK ROCK has rapidly become one of the most popular Japanese rock bands due to its hugely successful concerts such as Nippon Budokan Live in 2010, Yokohama Stadium Live in 2014 in front of 60,000 people, and The Arena Tour in 2013 and 2015. Their continued success at various rock festivals and viral hits have made it possible for the group to expand its fan base worldwide. This has allowed the band to top the charts in Japan with its latest (and 7th) album, “35xxxv.”
The group has made records with American producer John Feldmann (whose credits include the likes of All Time Low, Panic! at the Disco and 5 Seconds of Summer, among many illustrious others) and most recently collaborated with Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens on 35xxxv. The group strengthened its presence by performing around the world, including completing European and South American tours, along with the VANS WARPED TOUR 2014 and the SOUNDWAVE Festival 2015. In April of 2015, the band signed a worldwide distribution deal with Warner Bros. Their latest album, “35xxxv” was already released in Japan in February and will soon be released worldwide by WB. (It has already been digitally released worldwide on iTunes). The group’s biggest single “The Beginning” has reached more than 40 million hits on YouTube, won “Best Rock Video” in the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan and reached number five in the Oricon charts. Their latest “Mighty Long Fall” was chosen to be the theme song for the movie sequel of Rurouni Kenshin.
In one of their live concert DVDs, one particular moment that caught the hearts of their fans was when Taka cried in the middle of performing “Nobody’s Home.” Asked about it by loud rock Internet portal Gekirock, Taka elaborated “Up til’ now, what drove us was frustration, the desire not to lose, to not be looked down(upon). Apparently they are negative feelings, but in reality in a band they are a source of power. Since the Budokan (show), I realized these emotions little by little have turned into something else. With that many people accepting us…the point wasn’t anymore performing with raging emotions, it was instead of gratitude, something that wasn’t there before. Sure, I don’t want to stop the band’s present energy and groove, but somehow it can be a support to make the power inside us even stronger.”
That magic will finally make its way to the Philippines in ONE OK ROCK 2016 “35xxxv” Asia Tour Live in Manila this January 19, 2016 at MOA Arena, Pasay City. Co-presented by PULP Live World and 28 Black, tickets are now available exclusively at all SM Tickets (470-22-22, www.smtickets.com) outlets nationwide. Tickets are priced as follows: P4,500 (for both VIP Standingand VIP Seated), P3,500 (Lower Box A), P2,500 (Lower Box B) and P1,500 (Lower Box C). Ticketing surcharges apply. The show is also brought to you byMYX, The Philippine Star, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video.