A long-awaited live show in Hokkaido. A performance to show how much they've grown and to unleash their “we finally get to see you” energy.

――And now you're on the "Record Release & 4th Anniversary Tour" with these three songs! Your last show in Sapporo was in 2021. Do you remember it?

Kiyohara: The last venue was super close to Zepp Sapporo, and I remember us all getting excited, saying, "We want to play there someday!" Also, Yubaba... (laughs).

――From the Ghibli movie?

Kiyohara: I went so wild during the live show that my hair tie flew off. Then my hair looked just like Yubaba's (laughs). When we played "Koi no Monster," I messed up a crucial part big time... but you don't remember, do you?

Ohno: The Yubaba incident was so impactful that's all I remember (laughs). But I do remember that even though it was a live show during the pandemic and we couldn't make any noise, the crowd was really hyped up.

――You each have different roles on stage. What are your impressions of each other?

Kiyohara: She's just amazing. I think she memorizes new songs while having a packed schedule, and Mai-chan is always so fast at learning them. Also, during live shows, she can't go to the front of the stage, and it's difficult to interact with each fan individually. Still, she's always thinking about what would make everyone happy. I really respect that attitude. But I think I bring a certain "glamour" just by being there (laughs). I think that's completely different from me, so I always find it wonderful.

――What do you think of that, Ms. Ohno?

Ohno: I think I'm the complete opposite of Rio-chan. Rio-chan's explosive power is incredible! I always try to give 100%, but in a bad way, my emotions can be up and down... But Rio-chan gives 100% on every stage. She never has a bad day and always delivers results, which I think is amazing. However, starting from this tour, Risa-chan got a "riser" and can now move around more than ever. Risa-chan's performance is also captivating, but I still want Rio-chan to be the best performer! I want her to be even more confident and shine on stage.

Kiyohara: Until now, Risa-chan's position didn't allow her to move much, so I was the only one running around. But from now on, both sides will be moving, so I think it will be visually more fun for everyone. With this new single, we've broken out of our shells, and if Risa-chan can also unleash her performance, I think it will be a great stimulus for me too.

――You're clearly passionate about your stage performances.

Kiyohara: Playing well is of course important, but I might be more focused on making a visual impression on the audience. We often get comments like, "that move was cool," or "the four of you had great expressions," so I want to stick to that core and go even wilder!

Ohno: For the Sapporo show, we've specially requested a drum riser. Since they're setting it up for us, I feel a responsibility to perform well. I think everyone who comes will be able to see me better, so I want to deliver not just in my playing but also with a strong visual performance.

Kiyohara: It's our first live show in Sapporo in three years, so we're also filled with the excitement of finally getting to see everyone. I want to share that feeling of "this is so much fun" with everyone, and I want to give a full-throttle performance to convey that feeling! I'm looking forward to sharing an amazing time with everyone in Hokkaido.

Ohno: I think some people might come to see me as "that girl from the gravure photoshoots." That's exactly why I want to prove that I'm putting my life into this! That I'm giving my all to the band! I want to make it a fun time that shows just that.

――By the way, is there anything you're looking forward to in Sapporo besides the live show?

Kiyohara: So many things! We'll be there for about four days, so I want to enjoy it to the fullest. The last time we came, we went to various restaurants, and we had a passionate talk about our future (laughs). That's my last memory of Hokkaido, so I hope we can have another passionate time. While eating delicious food!

Ohno: There's a restaurant I love that I go to every time I come to Sapporo, and since we'll be there for a while, it looks like I'll get to eat a lot this time. I plan to eat my fill of both seafood and Genghis Khan (mutton barbecue) (laughs).

――Thank you for sharing so much with us. Lastly, could you please give a message to your fans in Hokkaido?

Kiyohara: We're so sorry for making you wait so long. It makes me so happy that whenever we visit, you always welcome us so warmly, saying, "We've been waiting for you!" We're also supported by everyone who cheers for us on social media, and because we finally get to see you, we should be able to show you how much we've grown as a band. We're really looking forward to it. We hope to make this live show even more passionate than the last, so please continue to support us! We can't wait to see you!

Ohno: It's been about three years since our last live show, and I'm truly sorry for the long wait. Hokkaido is a big place, so I know many people travel a long way to see us. That's why I'm filled with gratitude, thinking, "Thank you for coming!" We'll make it a live show that makes you feel it was worth the wait, so let's have a great time together!

――By the way, will Yubaba be making an appearance this time? (laughs)

Kiyohara: I'd like her to, but recently I've been reinforcing my hair ties as a countermeasure against Yubaba (laughs). If she appears, it'll be a miracle (laughs).

Kimi to Band

A four-piece all-girl band consisting of Mai Ohno and Rio Kiyohara from Ehime Prefecture, Risako Morita from Fukui Prefecture, and Yukitan from Saitama Prefecture. All members started with zero experience on their instruments, so the band name "Kimi to Band" (You and the Band) was chosen to reflect their desire to grow together with their fans ("Kimi"). In 2022, they held a solo live show at Zepp Haneda TOKYO, one of Japan's largest live houses, becoming the fastest indie all-girl band to do so, and successfully sold out the venue (2,000 capacity under COVID restrictions). They are currently aiming for a solo concert at the Nippon Budokan and a nationwide Zepp tour, a first for an indie all-girl band.

Mai Ohno
Praised as "Japan's most beautiful drummer" for her stunning visuals. She is active as a drummer, influencer, model, and actress. In 2023, her crowdfunding campaign for a gravure photobook became a hot topic after raising over 14 million yen, the highest amount ever for a crowdfunded photobook. She is a frequent subject of online news, and her total number of social media followers exceeds 1.1 million.

Rio Kiyohara
An original member of the Yasushi Akimoto-produced group "Last Idol," she formed the band after graduating. She has also been praised for her high expressive and acting skills as an actress, starring in movies and plays. She is in charge of MCing during live shows and is also a co-host of the radio show "Kimi to Radio," where her lighthearted banter with comedian Bike Kawasaki Bike is popular.

Kimi to Band Record Release & 4th Anniversary Tour

Date: Sunday, October 13
Venue: SOUND CRUE (2-15-1-2 Odori-higashi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)
Time: Doors open 13:00 / Show starts 13:30
Price: Advance 3,500 yen (2,000 yen for women)

For details, please check the official social media below.
■Official X: @with48263996

Interview: Kyohei Yamashita