WagakkiBand enters indefinite hiatus at year’s end, marks 10 years of activity

WagakkiBand, the traditional Japanese rock band, announces an indefinite hiatus that will take effect on December 31, 2024, coinciding with their 10th-anniversary year.

The announcement was made on January 7, with the decision stemming from extensive discussions among the eight band members and the staff members. The conclusion of the discussion resulted in the consensus that the band should take a break, allowing each member to focus on their own individual projects, to eventually create an even stronger band once they return.

As WagakkiBand has always had a strong focus on the international audience, the announcement and each member’s comment were made available in English.

WagakkiBand announcement

Thank you very much for your continued support of WagakkiBand.

As of December 31st, 2024, WagakkiBand will identifinitely pause activities, during which time band members will focus on their individual projects. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all Shin Yaeryu members and all our fans, as well as everyone who has worked with us.

Since the fall of 2022, we have had numerous discussions on the future of WagakkiBand with all members together and individually, and with stakeholders. The conclusion reached by the eight members was that they should take a break from their activities as WagakkiBand, concentrate on their individual projects and improve themselves individually as artists and musicians. Then, when the eight of them take to the stage again, they will be able to share even better WagakkiBand music with the world.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the band’s debut.

Before each of the eight members begins their own activities, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the fans who have supported us for the past ten years. We have decided to pause WagakkiBand activities at the end of this year, which marks the 10th anniversary of the band’s debut.

We hope that Shin Yaeryu members, our fans and our stakeholders will understand our decision. We would like to thank all those who have supported WagakkiBand from the bottom of our hearts, and during this milestone year of our 10th anniversary we would like to express our gratitude to all those people special to us.
We look forward to your continued support and encouragement for WagakkiBand.

January 7th, 2024
WagakkiBand / IGNITE Management / Universal Music LLC

Message from the members

Vocalist Suzuhana Yuko

What makes WagakkiBand so special is the indiviuality of each band member.
It is thanks to everyone’s love and support that our unique band, which started with such big dreams, was able to keep going. I am so grateful for all of the experiences we have had together.

After this 10th anniversary year, each band member will be able to concentrate on their own projects, at their own pace, without being bound the WagakkiBand framework and will be able to grow even more.

I am sure that many will be surprised by this announcement. Nonetheless, nothing would make me happier than to continue to receive your warm support for our 10th anniversary in 2024. I believe in the power of the music that WagakkiBand has delivered so far. And I want to savor the experience of every single one of our unique performances before our hiatus starts.

Thank you for your continued support.
I will treasure the days spent together as WagakkiBand.

Koto player Ibukuro Kiyoshi

Over the past 10 years, we have been able to see so many different places thanks to you. Thank you to everyone who went on this journey with us, who sang, made noise and cried with us.

While we take a break from our activities as a team and each member concentrates on new challenges, we will cherish the time we spent together. I hope you will keep an eye out for our future work together.

Shakuhachi player Kaminaga Daisuke

The amount of positive influence that WagakkiBand has had over the past 10 years is immeasurable.

I would like to thank everyone for their support, which has allowed our wonderful band to continue as far as it has.

I want to make the final year before our hiatus our best yet, so I appreciate your continued support!!

Shamisen player Ninagawa Beni

Although this is a sudden announcement, I would like to make the most of our 10th anniversary by expressing my gratitude to everyone who has followed us this far, and by drawing on the many ups and downs we have traveled as a team over the past 10 years. And I want to continue growing so I can return an even stronger team member.

I will continue to work hard to live up to the expectations of everyone who has supported the band so far.

Wadaiko player Kurona

To everyone who has supported us,

I’ll keep things short and sweet for now… ,

For now!
We hope to celebrate the 10th anniversary of WagakkiBand’s debut with gratitude to everyone! Working in the world of music and art, I believe it is something I owe to future generations, and my purpose in life, to dedicate all my energy to each project and create the maximum expression.

We don’t have time to waste looking down!
We will keep looking forward. We hope for your warm support while we continue to bring color into the days of many people with our unique fusions of traditional Japanese and rock music. ! [sic]

Guitarist Machiya

Since our debut 10 years ago, we have experienced many things.

For most of us, it was our first experience in the world of entertainment. There were many difficult and painful times, but I can say that we were able to keep going for 10 years because they were outweighed by the energy and joy we received.

When I reflect on how much we were able to share our values, expand our horizons, and enrich our lives, more than anything, I am grateful for the opportunity to meet and spend time with so many people.

All things inevitably sprout, flourish, decay and are reborn.

Which is why I think we should each be grateful for where we are and be happy that we’ve gotten to where we are. I think we should think of the WagakkiBand as a living entity, spinning threads to shed its skin, making a cocoon and waiting for the long winter to end. We will probably also need time to heal. There is a limit to how far you can fly why you’re hurt. I believe this is natural.

I am extremely sorry for the sudden announcement.

However, this is the best solution we reached after a year’s discussions. I honestly think when we come together again and start up again it’s going to be amazing! To be honest, I think it’s fair to say this is period for us to recharge our batteries. Isn’t there something so romantic about each of us stepping back from the environment we’ve been in for 10 years to grow in new environments?

So long for now!

Bassist Asa

I am so sorry for the sudden announcement; however WagakkiBand will take a break from the end of 2024.

We’ve been in the band for 10 years and we’ve been through a lot together.

I was thinking that it would be better to stop instead of forcing myself to continue with the band. So although I am sorry to everyone who still wants to see WagakkiBand and experience our music, part of me is relieved.

Since we formed in 2013, there were difficulties, but many days were so fun it was like a dream come true.
Thank you for everything.

Someday the eight of us will start WagakkiBand again. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us so far.

Thank you so much for the past 10 years.

Drummer Wasabi

Since debuting at the age of 25, WagakkiBand has been the cornerstone of my musical life.

It’s a miracle that eight people who have walked different paths up until now have come together and continued to create sound for 10 years.

I am so grateful to all of our fans and staff who have supported us.

The band will take a hiatus after a year but until that day I will continue without fail to put my heart and soul into every performance.

I am someone who can only live honestly, and I believe that is the only thing I can do to repay you.

About WagakkiBand

New type of rock entertainment band that combines Japanese traditional poems sing and musical instruments with rock band.

Their debut album “Vocalo Zanmai” released in April 2014.

Their second album “Yaso Emaki” that was released on 2015 has won 1st position in Oricon Newcomer Weekly Ranking, and won the 57th award from “Kagayaku! Nihon Record Taisho Kikakusho”.

Well known as an energetic performing band in Japanese and abroad, in 2016 was their first concert in Nihon Budokan, 1 year 9 month after their first debut. They also did their North America Solo Tour, as one of their goal for becoming worldwide well known band.

In 2018, their 5th album “OTONOE” won the 60th award from “Kagayaku! Nihon Record Taisho Kikakusho”.

In 2019, they has succeeded performing two days live concert at Saitama Super Arena. They are one of the most highlighted band in Japan currently.