Hikaru Utada's 'Science Fiction Tour 2024' Concludes with a Sold-Out Finale at Yokohama's K-Arena, Marking the End of Their First Tour in Six Years
Aftermovie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpCkd2Vn52w
TOKYO, JAPAN – 1 September 2024 – Hikaru Utada's long-awaited tour, their first in six years, concluded triumphantly on September 1 at Yokohama's K-Arena. Marking their fourth domestic tour, this series of shows included 18 performances across nine venues, featuring their debut solo concerts in Taipei and Hong Kong. With a total attendance of 258,000, the tour stands as one of Utada's most significant to date.
The final show in Yokohama attracted 18,000 fans, with long lines for merchandise and photo opportunities formed well before doors opened. The stage design evoked the feeling of distant planets and space travel, immersing attendees in a fittingly sci-fi atmosphere. As the concert began, Utada appeared under the spotlight, receiving roaring cheers and applause. The opening track, "time will tell," set the stage for a memorable night, followed by performances of "Letters," "Wait & See," and "In My Room."
Utada spoke to their audience “Hello, everyone! We finally made it! Let's have a great time today.”
Highlights included a powerful renditions of "Hikari (Re-Recording)," a medley of "For You" and "DISTANCE (m-flo remix)," and an energetic take on "traveling (Re-Recording)." Utada's performance of "First Love" next to the fans brought everyone even closer.
The first half of the concert continued with a string of hits, including "Beautiful World," "COLORS," "Boku wa Kuma," "Keep Tryin'," and "Kiss & Cry," culminating in a captivating rendition of "Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro." The second half kicked off with 2022's "Bad Mode," with Utada appearing in a rainbow-colored dress. After performing "Anata," Utada shared a special message.
“It just hit me that today is the last day. It makes me feel a bit sad," Utada shared. "This time, I didn't want the focus to be on celebrating my 25 years alone, but on looking back and celebrating the 25 years we've shared together, and taking a moment to say 'well done.' I'm so grateful that we could all come together and feel this way. Thank you."
"In 25 years, we've all experienced so much—good times, joyful moments, and difficult ones too. But when I think about how every step, whether it was easy or hard, has brought me here, I realize that it was all worth it. Life doesn't always give you what you wish for, and sometimes the things you didn't ask for help you grow the most. Even when you lose something, it's a reminder that it was once given to you. I've come to see that what we've lost becomes a part of our hearts, and even the things we weren't given have enriched us in their own way. I've also learned the joy and fulfillment that comes from giving. These 25 years have been amazing for me, and I hope they've been the same for you. I also hope the next 25 years are just as wonderful. For now, let's just say this moment is the best. Congratulations, everyone!"
The main set concluded with captivating performances of "A Flower of No Color," "One Last Kiss," and "Kimini Muchuu."
During the encore, Hikaru Utada performed their latest track, "Electricity." The final show featured special guests "Aoi Tsuki," a dance duo consisting of Aoi Yamada and Tsuki Takamura, known for Yamada's work on the Netflix series "First Love" and the choreography for "A Flower of No Color." Additionally, saxophonist MELRAW, who also played on the song, joined the performance, creating a special finale.
"Tonight's not over yet—can you stay with me a little longer?" The evening's final surprise was revealed: a performance of "Stay Gold." The concert concluded with this unexpected treat, followed by the classic hit "Automatic," complete with a nod to its iconic music video featuring a yellow chair. The night ended with heartfelt applause and a nostalgic atmosphere as the venue grew quiet.
The concert will be played on U-NEXT from November 10 at 16:30 (JST). Additionally, the final show of Hikaru Utada's "SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024," which wrapped up on September 1 at Yokohama Arena, will be released as Blu-ray on December 11, 2024.
This Blu-ray release will feature the full show from K-Arena in Yokohama, the final stop of the nationwide tour celebrating Utada's 25th anniversary supporting their best-of album "SCIENCE FICTION."
The release will also include exclusive documentary footage from every tour stop. The limited edition will bundle a Blu-ray disc containing all 40 music videos, from "Automatic" to "A Flower of No Color," and will be packaged with a special booklet and commemorative tickets from each tour location.
Further details about the Blu-ray release will be announced at a later date. Keep an eye out for further exciting updates and announcements regarding Utada's 25th anniversary.
HIKARU UTADA SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024 Setlist
- time will tell
- Letters
- Wait & See -Risk-
- In My Room
- Hikari (Re-Recording)
- For You ~ DISTANCE (m-flo remix) Medley
- traveling (Re-Recording)
- First Love
- Beautiful World
- COLORS
- Boku wa Kuma
- Keep Tryin'
- Kiss & Cry
- Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro
- BAD Mode
- Anata
- Hanataba Wo Kimi ni
- A Flower of No Color
- One Last Kiss
- Kimi ni Muchuu
- Electricity Encore
- Stay Gold Encore - Final Show Only
- Automatic Encore
“HIKARU UTADA SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024” Band Member Profile
Henry Bowers-Broadbent / Music Director, Keyboard, Guitar, Percussion
Henry Bowers-Broadbent is a multi-instrumentalist and producer from London. After studying composition with film composer John Ashton Thomas, he joined English psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker on Hammond organ. He has worked as a live session musician and recording artist for Hikaru Utada, Misu Chiru, Amy MacDonald, Robert Francis, Jack Savoretti, Shane Filan and others.
Hinako Omori / Keyboard
Hinako Omori is a composer from Yokohama, Japan, based in London. She began her musical path studying classical piano, later training as a sound engineer, and has since moved into working with analogue synths. Hinako has released two studio albums on the label Houndstooth - her work blurs the lines between classical, electronic and ambient. Some of the artists that Hinako has toured with as a keyboardist and synthesist include Ed O'Brien, Floating Points, Kae Tempest and James Bay.
Ben Parker / Guitar
Ben Parker is a highly experienced multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer and author based in London. Starting out in 1999 signing to Universal Music with successful duo Ben & Jason, Ben went on to become one of London's most sought after sessions musicians and songwriters. Working with such names as Paulo Nutini, Andra Day, Amy Macdonald, Razolright and the Libertines. In 2005 he began a long lasting relationship working with Grammy award winning producer Stephen Fitzmaurice which led to him being an intrinsic part of the team making records with Japanese star Hikaru Utada. A relationship which has lasted to this day with Ben playing in Hikaru's live band on both her 2018 Laughter In The Dark tour and 2024's Science Fiction tour. Ben has also composes for television and film and has worked with director Sam Taylor-Johnson on both her John Lennon and Amy Winehouse biopics as well as supervising a number of other TV and film projects as instrumental music consultant.
He has written 27 instructional music instrument books and has sold over a million copies world wide and has best sellers teaching beginners how to play a number of instruments including guitar, piano and ukulele.
Ben is now one half of critically acclaimed transatlantic theatrical folk duo ‘Sons of Town Hall’ who perform all over Europe and the US and are about to release their second album and 15 episode podcast.
Seye Adelekan / Bass
Seye is a London based Multi Instrumentalist, composer, producer best known for being the live bass player in Damon Albarn's animated, multi-media band Gorillaz.
Isaac Kizito / Drum
Isaac Kizito, a session drummer based out of London. He discovered his rhythmical prowess at a young age. With a passion for music he drew close to the drum set. Isaac honed his skills over the years, becoming a sought-after session drummer known for his dynamic beats and musical versatility. Isaac has recorded/with Emile Sande, Eliza Doolitle, Jai Paul and the list continues on and on. Isaac also, endorses Yamaha Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vater Sticks and Remo Skins.
Aoi Tsuki / Dancer Performed only at the K-Arena show
Aoi Tsuki, a poetry dance duo consisting of Aoi Yamada and Tsuki Takamura, blends movement and language to creatively reimagine fragments of memory. Their work aims to leave a lasting impression as a cherished memory for someone. They also engage in individual projects and are members of the performance collective "Tokyo QQQ."
MELRAW (Kohei Ando) / Saxophone Performed only at the K-Arena show
A versatile multi-instrumentalist and producer, MELRAW excels in Saxophone, Guitar, MPC, and more. Active in solo projects and at the cutting edge of the Japanese jazz scene, he also collaborates with major artists like KING GNU and Kenshi Yonezu. His work extends to collaborations with numerous hip-hop artists, creating a genre-spanning sound that is increasingly vital to Japan's music scene.
HIKARU UTADA SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024
Marine Messe Fukuoka
SAT 13 JUL 2024 – 17:00 (Doors Open: 15:30)
SUN 14 JUL 2024 – 16:00 (Doors Open: 14:30)
Aichi Sky Expo, Hall A
FRI 19 JUL 2024 – 18:30 (Doors Open: 17:00)
SAT 20 JUL 2024 – 16:30 (Doors Open: 15:00)
Saitama Super Arena
WED 24 JUL 2024 – 18:30 (Doors Open: 17:00)
THU 25 JUL 2024 – 18:30 (Doors Open: 17:00)
Sekisui Heim Super Arena (Miyagi)
TUE 30 JUL 2024 – 18:30 (Doors Open: 17:30)
WED 31 JUL 2024 – 18:30 (Doors Open: 17:30)
Yoyogi National Stadium, 1st Gymnasium (Tokyo)
SAT 3 AUG 2024 – 16:00 (Doors Open: 15:00)
SUN 4 AUG 2024 – 16:00 (Doors Open: 15:00)
Taipei Arena (Taiwan)
SAT 10 AUG 2024 – 17:00 (Doors Open: 15:30)
SUN 11 AUG 2024 – 17:00 (Doors Open: 15:30)
AsiaWorld-Arena (Hong Kong)
SAT 17 AUG 2024 – 20:00 (Doors Open: 18:30)
SUN 18 AUG 2024 – 20:00 (Doors Open: 18:30)
Osaka-Jo Hall
TUE 27 AUG 2024 – 18:30 (Doors Open: 17:30)
WED 28 AUG 2024 – 18:30 (Doors Open: 17:30)
K-Arena Yokohama
SAT 31 AUG 2024 – 16:30 (Doors Open: 15:00)
SUN 1 SEP 2024 – 16:30 (Doors Open: 15:00)
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