KAMIJO
The Mayan Los Angeles – June 1, 2025
Live Report by Molly Coggshall
Photos courtesy of KAMIJO
Vampire rockstar KAMIJO finished off his North American tour at The Mayan in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 1. With its ornate interior, the theater beautifully complemented the stage backdrop, which featured cathedral-like stained glass imagery on the screens above the audience. For KAMIJO, the alluring display seemed a perfect fit for his well known extravagant style. A line of attendees sprawled around the block and an announcement was made that the concert would start thirty minutes late to allow the two hundred people still waiting outside the venue to enter before the show began.
An instrumental version of “VIOLET DAWN” began to play and a tangible energy filled the venue. Screams echoed throughout the audience as KAMIJO strutted onto the stage, followed closely behind by his highly talented band members: YUKI (guitar), HIRO (guitar), IKUO (bass), and SHUJI (drums). The fans in the packed venue waved around light up roses to “Theme of Sang”, and the heavy tones of “Nosferatu” followed swiftly behind which seemingly invigorated KAMIJO as he pranced around the stage in his Victorian outfit. “Bonjour L.A.!” KAMIJO greeted his audience before launching into “Eye of Providence”, which surrounded him with green spotlights that flickered across the stage.
The crowd fist-pumped energetically with KAMIJO when the experimental heavy metal sound of “Yamiyo no Lion” started, the fans singing enthusiastically along. In his charismatic way, KAMIJO engaged the audience with comments of “Did you miss me? I missed you! Your heart is mine,” which sparked a deaf defying scream from the fans. “Bara wa Utsukushiku Chiru” began, a song originally from KAMIJO’s first band Lareine, and the concertgoers waved their roses around, pairing perfectly with the atmosphere of the music about the life and death of a rose.
“mademoiselle” needed no other introduction from KAMIJO, and the light hearted music filled the venue to the great enthusiasm of the crowd. The beautiful lyrics of “Utsukushi Hibi no Kakera” floated through the concert hall and KAMIJO sang passionately; the sound of the piano filled the air as KAMIJO raised his hand to the sky at the climax of the song, falling dramatically to his knees while the crowd cried out in response. The intense music of “Castrato” shifted the mood of the venue with its dark symphonic tones and KAMIJO’s accompanying baritone voice, the song often switching between high and low notes, flaunting his versatile vocal skills.
The heavy guitar solo of “Odyssey” invigorated the audience, and KAMIJO gave a brilliant smile in response. “Conspiracy” sustained the energy and the crowd clapped in unison with KAMIJO encouraging them and he reached out into the crowd, grasping the eager hands of his fans as they raised their arms towards him as if in worship of a deity. The crowd continued to amp up in excitement with “Beautiful Rock’n Roll”. KAMIJO appeared rejuvenated by the response of the fans, prompting him to reach out into the crowd once again, but in the excitement he fell off the stage and into the edge of the audience. KAMIJO quickly pulled himself back onto the stage, assuring the crowd with an enthusiastic “I’m OK! I’m OK!”, and continued the evening with brilliance.
During “Louis ~Enketsu no La vie en rose~”, KAMIJO borrowed a light up rose from a fan in the audience and then proceeded to caress and gently kiss the rose while singing, his voice hitting the highest notes of the evening. “The Anthem” completed the main set list for the show, the guitarists approaching close to the edge of the stage to give the crowd a better vantage point. With a quick bow and a “Thank you so much”, KAMIJO left the stage with his band following suit.
Though the disappointment of KAMIJO’s exit had permeated the crowd, it was short lived as the fans persistently called him back out only a few minutes later for the encore. KAMIJO walked back onto the stage with his arms held wide to the call of “We love you!” from the mass of screaming fans below. The encore kicked off, featuring some of KAMIJO’s lighter work such as “Avec Toi ~with you~”, and the lively arrangement of “Moulin Rouge” in which KAMIJO gave the audience a playful smile. “Twilight” was received enthusiastically, a song that seamlessly blends the sounds of KAMIJO’s personal style and his older music together.
The evening exploded with a bang at the final track of the night, “Vampire Rock Star”, the heavy metal sound perfectly fitting of the vampire rockstar himself. KAMIJO took several bows, along with his gifted band members, each of whom said a few words to the crowd. Drummer SHUJI yelled, “Thank you New York!”, which prompted KAMIJO to quickly snatch the mic away from him. KAMIJO, seemingly unable to tear himself from the audience, then jumped off the stage and ran around the edges of the crowd to the extreme pleasure of the fans. Finally, KAMIJO and his band members sat on the edge of the stage together and took a photo with the audience, commemorating the unforgettable evening.
KAMIJO’s theatrical stage performance is a sight unlike any other. His passion for his work is clearly reflected in his beautifully crafted music, drawing in elements of classical music and modern rock to create a sound uniquely his own. Along with his elegant visual style and devoted fanbase, it can only be an indicator of his continued success within the industry. Recently celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of his career as a musician, it seems as if nothing will be stopping KAMIJO and he may very well continue into eternity like a true Victorian vampire.
Set list:
1. Theme of Sang
2. Nosferatu
3. Eye of Providence
4. Yamiyo no Lion
5. Bara wa Utsukushiku Chiru
6. mademoiselle
7. Utsukushi Hibi no Kakera
8. Castrato
9. Odyssey
10. Conspiracy
11. Beautiful Rock’n Roll
12. Louis ~Enketsu no La vie en rose~
13. The Anthem
Encore:
1. Avec Toi ~with you~
2. Moulin Rouge
3. Twilight
4. Vampire Rock Star
KAMIJO official site: https://www.kamijo.club/
