KAMIJO
The United Theater on Broadway – July 18, 2026
Live Report by Molly Coggshall
Photos courtesy of KAMIJO
KAMIJO launched his U.S. debut show “SANCTUS OF THE DAMNED” on July 18 at The United Theater on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. The venue appeared unassuming from the exterior, but upon entering inside, the atmosphere shifted. The interior of the theater is structured like a grandeur, gothic cathedral, with towering ornate arches holding up a domed ceiling and covered in hundreds of glimmering mirrors. For the long line of fans trickling into the concert hall in various outfits of gothic lolita and visual kei, it appeared as if they truly were entering into a sanctuary for the damned.
Large crimson curtains rose and guitarists YUKI and Kohei Iyoda, bassist Shigure, and drummer Shuji appeared, inciting loud cheers from the audience. KAMIJO then emerged, stepping onto a red carpet in the center of the stage and the cheers in the audience became deafening. The dramatic chanting of “Vive le Roi” played in the background and rolling red spotlights flashed all around. A night that had been anticipated for months had finally begun.
“Louis ~Enketsu no La Vie en Rose~” started the evening off and saw fans waving flickering light up roses from their seats, giving the auditorium an ethereal appearance. KAMIJO put a rose in his mouth to the delight of the audience, and at the end of the song, collapsed dramatically onto the ground before tossing the rose to the audience. The song served as a brilliant introduction to the concert, as it tells the story of a vampire just beginning to awaken to his new immortal life.
The playful music of “Sonata” had KAMIJO dancing on stage along with the music and fans singing together with the vocalist. YUKI came to the front of the stage for the energetic guitar solo, giving the audience a show of his skills. KAMIJO took a deep bow before launching into the fast-paced electrifying sound of “Bara wa Utsukushiku Chiru”, originally a LAREINE song, which he sung with intensity and passion in his baritone voice.
A chorus of “I love you!” floated up from the audience as the music came to a lull and KAMIJO paused before saying, “Finally…this night has come!” and the heavy intro to “Castrato” began to reverberate throughout the venue. KAMIJO waved his hand back and forth during the song, encouraging the crowd to use their light up roses and sing along, which put a vibrant smile on his face.
“Bonjour!” KAMIJO introduced himself to the audience in his charismatic way before saying “…I want your blood,” which led to immense cheering from the audience. He paused amongst the noise of the crowd before saying, “I have a great vision. Will you lend me your power?” and a deafening cry from the fans took over the venue. During “Conspiracy” fans pumped their fists in unison and KAMIJO danced with his band members to the fast-paced rhythm. As the song came to a close, KAMIJO put his hand up to his face as if to cover it with a mask.
“HEEL” put a theatrical twist into the evening and KAMIJO could be seen passionately dancing to the music and even went so far as to playfully smack Shigure’s bass. The audience clapped along with KAMIJO when he put his hands up and signaled them, and spotlights danced around the stage.
“I have a bittersweet love song…” was all KAMIJO needed to introduce “Dakishimerarenagara” with its waltz-like melody and KAMIJO’s emotional vocals. He ended the song with an extravagant bow to the audience who cried out in response. “Unmei” had KAMIJO singing without the back-up of his band, his soaring vocals taking over the hearts of the audience as they sang along. Another theatrical ballad began with “Romantique”, and the gentle strumming of the guitars and light drumming gave the song its dreamy quality. KAMIJO sang with a smooth and velvety voice, putting his hand dramatically up in the air at the end of the song, seemingly in a moment of emotion.
A sudden shift in the music featured the symphonic metal of “Yami no lion”, with its intense drumming and heavy guitar riffs. KAMIJO came close to the edge of the stage, and the crowd pumped their arms in response, roses flickering throughout the audience. A fan favorite, “Vampire Rock Star” had KAMIJO yelling out “Vampire!” and then putting the mic towards the audience to have them finish with “Rock Star!” and KAMIJO smiled brilliantly in return.
“The Anthem”, with its fast-paced power metal, got the crowd roaring when KAMIJO yelled out “Make some noise!” and the crowd sang along to “whoa, whoa”. KAMIJO held out the mic for them, commenting “Amazing!” with a smile lighting up his face.
“Last one!” KAMIJO shouted out, and the symphonic metal song “Nosferatu” took over the venue. The crowd responded by waving their arms back and forth with their roses to the melody and singing along to the chorus of “Nosferatu”. Cheering erupted around the concert hall as KAMIJO blew a kiss to the crowd and then put a hand up in the air, and as the song came to an end, the spotlight that was shining on him abruptly went out.
After what only seemed like moments, KAMIJO stepped back out for the encore. He first chatted animatedly to the audience in English, describing his recent newfound life in Los Angeles. “Can you believe KAMIJO lives in L.A.?” he asked the fans in the concert hall, who excitedly cheered back. Discussing different stores he liked going to, and the funny yet sad tale of his car getting a flat tire, incited laughter and loud cheering from the audience members.
The charming jazz fan favorite “mademoiselle” began and got the crowd to clap all together when KAMIJO encouraged them. “Fuyu Tokyo”, the second LAREINE song of the night, a story of romantic melancholy, featured spotlights spinning all around the stage and the audience singing along to the heartfelt lyrics.
The more dramatic symphonic metal track, “SHADOW OF OSCAR” was third in the encore, followed by “Konoyo de Ichiban Utsukushii Barayo” which translates to “The Most Beautiful Rose in This World”, in which KAMIJO held a rose up in the air amongst red spotlights and the flickering red lights of the light up roses in the audience. “NOBLESS OBLIGE” concluded the evening, and YUKI, Kohei Iyoda, and Shigure all came to the front of the stage to play next to KAMIJO who danced around and threw roses into the crowd, while hands reached upwards, trying to catch the symbol of romantic affection.
KAMIJO has led an expansive career of creating complex orchestration, visually stunning aesthetics, and cinematic flair, which eventually brought him to the heart of the entertainment industry, Los Angeles. Through beautifully layered storytelling and a theatrical stage presence, KAMIJO immersed the audience on July 18 at The United Theater on Broadway, into a world of fantasy, intrigue and dark romance, showing the City of Angels what the music of KAMIJO can offer.
Setlist:
1. Louis ~Enketsu no La Vie en Rose~
2. Sonata
3. Bara wa Utsukushiku Chiru
4. Castrato
5. Conspiracy
6. HEEL
7. Dakishimerarenagara
8. Unmei
9. Romantique
10. Yamiyo no Lion
11. Vampire Rock Star
12. The Anthem
13. Nosferatu
Encore:
1. mademoiselle
2. Fuyu Tokyo
3. SHADOW OF OSCAR
4. Konoyo de Ichiban Utsukushii Barayo
5. NOBLESS OBLIGE
KAMIJO Official Website: https://www.kamijo-official.com
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kamijoofficial
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kamijoofficial
