Musicians react to hearing Wagakki Band for the first time!

[@tonygriffin_]

Love when Beni comes out and starts shredding on her shamisen (trans: 3 strings)! Wagakki (trans: traditional instruments) Band are unique and, like all Japanese bands, seem to shine brightest live. They always bring happiness and awe when they perform. PS The Shakuhachi flute is notoriously difficult to play. Some even say that, if you practice hard for a long time, you'll eventually be able to produce a note. This guy has clearly been practicing it for many lifetimes.

[@peterhiggs90]

This is a band that flies under the radar when it comes to the current rock and metal scene. WAGAKKI BAND is simply musical art at its highest level. You MUST play KYOUKASUIGETSU. It is a musical journey that will fill the scenes. Singer YUKO, will dazzle you with her beauty and with her Vocaloid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4jPfpZjpcd3mZo

[@renefrijhoff2484]

Wagakki band doesn't use vocaloid, they were originally a vocaloid cover band, but they're already way past that. Don't you mean vocals? Her way of singing is called 詩吟(Shigin), it's originally a way to recite poems.

[@PaleHorseShabuShabu]

Yuko, the vocalist, is also a fantastic pianist. Her mother was a piano and maybe vocal teacher (I forget which) so Yuko grew up playing piano. She once played her one solo album live in studio with just her keyboard, a microphone, and a guitarist known as Leda Cygnus (or just Leda). You’ve seen him in Babymetal’s Kami Band. Yuko is my favorite Japanese singer; she has all of the tools a singer and performer could want.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Yuko played with Leda! Yeah, that is amazing. Two masters making magic.

[@ymydeath9059]

尺八は音を出すだけでも初心者には無理な位難しい和楽器です。

[@DrAcula-os1nz]

Welcome to the world of wagakki bands. And let the next one be: (Kyoukasuigetsu)+(Tsukini sakebuyoru) 和楽料バンドWagakki Band：鏡花水月(Kyoukasuigetsu)+海天叫ぶ夜(Tsukini sakebuyoru) - REACT tour 2019 (sub CC) Machiya the guitarist said in an interview that the first two years involved trial and error before finding the recipe on how to do it. He is also the sound engineer and has the last word, and is responsible for at least 50% of the songs, including these two. Although it is Yuko who brought the band together.

[@scouser052]

Anything by this band is incredible, DrAculas suggestion is a good one to hear the beauty of Yukos voice, kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4jPfpZjpcd3mZo If you want a Jazzier, more upbeat song about switching bodies, try Synchronicity, kzbin.info/www/bejne/boSxh2upbat9eM0

[@barrycounts490]

I discovered Wagakki Band a couple years ago when Covid started ! They are one of the most talented and popular bands from Japan i have watched =) One of their best performances is ( Guernica ) Japan Tour 2020 TOKYO SINGING their light show is second to none ! Guernica is one of Pablo Picasso's most famous paintings about the city in Spain that the Germans bombed ( Flattened ) during the war ! Thanks Guys ✌🤘

[@mikeat2637]

You ain't seen nothing yet !!!!!! They have a catalogue that has to be heard to be believed. First of all their vocalist, Yuko Suzuhana, might just be the best all-around performer on the planet. Her voice is so adaptable that it is frightening at times. She can pretty much sing any style, from pop to rock, blues, jazz, operatic and of course shigin, which she learned from the age of 5 (her mother is a recognized professor of music), along with traditional Japanese dance, with both the fan (shi) and the sword (ken). She also is an instructor in shigin at university, one of the youngest ever to do that. She is also a concert grade pianist and keyboardist, which she started at the age of 3. In addition, she composes and writes the lyrics to some of her songs. Prior to WGB starting up, she performed in a group called Hanafugetsu with her husband Kiyoshi playing the Koto and Daisuke Kaminaga playing the flute. Yuko played the piano and sang. She even has tutorials on KZbin with instructions on how to learn to sing in the shigin style. She had previously know Kurona, who plays the traditional Wadaiko drums. Machiya, the lead guitarist has been a star in his own right and is an excellent composer (he wrote Homura, among other WGB hits), arranger and band leader. Asa, the bassist, is another very talented artist, who composes and writes lyrics also and is an acclaimed vocaloid producer. He wrote the beautiful song Yoshiwara Lament, which is one of their highlight hits. The rock drummer, Wasabi, is one of the best Japan has to offer and his coordination with Kurona is almost unearthly. And then we have Beni Ninagawa, who is a supremely talented shamisen player who shreds better with three strings than a lot of guitarists with six. Her only real peer in modern shamisen use is Shinobu Kawashima, who is very big on the Japanese jazz/funk scene, which also is amazing. I just missed getting to see them on their 2019 US Tour. If you want to get a true first impression of their work, watch the videos from the Premium Live Symphonic Night Vol. 2 from 2020, where they perform backed by a full symphony orchestra. This concert also features Amy Lee of Evanescence, who has collaborated with WGB several times. They do a tremendous new arrangement of Bring Me To Life. Watch the 16 videos from the Overture straight to until the end of the concert. There are several acoustic versions of some of their most famous songs. This concert also shows the true brilliance of Yuko as a pianist and as a singer. Machiya does several duets with her that will melt your heartstrings. It's a true musical tour de force. And if you want a really colorful live performance, check out their performance of the song Hangeki No Yaiba from their 2018 Dai Shinnenkai concert, you will be amazed. And Tengaku from the 2017 Dai Shinnenkai concert is also epic.

[@emeryharrison9325]

Kyougasuigetsu+tsukini Sakebuyoru is a good start as it displays the talents of each musician. They also have worked with Amy Lee on a couple projects. Their recorded work is great, but live is where they really shine.

[@maxmaidiac2237]

NOW THERE IS THE HU, OTYKEN, BLOODYWOOD AND OTHER ROCK/METAL BANDS THAT USE TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS. FLUTES, BAGPIPES, VIOLINS, SITARS, HARPS AND PIANOS HAVE ALWAYS SOUNDED COOL IN ROCK/METAL IMHO. METAL IS JUST PERFECT FOR MANY LANGUAGES AND MANY TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS.

[@michaelthain4488]

Does not sound "weird" at all to me, but fantastic. Wnen Beni comes in with the Shamisen during Homura i get goose bumps. Yuko is a fantastic singer. She often does podcats with just her on piano and her vocals. Her voice is so beautiful and full of emotion that she sometimes brings tears to my eyes.

[@daywalker3735]

Me too

[@hoges412]

Hi guys, one I think you'll enjoy from Wagakki band is Senbonzakura - the live symphonic night version (with a cameo from Amy Lee!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6u8o59_Z9-kd5o

[@somebuddy.]

Wagakki band! Hope u can react more of them

[@schneider1112]

Yes, finally some Wagakki Band! This "Akatsuki no Ito" you heard is at the traditional end of the spectrum, but they have many songs that are modern too, and everything in-between. I think it's good for piquing people's interest, because you're thrown headfirst into "another world". The things I say about Babymetal also applies to the Wagakki Band. They are very talented and unique, their music has a lot of variety and their live performances are great. Yuko, the singer, is sometimes dancing with a Katana. 😎 One thing is different from Babymetal, I can wholeheartedly recommend their music videos! I will make two suggestions for songs I think showcases each member clearly: 1. 鏡花水月(Kyoukasuigetsu)+月に叫ぶ夜(Tsukini sakebuyoru) 2. 拍手喝采 (Hakushu Kassai) / Dai Shinnenkai 2018 ~Ashita e no Koukai~

[@Socrates_1775]

This band was originally supposed to play at the opening ceremony for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan. For whatever reason they didn't play in the postponed opening ceremony.

[@DrAcula-os1nz]

Due to covid, the opening ceremony was scaled down, and WGB was unfortunately taken out.

[@maxmaidiac2237]

AHOLE FAUCHI RUINED THE JAPANESE OLYMPICS. HE ALSO DIRECTLY ATTACKED THE US CONSTITUTION.

[@aethernity8270]

Cause of COVID

[@gallaghergreen2053]

Thier flute always reminds me of Jethro Tull, and I love it.

[@Yeral_redmoon.guitar]

something curious about the guitarist, Mashiya, is that his guitar has more than 30 frets, so his Standard tuning is in B, that's why he uses a capo, with that he changes tunings, I think his guitar was a "Seed" brand or something like that, but they are all custom in Japan

[@mikelipke9404]

that was incredible

[@ronaldakkermans8166]

This were actually 2 songs. I discovered this band through their cover of Evanescence's Bring me to Life ft. Amy Lee herself and a complete orchestra. At the same concert Amy joint them for their energetic song Senbonzakura. I would also suggest Hakushu Kassai (the video with English subtitles) and Synchronicity, which will most definitely surprise you 😄. There are lots of videos with English subtitles posted by Frank Garcia which are high quality. (By the way: I love all your The Warning reactions 😉🤟)

[@DrAcula-os1nz]

If I remember correctly, Homura is song no. 10 on this concert, not the opening.

[@victorwaddell6530]

I was fortunate to serve as a US Navy Military Policeman in Japan for two years . The square Japanese banjo instrument is a Samisen , the horizontal harp is a Koto . The flute is called a Shakhachi , which means one foot and eight inches . The drummer in this band sometimes plays traditional Taiko drums , which means Great Sound .

[@cyberpotato63]

Frank Garcia's channel is the go to place for live Wagakki band clips. Just intersperse plenty of commentary and you shouldn't get blocked. Avoid posting anything from the AVEX channel. Their old record company hands out copywrite strikes like candy.

[@Tienrach]

I suggest watching hakkushu kassai. In that song, every instrument gets to do a solo in parts of the song

[@daywalker3735]

This band is absolutely incredible

[@kei-io5hd]

Wagakki Band has a lot of great Japanese songs, so please listen to them! There are also live performances and collaboration songs with Amy Lee, so please listen to them!

[@Wonderful-cr9lv]

This is just the intro of their 2015 Japan tour. I suggest you try all songs from this tour. All are beautiful. If you think there are too many songs and don't know which one to start with. Try 虹色蝶々 Nijiiro chouchou. It sounds like a lullaby but you can hear the Japan instruments clearly.

[@DrAcula-os1nz]

It is a misunderstanding that this is the opening or intro to their 1st Japan tour. It's song number 10.

[@Wonderful-cr9lv]

@@DrAcula-os1nz Thanks. I just learned it.

[@oldmanjimh3165]

If I attended that concert, that one song would have been worth every penny of the ticket.

[@garykeeling2275]

The "harp thing" is a koto. The banjo-like instrument she was playing is a shamisen. I'm not sure what the name is for the Japanese flute. They also have a couple great live performances featuring Amy Lee of Evanescence, including a cover of "Bring Me to Life."

[@dave3076]

Prodigious. Cheers, gents.

[@hiawatha.g]

Forgive any overlap with info you already have. Here is some background on the band and their approach. “Wagakki” is Japanese for “traditional instruments” The “lute” thing is a Shamisen. The “harp” thing is a Koto. The “flute thing” is a shakuhachi. The Japanese drums are collectively called “wadaiko”. The band was founded by the shigin (classical poetry) singer, SUZUHANA Yuko, who is also a classically trained pianist. She developed the concept of fusing Japanese traditional instruments and musical tropes with modern music. Yes, you’ve heard these instruments a million times, in movie soundtracks, when they want to convey a Japanese atmosphere. Here is a video that really lets you see up close all the instruments and how they work together: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2PQloqhjNaWY6s It was originally written for a “Vocaloid” which is an electronic virtual singer-essentially an AI. In Japan (where else?) vocaloids have actually become pop stars. What can I say? America may be the land of innovation for things like tech and social media, but in music no one here cares any more. Most of the creative action has moved to Europe and Japan.

[@davidornberg]

Oh... You HAVE to react to the Finnish band Steve'n'Seagulls. Their Live cover of Thunderstruck is a must see and listen to!

[@billb.5183]

What happened guys? You read their Wiki page and some of the KZbin comments and then kinda fell asleep. You usually pause and talk a bunch, 😛

[@kicorse]

Maybe because they're usually experts on the type of music they're listening to. Chris seemed pretty thrown by the traditional elements.

[@ginger-a7693]

Speechless…

[@Wirmish]

Some Japanese bands, old and new. Take your pick: BAND-MAID [All their songs... really!], LOVEBITES [Break the Wall, Raise some Hell, and all the other songs], BABYMETAL [All their songs, because they are all different], MAXIMUM THE HORMONE [Yoshu Fukushu], DEXCORE [Earthworm], CROSSFAITH [Catastrophe], SiM [Killing Me], NINGEN ISU [Heartless Scat], UNLUCKY MORPHEUS [Black Pentagram], YOUSEI TEIKOKU [Astral Dogma, Patriot Anthem (Live)] and their other band: DenKare [Detonator], COLDRAIN [Die Tomorrow], CRYSTAL LAKE [The Circle], GIVEN BY THE FLAMES [Ronove], LONESOME_BLUE [Face the Fear], ANGRY FROG REBIRTH [2Step Syndrome], SILENTLY SHOOTING TRAITORS [Manipulate], ALDIOUS [Dominator], TRiDENT [Ambivalent, Spoopy, ...], BRIDEAR [Light in the Dark], CINQ ELEMENT [Destiny], MARY'S BLOOD [Marionette], GRAUPEL [Bereavement], DOLL$BOXX [Take my Chance], SOKONINARU [Tenohira De Odoru], HELLO SLEEPWALKERS [Flying Saucer], TELECiDE [Tied up Memories], NEKO [Ghost on a Record], MARDELAS [G-Metal], MERGINGMOON [Greyen], ROTTENGRAFFTY [Hallelujah], JILUKA [Mephisto, Overkill], BROKEN BY THE SCREAM [Emotion Cross-Counter], FATE GEAR [Unbreakable Wings], LYNCH [Devil], GACHARIC SPIN [Mindset], DIR EN GREY [Ningen wo Kaburu], X JAPAN [Kurenai], DAZZLE VISION [Second], DEVILOOF [Torture], JUPITER [My Enemy], NOKUTO [Life of Desire], GALNERYUS [Angel of Salvation], SAISEIGA [Ride On], BLOOD STAIN CHILD [Del-Sol], NEMOPHILA [Rise, Hypnosis], DADAROMA [Lucid Dream], JILUKA [Overkill, or Lluvia], HANABIE [We Love Sweets, Be the GAL], A CROWD OF REBELLION [Re:Create of the Re:d], PALEDUSK [Area PD], POLKADOT STINGRAY [any song], MUTANT MONSTERS [Abnormal], BLACKLAB [Insanity], ASTERISM [Fiction, Rising Moon, Unravel, or Church], NOISEMAKER [Hunter or Prey], BiSH [The Night When Stars Twinkle], SCANDAL [A.M.D.K.J.], DEEP GIRL [I kill], Mrs. GREEN APPLE [Inferno], BRATS [Doudatte Yokatta], THE ORAL CIGARETTES [Frenzy Hey Kids!!], GIRUGAMESH [Drain], LiLiHoLi [From Darkness to Light], THE DEVIL’S KILLING MERRY-GO-ROUND [Diabolos], OTOBOKE BEAVER [Love is Short], and many many more...

[@Greish-esquire]

Japanese Jethro Tull (ish) .. Love them!😁

[@ShikataGaNai100]

How have these guys not been featured on the PBS series, Great Performances?

[@jameacastilho700]

belíssima banda, ótimos instrumentistas

[@chillmonster5857]

I always thought this was a well mixed song 和楽器バンド Wagakki Band : Reload dead - 2021大新年会(2021 New Year Party) (sub CC) Good Rock&Roll!!

[@zahidurrahman2869]

yesssss, ..... WagakkiBand ... my favorite band ....

[@ntsuka4568]

“WA GAKKI” is a Japanese musical instrument. "WA GAKI" is my kids in Japanese

[@BeccaVinesz]

Beni the Goat

[@Bulletno]

"What is happening here??!" 😂

[@ShikataGaNai100]

About Beni and her tsugaru shamisen...just imagine shreding on a 3-string banjo with the rough equivalent of a cake spatula (bachi).

[@MrDportjoe]

Always start with the encore.

[@KokoroBeach]

Love this reaction! Welcome to Wagakki Band journey guys! For your next reactions, please check out their collab with Amy Lee. They sang "Bring Me To Life" with a Japanese twist! Also their song called "Sabaku no komoriuta" will showcase her sensual vocals + traditional instruments: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnSsi4qIfrCeq80

[@darkz3741]

👍👍👍 reaction Wagakki - ignite live

[@Wirmish]

Why not a double reaction? YOUSEI TEIKOKU - Astral Dogma, _and_ Patriot Anthem (Live).

[@DaveJonesVideo]

Your next one should be them performing Bring Me To Life, with Amy Lee (and a small orchestra). It's an amazing version. kzbin.info/www/bejne/npyUeKePgJx1gK8

[@dylanbollinger6872]

Eleine We Shall Remain.

[@aethernity8270]

If u like more rock i suggest there song ignite

[@СанатТокушев-б4с]

Интересно почему именно это рекомендуют для первого ознакомления 🤔 , я бы другую песню посоветовал в начале )

[@youtv2010]

和楽器バンド👍

[@TheCyberMantis]

You are late to the party. This band is at the top. You could just make your channel a Wagakki Band reaction channel for the next 3 months. And you still wouldn't be able to get to everything they have done. I won't even recommend anything, because it's all just varying degrees of style and greatness. Yuko is a goddess. All the band members are superstar talent.

[@DMGJP]

5:16 start reaction

[@bapakgamer90]

whyy do ppl always react to this "homura" lol, so many great song from wagakki, like senbonzakura etc,

[@arthurwilliams7511]

Yuko is married 😮😢

[@KebusuNiisan]

She's married to that Koto guy and they have a child together

[@willemkoekemoer5042]

She starts singing and you discuss the basist not very proffesional

[@MacTaipan]

This would be cool if it weren't for the exaggerated vibrato in the traditional style singing. I can't stand that.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

...and then, Beni steps up with her tsugaru shamisen...

[@garnetdragon7120]

THE RAMPAGE (EVEREST) official music video