MEMORIES: Music at Japan Expo 2025
Full-throttle decibels, rhythms from Japan and beyond, and an eclectic lineup: the 2025 edition truly celebrated live music with over twenty bands and artists who fully owned the festival’s sound!
The 2025 edition of Japan Expo kicked off the weekend in style with a true Friday night fever!
After the festival doors closed, the luckiest fans kept the party going on the Ichigo stage with the best of Japan’s boys bands:
Needless to say—it was the bomb!
Between the Sumiré area and the Kamo stage in Hall 6, one of this year’s big new features was hidden: Idol Town Paradise!
A genuine little corner of Japan where fans of all kinds of idols could meet their oshis for photo sessions and pick up exclusive goodies...
All wrapped up in an atmosphere true to Japanese idol meet-and-greets, as if you were really there!
THE IDOLS
At Idol Town Paradise, on the Kamo and Tsubamé stages, and even on the main Ichigo stage—idols were everywhere at Japan Expo 2025!
- U&Pia – Third time’s the charm!
The boy band made a splash once again this year, delivering high-energy concerts and... a surprise: an exclusive collaboration of goodies with Japan Expo! - BANZAI JAPAN – 13 girls, one mission: to represent all of Japan!
Together in full force, they unleashed incredible energy to celebrate the 47 prefectures and share their love of Japanese culture with the audience.
- JIEMEI – Between idol pop and alternative rock,
For their very first visit to France, the band members met their French fans in person and, in the process, stylishly expanded their fanbase!
- HATEandTEARS – The EDM sensation of this edition!
With their unique style and boundless energy, HATEandTEARS made a lasting impression. Their performance left a real mark on the musical landscape of Japan Expo 2025!
- MISA – The traveling idol cosplayer makes another stop at Japan Expo!
MISA returns to Japan Expo with covers of anisongs, including the French version of Dragon Ball Z’s theme by Ariane!
But she didn’t stop there—she also performed her original songs, marking the promising start of her new solo artist career.
- KANG MINSU – A hybrid idol blending J-pop and K-pop.
Already noticed at Japan Expo Marseille and the J-Music Festival, KANG MINSU made a strong comeback in Paris to reunite with his loyal fans and win over the crowd’s hearts!
THE SHOWS
The end-of-the-world concert at the very start of Japan Expo 2025!
From day one, visitors were treated to Starrysky’s most ambitious live performance yet, featuring the enchanting voice of Mika Kobayashi.
Supported by 20 choristers and a spectacular stage production, their rendition of The Last Song can only be described with one word: epic.
Fans also enjoyed daily showcases from:
- Starrysky, the Eurasian rock band inspired by Japanese music!
Together with Benjamin Oziel, they brought the adventures of the series Noob to life in concert! - & Mika Kobayashi, The iconic singing voice from Kill la Kill and Attack on Titan, also featured in performances alongside Kamui.
- Broken By The Scream - Who said guttural screams can’t be cute?
Blast beats, fierce riffs, and screams—you might have thought you were at Wacken, but no, this was the Tsubamé stage where Broken By The Scream performed.
An all-female band mixing metalcore and J-pop, in the spirit of Babymetal!
Visitors caught them during a single, one-of-a-kind slot—but it was definitely unforgettable!
An unexpected musical encounter despite differences in style and culture:
Pop rock and rap, Japan and France singing together in harmony on the Tsubamé stage!
Featuring:
- Yukka, a Japanese singer with pop-rock energy and effortless charisma
- Cookiesan, the pioneer of manga rap — hip-hop packed with otaku references
Their latest hits, Mad Science by Yukka and Isekai 13 by Cookiesan, were performed throughout the four days of the festival.
- In a different style, the duo Pernelle (singer) and Husky by the Geek (guitarist) covered classic video game themes on the Japan Expo stages!
- Still little known in France but already rising fast in Japan, Niko Niko Tan Tan made a strong impression at Japan Expo!
The duo behind the project introduced their unique, hard-to-define mixed style to the French audience!
Anime fans were thrilled to welcome three iconic figures of Japanese music!
Three unforgettable voices, whose songs have marked generations of otakus, came together to electrify Japan Expo 2025:
- Yoko Takahashi - Original singer of the legendary Neon Genesis Evangelion theme
- Sarah Alainn - Known for her songs in video games and Japanese animation, including Isabella’s Lullaby from The Promised Neverland
- Enriqué - The very first singer of the very first Grendizer theme, celebrating nostalgic anime memories live in concert!
- Winners of the Japan Expo ROCKS 2025 contest, the band Haita Amatubu poured their heart and soul into celebrating this unique chance to perform for you!
let's dance - let's sway !
At Japan Expo, it’s all about singing and dancing!!
Several dance troupes, both amateur and professional, took to the stages of Japan Expo to light up the event!
In 2025, the K-pop phenomenon is impossible to miss, with its impressive choreographies continuing to captivate audiences worldwide!
Visitors enjoyed live performances, took part in interactive activities, and even had the chance to compete in the K-pop dance contest (KCS).
a sound from japan
CULTURE AND TRADITION
For nearly 25 years, your beloved convention has proudly honored the history and diversity of Japanese music.
Maybe you caught songs straight from a kabuki theater? Or the strings of a shamisen softly humming near the Sakura stage?
With the Wabi-Sabi musical program, visitors were immersed in a rich selection of traditional Japanese music!