ItalianoOn December 23rd, artist GACKT performed “GACKT PHILHARMONIC 2025 Maou Symphony THE REVIVAL” at Sumida Triphony Hall in Tokyo.
This performance is a repeat of “GACKT PHILHARMONIC 2025 Maou Symphony,” which was held in April this year. In order to realize the theme of the previous performance, “a fusion of rock and classical music,” over a month of rehearsals was spent on it, despite it being a one-night-only performance. While there were no changes to the setlist etc. on this day due to it being a repeat performance, there were some improvements from the previous performance, such as adding steps to the stage to position the orchestra and band in three dimensions, and making the first floor all-standing, a style unparalleled in the classical music world. Regarding these things, GACKT expressed his expectations at a press conference held before the show, saying, “I’m looking forward to seeing how the people who come to watch will experience the overwhelming, expansive sound of this orchestra and rock, and the sound images they’ve never heard before.”
Shortly after 6:30 PM, the start time for the concert, the music of “Bolero,” which had been playing quietly throughout the venue while the audience was entering, stopped, and the musicians entered the stage. First came the 70-piece orchestra from the Grand Philharmonic Tokyo, followed by GACKT’s own band, YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz, who took their positions. The sight of nearly 80 people filling the stage was truly breathtaking. As they played the intro, GACKT slowly appeared, and began singing “RETURNER – The End of Darkness -,” signaling the start of a special night.
The songs selected for this performance, including “Emu -FOR MY DEAR-” and “CUBE,” were arranged with meticulous precision, down to the last note, creating a true “fusion of rock and classical.” As GACKT said, “We created a situation where every sound could be heard and still feel the power,” the band sound and the orchestra coexisted and blended beautifully together, creating an unprecedented musical experience, which was met with loud cheers and applause from the audience every time a performance finished.
The performance of “REDEMPTION” in the middle of the set particularly raised the audience’s excitement. Not only were GACKT and the band members headbanging to the intense sound, but orchestral sounds were also effectively woven into key moments such as the interlude and outro, filling the venue with an invisible sense of exhilaration. At the end, GACKT’s hands and the string players’ bows were raised in unison to conclude the song, eliciting particularly loud cheers from the audience. GACKT continued singing with a passionate and expansive voice in “UNTIL THE LAST DAY” that followed. His cape was beautifully fluttered at times, and each of these movements embodied his aesthetic.
The performance then took a complete turn with “BIRDCAGE,” a song about feelings for a loved one, creating a fantastical world view with lighting that resembled the sparkling surface of water. In addition, the well-balanced arrangement, which highlights the band sound in the chorus and the orchestra in the outro, beautifully expresses the sadness and sorrow that this song possesses.
After finishing “LUST FOR BLOOD,” in which his emotional singing moved the audience, GACKT slowly walked towards the podium. Then, taking over from Murakami Fumiaki, who had been in charge of conducting until then, GACKT himself conducted “FOUR SEASONS (“Hakuro -HAKURO-“, “Akatsukizukiyo -DAYBREAKERS-“, “Sakura, Chiru…”, “Setsugetsuka -THE END OF SILENCE- (※Only Setsugekka sung)”).” Watching him weave together numerous sounds while making eye contact with each section, the bond between GACKT and the orchestra members was felt and it was heartwarming. What’s more, by performing them as instrumental orchestral pieces, the beauty of the melodies in GACKT’s songs was highlighted, which was also impressive.
In a typical live performance, it’s rare for the head artist to turn their back to the audience. However, in GACKT’s case, a dignified elegance is conveyed even from his back view. The audience was mesmerized by the beautiful sounds played by the 70-member orchestra as GACKT waved his baton.
The band members, who had gone backstage during “FOUR SEASONS,” rejoined the stage, and the concert finally reached its climax. After performing the intense rock tunes “CLAYMORE” and “Kimi ga Matteru Kara,” the final song of the show was “LOST ANGELS.” While the song has a profound worldview to begin with, the addition of a full orchestra gave it a unique presence. GACKT’s voice was imbued with even more soul, and the orchestra, band, and the band became one in a trinity that enveloped the venue. With an overwhelming impact like no other, “Maou Symphony THE REVIVAL” came to a close.
GACKT ran through the 13-song, approximately 90-minute set without a single MC. However, his attitude toward this performance and the aesthetic he set forth seemed palpable in every song and every note. After singing all the songs, GACKT left the stage, his cape fluttering. The audience, who had accepted his feelings throughout the performance that day, gave him thunderous applause that never stopped, echoing throughout the venue.
This style of performance will take them to eight cities across Japan next summer as part of the full orchestra tour “GACKT Maou Symphony 2026 -INFINITY- organized by billboard classics.”
When asked about his enthusiasm for the tour, GACKT proudly stated, “No band has ever created music that fuses rock and classical music to this extent. I’m very happy that we were able to pursue this quality (with ‘Maou Symphony’).” However, he added, “I’m still trying and testing, thinking that there may be more I can do.” Furthermore, as his own musical roots are in classical music, and considering the current state of the classical music world and the many orchestras across the country that are finding it difficult to continue, he said, “I want rock music fans to experience the beauty of classical music, and classical music lovers to experience the energy and profoundness of rock. I hope to be a bridge between the two.” This style of performance is also imbued with that desire. “Wonderful things exist in all types of music. I hope that Maou Symphony will be an opportunity for people to experience that, transcending genres,” GACKT said, his words filled with more passion than usual.
GACKT has a variety of tour styles planned for 2026, including the world tour “GACKT YELLOW FRIED CHICKENZ ~WORLD TOUR ATTACK OF YFCz~” and “GACKT LAST SONGS 2026 feat. K.” His insatiable challenges will continue into the future.
Interview and text by Katakai Kumiko
■ “GACKT PHILHARMONIC 2025 Maou Symphony THE REVIVAL”
[Setlist]
M1 RETURNER -The End of Darkness-
M2 Emu -FOR MY DEAR-
M3 CUBE
M4 BLUE LAGOON -Deep Sea-
M5 REDEMPTION
M6 UNTIL THE LAST DAY
M7 BIRDCAGE
M8 LUST FOR BLOOD
FOUR SEASONS
M9 Hakuro -HAKURO-, Akatsukizukiyo -DAY BREAKERS-, Sakura, Chiru…
*GACKT will not sing but will conduct the above songs.
M10 Setsugekka -THE END OF SILENCE-
M11 CLAYMORE
M12 Kimi ga Matteiru Kara
M13 LOST ANGELS
[Performance Information]
■ “GACKT Maou Symphony 2026 -INFINITY- Organized by Billboard Classics”
Dates & Venues:
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Westa Kawagoe Main Hall, Doors 5:00 PM / Starts 6:00 PM
Saturday, July 18, 2026, Tokyo Electron Hall Miyagi, Doors 5:00 PM / Starts 6:00 PM
Sunday, July 26, 2026, JMS Aster Plaza Main Hall, Doors 4:00 PM / Starts 5:00 PM
Sunday, August 2, 2026, Kurume City Plaza The Grand Hall, Doors 4:00 PM / Starts 5:00 PM
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (National Holiday), Bunkyo Civic Hall Main Hall, Doors 1:00 PM / Starts 2:00 PM
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (National Holiday) Bunkyo Civic Hall, Main Hall
Opens 5:00 PM / Starts 6:00 PM
Saturday, August 15, 2026 Kariya Cultural Center Iris, Main Hall
Opens 4:00 PM / Starts 5:00 PM
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 Sapporo Education and Culture Hall, Main Hall
Opens 5:00 PM / Starts 6:00 PM
Saturday, August 29, 2026 Tokyo Tatemono Brillia HALL Minoh, Main Hall
Opens 1:00 PM / Starts 2:00 PM
Saturday, August 29, 2026 Tokyo Tatemono Brillia HALL Minoh, Main Hall
Opens 5:00 PM / Starts 6:00 PM
Performers:
GACKT
Conductor: Satoshi Yoneda (Saitama, Miyagi, Tokyo, Aichi, Hokkaido), Fumiaki Murakami (Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Osaka)
Orchestra: Grand Philharmonic Tokyo (Saitama, Miyagi, Tokyo, Aichi, Hokkaido), Grand Philharmonic Kyoto (Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Osaka)
Band: YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz
Tickets: *All seats reserved, tax included
1F Black Diamond Seats: ¥100,000 (1F standing, guaranteed seating in the first three rows, includes Black Diamond Seat bonus merchandise)
1F Diamond Seats: ¥60,000 (1F standing, guaranteed seating in the front block from the fourth row onwards, includes Diamond Seat bonus merchandise)
1F Platinum Seats: ¥35,000 (1F standing, guaranteed seating in the middle block, includes Platinum Seat bonus merchandise)
1F S Seats: ¥18,000 (1F standing, rear block)
2F Diamond seats: ¥60,000 (2nd floor seated viewing, guaranteed seating in the first two rows, includes special Diamond seat merchandise)
S seats (2nd floor and above): ¥18,000 (2nd or 3rd floor seated viewing)
A seats (2nd floor and above): ¥13,000 (2nd floor and above seated viewing, seats further back than the S seats)
Ticket Sales Schedule:
GACKT Official Website, SNS Pre-sale (lottery)
Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 12:00 PM – Monday, January 5, 2026, 11:59 PM
Official Performance Website (external site)
Organizer: Hanshin Contents Link (Billboard Japan)
Planning and Production: Billboard Japan, Kakeru Entertainment, Arts Innovators Japan, Grand Philharmonic
Support: VENUS, Universal Music
Sponsored by: Billboard USA
– Notes –
*1st Floor All Standing Seating, 2nd Floor and above, Reserved Seating
*Preschool Children Not Allowed
*Ticket Limit: Maximum of 4 tickets per person per performance (Maximum of 2 tickets for Black Diamond Seating)
*Wheelchair users, please contact us for inquiries
*One ticket per person is required. Those who have lost their tickets or forget them on the day will not be admitted.
*Please be sure to read the important information posted on the official website before purchasing tickets (Request to Attendees (external site)).
– Inquiries about the Performance –
[Saitama/Tokyo] Kyodo Tokyo 0570-550-799 (Weekdays 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Weekends and Holidays 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
[Miyagi] Edward Live 022-266-7555 (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM / Closed on Weekends and Holidays)
[Hiroshima] YUMEBANCHI (Hiroshima) Island) 082-249-3571 (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM / Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
[Fukuoka] BEA 092-712-4221 (Weekdays 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
[Aichi] Sunday Folk Promotion 052-320-9100 (Every day 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
[Hokkaido] Doushin Play Guide 0570-00-3871 (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM / Closed on Tuesdays)
[Osaka] Kyodo Information 0570-200-888 (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM / Closed on Sundays and holidays)
■ Release Information
『GACKT PHILHARMONIC 2025 – Demon King Symphony
Recorded from the April 13, 2025 (Sun) Sumida Triphony Hall performance
Released by: Universal Music
– CD – (2 formats) Released: July 4, 2025 (Fri)
First Press Limited Edition: SHM-CD UCCS-9066 ¥4,950 (tax included)
Regular Edition: CD UCCS-1401 ¥3,300 (tax included)
https://lnk.to/GACKT_PHILHARMONIC2025 (external site)
■ Billboard Classics
A concert series launched by Billboard Japan in 2012 to deliver the best music and new experiences to music fans. With the mission of “delivering artists’ music in the best possible form,” the series has hosted over 400 performances to date at music halls and other venues across Japan.
Official website (external site)
Tags
Source: oricon.co.jp
Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team
Translation © GACKT ITALIA