Grammy Award-winning, American rock guitarist Slash and his band Myles Kennedy are all set to thrill Thai rockheads when they jet into Bangkok for a concert at GMM Live House on the eighth floor of CentralWorld on January 10.

Tickets costing from Bt2,200 to Bt3,200 are now on sale at Thai Ticket Major counters. Call (02) 262 3456 and visit http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

Sticky Fingers in Bangkok

Integrated media and entertainment concern The Very Company welcomes 2019 with a concert by Sticky Fingers, a reggae fusion and indie rock band from Australia, at Moonstar Studio 8 on February 9.

The Australian reggae band, which features Dylan Frost, Paddy Cornwall, Seamus Coyle, Beaker Best and Freddy Crabs, have released three studio albums.

Thai reggae outfit Sriracha Rocker will open.

Tickets cost Bt2,000 at http://www.TicketMelon.com/very/stickyfingers.

Voices raised in song

The Vienna Boys Choir is coming back to Thailand and will entertain audiences with those pure voices on January in a concert being staged at KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha Theatre.

There has been a Vienna Boys Choir singing at the Austrian capital’s Imperial Chapel since 1296 and the various iterations of the choice have performed in 97 different countries.

Jimmy Chiang from Hong Kong is the conductor and pianist for this concert.

Tickets cost from Bt1,500 to Bt5,000 at Thai Ticket Major.

Classic brought to life

Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra will celebrate Children’s Day on January 11 and 12 with “Peter and the Wolf”.

The concert at Prince Mahidol Hall, Mahidol University, Salaya, on January 11 at 7pm and January 12 at 4pm, will be conducted by Thanapol Setabrahmana, and narrated by puppet troupe Sema Thai Marionette. It will start with the orchestral version of “Bhama Khwe” before introducing the audience to each instrument in the orchestra using Britten’s colourful Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. Mahidol voice faculty Ben Dooley narrates Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf, Op 67” with the story brought to life using Thai traditional puppets, a unique craft dating back centuries.

Tickets cost from Bt400 to Bt1,500 at Thai Ticket Major.

A chat with Park Haejin

South Korea’s popular actor Park Haejin drops into town next month for a “Hello 2019 Fan Meeting” on the fifth floor of Central Chaeng Wattana on January 13 at 6pm.

Park is best known for his supporting roles in dramas “My Love from the Star” and “Doctor Stranger”, and his leading roles in “Bad Guys”, “Cheese in the Trap” and “Man to Man”.

Tickets cost from Bt3,500 to Bt5,500 at Thai Ticket Major.

When the more than 60,000 fans of South Korea’s leading boy band GOT7 filed into Bitec Bang Na last weekend, they were expecting a miracle.

Holding up banners that read “You are my miracle”, they settled into the centre’s Halls 98-99 and waited for the “GOT7 Nestival 2018: Winter Tale in Bangkok” to kick off, knowing full well the miraculous moments with their favourite boy group would soon begin.

Nestival 2018 glitters in green from Ahgabong, GOT7’s official light stick.

GOT7, which made its debut in 2014, is composed, as one would expect, of seven members, namely JB, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, Yugyeom, Mark, and Bambam. And while Thai fans are particularly fond of Bambam because he is Thai, other members also enjoy huge popularity here.

Part concert and part fan meeting, Nestival 2018 was a followup to last year’s soldout event and featured three rounds between December 21 and 23. Each round attracted more than 20,000 people, with stages extended and specially designed to ensure GOT7 could get quite close to the audience in each part of the huge hall. Fans in standing zones must have also appreciated the fact that they were given some breathing space as the organisers, 4NOLOGUE and JYP Entertainment, chose not to overcrowd the areas.

Bambam, the only Thai member of GOT7

On the first day, the nestival’s fun time started with music selections prepared by famous South Korean deejays. But screams rose to the max only after a team of masked dancers fanned out along extended stage, signalling that GOT7 members were now ready to emerge. As soon as the dancers headed to the central stage, the LCD screens there moved towards one another to form a big box showing images of ice melting to reveal a picture of GOT7 behind. Then, before the audience could guess what would happen next, the screens parted to show the seven lads on stage all ready to begin.

Attired in black, the handsome young men first served up “I am me” and “Teenager”. Next, they crooned “Fish” and “Paradise” as they moved around the extended stages to get closer to fans around the big hall, then cooled down the excitement with “Look”.

“The Nestival is held so that GOT7 can be with iGOT7 (or Ahgase – a term used for the band’s supporters). Together, we are warm even during winter,” Bambam said in Thai.

GOT7’s leader JB shows off his cool dance step.

He added that warmth was in the air thanks to the green light from the Ahgabong, as the official light stick of GOT7 is known. Other GOT7 members also warmly greeted their fans. Jackson, for example, said he noticed many beautiful girls near the stage much to the delight of the fans.

The show then moved on to an interesting question-and-answer session with Bambam serving as the emcee. Plenty of jokes were shared among the artists and fans during the session. Here, Jackson proved the sweetest when he timidly answered that he would love to hug iGOT7 if it was snowing.

Then it was time to play a game, with Bambam this time roped in as referee and asking his six bandmates to each choose one gift box on the table in front of them. The colour of the doll inside each box determined which team they would be in. Mark, Youngjae, and Jinyoung got together and named their team “Sawasdee Guz” while Jackson, JB and Yugyeom teamed up as “Super See Dang” (Super Red). When the Sawasdee Guz team won the rock–paper–scissors game, Bambam gleefully determined that this team would go first.

A golden ball signed by Bambam and a postcard written by JB

The game had two missions and the team that took the longest time to complete them would be punished.

The first mission was to pose like drawings shown on screens. The second mission was to remove pingpong balls from a box without using hands, which required a lot of jiggling back and forth. That goal achieved, they had to open a big box and ride their rubber horses, scooters or small bicycles to the platform to turn off the timer. Before each mission, the teams had to dance along the length of the stageway.

Laughter filled the air throughout the game, particularly when Mark and Jackson jumped along astride their little horses, doing their best to balance while going along at a fast pace. Jackson at one point stumbled but quickly continued his journey, with the support from fans. The Super Red team finally won, partly because they had observed the techniques the first team used and were able to avoid the pitfalls. Bambam said he would reveal the form of punishment later.

After a brief screening of memories from the Nestival 2017, GOT7 members returned to the stage in various lineups with JB, Jinyoung, and Youngjae singing “Lullaby Dark Version” and Yugyeom stealing the scene with his cool rendition of “Fine” (remix). Mark, Jackson and Bambam then shone brightly with their rendition of “Nightmare” (ATK) before the band came back together to croon the Thai song, “Mai Koey” (“Never”). They followed up with the just released “Miracle” as fans happily waved the banner “You are my miracle” and ended the segment with “Never Ever”, “Out” and “Hard Carry”.

The giant screens switched to showing GOT7 writing postcards to their fans to wish them warm greetings for this festive season. Some of messages were written in Thai, with Youngjae spelling out “Miss You” in Thai while Bambam wrote “Happy New Year” in his native language. Yugyeom added that the fans were themselves the miracles of GOT7.

Music returned to the central stage as GOT7 members danced their way through “Confession Song” and fans found out at last how the losing team was being punished – Mark wore an elf costume, Jinyoung was dressed up as a “Mario” and Youngjae as a “Minion”. Using the song to express their feelings, GOT7 artists then sang ‘Thank You’.

Mark thanked the audience for making the second Nestival possible. Bambam said his band was so in love with the Nestival that they wanted to come back soon. Apparently moved by all the emotion out there, Bambam broke down in tears saying that while all band members had done their best in the hope of delivering the best show, sometimes health conditions stood in the way. Other GOT7 artists gave him a big hug, explaining to fans that Bambam always worked really hard and paid attention to all the details. The audience responded with loud applause.

Jinyoung then asked all fans to take a selfie together as a drone circulated inside the hall to capture a miracle moment.

GOT7 closed out this very special show with “Shopping Mall”, “Go Higher”, and “Before the Full Moon Rises” throwing signed balls into the audience to fans’ delight.

And as fans walked out of the concert hall, they were handed festive cards signed by GOT7 along with a poster of the band. Coupled with the happy time inside the hall, these items were more than enough to create a perfect winter tale for Ahgase or iGOT7.

For many young girls who dream of stardom, becoming a member of an idol group is probably the best way to start. Not only is it easier than starting on the bottom rung of the artistic ladder and spending years climbing up the steps only to fail to reach the top, becoming an idol takes just a few months of learning and rehearsing singing and dancing.

Witnesses to the success of BNK48, the overseas sister idol girl group of Japan’s hottest music group AKB48, many girls in this country flock to auditions for new idol groups, among them Secret12, 7th Sense, Fever and Akira-Kuro.

We talk to a few of the young ladies who’ve been snapped up by the promoters and in addition to being members of new idol groups are now also finding fame as actresses and TV hosts.

Chanyanuch “Dear” Laorchawee, 24, and Patneeta “Mylove” Dhanasunthorn, 14, from Secret12

Dear: “You don’t have to be perfect at singing or dancing to be an idol but you must be determined to develop yourself. An idol’s charm doesn’t depend on looking pretty. My first dream was to be an air hostess, but being picked as an idol is a rare chance.”

Mylove: “I was inspired by the idol ‘manga’ (comic). My mum is a model and she encouraged me to be a performer. I would prefer to be an actress than a singer though.”

Dear: “I think the field is wide open for idol members to become emcees or performers rather than singers. But our production house Sonthana wants us to become skilled in every aspect of the entertainment industry.”

Mylove: “An idol is an inspiration in addition to a product.”

Nutruge “Tang Tang” Wisawanart, 25, of 7th Sense.

“I’ve wanted to be a singer since I was a kid. When I was young, I sang and danced along to songs on TV shows. I couldn’t take any lessons though because my parents couldn’t afford it. But I’m happy when I sing.

“I was selected to be the band leader due to my experience working a emcee and in solving problems. However, I’m under pressure to take care of and control the other 16 members.”

“Idol and otaku [fans] are like siblings. Once, a fan told me that he used to feel discouraged but is better since following 7th Sense.

“Today 7th Sense is like a family and our home. Our aim is to make our home warm and become better known to fans.”

PHOTO IDOL MASTER

Kamonporn “Beam Beam” Kosriyarakwong, 24, a member of Fever and an air hostess with Thai Smile Airways

“Actually, I’m a fan of K-pop bands and used to be in a Wonder Girls cover band. I love the way K-pop artists are constantly developing their skills.

“I think that an idol is an inspiration to any girl who is following her dream. I would like to be like Phi Bird [superstar Thongchai McIntyre] who is both a singer and an actor. He’s a legend.”

Pattinee “Bambie” Kanlayanasant, 25, and Saifon “Nana” Pilachai, 26, of chika idol group Akira-Kuro

Bambie: “I’ve been following BNK48 since it started. I’ve worked as a presenter since I was a child and becoming an idol is a longheld dream. It’s a challenge too. Akira-Kuro has the same format as other idol groups but the difference lies in our music. Right now, we’re listen to the demos of three songs and will lay down the vocal tracks next month. We must hone our skills and develop our singing and dancing.”

Nana: “I like to listen to heavy music or metal like Japanese visual rock artists Dir en Grey, The Gazette, and Miyavi as well as Thai artists from Genie Records and Banana Records. Akira-Kuro is a new girl idol group with a sound of metal music. Before coming to audition, I already knew about the direction of this idol group. I must practise my roar!

“Chika idol is a small group without a lot of support like the mainstream idol, and each of members must help each other.”

Bambie: “We don’t have anyone to support us so everyone from the members to the production team helps each other.”

The idol phenomenon has witnessed an almost indecent surge in Thailand over the last 12 months, with BNK48 – the overseas sister idol girl group of Japan’s hottest music group AKB48 – popping up seemingly everywhere – on TV, in ads and as brand ambassadors for everything from soy milk to mobile phones.

7th Sense

The group, which was formed two years ago on the same “Idol You Can Meet” concept as the Japanese idol group, shot to fame with its second single, “Cookie Siangthai”, a cover of AKB48’s “Koisuri Fortune Cookie”, that had just about every teenager in this country singing the line “aeb mong ther yoo na ja”, meaning “I’m secretly watching you”.

7th Sense

Today, the girls serve as brand ambassadors and presenters for True Move H, AP Honda, Fujifilm X-A5, Samsung Galaxy J8, Jele Beautie, Yayoi, Lactasoy, Mirinda Mix It, and Toyota Yaris ATIV.

With money to be made, many enterprises have now jumped on the bandwagon with their own idol groups, among them Sweat16, Secret12, 7th Sense, Fever, CM Cafe, Akira-Kuro, and SY51 from Chiang Mai. The rules remain the same as for Japan’s idols: members aren’t allowed to take pictures and selfies individually with fans or sign autographs.

7th Sense

“The idol group has become an SME,” says Kun Rertnitiwong, producer and director of production house Sonthana and one of the founders of Secret12. “In the past, an artist trained for a few years before releasing an album, but nowadays it’s only three or six months. It isn’t necessary for a song to be perfect, because fans, called ‘otaku’ in Japanese, like to watch their idol going from zero to hero. Interestingly, the idol group has helped bring the CD back to life as there is no fear of copyright infringement. It’s rather like a photo set. It isn’t hard to make a copy of the idols’ photos but fans are willing to support them by sticking to the real ones. There’s been at least one case of a fan reporting a vendor selling photocopies of images to the police. It’s a matter of brand loyalty. I think the trend will continue for at least the next few years and I am happy to see the girls achieve their dreams. Making their debut is just the first step: the girls have to put a lot of time and effort into making their dream a reality – rehearsing for four hours a day, six days a week after a full day at school.”

7th Sense

Secret12, whose name is inspired by a vitamin brand that claims to banish tiredness, is different from other idol groups, because the members are skilled at singing, dancing, performing and acting as emcees. Kun, 37, has plenty of experience in the entertainment circle, and is aiming to push some of them onto the small screen.

Secret12

“Most idol groups are building their own brand. Being an idol is more about business than singing, because it includes something as simple as a handshake, which the girls did at their first event, a Laser Game. For each girl, being an idol is almost within her reach, while being an artist or a performer is a far cry from her dreams. A fan club focuses on her endeavours to achieve her dream,” he adds.

Secret12

Secret12’s first single, which will feature electric pop-rock, is expected to be released in February and the girls are in the capable hands of Kamhaeng Kriengkrai, aka Poo Shimi, and Paradorn Rodprasert, former guitarist of Rapbit Dolls, who wrote “Ornly You” as a fan song for Orn BNK48.

Secret12

“The idol business has changed my vision. It’s all about being incomplete as an entertainer and growing into the group. Each idol member is an icon,” says Phat “Job” Sanguansantigul, founder and chief executive of 7th Sense Group and manager of its idol group of the same name. “An idol isn’t an artist or professional performer but sells who she is – her selfhood, if you like. Each girl is like a storyteller for a product. We produce a programme called ‘Go Ja Go’ to let the members practise getting their selfhood across and encourage them to come up with creative ideas. We want them to be good entertainers.”

Akira-Kuro

The 31-year-old founder, who is also managing director of the Thai unit of South Korea’s music publisher The Jam Factory, will collaborate with other international songwriters on a song for 7th Sense, which already has four numbers to its credit – the anthem “Sampas Rak”, “Jongta”, “Khong Khwan” and “Fun Khong Rao”. The aim is to develop the group to an international standard.

“The song must be catchy,” Phat adds. “I have no idea how long the idol group trend will last but we see our role as preparing a new generation for the world of entertainment. That’s why we are trying to push the members into being more professional performers.”

Atipati Praihirun, a producer with Roamrun Entertainment, has new idol group, Fever in his sights.

Akira-Kuro

“Fever has a different image form other idol groups,” he explains. “Most idol groups focus on cuteness and cheerfulness while Fever emphasises a smart look, as can be seen in the music video of their first song, ‘Start Again’. Musically, they are being managed by a team from the indie circle that includes Chalermphol Soongsak from Gym and Swim, Pokpong Jitdee from Plastic Plastic, and Noom Jued. Our aim is to make songs for the mainstream market, not only for idol otaku.”

Atipati is keen to make Fever a mainstream idol group rather than following the chika idol model, which is mainly concerned with music style and marketing.

Akira-Kura

“We are not only managing Fever as an idol group but also as an indie band,” he says.

Suriya “Phol” Supheekit, former member of underground post-hardcore bands Elizabeth Ashes and Linderoth, is taking another stance. His idol group, Akira-Kuro, is definitely of the chika type.

“Most idol groups in Thailand look alike with long hair and a cute look. Akira-Kuro is different. It’s a type of chika or underground idol group that is far more approachable as far as fans are concerned. Akira-Kuro also offers a kind of alternative music, sort of post hardcore, metal core, hardcore or pop punk.

Akira-Kura

The 14-member underground idol group, whose name means “white light and black light” in a reference to the good and bad sides of mankind, will soon release its first three songs – “Never Give Up”, “It’s Me” and “Anti-Cyberbully”, the latter about social media defamation.

“I have connections in the entertainment circle including music label Banana Records and concert promoter Kodindy. My plan is to organise Akira-Kuro’s event with a live house atmosphere like in Japan.

“In the meantime, Akira-Kuro will perform at ‘Weird Vol 1’ at De Commune on January 26,” Suriya says.

The band features nine members: Bang Chan, Woojin, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and In and takes its name from a 2017 reality show.

Stray Kids released a pre-debut EP, “Mixtape” featuring seven tracks such as “Hellevator”, “Beware”, and “Spread My Wings.”

On March 5, JYP Entertainment announced the debut showcase of the group, “Stray Kids Unveil (Op 01: I Am Not)” at Jangchung Arena before the release of their EP, “I Am Not”. In a sign of things to come “I Am Not” debuted at number four on Gaon’s Album Chart and sold over 54,000 physical copies.

On April 14, Stray Kids performed at KCON Japan 2018, the group’s first overseas performance since their debut.

On July 12, the label announced the group’s second showcase titled “Stray Kids Unveil (Op 02: I Am Who)” at Kyung Hee University’s Grand Peace Palace while on October 4, the group did its third showcase, “Stray Kids Unveil (Op 03: I Am You)” at Olympic Hall, which was followed by the release of their new EP, “I Am You.”

Tickets costs from Bt2,800 to Bt5,500 at Thai Ticket Major counters and online.

For more information, please visit ww.411ent.com, http://www.facebook.com/fouroneoneent, Twitter: @411ent and Instagram: @411ent.

The British electronic music group, consisting of producers Matt Cantor and Aston Harvey who have released five studio albums and a number of mix compilations, will perform their breakbeat, trip hop, big beat, acid house and electro house together with local favourites DJ Orawan, Thai Stick, and Road Runners.

Tickets cost Bt350 at https://www.eventpop.me/e/4638bassclef.

Driftmoon in a daze

Czech producer Driftmoon jets into Bangkok for a pre-New Year show, playing his melodic arena trance at Club XS on the sixth floor of Bangkok Grande Pullman Sukhumvit Hotel tomorrow night from 10.

Driftmoon, who was born Juraj Klicka, will perform his debut album, “(R)Evolution” in collaboration with Tina Guo, Sylvia Tosun, Laurie Ann Haus and Zefora, along with trance tracks like “Howl At The Moon”, the “Exodus, Leviticus, Genesis” trilogy with American violinist Dsharp, “Beggar In Your Own Kingdom”, “From The Ashes” and “Lights Will Guide You Home”.

Temple One and Ed Lynam provide the support.

Book a table at (062) 171 5299.

He’s got rhythm

Dominican-American house music DJ, remixer and producer Roger Sanchez comes to Thailand for a show tomorrow night at The Club at Koi.

Best known for his remix of “Hella Good” (by No Doubt), Sanchez is the man behind the hit single “Lost” which was ranked No 1 on US Dance Chart in 2006 and has won Best House DJ four times at the DJ awards. He’ll be supported by Natsha and Groove.

Find out more at (02) 108 2005.

Meta goes mega

DJs KSHMR, MAKJ, Purple Haze by Sander van Doorn, Eptic, Atmozfears, Kura, Crossnaders, Sultan + Shepard, Sophie Francis and the Siena Girls are among the leading spinners taking part in the inaugural Meta Music Festival at Oasis Arena of Show DC on Sunday and Monday nights from 5pm until late.

Tickets are available at http://www.EventPop.me/e/4722metamusicfestival. For more information, visit http://www.MetaMusicFestival.com.

All aglitter for 2019

Levels Club on Sukhumvit Soi 11 celebrates New Year’s Eve with the “Diamonds Are Forever” party featuring American DJ and producer Fingaz. The fun gets underway at 9.

Advance reservations are recommended at (082) 308 3246.

There is a new girl group in the K-pop scene. Billing itself as the very first “e-sports girl group” in South Korea, Aqua hopes to incorporate gaming into the growing music scene.

At first glance, the six-piece group consisting of Hyeonju, Sua, Haesol, Seungji, Sihyeon and Hyerim looks like a typical K-pop idol group.

But with the novel concept of e-sports, the group is already gaining attention, including from gamers, since its debut single with the fitting title “Log In” was released in November.

(KRAZY Entertainment’s YouTube channel)

Aqua has largely stuck to its concept so far, appearing at a gaming event organized by its agency and game developers Actoz Soft and Kakao Games earlier this month.

Furthermore, the group’s manager is a former professional gamer specializing in “StarCraft II,” whose current job entails overseeing the act’s dance and singing practices as well as game coaching.

(KRAZY Entertainment’s YouTube channel)

In an interview clip uploaded on the group’s official YouTube channel, the bandmates were seen immersed in a first-person shooter game. Another video featured their visit to G-Star 2018, the country’s largest gaming event.

When the group was unveiled in early November, Actoz Soft CEO Guo Habin said professional gamers are now enjoying as much popularity as celebrities and that AQUA marks a “new business direction” that mixes gaming and entertainment.

(Actoz Soft)

In the same month, virtual K-pop group K/DA, created by Riot Games, released its debut single “Pop/Stars,” which featured the voices of (G)-IDLE’s bandmates Miyeon and Soyeon, indie-pop singer-songwriter Madison Beer and vocalist Jaira Burns.

The K-pop-tinged tune topped Billboard’s world digital song sales chart soon after its release, and the video for the song has been viewed over 120 million times as of Thursday.

(Riot Games)

Both the gaming and K-pop industries contribute to the South Korean economy.

South Korea was the fourth-largest video games market this year, generating over 5.7 billion won ($5.1 million) in revenue, according to data from market intelligence Newzoo,

A recent study published by the Hyundai Research Institute this week estimated that K-pop sensation BTS is worth over $3.6 billion per year to the country’s economy, as it boosts the brand image of South Korean products abroad.

The English pop rock band featuring Matthew Healy on vocals, Adam Hann on guitar, MacDonald on bass and George Daniel on drum, hit the big time with their first self-titled album that spawned the successful singles “Chocolate”, “Sex”, “Robbers” and “Girls” and are on a world tour to promote their third album, “A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships”, which was released last month.

Grab your ticket at http://www.ticketmelon.com/VIJI/THE1975.

Rocking all over the town

The Rock Pub lives up to its reputation as the best rock venue in town with the show “This Is Heavy Metal” tonight starting from 8pm.

All set to entertain the crowds are Tornado, Luminasion featuring Woravit “Pop” Charoenphonnachai, Brownstone featuring P Hard Boy and DriveN4.

Tickets are Bt250 including a preshow drink and Bt300 at the door. Buy them at Line @therockpub, email: therockpub1987@gmail.com, or call (099) 191 5666. The club is easily accessible from exit 2 of BTS Ratchathewi.

Music for the mountains

EFM 104.5 and Chill Online are holding the ninth edition of their “Chill on the Hill” activity on the theme “Rao and Nine” at The Ocean Khao Yai on January 12.

Phum Viphurit, Mean, The Parkinson, ETC, Lipta and Tattoo Colour provide the music with DJs filling in the intervals with their spins.

For more information and free tickets, log on to http://www.Efm.fm and http://www.Chillfm.fm.

Gypsy in your soul

Music and lifestyle festival Gypsy Carnival returns for its fourth year to Ton Phueng Farm in Ratchaburi on February 9 with a new theme “Treasure Mountain”.

The festival will feature many artists including Poo Pongsit, Hugo, Greasy Cafe, Singto Numchok, Joey Boy, Polycat, Yellow Fang, and Phum Viphurit as well as a costume contest, Hell on Dirt, and a pop up store.

Tickets cost Bt1,500 at Thai Ticket Major outlets. Call (02) 262 3456 or visit http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com and http://www.GypsyCarnivalThailand.com.

Girls, girls, girls

AKB48, the most popular and influential idol group from Japan, will be back in Thailand next month to take part in the Japan Expo Thailand 2019 at CentralWorld on January 26.

The idol group, which has spawned seven sister groups in Asia, will see Yui Yokoyama, Juri Takahashi, Nana Okada, Mion Mukaichi, Yui Oguri, Miu Shitao, Rin Okabe, Narumi Kuranoo, Satone Kubo, and Megu Taniguchi performing a mini concert.

Find out more at (02) 658 0555 extension 111 or visit http://www.japanexpothailand.com.

Villalobos was born in Santiago in 1970 but relocated to Germany as a three-year-old in 1973. He started to play conga and bongos as a 10 year old but while he couldn’t see himself as a musician, he took to electronic music as a teen and has never looked back.

A major fan of Depeche Mode, he takes much of his inspiration from their music as well as from other artists such as Daniel Miller, Thomas Melchior, Baby Ford, Daniel Bell and Andrew Weatherall.

He began DJing as a professional in 1998 and is today regarded as one of the most important minimal DJs in Europe, alongside Luciano Nicolet and Dandy Jack.

Tickets cost Bt850 at http://www.ticketmelon.com.

Brought to Thailand by Live Nation BEC-Tero, the three members of Years & Years – vocalist Olly Alexander, bassist Mikey Goldsworthy, and keyboardist and synthesizer player EmreT?rkmen – hail from London, and came together as a band in 2010 before gaining massive mainstream global success with the hit “King” in 2015, which shot to the top of the UK charts and made the top 10 on charts around the world. The follow up “Shine” reached the second rank in the UK, preceding their first full album “Communion”, which was met with widespread critical acclaim and debuted at the top of the charts.

This year, the band released its second album “Palo Santo”, a concept album that tells the story of a parallel universe inside Olly’s imagination where traditional notions of sexuality and gender no longer exist. It has been praised for its “deep emotional resonance”. The album’s ideas are told through the music, the accompanying videos and a short film.

For this tour, Years & Years have set their sights on taking the audience into the Palo Santo universe, expressing their creativity through their music and spectacular performance, presenting a new kind of excitement in their own distinctive style.

Tickets for the show start at Bt2,500 and go on sale on January 5 at all ThaiTicketMajor outlets, http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com or by calling (02) 262 3838. Live Nation members can access pre-sale tickets on January 4.