Japanese pop sensation yama made their Australian debut at Melbourne’s Northcote Theatre, bringing a distinctive mix of J-pop, electronic production and emotionally charged vocals to the stage.
Melbourne’s own Eli Wan opened proceedings, bringing his restless mix of glitch-pop, alternative pop and digital experimentation to the Northcote stage. His collision of electronic production and vulnerable songwriting made him a fitting choice to kick off the night.
One of Japan’s most intriguing contemporary artists, yama has built an international following while keeping their identity largely out of the spotlight. Their unmistakable voice has also become familiar to anime fans worldwide, with music featured in SPY×FAMILY, Ranking of Kings and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.
The focus was firmly on the music as yama’s blend of pop hooks, electronic textures and soaring vocals translated into a live performance that demonstrated why their appeal has travelled well beyond Japan.
For Australian fans, this first visit had been a long time coming. And at the Northcote Theatre, yama gave Melbourne its first taste of a Japanese pop artist whose international following continues to grow.
Images Brad Kendell
