Luv PARADE Presents DEVIL'S PARTY 2022 at Spotify O-EAST

When the reactivation of visual kei band D'ESPAIRSRAY's session band Luv PARADE was announced on April 1st, it looked like an April Fools joke. However, when the members were still promoting their reunion concert a few days later, it became clear it would really be happening! The group's return was made at an event titled Luv PARADE Presents DEVIL'S PARTY 2022, which was held at Spotify O-EAST on June 20th.

Luv PARADE was created in 2009 as part of D'ESPAIRSRAY's tour PSYCHEDELIC PARADE. For the reactivation, guitarist Karyu, bassist ZERO and drummer TSUKASA came back together. Former vocalist HIZUMI also participated from behind the scenes as a designer. defspiral vocalist TAKA, a long-time friend of the band, filled the vacant vocalist position instead.

Overseas fans were also able to enjoy the event, thanks to a livestream broadcast via ZAIKO. Even watching the broadcast from overseas, the joyful mood and anticipation within Spotify O-EAST were palpable. Luv PARADE Presents DEVIL'S PARTY 2022 began with sets of varying length by OFIAM + TSUKASA, Karyu Session BAND and defspiral. Two-and-a-half hours later, the time for Luv PARADE had come.

As with the previous acts, the set was preceded by a short intro video that was shown on the venue screens. Shortly after, drummer TSUKASA, bassist ZERO, guitarist Karyu and guest singer TAKA walked out on stage almost at the same time to rapturous applause. During his entrance, ZERO mimicked the clapping action of fans in the front rows, motivating those further back to join in as well.

Back in 2009, Luv PARADE became known for their eclectic choice of songs to cover. True to form, they opened their set with Britney Spears' Toxic. Karyu and ZERO jumped around wildly, giving in to the temptation to headbang to their version of the pop hit. The same antics could been in the following performance of Lady Gaga's PokerFace.

The audience jumped up and down to the beat and pumped their fists in the air. When they weren't helping out with backing vocals, Karyu and ZERO moved about constantly on stage. Their treatment of The Hand That Feeds by Nine Inch Nails enchanted, thanks to ZERO's strong bass line and TAKA's amazing singing. The masses were asked to clap along and didn't need much encouragement.

After the intense start, TAKA greeted the audience and thanked his fellow musicians for extending him an invitation. The three members of Luv PARADE also said a few words to the crowd. TSUKASA even admitted it was the first time he'd played a drum kit with double bass drums in quite a while.

The short break was followed by energetic covers of BITE THE BULLET by the Underneath (TAKA's former band), and D'ESPAIRSRAY's DEVIL'S PARADE and MIЯROR. In these three songs, the band gave their all. Karyu and ZERO changed sides over and over and played back-to-back. The audience was on fire throughout, especially during the D'ESPAIRSRAY songs.

During MIЯROR, in particular, certain happenings on stage were projected onto the venue's screen, giving those in the back rows an unobstructed view of some charming interactions. At one point, Karyu sat down at the edge of the stage, where he was later joined by ZERO. At first, the bassist leant over his bandmate before sitting down as well, urging TAKA to do the same. Meanwhile, Karyu was up whirling like a dervish towards the other side of the stage. Luv PARADE left amid a long, loud round of applause.

Having been informed in advance that a short encore would follow the main set, it came as no surprise when fans started clapping for an encore within seconds of the band's exit. The eager applause was interrupted by a trailer announcing DEVIL'S PARTY 2022 Vol. 2, which will be held at Spotify O-EAST on September 8th (a day before the anniversary of D'ESPAIRSRAY), at which NUL. and GOTCHAROCKA will also perform. The news whipped up a storm of cheers.

Shortly thereafter, Karyu, ZERO and TSUKASA returned to the stage. Their performance of DEATH POINT without TAKA fired up the crowd, but also aroused feelings of wistfulness. Granted permission to use their smartphones, fans vied for shots of Karyu and ZERO playing back-to-back. The sight of the trio joyously performing this final song surely stirred strong memories of past D'ESPAIRSRAY shows in many fans.

After DEATH POINT, the bandmates thanked those watching both within Spotify O-EAST and further afield. That was it for the online audience, but fans inside the venue were able to join in a final group photo with all of the members of Luv PARADE, OFIAM + TSUKASA, Karyu Session BAND and defspiral.

Set list

01. Toxic (Britney Spears)
02. PokerFace (Lady Gaga)
03. The Hand That Feeds (Nine Inch Nails)
04. BITE THE BULLET (the Underneath)
05. DEVIL'S PARADE (D'ESPAIRSRAY)
06. MIЯROR (D'ESPAIRSRAY)

Encore

07. DEATH POINT (D'ESPAIRSRAY)