What is SCANDAL looking forward to in 2020, one year after establishing their own private record label? Check out this post-concert interview by Anime!Anime! after the band’s performance at C3AFASG19 I LOVE ANISONG!

Singapore fans are very free to create a space to enjoy their music.

HARUNA: We wanted to make the setlist with songs unique to “C3AFA”. We brought in a lot of songs that were anime theme songs, including “Shunkan SENTIMENTAL” — the ending theme of the anime “Full Metal Alchemist”, which was particularly exciting. Although we had everyone sing the chorus, it was just perfect.

TOMOMI: The fans were very excited to hear new songs that we hadn’t even performed in Japan, and I am looking forward to returning to Singapore on tour (SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2020 “Kiss from the darkness”) next May.

MAMI: I think there were many fans who liked anime theme songs, as well as Japanese bands and music itself. Singapore fans are very free to create a space to enjoy music.

The ability to enjoy yourself is amazing, and I feel that the enthusiasm has evolved over the past few years.

RINA: I was looking forward to being able to have a concert in Singapore, so it was really nice to be here. I think for many people in the audience it’s their first time to see us, and I would be glad if they can come to SCANDAL’s solo concert or any concert in Japan because of today.

Did you enjoy sightseeing and dining in Singapore?

TOMOMI: With everyone before the concert …

HARUNA: We went to Gardens by the Bay.

RINA: I’ve been to Singapore several times, but I haven’t been there yet.

MAMI: After that, we went to eat chilli crab and chicken rice.

TOMOMI: I was very touched! And after today, can we go eat after the show? I’m looking forward to it.

Looking forward to the second phase of SCANDAL

Please tell us about the appeal of this event.

RINA: “C3AFA” features not only live performances but also lots of merchandise. It’s also appealing because there are a lot of artistes together who you rarely see at live shows.

In our solo concerts, we often do it outdoors, so when a squall comes down it’s like a nature performance and only happens in Singapore. The night view on the way home is also the best!

TOMOMI: I’ve been told that local fans love our songs as much as Japanese fans. I felt that being in such a place was more enjoyable than anything else.

MAMI: Singaporeans know not only new works but also old masterpieces. For example, “Gegege no Kitaro” is an anime that we have been familiar with since childhood, but I’m glad that locals familiar with it as well. I often learn about new shows for the first time at “C3AFA”, and it’s a place where I can get to know Japanese anime all over again.

RINA: Yesterday, I went to see the booths being prepared during rehearsals with HARUNA, and it was fun just walking around. I was surprised to see they have a butler cafe brought in. And when I saw the drinks stall, I was glad to find something in common with Japan — “Bubble tea is popular here too!”.

Finally, please give a message to your fans.

MAMI: About a year after launching a new label, we will release a new album “Kiss from the darkness” in February 2020. I hope to be able to bring our outlook into our songs, and that everyone looks forward to the second phase of SCANDAL. I also hope to come to more Japanese culture events. I feel that anime is a great unstoppable medium.

RINA: For 13 years, the fact that four people have been able to continue playing music without stopping once, seems to have started when the audience liked our style at overseas live performances during our indie era.

We value our live performances abroad very much and we want to continue to do so. I want to use what I learned from challenges abroad into music to give back to Japan. Please look forward to SCANDAL’s various activities in the future!

HARUNA: The album “Kiss from the darkness”, which will be our very first release after launching a new label, is challenging in both sound and lyrics. I’m excited to be able to attempt new challenges even after 13 years, and I’ve become aware that there are still plenty of new things to try out there. The album was made while thinking, “I want to encourage our listeners.” I want to grow and become even cooler after our concerts and world tours in Japan and overseas.

TOMOMI: Every time we release an album, we do a world tour, but every time I play around the world, I feel that my understanding of each song deepens. That is very significant.

Having concerts around the world and returning home to Japan, and the thrill I get from playing our songs for such a long time — I am really looking forward to the tour!

The release of the new album is also exciting. I was so excited that the audience was so passionate about the new song we played today, and I look forward to seeing how much hotter it has become when we return to Singapore.

And as mentioned by the band, SCANDAL will be back in Singapore on 30th May for SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2020 “Kiss from the darkness”! You can get tickets now via APACTIX — but hurry as VVIP tickets are sold out, VIP tickets are in extremely limited quantities, and GA tickets are also selling fast!

SCANDAL World Tour 2020 “Kiss from the darkness” in Singapore
30 May 2020
Doors open at 5:30PM; show starts at 6:30PM
The Coliseum™, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Resorts World™ Sentosa
Tickets via APACTIX.COM