D=OUT vocalist KOUKI live at Visual Kei Night: VK fans unite for a special London performance

On September 14th, D=OUT vocalist, enka soloist, and model KOUKI made his sold-out London debut as part of Visual Kei Night at their matsuri-themed event.

A rarity in the western scene, Visual Kei Night is a club night dedicated to VK, with its main base in London, guest slots in Leeds, and nights in Warsaw. Run by DJ Kaoru Nagata, the club has gathered a dedicated group of attendees from the passionate VK and J rock community. Previous collaborations include ACME, JILUKA, and KAMIJO, with exclusive videos from the artists played at the events. Tonight however, was the first time the event has hosted a live show. The tiny basement venue of The Ladybird Bar in Islington was about to be pushed to its capacity and become a bustling live house.

Before the show, a sizeable queue had already formed outside the venue, along Islington’s busy high street. Fans were dressed beautifully, some following the matsuri theme with yukata or outfits inspired by traditional clothing, and others in lolita, goth, and full-on VK looks. A staple in the VK and J rock community, a UK flag was passed down the queue allowing attendees to leave a message for KOUKI.

Having never been to the venue previously, I wasn’t sure what to expect as we filed inside. Heading downstairs into the basement, I quickly realized just how tiny the space was—”How is this going to fit everyone in?” I wondered. We were greeted with stacks of kitsune masks decorated with tassels and bells—matching the matsuri theme and KOUKI’s traditional Japanese x VK style—for attendees to wear, along with postcards for designer SHINO featuring KOUKI and MiA (ex-Mejibray), teasing KOUKI’s appearance at London Fashion Week, which is now available to watch on YouTube. Colourful paper lanterns hung around the venue added to the matsuri vibes, and fans were already lining up for merch at the bar in the back.

Eventually Kaoru came up to the mic and spoke about the night ahead, as well as a bit about the past. The crowd began chanting for her- it feels like she’s created something very special here. She told us that 5 years ago she couldn’t have imagined this space being as full as it is now, having previously coaxed non-VK friends to attend in order to fill the space.

Then it was time for KOUKI to take the stage. Traditional Japanese music played over the speakers, soon morphing into a dance beat as the crowd chanted “hey, hey, hey!” in rhythm. Stepping onto the stage in a brightly coloured outfit adorned with traditional Japanese motifs and a bedazzled military hat, he shouted, “Are you ready, UK?!”. Just inches from the audience, he launched straight into ‘Mandala A’, the title track from D=OUT’s 2020 album. The energy in the room skyrocketed as he encouraged everyone to chant along, with the crowd clapping and cheering in sync, completely fixated on him.

With no live band accompanying him, KOUKI had to rely on backing tracks. The simple setup didn’t hinder the energy of the show, as KOUKI’s presence filled the space, and the crowd eagerly followed his every move.

Next up was the 2022 track ‘KYOKUTOU OGRE’, an obvious fan favourite. The crowd burst into dance, with some even doing furi (short for furitsuke, a type of dance common in VK). This song gave us a perfect moment for call-and-response: KOUKI shouted “wai wai wai!” while we answered back with “hey hey hey!”. Leaning into the crowd, he elicited excited screams from the front row. As the song came to a close, he yelled “Thank you so much!”.

Next he told everyone to clap and jump for next song ‘Kanden 18-gō’. Here was another opportunity for some call and response, as well as some swaying during the verses. Part-way KOUKI yelled “Woo!” then clapping at us, as if to tell us “well done”, while the crowd continued doing furi.

Next we had a small MC section, KOUKI’s first real chance to talk to us. “HEY! I’m KOUKI from D=OUT, nice to meet you! I can’t speak English… my English is very nice!” with laughs from both KOUKI and the crowd. “Today is a Japanese matsuri night, okay? Do you like Japan? Do you know a Japanese word? I love you… means.. A-I-SHI-TE-RU! Aishiteru!”, the crowd yelled it back with a few “daisuki”s too, making him laugh. He told us that tonight was a special night, and that he’d perform D=OUT songs, an anime song, a famous Japanese song, and one secret. “Let’s have an exciting night, okay!”. The crowd screamed in agreeance, before he introduced ‘Shangri La’ from 2008 album ‘ZIPANG’.

One for the older fans, members of the crowd could be seen doing furi and clapping along. KOUKI taught us the furi of thrusting our hands toward the stage, while Kaoru used a bubble gun in the background creating a whimsical vision ahead. “Hey!” chants broke out again toward the end, KOUKI smiling back at us.

Next came a trio of covers, starting with LiSA‘s ‘Gurenge’, for which he brought out a traditional Japanese paper parasol to dance with. He thanked us, sounding even more excited now. Then we got to hear his powerful and emphatic rendition of LUNA SEA’s classic track ‘ROSIER’ from 1994’s ‘MOTHER’.

Before the 3rd and final cover of the night, KOUKI spoke to us again. “Genki desuka?” (“How are you?”), the crowd yelling back “GENKI DESU!”. Surprised, he said “Nihongo?! Your Japanese is very good!” and asked if we knew traditional Japanese dance. He demonstrated with a folding paper hand fan, “and Japanese enka songs?”, then telling us the next song was a present for us, and that it was a famous Japanese culture song.

Dancing with the paper fan, the next track he performed was a cover of Sayuri Ishikawa’s iconic 1977 breakout enka hit ‘Tsugaru kaikyou – Fuyugeshiki‘. A slow and beautiful song, the crowd swayed and clapped along, some even singing along too. At one point KOUKI lightly put the edge of the fan to his mouth, apparently enough fan service to sate the crowd. He held the last long impressive note before the song’s ending sax solo, fanning himself at the end. “Thank you very much!” he exclaimed.

The crowd began to chant “KOUKI!”, to which he yelled “Yes I’m KOUKI! Are you happy? ARE YOU VERY HAPPY?” before again joking about his very nice English, making the crowd laugh. He then explained what he wanted us to do for the next song, telling us that he’d yell “woi” 4 times and we should yell it back. The crowd instantly began yelling it back, then he laughed and yelled “No no no no! WOI WOI WOI WOI!”, this time really belting it out. He went on to tell us that he likes London and would like to live here, and that we’re all friends; “I have many friends!”. The crowd screamed in adoration, then he told us we could now take photos. Everyone hurriedly reached for their phones, and then he asked in Japanese if we were “ready to go, let’s go!”.

Taking off his jacket, he launched into ‘Issei fuubi Fact’ from D=OUT’s 2022 best-of album ‘Zenshin Zenrei Oka Shu:Nii’. Everyone yelled the “WOIs” back at KOUKI with all their might, and clapped along, the crowd participation at a high. He next taught us more furi, this time 2 claps before outstretching our hands to the stage. “PERFECT!” he yelled.

The last 3 songs of the night gave fans more opportunities to do furi, dance, headbang, and sway their arms, firstly with another fan favourite, ‘MUSIC NIPPON’. Then he led into ‘Kigan’, released in 2021 with a prank video. This was the heaviest offering of the night with fast guitars and drums. The contrastingly upbeat chorus had the crowd dancing and jumping, then wrapping up with a final hedoban moment.

The last song of the night was 2009’s ‘Hanasaka Beauty’, another nostalgic D=OUT song. KOUKI told us to raise our voices and get jumping. Fans at the front were doing all the furi for the song, impressing KOUKI, a smile forming across his face. During the song he stopped to thank us- “Thank you very much! Minna! Sugoi! UK!” (“Everyone! Amazing!”) and held his hands to his chest. He put his thumbs up and waved during the chorus, the fans waving back. As the song ended he yelled “Thank you!”, waving at everyone, and fist bumping and high fiving whoever he could reach.

He began a call and response of “We are…” “FRIENDS!”, prior to bringing out the flags and hugging them tightly, smiling from ear to ear. He waved goodbye to us and continued high fiving fans as he left (thanks for my high five too!).

Throughout the night, KOUKI’s fun and lively personality shone through, forming a quick chemistry with the audience. Despite performing without a live band, he managed to keep the energy high, making me wonder just how explosive a full D=OUT set with the entire band would be—a spectacle that surely wouldn’t fit within the tiny confines of The Ladybird Bar.

After a bit of set up, it was time for the 2-shot opportunity. Those who had purchased cheki tickets excitedly queued up to get their photo with KOUKI. He spent a decent amount of time chatting with each person, shaking hands, high fiving, and signing autographs. Eventually it was over. But the night was still young, with Visual Kei Night still yet to start. Only able to stay for half an hour on account of the British transport system, we were unable to fully experience the club night itself, but it was nice to see a room full of VK fans dancing away to their favs; something I could never have imagined existing when I was a VK enamoured teenager.

KOUKI’s set was a huge success, and I can only hope that he’s able to come back again, with all of D=OUT next time. And here’s hoping for more Visual Kei Night collaborations like this; the community focused vibe of the event is wonderful, and Kaoru has nurtured something really beautiful here. The UK VK community is thriving, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

Photos by Charles Shepherd

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Visual Kei Night London: KOUKI Setlist

1. 曼陀羅A (Mandala A)
2. KYOKUTOU OGRE
3. 感電18号 (Kanden 18-gō)
   (MC)
4. シャングリラ (Shangri La)
5. 紅蓮華(Gurenge, LiSA cover)
6. ROSIER (LUNA SEA cover)
   (MC)
7. 津軽海峡・冬景色 (Tsugaru kaikyou – Fuyugeshiki, Sayuri Ishikawa cover)
   (MC)
8. 一世風靡ファクト (Issei fuubi Fact)
9. MUSIC NIPPON
10. 鬼願 (Kigan)
11. 花咲ビューティ (Hanasaka Beauty)

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