Chiba-born folk artist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Ichiko Aoba has announced her upcoming album, ‘Luminescent Creatures’, slated for release on February 28, 2025, through her label hermine.
Alongside the album news, Aoba announced her most extensive world tour to date, with 36-dates across Asia, Europe, North America, and Mexico. As part of the tour, she’ll perform an exclusive set at The Barbican in London on March 31st, featuring a full performance of the album with the London-based 12 Ensemble, a pioneering conductor-less string orchestra.
‘Luminescent Creatures’ marks Aoba’s first album since her 2020 release ‘Windswept Adan’. The new record continues her exploration of nature and storytelling, inspired by her time in the Ryukyu Archipelago, a chain of islands stretching southwest from Japan towards Taiwan. Her connection to the region’s communities and coral reef ecosystems shapes much of the album’s atmosphere. The lead single, ‘Luciférine’, blends piano and strings to evoke the glow of deep-sea creatures, setting the tone for a record deeply tied to the ocean’s mysteries.
Aoba has built a reputation for her delicate, immersive soundscapes and collaborations with a wide range of artists, including the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, Weyes Blood, and Black Country, New Road.
Tickets for Ichiko Aoba’s 2025 world tour are now on sale. For full ticket information, head to the Ichiko Aoba official website.
Ichiko Aoba Luminescent Creatures World Tour
- 24th February (Mon) – Hong Kong, Xi Qu Centre, Grand Theatre [with Musicians from HK Phil]
- 26th February (Wed) – South Korea, Seoul, Sky Arts Hall
- 6th March (Wed) – Taiwan, Taipei, Zhongshan Hall
- 10th March (Mon) – Spain, Barcelona, Parallel 62
- 11th March (Tue) – Spain, Valencia, Teatro Rambleta
- 13th March (Thu) – Italy, Milan, Auditorium San Fedele
- 15th March (Sat) – Switzerland, Zurich, Mascotte
- 18th March (Tue) – Germany, Hamburg, Laiszhalle
- 19th March (Wed) – Germany, Berlin, Urania (Humboldtsaal)
- 21st March (Fri) – Netherlands, Utrecht, TivoliVredenburg (Grote Zaal)
- 23rd March (Sun) – Netherlands, Groningen, Oosterpoort
- 25th March (Tue) – Belgium, Antwerp, De Roma
- 27th March (Thu) – France, Paris, La Trianon
- 31st March (Mon) – UK, London, Barbican [with 12 Ensemble]
- 2nd April (Wed) – UK, Manchester, Albert Hall
- 4th April (Fri) – UK, Gateshead, The Glasshouse
- 5th April (Sat) – UK, Glasgow, City Halls
- 17th April (Thu) – USA, Honolulu, HI, Hawaii Theatre
- 19th April (Sat) – Canada, Vancouver, BC, Chan Centre
- 20th April (Sun) – USA, Portland, OR, Revolution Hall
- 21st April (Mon) – USA, Seattle, WA, The Moore
- 23rd April (Wed) – USA, Oakland, CA, Fox Oakland
- 26th April (Sat) – USA, Los Angeles, CA, The Wiltern [with Wordless Music Quintet]
- 27th April (Sun) – USA, Los Angeles, CA, The Wiltern [with Wordless Music Quintet]
- 29th April (Tue) – USA, Scottsdale, AZ, Scottsdale Center
- 1st May (Thu) – USA, Denver, CO, Paramount Theatre
- 3rd May (Fri) – USA, St. Paul, MN, Fitzgerald Theatre
- 6th May (Tue) – USA, Chicago, IL, Thalia Hall
- 7th May (Wed) – USA, Chicago, IL, Thalia Hall
- 9th May (Thu) – USA, Detroit, MI, Masonic Cathedral Theatre
- 10th May (Sat) – USA, Cleveland, OH, Agora Theatre
- 12th May (Mon) – USA, Boston, MA, Berklee Performance Center
- 14th May (Wed) – USA, New York, NY, Kings Theatre [with Wordless Music Quintet]
- 17th May (Sat) – USA, Philadelphia, PA, Miller Theatre
- 18th May (Sun) – USA, Washington, DC, Warner Theatre
- 22nd May (Thu) – Mexico, Mexico City, Teatro Metropolitan
Ichiko Aoba
Luminescent Creatures
Release Date: 28/02/2025
Label: hermine
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
Vinyl: CDJapan
CD: CDJapan
