Bands, artists, and singers from Shikoku
When you think of bands and artists from Shikoku, who comes to mind?
Many people probably think of Chatmonchy, a flagship all-girl band, or the singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu.
But bands and artists from Shikoku aren’t limited to just them!
From up-and-coming singer-songwriters to incredibly skilled vocalists, the region has produced a wealth of popular artists.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of artists from Shikoku, so let’s dive right in!
Bands, artists, and singers from Shikoku (1–10)
TogetherOchi Shiho (Superfly)
Shiho Ochi, the vocalist of Superfly, skyrocketed to fame with the release of “Ai o Komete Hanataba o” (“A Bouquet with Love”).
Her fashion, influenced by hippie and psychedelic culture, was also striking.
Although she now performs solo, Superfly originally started as a band formed in Ehime at Matsuyama University.
Ochi herself is from Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture, and it’s said that since childhood she would sing loudly amid the serene landscapes of Ehime.
You can almost picture those Ehime scenes that nurtured her powerful voice.
Shangri-LaChatto Monchī
When it comes to rock bands from Shikoku, you just can’t leave out Chatmonchy! As a girls’ three-piece rock band, they left a legendary legacy and influenced many until their breakup in 2018.
They released numerous classics, from the pop and cute “Shangri-La” to the rock ballad “Somaruyo.” One standout aspect of these Tokushima-born artists’ activity was the Konason Festival—a rock fest held in a Tokushima hall that, amazingly, ended with Awa Odori! They’re a rock band filled with hometown pride.
canaryYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu is a musician who leads the Japanese music scene, with massive hits like “Lemon” and songs such as “Paprika,” which he provided to NHK.
With anime and drama tie-ins, commercial songs, and tracks he has written for others, there may be fewer days when you don’t hear his music.
It may come as a surprise to many, but he is actually from Tokushima City in Tokushima Prefecture.
At the 2018 Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle), he performed from the Otsuka Museum of Art in Naruto City, his home prefecture of Tokushima, which became a major talking point.
Maximum the Hormone II ~Let’s Talk About Firm, Rich Noodles from Here On~Daisuke-han (Maksimamu Za Horumon)
Maximum the Hormone is a band known for songs with an overwhelming impact influenced by mixture rock and hardcore, as heard on albums like “Buiikikaesu” and “Maximum the Hormone II: Let’s Talk About the Future of Firm, Rich Noodles.” Each member’s larger-than-life personality is so striking that you can’t help but become a fan of the people themselves.
Vocalist Daisuke-han—the loud, shouty one—is from Takamatsu City in Kagawa Prefecture.
He’s a dependable guy who never fails to make headlines for health-related issues too, including a herniated disc and laryngitis.
A three-penny novelSeiki Yuu (King Gnu)
King Gnu, the rock band that broke through with the massive hit “Hakujitsu” and is known for its one-of-a-kind sound.
Their drummer, Yu Seki, also hails from Shikoku.
He is from Awa City in Tokushima Prefecture, was born to professional musician parents, and in his hometown of Tokushima he gained experience in dance and wind ensemble.
After moving to Tokyo, he took on drums, backing vocals, and sampling in the band, making himself indispensable to King Gnu’s sound.
His surname, Seki—written with the characters for “force” and “joy”—is read “Seki” and is said to be a rare family name that is particularly common in Tokushima.
Biri MillionYuuri
Yuri is a singer-songwriter from Chiba Prefecture.
She began her music career on social media in 2019 and made her major debut in 2020.
Her singing videos posted on social media became a hot topic, sparking a response known as the “Kakurenbo phenomenon.” Her debut single reached No.
1 on many streaming platforms and achieved the remarkable feat of surpassing 500 million streams.
In 2022, she released her first original album, “Ichi.” Her music is characterized by influences from Western rock bands and Japanese artists, and songs themed around bonds with pets and farewells have also drawn attention.
Yuri’s songs are appealing for their heartfelt lyrics and warm, expressive vocals.
Many listeners will relate to the lyrics that capture precious moments found in everyday life.
That’s it.Akizawa Kazutaka (Saucy Dog)
Saucy Dog is a rock band that’s been releasing hit after hit and attracting a lot of attention.
Their bassist, Kazutaka Akizawa, is also an artist from Shikoku.
He joined Saucy Dog—already formed at the time—when he was 22.
Two years later, they made their major-label debut with the mini-album “Country Road.” In recent years, they’ve also become known for a successful show at Nippon Budokan and an appearance on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Let’s keep an eye on their future success.
