L’Arc-en-Ciel Hong Kong [Time Out Magazine, Hong Kong]

An article in Time Out Hong Kong introduces the band: "Having just released Butterfly, their first studio album (barring the Twenity box sets released last year, covering their incredibly prolific period in music) in four years, L’Arc-en-Ciel, which literally means ‘the rainbow’ in French, is a beast that drips with charisma. "

Any swooning fan (and there are many) of L’Arc-en-Ciel – the ‘Kings of J-Rock’ – will be well familiar with their two decades of swelling success on the Asian music scene. Hong Kong is the first stop on their 20th Anniversary World Tour – and when they hit New York, they will become the first Japanese artists to headline the Madison Square Garden Arena.

Having just released Butterfly, their first studio album (barring the Twenity box sets released last year, covering their incredibly prolific period in music) in four years, L’Arc-en-Ciel, which literally means ‘the rainbow’ in French, is a beast that drips with charisma. Not only has their success been proved by album sales and concerts that sell out in minutes, but also by the way they’ve pierced Japanese culture, from films to anime and computer games. Safe to say, fans of Japanese culture (especially those anime nerds) all over the world are familiar with L’Arc-en-Ciel already. 
Not to be put in a box – save, that is, for their typically goth-punk Japanese fashion – their sound ranges from pop-rock to punk-rock to prog-rock – take a deep breath – to all-out ballads. Enigmatic front man hyde leads with his powerful, versatile voice, all the while perfecting his brooding ‘punk-lord’ expression. Yet don’t let him steal the limelight – all the band members (tetsu, ken, yukihiro – painfully all ‘artistically’ spelt in lower case) are consistent contributors and established composers, with enough solo and side projects to prove it.

Don’t be surprised if this concert leans to the heavier side, as they’re ready to release an album by their alter egos P’unk-en-Ciel – shifting the band members around to playing different instruments, creating a fresher sound. Hong Kong fans should look forward to some sweet guitar solos mixed into their sweeter pop moments.

L'Arc en Ciel play AsiaWorld Arena on Saturday March 3. Tickets: 3128 8288; hkticketing.com.