I was about 2 months into finding out about Band-Maid when I came across Band-Maiko and at first I thought it was cute. After diving deeper is when I realized how much fun they are on top of insanely talented. They are at another level when you combine their talent and sense of humor and personalities. Reminds me of how Van Halen was, back in the 80s. Very talented but very entertaining with a huge sense of humor.

Great review of Band-Maid/Band-Maiko's marvelous renditions of Secret My Lips. I remember I had been a devoted fan of Band-Maid for about two years when I saw that they had suddenly announced that they were changing their band's name and then released Secret Maiko Lips. Startled and stunned, I saw that they were now performing in traditional Japanese attire. Thoroughly confused and more than a bit anxious, I then realized to my relief that the release date was March 31st in the US, which was April 1st in Japan. I laughed myself silly as I just got punked by an ingenious and elaborate April Fool's joke from these wonderful women which made me love them all the more.

Congratulations on getting a ticket for one of their Japanese shows this summer ! I just returned from seeing them at Tokyo Garden Theater and all I can say is WOW - Seeing the Maids with their home audience (and plenty of overseas visitors too) was just incredible, something I will never forget !

It's so nice see these 2 videos shown together!Because both them are realy good!

Congratulations on your Fukuoka Okyu-ji ticket! Fukuoka is a gourmet city. Ramen is very famous, but I strongly suggest you check out seafood. Their street foods are also extremely good. Nakasu street food Yoko-cho (中洲屋台横丁) is a famous tourist spot, there are many street foods, all in high quality and inexpensive. This place is a walking distance from the Fukuoka Drum Logos, Band-Maid's Okyu-ji venue.

We had a few crowd surfers at the LA show. Waves were low that evening...

Enjoy Fukuoka and Japan tour.

Saiki is heart-meltingly beautiful in traditional Japanese dress for the Band-Maiko version.

I am still in Japan...for a couple more days before returning home (UK). I came to see the ladies at Tokyo Garden on the 9th.

When Band-Maid play an April Fool's joke, they don't skimp on production values. A maiko is a trainee Geisha and the ladies borrowed the fantastic traditional Maiko outfits for the 'Gion-cho' and 'Secret Maiko Lips' MV's as they cost in the region of £30,000. Their hairstyles and the hair ornaments are also part of the Maiko style too. Regarding Secret Maiko Lips, Kanami's arrangement of her original score with added Wagakki (trad instruments) is superb and it's performed as professionally as always - but there's lots of little jokes and references in it too; Miku writes the word 'Domination' on the scroll at the start, MISA wears shoes throughout , Akane gets stuck into her ramen while everyone else poses with theirs and, with their usual attention to detail, they all changed their names too: Miku → Hatoko (鳩子), Saiki → Fujiki (富士姫), Kanami → Kanoemi (叶笑), Akane → Akatsuki (紅月), MISA → Umemisa (梅美沙). There's a video out there of the ladies making the Gion-Cho MV - Kanami dropped her pick at one point and, due to the constraints of the costume, couldn't pick it up herself!

Nice throw Fujiki!

This is a great track...as if it wouldn't be. But every time I listen to "Secret My Lips"...My brain is filling in the "plinky plinky" of the Shamisen from "Secret MAIKO Lips".

LOVEBITES - new song Judgement Day,

I know your Japan trip is a few months off, but a few things for you to consider before you go: the dollar is still quite strong against the yen right now (approx 130 Yen to $1) so you may want to buy at least a few hundred dollars worth of yen now because it's likely the yen will recover a bit later this year. Also, if you will be able to stay long enough to do any traveling within the country, the JR Rail Pass is a very good deal for U.S. and other foreign visitors. I traveled almost everyday (except for the two days I stayed near the concert venue) and it really paid off. If you have a newer phone you should look in to an eSim to use within Japan while you are there. Various data rates and length of use plans are available very reasonably and will really make your phone / google maps a lot more useful when you are away from WiFi sources. Lastly, most people speak some English in Tokyo and other big cities, but know just some basic Japanese phrases, and key words like "sumimassen" (excuse me) will help a lot when / if you go to smaller towns and just in general to ask for help and directions. Safe and exciting travels !

Great reactions as usual. There is quality in everything they do. Sometimes it's not obvious on a first listen/watch- then the realisation gets you. Thanks. New UK Subscriber.

in maiko version, words of lylic are changed to Kyoto dialect.

If you want to have more clues about the maiko world, look no further than the wonderfull Netflix show "The Makanai". Beware, you'll be terribly hungry at the end of each episode 😊.

March 23rd in Kumamoto!!!

Band Maid live is so freakin good! I’m hoping to go to the music fest in Columbus, Ohio this year.

Saiki has crowd surfed before... amongst the ladies ofcourse... she lost her shoe they said😂... if I remember correctly it was from 2018 zepp tokyo