By REIKO,
Japanese rock star Tomoyasu Hotei is touring in Europe now. He will be performing shows in Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. The April 2017 tour will see Hotei play in a number of cities for the first time in his career.
Hotei said of the European live dates,
“My career started from playing in small clubs in Japan, and we built it up to the level where I was able to play in front of stadiums full of screaming fans.
And now, I’m opening the door to the world, starting again from playing small clubs in new, unfamiliar places. Back to basics, never lose your ambition even in your success―that’s my philosophy. One step at a time with your own steps, that’s the only way to achieve your dreams.
I am really looking forward to meeting as many people as possible on this Euro tour! If you can’t connect with the soul of the audience in front of you, there’s no chance to grab the hearts of thousands!”
Hotei - Euro Tour 2017 Promo Video
In 2016, Hotei released a ‘Best of’ album celebrating the 35th anniversary of his career in music. The album was supported with an extensive 57-date Japan tour which included intimate club shows and a free open-air concert with 25,000 fans in attendance.
The same year, Hotei’s profile in Europe received a boost after he became close friends with Italian superstar Zucchero, playing on the latter’s latest album, ‘Black Cat’, which went on to record platinum sales.
The two also played together at special events in Tokyo (Zucchero's first visit to Japan), Royal Albert Hall in London, and Zucchero's show at the Arena di Verona in Italy.
The bond between the two has remained into 2017. In February, Hotei played with Zucchero at the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy, a performance which was aired on television to a 70% viewer rating and watched by 10 million people.
Also back in 2016, Hotei released singles from his debut international album, ‘Strangers’. The singles included collaborations with punk godfather Iggy Pop, and Richard Z. Kruspe (Emigrate / Rammstein). That year Hotei performed his first show in LA at legendary venue Troubador, as well as playing shows at the Highline Ballroom in New York, Amsterdam, Paris, and Berlin.
We hope Hotei's current European tour will be a huge success!
For more information, go to Hotei’s website.
