How BAND-MAID Poured Their Determination into ‘Energetic’ Ahead of Their ‘OKYU-JI’ Hiatus

Rock sensation BAND-MAID dropped their first release of 2026, the high-octane single “ENERGETIC,” on June 24. With the group announcing a brief pause from their signature “OKYU-JI” (live performances) in 2027 to recharge, their newest music carries a profound sense of purpose and a heartfelt message for their fanbase. Fresh off the European leg of their global tour, the band sat down with Billboard Japan to discuss their international reception, the inspiration behind their latest tracks, and their creative journey.

Conquering Europe After Seven Years

You performed in five major European cities—Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, and London—while also taking the stage at the U.K.’s famed Download Festival. How was the experience?

KANAMI (Guitar): It had been seven years since our last European tour, so I naturally felt a bit anxious about whether audiences would still connect with our music. Those worries vanished immediately. It was obvious that everyone had been listening and eagerly awaiting our return. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and joy, and my immediate thought was, “We definitely need to come back here soon!”

AKANE (Drums): I was genuinely surprised by how many first-timers attended our OKYU-JI. Over half of the audience at every single stop consisted of new fans. Realizing how far our music has traveled and how many people discovered us over the past seven years made me incredibly happy.

Channeling Emotion and Anticipation into “Days” and “ENERGETIC”

Prior to heading to Europe, you announced a temporary hiatus from live shows for 2027. Your new singles reflect this bittersweet reality, particularly the deeply emotional track “Days.”

MIKU KOBATO (Guitar/Vocals): We wanted to create a song that acknowledges the sadness our Masters and Princesses might feel during our upcoming year-long break, while also serving as an emotional anchor for us as a band. We wanted to reassure everyone—and ourselves—that we are going to be completely fine.

SAIKI (Vocals): We started debuting “Days” live during our Yokohama show in April. Because we had already made the hiatus announcement, we wanted to be completely transparent about our feelings. I wrote raw, uncompromisingly honest lyrics so we could share that message directly during our performances. To me, “Days” is a promise. On the other hand, “ENERGETIC” was written with a bright, forward-looking vision. As KANAMI put it during our planning, “This year, we’re going to get everyone up and dancing!” (Laughs)

KANAMI: While composing it, I envisioned the crowd at our 2026 shows completely losing themselves in the dance rhythm.

SAIKI: Ultimately, we want to build unforgettable memories together.

AKANE: “Days” carries a vital message for our audience, and I wanted the chorus lyrics to take center stage. Because of that, I opted for a streamlined, steady drumbeat that elevates the melody rather than overpowering the vocals. After the second chorus, I integrated KANAMI’s programmed rhythmic ideas while infusing my own stylistic flair.

MISA (Bass): When I first received the demo, I didn’t yet know the song represented a promise, as SAIKI mentioned. However, its emotional weight was immediately apparent. I focused on incorporating horizontal slides and glissandos into the bassline to naturally complement that vulnerability and project my own emotions through the instrument.

Connecting with Audiences in Real Time

Kobato, how did it feel performing “Days” in front of a live audience for the very first time?

KOBATO: It happened right after our hiatus announcement, so my primary goal was to reassure any heartbroken fans by conveying that we are right by their side. When we play “Days,” seeing the audience nod along with such intense, emotional clarity in their eyes creates an incredible sense of unity between us.

You also finalized the title track, “ENERGETIC,” quite recently. Tell us about that process.

KANAMI: In BAND-MAID’s 13-year history, we have never moved this fast—transitioning straight from songwriting into recording and immediately debuting the track live. When we unleashed it during the European tour, the sheer energy on stage was explosive. Even though the crowd was hearing it for the first time, they instantly started dancing. I sang the “LALALA” hook in the intro, and by the time we reached the interlude, the entire venue was singing along. It felt like a tidal wave of shared energy.

SAIKI: Fans even started putting their own creative twists on it, like harmonizing during the “LALALA” section.

“ENERGETIC” opens with a striking bassline. MISA, how did it feel to spearhead such an explosive track start?

MISA: I was terribly nervous! I desperately wanted to watch everyone dancing in the crowd, but I was so consumed by executing my part perfectly that I couldn’t even look up. (Laughs)

AKANE: The track features a four-on-the-floor dance beat, which is relatively straightforward by BAND-MAID standards. However, if your goal is to sweep an audience off their feet and forge collective unity, repetitive, driving phrases resonate far better than overly complex arrangements. Keeping that simplicity in mind allowed me enough space to introduce dynamic variations and showcase distinct rhythmic flourishes.

Board Game Motifs and BAND-MAID’s Legacy

KOBATO: Our past singles have often leaned heavily toward English lyrics or a balanced mix, much like “DOMINATION.” When writing for “ENERGETIC,” knowing it would serve as the title track alongside “Days,” I wanted to capture themes of our future, movement, and high-energy shows. SAIKI shared a visual concept of waving flags during the tour, which sparked an idea reminiscent of a tabletop board game. That’s why the lyrics feature phrases like “Live or Dice” or the strategic “Play it or end with this hand.” For the dance breakdown, I included “Max gain,” alongside subtle nods to past hits like “Prove it” and “To the top” to honor BAND-MAID’s history while pointing toward what lies ahead.

Where did the board game aesthetic for the artwork originate?

SAIKI: I view BAND-MAID’s entire career as a game of sorts. With so many distinct eras and milestones, our history naturally reads like different spaces on a board. There is enough depth in our journey to literally turn it into a game—and it’s not just us; our fans experience our music with that same sense of playful engagement. People travel from all over the world to join our OKYU-JI, and I wanted the artwork to reflect that communal adventure.

This interview, conducted by Takayuki Okamoto, originally appeared on Billboard Japan.

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