I am... Insanely excited about something and I am going to nerd the fuck out about it under the cut
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a metalhead and a bit of a weeaboo. These two things combine into a love for something called "visual kei" music, which I'm not explaining - Go look it up, it's great.
I've been a huge fan of the scene since I've been 13 years old, ended up able to work with a VK Press website covering new releases and I even got to attend a concert as press once, which was amazing. Unfortunately, it seems like the scene had really been dying down due to pandemic era (and now Trump era...) cultural changes and most of these bands really don't play the states anymore.
Even regardless of that - MY favorite bands have mostly disbanded or paused activities years ago without me being able to see them because I was so young (and poor). Still listening to these artists like - every day, hoping for some sort of miracle to happen.
Well, my friends.... The miracle has happened.
A French company has announced a Visual Kei Music Festival in Paris for July, 2026. Ten VK bands have signed on for this event and 9 have been announced as of this morning and the line up is INSANE. Like, completely unexpected and as if I personally picked the bands to be there. They're all exciting in their own way, but my TOP THREE FAVORITES are all announced to be there.
D'espairsRay - Disbanded in 2011 due to the vocalists health issues, he's recovered and started making music with a new project again. The other members of the band went on to new projects, but as of 2025 they started playing together again and got booked for this event.
Moi dix Mois - Solo project of VK visionary and gothic fashion/cultural pioneer, Mana. No new music in about 13 years, but he still performs shows with the band actively to date - Just never in the states
Versailles - My favorite band of literally all time. Following the passing of their original bassist and then their drummer being diagnosed with Dystonia, they "indefinitely paused" activities and it was announced that Yuki will not be at this event, but nevertheless: KAMIJO, TERU, and HIZAKI all playing together again!!
I definitely need to calm down a little and try to temper some expectations, but I will absolutely 100% be making every attempt to go. I'll have to buy the tickets to the event first and make sure I have them. And then I get the task of figuring out how to travel internationally by myself, but.
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!
Other VK fans, please feel free to interact, let's nerd out together!
