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TOPP DOGG's Hansol shows his dance skills in "Scissorhands"

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The Japanese dance scene is one that is forever faithful to traditional genres and movement, but continues to elaborate and evolve its own language of dance. Recently the idea of fashion and dance are joined together as a collaborative in showing your own personality and rebelling against the constraints of the social norm.

Japanese models/dancers Aya and Bambi Sato are possibly the biggest thing to come from Japan’s dance scene in recent years, with their claim to fame being one of their workshops self-titled the “Bump Dub; the video showcases a style of dance all of its own but akin to that of Madonna’s “Vogue. Their fame from that singular video on YouTube had sparked a worldwide love for AyaBambi and had allowed the duo to be recognised by entertainers such as Madonna, Snakehips and Boa.

Dance is not the only thing that AyaBambi stand for. They are also recognised for their unique and beautifully composed fashion sense which revolves around the punk rock, goth and red carpet looks. Mixing leather and PVC they create a style not truly seen before: the girls managed to capture the hearts of designers such as Chalayan, NumeroTOKYO x Wacoal x Fashion Tsushin, and Lumine and performed some of their most memorable dance pieces for each brand.

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But what does AyaBambi have to do with the Korean boy group TOPP DOGG? Well as fans of TOPP DOGG will know that member Hansol is a very unique and talented performer, known for his dynamic tastes in fashion, music and art. He has revealed a few times through his personal Instagram and through the Official Topp Dogg Twitter that he is a fan of AyaBambi and would like to work with them one day. This has also been something a lot of fans of both parties have wanted to see for a long time as well. But it seems as though Hansol wanted to show his dedication as a fan through his own video.

Showing his skills and dedication to the style we have associated with AyaBambi, Hansol went full out and created his own homage to the pair. He managed to re-create a manly yet perfect representation of the fashion sense accustomed with the Japanese duo, with a full PVC leather suit and baggy knee-length shorts. Showing the artistic side to his personality Hansol created a background story and then performed his own choreography with an onslaught of feelings and precision.

With TOPP DOGG coming to Europe on their tour, there is one question that had arisen since the release of this video: will Hansol be performing this on stage? There is only one way to find out! Check out the breathtaking video below.

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TOPP DOGG’s Hansol shows his dance skills in “Scissorhands”

heder

The Japanese dance scene is one that is forever faithful to traditional genres and movement, but continues to elaborate and evolve its own language of dance. Recently the idea of fashion and dance are joined together as a collaborative in showing your own personality and rebelling against the constraints of the social norm.

Japanese models/dancers Aya and Bambi Sato are possibly the biggest thing to come from Japan’s dance scene in recent years, with their claim to fame being one of their workshops self-titled the “Bump Dub; the video showcases a style of dance all of its own but akin to that of Madonna’s “Vogue. Their fame from that singular video on YouTube had sparked a worldwide love for AyaBambi and had allowed the duo to be recognised by entertainers such as Madonna, Snakehips and Boa.

Dance is not the only thing that AyaBambi stand for. They are also recognised for their unique and beautifully composed fashion sense which revolves around the punk rock, goth and red carpet looks. Mixing leather and PVC they create a style not truly seen before: the girls managed to capture the hearts of designers such as Chalayan, NumeroTOKYO x Wacoal x Fashion Tsushin, and Lumine and performed some of their most memorable dance pieces for each brand.

efw

But what does AyaBambi have to do with the Korean boy group TOPP DOGG? Well as fans of TOPP DOGG will know that member Hansol is a very unique and talented performer, known for his dynamic tastes in fashion, music and art. He has revealed a few times through his personal Instagram and through the Official Topp Dogg Twitter that he is a fan of AyaBambi and would like to work with them one day. This has also been something a lot of fans of both parties have wanted to see for a long time as well. But it seems as though Hansol wanted to show his dedication as a fan through his own video.

Showing his skills and dedication to the style we have associated with AyaBambi, Hansol went full out and created his own homage to the pair. He managed to re-create a manly yet perfect representation of the fashion sense accustomed with the Japanese duo, with a full PVC leather suit and baggy knee-length shorts. Showing the artistic side to his personality Hansol created a background story and then performed his own choreography with an onslaught of feelings and precision.

With TOPP DOGG coming to Europe on their tour, there is one question that had arisen since the release of this video: will Hansol be performing this on stage? There is only one way to find out! Check out the breathtaking video below.

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Topp Dogg answer fan questions and reveal their cover of "Love Me Like You Do"

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With Topp Dogg’s European showcase tour just around the corner fans are getting anxious as to what they can expect from the group at the concerts in Milan, London and Paris. By using their official YouTube channel, Jazzy Group (the team hosting the European Tour) have asked Topp Dogg to answer questions sent in by fans.

The first video shows B-Joo asking questions to Sangdo about fans visiting Korea, food, and places to visit. Though it seems B-Joo feels Sangdo is being too negative. The boys really show their caring yet comedic side to these interview questions.

Next up B-Joo decides to bother Hansol as he sits in the office quietly. In this video it seems Hansol finds it the best moment to promote how much he loves his fans, and to talk about his love for alternative dance and famous dance groups in Japan. Though things get aggressive when the brotherly love between the two are left in shatters because of B-Joo.

It seems B-Joo has really taken his MC position within these videos pretty seriously, so this time barges into a practice room with members Nakta and Jenissi. Again the subject of food is bought up and Nakta explains his love for pasta and how he can’t wait to try it when on tour. With doe eyes, Jenissi prepares himself to answer a serious question, which ends on a slightly “perverted” note about the colour of his underwear.

For Xero’s interview, it seems as if he was genuinely doing work when B-Joo waltzes in and starts his attack of questions about sleeping habits where they talk about Kidoh – But Xero gets his own back by declaring the worst sleeper in his current dorm is in fact B-Joo. Revenge is so sweet!

Taking things in a new direction, B-Joo makes Hansol join him in annoying Kidoh as he works, though they make a point of picking on him about his hair, calling him “mum”. In this segment Kidoh talks about his deep love for Poland, though things get serious when he starts looking for visa requirements.

We don’t know if there are more videos to come with the members answering fan questions, rest assured that MCM Buzz will update you on anything new. In the meantime, during the run up to the concerts, Jazzy Group revealed that Topp Dogg were working on a special project to commemorate their European tour. This project turned out to be the members performing their own cover version of Ellie Goulding’sLove Me Like You Do“. The setting for the video is among statues of the famous landmarks of each of the representative countries on their European showcase tour, giving the video a personal touch for European fans. Be sure to check out the video below.

Something which is shown throughout all of these videos is the excitement the members have for meeting their overseas fans. In return fans are showing their excitement of welcoming Topp Dogg to their country by arranging a special GoFundMe page to create fan items and provide gifts to the members. Plus, Jazzy Group are adding merchandise for the tour available to pre-order on the Jazzy Group Facebook page. There are still some tickets available for each of the venues which you can purchase from The Troxy (London), TicketOne (Milan) and TicketMaster (Paris). Or you can try your luck by entering Topp Dogg’s official competition to win yourself a ticket to their show.

Be sure to show some support for the movement of Korean music within Europe, and of course show your support for the members of Topp Dogg.

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Topp Dogg answer fan questions and reveal their cover of “Love Me Like You Do”

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With Topp Dogg’s European showcase tour just around the corner fans are getting anxious as to what they can expect from the group at the concerts in Milan, London and Paris. By using their official YouTube channel, Jazzy Group (the team hosting the European Tour) have asked Topp Dogg to answer questions sent in by fans.

The first video shows B-Joo asking questions to Sangdo about fans visiting Korea, food, and places to visit. Though it seems B-Joo feels Sangdo is being too negative. The boys really show their caring yet comedic side to these interview questions.

Next up B-Joo decides to bother Hansol as he sits in the office quietly. In this video it seems Hansol finds it the best moment to promote how much he loves his fans, and to talk about his love for alternative dance and famous dance groups in Japan. Though things get aggressive when the brotherly love between the two are left in shatters because of B-Joo.

It seems B-Joo has really taken his MC position within these videos pretty seriously, so this time barges into a practice room with members Nakta and Jenissi. Again the subject of food is bought up and Nakta explains his love for pasta and how he can’t wait to try it when on tour. With doe eyes, Jenissi prepares himself to answer a serious question, which ends on a slightly “perverted” note about the colour of his underwear.

For Xero’s interview, it seems as if he was genuinely doing work when B-Joo waltzes in and starts his attack of questions about sleeping habits where they talk about Kidoh – But Xero gets his own back by declaring the worst sleeper in his current dorm is in fact B-Joo. Revenge is so sweet!

Taking things in a new direction, B-Joo makes Hansol join him in annoying Kidoh as he works, though they make a point of picking on him about his hair, calling him “mum”. In this segment Kidoh talks about his deep love for Poland, though things get serious when he starts looking for visa requirements.

We don’t know if there are more videos to come with the members answering fan questions, rest assured that MCM Buzz will update you on anything new. In the meantime, during the run up to the concerts, Jazzy Group revealed that Topp Dogg were working on a special project to commemorate their European tour. This project turned out to be the members performing their own cover version of Ellie Goulding’sLove Me Like You Do“. The setting for the video is among statues of the famous landmarks of each of the representative countries on their European showcase tour, giving the video a personal touch for European fans. Be sure to check out the video below.

Something which is shown throughout all of these videos is the excitement the members have for meeting their overseas fans. In return fans are showing their excitement of welcoming Topp Dogg to their country by arranging a special GoFundMe page to create fan items and provide gifts to the members. Plus, Jazzy Group are adding merchandise for the tour available to pre-order on the Jazzy Group Facebook page. There are still some tickets available for each of the venues which you can purchase from The Troxy (London), TicketOne (Milan) and TicketMaster (Paris). Or you can try your luck by entering Topp Dogg’s official competition to win yourself a ticket to their show.

Be sure to show some support for the movement of Korean music within Europe, and of course show your support for the members of Topp Dogg.

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Kyary Pamyu Pamyu To Dazzle London Once Again

Untitled 1 When Kyary Pamyu Pamyu came to London to perform for British fans back in April 2014, her concert was a sell-out show filled with bright colours, psychedelic flashing lights and an extra dose of Kawaii for everyone. Excited attendees even went along in cosplay, attracting much love from the idol herself, as well as from staff at the event. Well good news Kyary fans: the Pamyu Pamyu is BACK! On the 11th October, everyone’s favourite Japanese starburst is returning to London as part of the Moshi Moshi Festival 2015 World Tour. The concert will take place at London’s Camden Roundhouse, with ticket prices starting at £35 plus fees (£2.95 per ticket + £1.95 per transaction). When buying tickets, please be aware that age restrictions are in operation: under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult and children under 14 years of age must be in seated areas only. For those willing to splash out, some £100 VIP packages were initially made available, offering dedicated fans the chance to get a photo and meet-and-greet with Kyary, as well as a Level 1 standing ticket and a limited edition item from the tour, but unfortunately all the VIP tickets are now completely sold out! For more information, and to buy your tickets, check out the Roundhouse website, though a word of warning: tickets are selling fast! Below is a highlight video from Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s 2014 Japan Arena tour, featuring footage from the London gig. We hope to see you at the concert in October!

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VAMPS to join Apocalyptica on their UK tour as special guests!

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Since their inception in 1993, the Finnish titans known as Apocalyptica have redefined the boundaries between rock, metal and classical music – performing hauntingly poetic music with some of the strongest vocals within the metal scene. Over the course of seven studio albums (of which they have sold in excess of four million copies globally) they have created a reputation of being a musical act capable of bringing fans from both heavy and more traditional musical genres together under one roof. From Metallica covers, Wagnerian tributes alongside international Symphony Orchestra’s and collaborations with members of Slipknot, Soulfly and Bush, it comes as no surprise that the group would want a supporting band that is just as musically talented as themselves.

After performing together during SIXX:A.M. US tour in April 2015, Apocalyptica and VAMPS will play together again for Apocalyptica’s UK tour, giving fans a chance to see VAMPS on stage at a vast amount of venues around the UK. The Japanese duo recently visited the UK as part of the Japan Night celebrations in London, and even held an exclusive interview with MCM Buzz talking about their involvement within the J-rock scene and how they intend to promote in the future. VAMPS are making big waves within the European music scene, so after attracting the attention of such rock legends as Apocalyptica, who knows what they’ll do next. If you feel down in the dumps about not getting the chance to see Hyde and Kaz in person at Japan Night, be sure to check them out as supporting artists to Apocalyptica around the UK this November!
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Apocalyptica -Shadowmaker UK Tour 2015
Tue 24/11/2015 Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, UK

Wed 25/11/2015 Rock City, Nottingham, UK

Thu 26/11/2015 O2 ABC, Glasgow, UK

Fri 27/11/2015 O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK

Sat 28/11/2015 Manchester Academy 2, Manchester, UK

Sun 29/11/2015 O2 Academy, Bristol, UK

Tickets on sale:
Wednesday 17/06/2015 – 10:00am

Purchase Tickets:
Myticket.co.uk
Official Websites:

Apocalyptica
VAMPS

 

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Boys Republic put on a show to remember in London

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On Saturday 4th July 2015, K-pop boy group Boys Republic greeted UK fans at the O2 Islington Academy with their first European tour. The concert couldn’t have been on a better day. It was one of the hottest days in the UK and for the first time, London did not greet K-pop idols with rain.

The venue itself was in the heart of Angel, Islington. The hall itself was ideal for an event like this and allowed the concert to feel more personal. There was merchandise available at the back of the hall where staff were laughing and joking with fans, along with security (which was nice to see as most of the time they can be slightly on edge).

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The hall was not as full of fans as I had hoped for, which was sad in one way as these boys deserved so much more than what was given (though I’ve got to hand it to the fans that turned out for the concert, they gave it their best – dancing, screaming, and singing).

When the lights went down, and the music began, the crowd were pumped and went insane, screaming and singing. The boys stepped out wearing crisp suits looking ready to perform to their best ability, singing a mixture of songs from their own releases, as well as a few special ones along the way.

Sunwoo had his solo moment by sitting on a high stool centre stage and taking the hype down a notch by singing his own rendition of Robbie WilliamsAngels“. The fans reacted by singing along with him and swaying their hands from side to side. The youngest member Suwoong took Sunwoo’s place on the stage and sang to his highest to Frank Sinatra’sFly Me To The Moon“, which he stated was one of his favourite songs to sing. I have to hand it to the guy, his voice was out of this world; I was thoroughly shocked at how well he performed this song, his vocals were spot on!

Following on from the youngest, the oldest and leader of the group Wonjun took to the stage after playfully pushing Suwoong off, and set up a piano. The crowd were serenaded to a compilation of British and Korean songs, once again proving that these guys have amazing vocals that need to be heard! Minsu and Sungjoon then took to the stage a little later with their own R&B/hip-hop stage, performing their fusion of Korean rapping of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk“, which was a huge hit with the crowds. There was a particular crowd of fans at the back who were truly enjoying themselves and dancing like there was no tomorrow, which caught the attention of the members. It was really nice to see fans enjoying themselves.

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Choi Soo Min is a firm favourite of MCM Buzz, so it was a delight to hear that he was going to be performing with Boys Republic, especially after his last performance with Jung Min was cancelled. As if on command, Soo Min took to the stage and proved why he is a musical genius. People were enthralled by his skills on the keyboard and were even dancing along to the classical music he was playing. It was really nice to see a different genre of music being enjoyed by the crowd.

At one point during the concert the members invited a few of their fans on stage to play a game. It was a really heart warming moment to see the natural interaction with fans. As time went on there was a special video created, written, directed and performed by the members of Boys Republic, showing their heartfelt thanks to their fans. It was a nice edition and allowed the boys to change into their new outfits. The next segment was a dance performance. Full of acrobatic and strenuous movements, these boys slayed the dance floor.

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Arriving at the event, nothing could have prepared me for what I was going to watch. I left feeling hyped and ready to party even longer. I found a new level of respect for the boys and their hard work, and even now I feel I could quite easily pop on to YouTube and watch their videos and performances. I went in unaware and came out a fan – that in itself is a feat!

Big companies look at these smaller concerts to see if it’s worth their time and money to come to London. Even if you’re not a fan of the group, it’s guaranteed that if you go with your friends to an event like this, you will end up leaving like you have attended a great party. At the same time you are supporting the growth of K-pop in Europe, and showing that there is a demand for more K-pop artists in the UK.

A big thank you to  B7klan and Torpedo Productions, Charlotte Naudin, Boys Republic, Choi Soo Min and the staff at O2 Islington Academy for a thoroughly great night out. If you have a chance to see Boys Republic live, I wholeheartedly recommend you don’t miss out, as it was a fantastic performance. Be sure to check out the Boys Republic photo album we have on the MCM Buzz Facebook page

Photo credits to @DestDanni

 

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Japanese rock star Miyavi to return to Europe with new 2015 tour

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In 2014, Miyavi made crowds scream with his solo concert in London and around Europe. It seems that his Slap The World tour was a pretty big success, so he is coming back again this year with his new worldwide tour We Are The Others.

Announced this morning by his staff on his Official Facebook page, it was full information about the tour:

We are very excited to announce the EU leg of MIYAVI Tour 2015 “WE ARE THE OTHERS”! Tickets go on-sale June 24th! Details for each shows, including ticket links will be updated on the official website, so stay tuned!

MIYAVI Tour 2015 “WE ARE THE OTHERS” -EU leg
●September 27th London, UK Shepherds Bush Empire
●September 29th Lille, France Splendid
●September 30th Cologne, Germany Essigfabrik
●October 02nd Paris, France Bataclan
●October 04th Milan, Italy Fabrique
●October 06th Strasbourg, France Laiterie
●October 08th Vienna, Austria Flex
●October 09th Budapest, Hungary Barba Negra Music Club
●October 11th Warsaw, Poland Stodola
●October 13th Moscow, Russia Yotaspace
●October 14th St. Petersburg, Russia Glav Club
●October 16th Helsinki, Finland Nosturi

We previously covered Miyavi’s Slap The World concert in London and can say that if you are looking for one very interactive, fun night, then proceed to get them tickets as soon as they are available. To keep you excited be sure to check out Miyavi’s latest single The Others below. For more updates, you can visit Miyavi’s official website and Facebook page.

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Calling all Topp Klass – Are you ready for Topp Dogg in London?

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Following the announcement of TOPP DOGG’s first European showcase heading to London this September, we can now confirm that tickets are on sale with an official seating plan available. Back in December 2014 MCM Buzz announced that the Korean boy group would be touring the world with stops in Japan, Houston, Florida, Atlanta, South East Asia and Europe. It wasn’t long till our good friends at Jazzy Group US noted Topp Dogg’s popularity within Europe and decided to host the group’s first ever European showcase.

Consisting of twelve members – B-Joo, Hojoon, P-Goon, Yano, Nakta, A-Tom, Xero, Jenissi, Sangdo, Hansol, Kidoh, and Gohn (with a sub unit with the name “Under Dogg” consisting of Jiwon, Hyeontae, Andy A47, Jaehoon and former Topp Dogg member Seogoong) they were formed by Stardom Entertainment and debuted in 2013 with the song Follow Me from their debut album, Dogg’s Out. They also released a complex dance choreography video of Follow Me, showing the amount of work and effort they put into their performances.

Topp Dogg have embraced a lot of fan interest since the very beginning of their debut which allowed the group to successfully enter into the Korean music industry, leading to multiple repackaged albums and several releases. Known for their powerful dance routines, charismatic on-stage performances and extremely catchy songs, Topp Dogg have become one of the quickest rising idol rookie groups of the K-pop genre.

Hopefully the fans are as excited about the announcement of the group coming to London, Milan and Paris for their very first showcase tour. Topp Dogg hope to fulfill the wishes of the many European Topp Klass (Topp Dogg Fan Name), practicing extremely hard and putting on a show that is sure to leave them with a beautiful and fun memory. They would also like to reach out to K-pop fans, inviting them to join in the fun and games and enjoy the party atmosphere that will be held at the showcases. Below is all the information you need, such as venues, times, dates, and a seating plan.

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Milan, Italy
Thursday September 3rd 2015
Venue: Teatro Dal Verme
Tickets: TicketOne
Time: Show starts at 7:30pm.

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London, United Kingdom
Friday September 4th 2015
Venue: Troxy
Time: Doors Open 6.30pm.

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Paris, France
Sunday September 6th 2015

Venue: Le Comedia
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Time: Show starts at 7:00pm.

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Ticket prices includes tax and facility fees.
Under 12′s must be accompanied by an adult.

No DSLR or professional cameras permitted. 

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Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to see Topp Dogg perform LIVE in Europe! For more information, and all the latest updates about Topp Dogg’s European showcase, please go to Jazzy Group’s official Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and official website. You can also check back on MCM Buzz. In the meantime, to keep your spirits high why not check out the special shout out videos from Topp Dogg to their European fans below, and have a look at our exclusive interview with the group back in February 2014 when they were just finding their feet. It will be nice to see how they have grown since we last saw them!

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Korean Indie Band "Juck Juck Grunzie" To Feature At Glastonbury

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For people interested in Korean music but looking for something a little different from your usual K-pop or K-HipHop, the Korean Indie scene is possibly one of the best places to look. Seoul has a lot to offer for music fans, but one group that seems to be making leaps and bounds in the Western music market is the psychedelic noise rock quartet “Juck Juck Grunzie“.

Originally, Juck Juck Grunzie was formed as an all-female band back in 2007, but along the lines things got mixed up and male drummer Kyung Hyun Lee joined vocalist and synth player Ah-Reum Lee, guitarist Jee-Hye Ham and bassist Hyojeong Shim. Capturing the attention of many within Seoul’s indie scene by wearing only lingerie for their first performance, the group came second place at the 2012’s Hello Rookie finals in Korea. In November 2013, the group to released their first full-length album, “Psycho”, which brought them worldwide success, highlighting their progression from post-punk roots into noisier and more psychedelic sonic terrains. In the summer of 2014, the band was featured as one of the central subjects of Van’s “Off the Wall” documentary series about South Korea’s indie scene and captured the attention of the British Glastonbury Festival organizers.

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Juck Juck Grunzie’s music can only be described as marrying irregular rhythms with chaotic soundscapes, where the sounds explore the boundaries between dreams and nightmares to create something dark, mysterious, and hauntingly beautiful. Several major outlets have praised their work. Said MTV Iggy:  “This is a band that I’ve hoped and prayed would some day exist — four (now three with the addition of a guy drummer, but still) bitches in fishnets and leather jackets who birth Le Tigre post-punk fed through a Nirvana machine.” Meanwhile, Asian music leaders Daum Music described their music as, “Noise rock that is both dreamy and limitless. Mixing genres (Juck Juck Grunzie) has created music that is at once improvisational, creative, and unique.”

The band with be gracing Europe with a tour that will start at the biggest live music events in the UK, including Glastonbury Festival on June 25th. The tour will end in Berlin on July 3rd.  Below are a list of places to grab a chance of seeing the band perform live, and if their previous live performances in Korea are anything is to go by, you can expect exciting shows featuring pajamas, footballs and lingerie.

June 25th
Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival (Pussy Parlure)
June 26th
Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival (Gully Outernational)
June 30th
London, UK @ Windmill Brixton
July 1st
Berlin, Germany @ Kantine am Berghain
July 3rd
Berlin, Germany @ Trixster

If you don’t get the chance to see them live, be sure to follow Juck Juck Grunzie on Facebook and Twitter, or check out some more of their songs on Soundcloud. “Concrete Jungle”  and “Meth-Od” are particularly recommended – be prepared for something a little out of the ordinary!