Why You Should Be Paying Attention to HANABIE. Right Now
By Britney McVey | January 9th, 2026
In case you aren’t familiar with HANABIE., the Tokyo-based all-girl rock band has been quietly building something special for over a decade. What started as a high school club in 2015, with members Yukina, Matsuri, and Hettsu, has grown into one of the most exciting heavy acts to emerge from Japan in recent years. With the addition of their drummer, Chika, in 2023, the band found a lineup that feels complete, both sonically and creatively.
The band’s newest single, “ICONIC,” feels like a reflection of their exact image. It is loud, chaotic, and fun in a way that immediately grabs your attention. There is a slight slow build, but the dial tone at the beginning sets the song up for success. The beat then jumps right in, embracing the song's energy and daring you to keep up. My first listen, I couldn't stop grooving to the rhythm, thanks to the way the group's vocals follow the instruments introduced as the song progresses. Watching the music video only reinforces that feeling, with contrasting visuals that show how HANABIE. plans to continue standing out within the Japanese rock scene.
It is hard not to feel influenced by HANABIE., especially when it comes to how they present themselves. They fully lean into Harajuku fashion, with bright colors, oversized pieces, bold makeup, and accessories that feel hypnotizing in the best way. Their outfits always look like something you would remember after a show, and they never tone themselves down to match expectations of what a heavy band “should” look like. Seeing cute visuals paired with screaming vocals and crushing riffs is part of the appeal, and it just works for them. It feels less like a concept and more like how they would naturally show up.
Upcoming HANABIE. North American Dates:
Sat Jan 10 - Honolulu, HI - The Republik
HANABIE. 2026 North American Headliner with Nekrogoblikon + Enterprise Earth
Fri Mar 13 - Boston, MA - Big Night Live
Sat Mar 14 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl
Sun Mar 15 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore Silver Spring
Tue Mar 17 - Montreal, QC - Théâtre Beanfield
Wed Mar 18 - Toronto, ON - The Danforth Music Hall
Fri Mar 20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Roxian Theatre Presented by Citizens
Sat Mar 21 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
Mon Mar 23 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz
Tue Mar 24 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theatre
Wed Mar 25 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues Orlando*
Fri Mar 27 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues Cleveland
Sun Mar 29 - Detroit, MI - Saint Andrew's Hall
Mon Mar 30 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues Chicago
Wed Apr 01 - Minneapolis, MN - The Fillmore Minneapolis
Fri Apr 03 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues Dallas
Sat Apr 04 - Houston, TX - House of Blues Houston
Mon Apr 06 - Austin, TX - Emo's Austin
Tue Apr 07 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren
Thu Apr 09 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues San Diego
Fri Apr 10 - San Francisco, CA - August Hall
Sat Apr 11 - Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
*No Nekrogoblikon
As the excitement builds for the release of HOT TOPIC, it's starting to stretch well beyond the studio. Their latest single, “ICONIC,” which just dropped alongside an official music video, will appear on the EP when it arrives on January 28, alongside previously released tracks “Spicy Queen” and “GIRL’S TALK.” With five tracks total, HOT TOPIC feels like a snapshot of a band that has fully stepped into their confidence while still holding onto the reckless joy that made them so fun to discover in the first place.
That joy has carried them far beyond Japan. In 2024, HANABIE. made history as the first Japanese woman to perform on the main stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago, a moment that felt surreal for a band that started as a school club. Now, in 2026, they are preparing to take another major step with their first North American headlining tour, following a one-off show in Hawaii.
I haven’t seen them live yet, but I’m planning to figure that out soon, and honestly, I can’t wait. If you’re even a little curious, this is the perfect time to check them out, as I have a feeling that tickets will start to sell pretty quickly. HANABIE. feels like one of those bands you stumble upon and immediately want to tell everyone about, and HOT TOPIC (or what we have of the EP so far) only makes that feeling stronger.
Purchase tickets here.
Keep up with HANABIE. here:
Group Instagram - Members: Yukina, Matsuri, Hettsu, Chika
Website
