Arlequin Welcomes New Drummer Ryo; Five-Piece Era Begins
Arlequin has officially expanded their lineup, bringing support drummer Ryo into the fold as a permanent member. The announcement came during the final show of their “imagine” live tour on September 6 at Tokyo’s Zepp Haneda, where the crowd erupted as the band revealed their new five-piece configuration.
Ryo has been supporting the band behind the kit for approximately a year, and his integration marks a significant chapter in Arlequin’s evolution. The moment was perfectly timed—delivered during the encore of their tour finale, creating an unforgettable memory for fans who witnessed the transformation live.
To commemorate the new era, Arlequin has released “瞼の裏” (Behind the Eyelids), their first music video as a five-piece unit. The track serves as both a celebration of Ryo’s official status and a statement of artistic intent moving forward.
The band isn’t wasting time capitalizing on this momentum. They’ve announced a free live series called “NEW DAWN” launching in January 2027 across the Kanto, Kansai, and Chubu regions. Shows are locked in for January 9 in Osaka (梅田BananaHall), January 31 in Nagoya (ElectricLadyLand), and February 5 in Tokyo (Spotify O-EAST). These will serve as the official debut performances for the expanded lineup.
Beyond the NEW DAWN dates, Arlequin is also curating “束の世界 -SONO SEKAI- 2027” on March 13 at Tokyo’s EX THEATER ROPPONGI. This artist-curated event will feature Plastic Tree, lynch., DEZERT, Royz, and 甘い暴力—a lineup reflecting the bands Arlequin most respects within the scene. It’s a bold statement about artistic vision and community.
Before all that, they’re running the “Anthology: Chapter II” series starting November 2026, with shows at Tokyo venues including 高田馬場CLUB PHASE, 渋谷REX, and 池袋BlackHole.
For Western fans tracking Arlequin’s trajectory, this is essential listening and watching. Keep your eyes on their official channels for ticket details and further announcements on what promises to be an exciting era for the band.