Four Bands Launch "Reiwa Sofubi" Movement with Autumn Tour

Four Visual Kei acts are breathing new life into a sound that defined the early 2000s Japanese rock scene. The Benjamin, HELLBROTH, heidi., and LAY ABOUT WORLD are joining forces this autumn to champion what they’re calling “Reiwa Sofubi”—a conceptual reinterpretation of the melodic, pop-leaning aesthetic that once dominated the Visual Kei landscape under legends like SOPHIA and Janne Da Arc.

The original “sofubi” era (late 1990s–early 2000s) was characterized by lighter makeup and a strong emphasis on vocal melody—essentially the pop-song wing of Visual Kei’s broader stylistic spectrum. But as the four bands explain in their joint statement, this isn’t a nostalgic revival. Rather, they’re deliberately inheriting the “song-oriented” DNA of their predecessors while forging something entirely contemporary.

“The soundscapes are completely different across all four bands,” explains heidi.’s Yoshihiko. “But what binds us is a shared commitment to vocal expression and melodic integrity. Through this tour, we want to demonstrate what that means in 2026.”

HELLBROTH’s Chitose, one of the original architects of the concept, emphasizes that the definition is still being written. “We’re not claiming to know exactly what ‘Reiwa Sofubi’ is yet,” he says. “That’s something we’ll discover together with audiences throughout this tour.”

The movement reflects a broader philosophy: genre labels should evolve rather than calcify. These four bands represent wildly divergent sonic approaches—from The Benjamin’s guitar-driven arrangements to LAY ABOUT WORLD’s experimental edge—yet share an uncompromising focus on songwriting and emotional delivery.

Tour dates are set for October–November 2026 across Japan:

October 25: Utsunomiya (HEAVEN’S ROCK)
November 2: Osaka (心斎橋soma)
November 3: Yokkaichi (CLUB CHAOS)
November 7: Tokyo (高田馬場CLUB PHASE)

Admission is ¥5,000 advance / ¥5,500 at the door, plus one drink per venue.

To secure tickets and follow each band’s latest updates, check The Benjamin’s official site, HELLBROTH’s channels, heidi.’s social feeds, and LAY ABOUT WORLD’s announcements directly.