Indie rock band Black Country, New Road has recently announced their return to Japan with tour dates set in December where they will perform new album ‘Forever Howlong’ out on 4 April.
The band have had great success and a large, growing fanbase in the area since their performance at Fuji Rock Festival in 2022. Since then they have spoken about their connection to Japan in an interview with Japan times. Keyboardist and vocalist May Kershaw says here that she was born in Yokohama and returned there with her family for holidays and was briefly enrolled in the local schools there. The band have also noted their gratitude for being able to perform in the country despite ‘live show restrictions’. Their significance in Japan is upheld by the fanbase who are thrilled for their return.
【来日決定】 Black Country, New Roadが語る「バンドの民主主義」はじめてのリコーダー、永遠の絆と変化の季節@BCNRband #BCNR #BlackCountryNewRoad #ブラック・カントリー・ニュー・ロードhttps://t.co/BbBVPAs96F — Rolling Stone Japan (@rollingstonejp) April 3, 2025
The British based band is formed of Tyler Hyde, Lewis Evans, Georgia Ellery, May Kershaw, Charlie Wayne and Luke Mark after lead vocalist Isaac Wood left the band in 2022. Since then their sound has changed, with fans divided over whether this diversion is welcomed or not. The band originally gained traction with their indie-experimental sound, as former vocalist Wood was known to change and adapt songs during live performances of their previous albums ‘Ants from up there’ and ‘For the first time’. Since then the band have released singles ‘For the Cold Country’ ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘Besties’ from their upcoming album ‘Forever Howlong’.
Fans of Wood have compared the band before and after his departure with one fan noting this,
I’ll still give it a listen but it’s sad that Black Country New Road seems to be going in the Arcade Fire direction and leaving behind the Slint/pat rock stuff. Which I liked wayyyy more
— niko (@nikoxbenet) March 31, 2025
The indie powerhouse has been hosting listening parties around the world for ‘Forever Howlong’ where they have said to be giving away tote bags with crayons, a cover of the album (created by artist Jordan Kee) and a notebook so fans can ‘colour in whilst listening to the music’.
The effort allows for fans to interact with the upcoming release in a fun and playful way, authentic to the band’s artistry and image. This notion will be exciting to see in upcoming live performances.
