CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025, a music festival event held in the heart of Yokohama, took place April 4-6, 2025.
Led by the concept of “Bringing the sounds of Japan to the world,” this new music festival in Yokohama presented a wide range of entertainment, from artists that have drawn the attention of the world to anime, technology, and more. The whole city of Yokohama became an enormous festival space, with performances at venues such as K-Arena Yokohama, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse’s Red Brick Park Special Venue, KT Zepp Yokohama, and Rinko Park. This article covers Echoes Baa, which was held at the Red Brick Park Special Venue of Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse on April 5 and 6.
The event was curated by Echoes, a new label established in September 2024. The main stage lineup featured Echoes artists like YOASOBI, MAISONdes, and Aooo, as well as major artists from other labels invited as special guests. Echoes also runs the MECRE collaboration platform, which brings together people who love music and creation, so in addition to live shows, Echoes Baa also had DJ sets, workshops, and other new forms of entertainment experiences covering a wide range of creative expression.
Looking around the site before the first performance, the first thing that catches the visitor’s eye would be the massive art wall at the rear of the field. Created by up-and-coming artists such as COIN PARKING DELIVERY and SIMON, it became a photo spot for the event’s many visitors. YOASOBI and the mobile bookstore BOOK TRUCK also collaborated in “The Traveling Bookstore YOASOBI.” The store carried YOASOBI-related books, books selected by Ayase and ikura, and books related to other artists performing at Echoes Baa. On both days of the event, there were also workshops with the theme of “Fun DIY for everyone, regardless of skill level.” In the silkscreen workshop, people could print their own t-shirts and apparel with unique Echoes graphics. Those taking part in the tufting workshop were able to make their own Echoes-exclusive rugs. These workshops were so popular that they were fully booked before the live performances even began. There was also Echoes’ first-ever pop-up shop, “Echoes Maaket,” which sold limited-edition Echoes merchandise. In front of the shop were large capsule prize machines with a variety of metal badges adorned with Echoes logos. These were also popular, selling out early in the event.
The first live performance began with an energetic rendition of “Idol” by YOASOBI. ikura declared, “Our show’s going to set the standard for the whole festival’s energy levels!” The band went on to play hit after hit, such as “Into The Night” and their newest song, “PLAYERS.” Between songs, they also talked to the crowd, getting everyone to join in in celebrating Ayase’s birthday, which had been the day before, on April 4. Between performances on the main stage, Gaku, Aiobahn, Aiobahn +81, DJ Kazu, and tomad kept the excitement up from the second stage.
KAFUNÉ kicked off their set with “Otonagokko.” During ”Nounaihanseikai,” they were joined in by the audience, and in their last song, “Melty Love,” they filled the air with beautiful falsetto vocals. During NOMELON NOLEMON’s set, tsumiki declared “We came to win today!” from up on stage and then brought the audience to a fever pitch with their catchy “Midnight Reflection,” a song featured in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX.
asmi, dressed in a colorful costume, started her set with the pop tune “Dokimeki Diary.” She delivered lyric-packed songs like “Face This Way” and “PAKU” in her ennui-tinged yet resonant voice, accompanied by pop melodies. syudou began his first song, “In the Back Room,” with an a cappella intro in a performance that was so confident that you’d scarcely believe that it was his first ever outdoor performance. With a set list that just kept them coming, you could feel the power coming off the stage.
The headliner on the first day was MAISONdes. The show featured a constant tide of “residents” like asmi & THREEE, noa and Kayayu, Pii & meiyo, riria., suisoh, MIKIMARIA, Ren, Yuika & KAFUNÉ and AYUNi D, each creating their own chemical reactions. Rei, from the new project NICHIMEZO, also sang. There was even a surprise appearance by virtual singer KAF, who performed via a monitor and passionately performed “Tokyo Shandy Rendez-vous” alongslide tsumiki’s drums. Then asmi took to the stage again, finishing off the first day’s performances with “Yowanehaki.”
The second day started at a full gallop with FRUITS ZIPPER’s “NEW KAWAII.” In “Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro,” the audience copied the group’s choreography, and the stage positively overflowed with cuteness. Next was Luov, a three-piece band that was just formed in February of this year. They entertained the crowd with their buoyant vocals and sound on songs like “Dai Dassou Keikaku” and “Toumei shabon,” perfect fits for the concert venue, surrounded by the sea and the clear blue sky.
There was a long line at the vending machine selling original Central drinks with designs featuring the show’s performers. While the stage was being prepared for the next act, Gaku, Aruku Hito, DJ To-i (from DISH//), dshino (Toshitaka Shinoda from Ijigen TOKYO) and yuigot put on their own performances, keeping the vibe going.
The main stage thronged with people awaiting Chevon’s set, which they launched into with “Knock Boots.” The audience pumped their hands in the air to Mayuu Yaginu’s vocals, which dripped with charisma and seemed to pierce the sky. Then Mayuu shouted “The second chapter of Chevon starts here and now, at Echoes Baa, with the arrival of the ‘KAIJU! (Japanese title: Daikoushin)‘” and the band charged into the next song, never letting up on their momentum. TOMOO began her set with a rhythmical vocal performance of “Ginger.” Her clear singing voice harmonized beautifully with the ocean-side vista, gently enveloping the audience with songs like “Itterasshai” and “Contrast.” The last song of her set, “Super Ball,” was like a warm spring breeze. The band Aooo, made up of Riko Ishino, THREEE, Hikaru Yamamoto, and tsumiki — each an accomplished artist in their own right — melded the unique sounds of the three instrumentalists with Ishino’s voice. Her voice ranged from wistful, like on “Casablanca,” to powerful and commanding, like on “Fragile Night.”
The headliner on the second day was the opening act on the first day: YOASOBI. They performed hit after hit, such as “Idol,” “UNDEAD,” and “Seventeen,” with Ayase shouting out, “Here, today, I know without question that this is the heart of it all, where we bring music to the world!” During “The Blessing,” the night sky over the Port of Yokohama was lit up with fireworks. Then, with the giant chorus of “Blue,” the second day of the event came to a resplendent close.
—This article by Takayuki Okamoto first appeared on Billboard Japan
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