Ichiko Aoba unveils new single ‘FLAG’
Ichiko Aoba | Photo Credit: VPRO, Vrije Geluiden, Into The Great Wide Open
“[‘Luciférine’] unfolds with the sense of worlds opening up, a delicate rush of romantic piano, hushed strings and her swooping voice. As expansive as Joanna Newsom's most questing songs.”
- The Guardian
Last month, “Japanese experimental pop luminary” (The FADER) Ichiko Aoba announced her long awaited new album, Luminescent Creatures, out 28th February 2025 via hermine, and shared its lead single, ‘Luciférine.’ Today, Ichiko unveils new single ‘FLAG.’ Unlike the lush orchestrations of ‘Luciférine,’ ‘FLAG’ captures pure simplicity. With just her voice and a guitar, Ichiko reflects on life while gazing at the sea as she sings: “Is it true that we are reborn so many times over?” The single debuts alongside a breathtaking live performance of the track filmed during sunset at Holland's Into The Great Wide Open festival. The performance also sees Ichiko play an improvised version of ‘Mahoroboshiya’ (taken from the 2016 album of the same name), and ‘Funeral Procession at the Seashore’ (taken from ‘q p’ - 2018).
Listen to ‘FLAG’
Watch live performance of ‘FLAG’ from Into The Great Wide Open
In recent years, Ichiko Aoba has tapped into the full breadth of her ability, marrying the classical guitar of her earlier work with lofty orchestral sweeps. Her previous album, 2020’s stunning Windswept Adan, was praised by the likes of Pitchfork, The Guardian, The Needle Drop, and beyond, becoming a word-of-mouth breakthrough. For her anticipated follow-up, Luminescent Creatures, Ichiko opens an even wider portal into her mind, exploring the origin of life with dreamy musical vistas. Luminescent Creatures is about making meaningful connections against impossible odds.
While visiting Japan’s Ryukyu Archipelago and conducting field research, Ichiko was enamored by the boundless beauty—and occasional terror—of the ocean. The sea is immense and ancient, mirroring the harsh conditions that life sprang forth from—but it is also reminiscent, housing a deep record of fossils that once swam through its waters. She’d go diving with only the breath in her lungs, submitting herself to the whims of the tides. “I feel unable to resist the pull of the ocean,” Ichiko says, “but know how easy it would be for my small body to be swallowed by the sea.” That contradiction, gentleness and power, instilled a sense of awe that is expressed in the soundscapes of Luminescent Creatures.
Ichiko is well known in Japan, having collaborated with artists like Haruomi Hosono, Cornelius, and the late Ryuichi Sakamoto. Earning the adoration of fellow musicians abroad, Ichiko has played alongside artists like Japanese Breakfast, Mac DeMarco, Owen Pallett, Pomme, Weyes Blood, and Black Country, New Road. However, as her star continues to rise, Ichiko is committed to being her truest self. Her compositions have become grander, her songwriting more refined, yet her ability to make listeners feel like they’re in a private cosmos alongside her remains as strong as ever.
Ichiko’s arresting solo performances are unassuming yet utterly transfixing. Ichiko’s 2025 world tour in support of Luminescent Creatures will bring her back to the UK in March and April to play her biggest London headline show to date at The Barbican, which is now already sold-out. Exclusive to London, Ichiko will perform the album in full together with producer and co-writer Taro Umebayashi for the first time ever out of Japan, joined by the London based 12 Ensemble. She will also perform in Manchester, Glasgow, and Gateshead, before heading onto the US.
Pre-order Luminescent Creatures
Ichiko Aoba 2025 Tour Dates
24-Feb - Hong Kong, CN @ Xi Qu Centre, Grand Theatre [with Musicians from HK Phil]
26-Feb - Seoul, KR @ Sky Arts Hall (SOLD OUT)
27-Feb - Seoul, KR @ Sky Arts Hall
06-Mar - Taipei, TW @ Zhongshan Hall
10-Mar - Barcelona, ES @ Paral.lel 62
11-Mar - Valencia, ES @ Teatro Rambleta
13-Mar - Milan, IT @ Auditorium San Fedele
15-Mar - Zurich, CH @ Mascotte
18-Mar - Hamburg, DE @ Laiszhalle
19-Mar - Berlin, DE @ Urania (Humboldtsaal)
21-Mar - Utrecht, NL @ TivoliVredenburg (Grote Zaal)
23-Mar - Groningen, NL @ Oosterpoort
25-Mar - Antwerp, BE @ De Roma
27-Mar - Paris, FR @ La Trianon
31-Mar - London, UK @ Barbican [with 12 Ensemble] (SOLD OUT)
02-Apr - Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall
04-Apr - Gateshead, UK @ The Glasshouse
05-Apr - Glasgow, UK @ City Halls
17-Apr - Honolulu, HI @ Hawaii Theatre
19-Apr - Vancouver, BC @ Chan Centre
20-Apr - Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
21-Apr - Seattle, WA @ The Moore
23-Apr - Oakland, CA @ Fox Oakland
26-Apr - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern [with Wordless Music Quintet]
27-Apr - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern [with Wordless Music Quintet]
29-Apr - Scottsdale, AZ @ Scottsdale Center
01-May - Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
03-May - St. Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theatre (SOLD OUT)
04-May - St. Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theatre (NEW SHOW)
06-May - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
07-May - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
09-May - Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral Theatre
10-May - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
12-May - Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance Center
14-May - New York, NY @ Kings Theatre [with Wordless Music Quintet]
17-May - Philadelphia, PA @ Miller Theatre
18-May - Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
22-May - Mexico City, MX @ Teatro Metropolitan
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