At first, Nanase Aikawa was nowhere to be seen.

The piano struck the first chord—its tone sharp and metallic, like the sound of metal being struck. When the band joined in, guitarist KB immediately soared upward with a powerful solo, riding the momentum straight to the ceiling. It felt like a declaration to everyone in the room:

This is a rock concert.

The violin followed with a sound like the long cry of an eagle. As soon as the intro of “STILL RAIN” began, Aikawa appeared. Lights colored like dusk illuminated every musician on stage. The song, originally from her 2001 album Last Quarter, was performed live with its full arrangement faithfully recreated.

With “DAHLIA you’re my universe version”, Aikawa’s powerful voice pierced through the air.

The verses were rearranged into a more lyrical style, highlighting the flexibility and dynamic range of her voice:

Someone seems to have covered my eyes

The truth is hidden, and I can no longer see you

Beneath the arch of crimson petals

I unlock the chains that bind my heart

I chased those days with everything I had

Until I finally reached them

In the latter half of the song, the chorus shifted into a stronger rock arrangement:

Oh, Dahlia inside of me

Like a jewel, the light sleeps inside you

Everyone longs to be healed

We live while holding a childlike heart

With lyrics like these and the full force of the band behind them, the atmosphere was very different from the soulful and R&B-driven groove often heard at Billboard Live TAIPEI. The precision and power of rock musicians created a denser sonic experience—sound seemed to fill every corner of the room, hitting with the impact of a direct punch.

“Now we’re entering the second show,” Aikawa told the audience.

“The first show had such an incredible atmosphere, so this one will be… well, it’s been more than twenty years since I last came here. I want to sing a few extra songs tonight to make up for all that time.”

“For the next song, I’d like to dedicate it to Shinya from LUNA SEA. Please listen to this—‘Tsuki ni Sasagu (Dedication to the Moon)’.”

During “Tsuki ni Sasagu”, warm golden lights focused on Aikawa, while blue spotlights spread across the stage like a quiet night sky. Her singing carried an unmistakable sincerity. Even beyond the barrier of language, the intensity of emotion overflowed.

During the guitar solo, the performance burned with a life-or-death intensity. The guitarist let his hair tie fall away, unleashing wild, tension-filled notes as his long hair flew through the red and blue stage lights. The band transformed into something like a raging beast.

On the left side of the stage, violinist Mayuko Suenobu played smooth, graceful melodies. On the right, guitarist KB attacked his instrument with ferocious energy. The contrast formed a beautiful and moving scene—almost like a musical act of remembrance.

A Bond with Shinya

Shinya (real name: Masaya Yamada), the drummer of the rock band LUNA SEA, passed away on February 17, 2026.

For many years he had performed as part of Nanase Aikawa’s backing band alongside musicians such as PATA (X JAPAN), Marty Friedman (former Megadeth guitarist), and producer Tetsuro Oda. Together they formed what many fans considered a dream lineup—the very sound of authentic Japanese rock.

“Nostalgia” carried the spirit of classic American rock while blending in melodic elegance and a sense of historical depth from Asian musical traditions. The musicians wore expressions of pure joy. Did they realize the enormous musical world they were creating? In Aikawa’s fierce yet radiant gaze, it felt as though she was answering that question.

“China Rose” explored an imagined vision of the Far East. From a Japanese perspective, it responds to rock music’s long-standing fascination with themes of Eastern mysticism and imperial power. Western artists have often portrayed China from their own viewpoint—such as Thin Lizzy’s “Chinatown” (1980), Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” (1975), and David Bowie’s “China Girl” (1983). Here, the violin delivered a raw, unpolished rock tone, while the bassist’s solo expression evoked the dramatic flair of an Eastern villain.

“Koigokoro” used a dance-oriented foundation combined with Eastern imagery to portray the helplessness of love. Aikawa’s presence dominated the stage, controlling the rhythm and energy of the entire performance. The band built a unique rock universe around her voice. In that moment, she truly stood there as a rock queen.

Drum rolls and storm-like piano passages added layers to the imagination.

“This November marks my 30th anniversary since debut!”

“Over these thirty years, there have been good times and difficult ones. Sometimes I wondered if I might never be able to sing again… During those moments I kept asking myself what I should do. It’s because I love music—and because of all of your support—that I’m still here today. Music is my whole life.”

Aikawa spoke openly about her recent feelings.

“I’ve poured my entire life into music. Because of that past, I can build the future ahead. There have been painful moments in the past and even now—but right now, at this moment, I feel truly happy.”

“Last year I released three albums. Two of the songs are love songs, and I’d like to sing them for you tonight.”

Smiling warmly at every listener, she began “Crescendo.”

Pink light filled the stage while the violin echoed like a distant resonance. Each word from Aikawa’s voice carried shifting emotional shades—sometimes slicing through the air, sometimes suddenly creating a vacuum of silence before gently setting down the intensity that had filled the previous moment. Her voice moved between the sweetness of a young girl and the maturity of who she is today, creating a narrative rich with imagination.

During the piano passages, long resonances filled the space like scattered rays of light. “I LOVE YOU TOO,” from the album STAR DUST, was performed by just three musicians: Nanase Aikawa, pianist Yukiko Takada, and violinist Mayuko Suenobu. Together they built the emotional tension until reaching its peak, where the music opened like a curtain revealing a bright landscape—an image perfectly aligned with the song’s tender sentiment.

The intro of “Asu e” (Toward Tomorrow) unfolded like a quiet conversation before gradually building toward the chorus. Aikawa led the audience in clapping along with the beat. Rhythm is often said to originate from human instinct—and at that moment, everyone in the room became part of Aikawa’s band.

It was a moment that encouraged everyone to face the unknown future together, breaking down boundaries of identity, gender, and language.

During the encore, Aikawa spoke mysteriously:

“Yokohama, Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei—this Billboard tour ends tonight with the final show!”

“And now, let me introduce a special drummer—my son.”

The audience erupted in surprise.

“Good evening everyone! I’m Rio! Nice to meet you!”

Wearing a Guns N’ Roses shirt, Rio led the band into the intro of “Sweet Emotion.” Aikawa stepped down from the stage to greet as many audience members as possible. Meanwhile, her son energized the crowd from the stage, igniting the fiery spirit of American rock.

The audience couldn’t help but stand up—clapping, dancing, and even shedding tears of emotion.

The next encore song, “Yumemiru Shoujo ja Irarenai,” one of Aikawa’s signature hits, instantly turned the entire venue into a massive singalong. Billboard Live TAIPEI suddenly felt like a stadium concert.

Each musician’s solo revealed their individuality:

bassist SHUSE with his wild energy

drummer ZACK with explosive power

pianist Toshi with free yet precise playing

keyboardist Yukiko Takada with her expansive range

violinist Mayuko Suenobu with her dazzling, seductive tone

Finally, guitarist KB led the band forward. Through seamless chemistry with Aikawa, they ignited the crowd one last time. The concert ended amid thunderous cheers.

Rock music has a unique ability to ignite the instinctive heat within human beings. Its energy can shake existing rules and habits, driving transformation. For that very reason, it was once feared by those in power—because such primal force inspires people to challenge what they once believed impossible.

On this night, every detail of the performance carried the conviction of a true rock singer. The audience savored the spirit of Nanase Aikawa’s rock soul.

Some people were in tears. Others smiled with joy and passion.

A beauty as powerful as a storm—

that is the unique rock spirit of Nanase Aikawa.