On September 30, 2026, Kuroyume was confirmed as the final artist for ONAGAWA COTTELEEZUN, a rock festival celebrating the 100th anniversary of Onagawa's municipal government in Miyagi Prefecture. The legendary visual kei band stepped in after BRAHMAN withdrew due to a member undergoing medical treatment, and we now have the complete picture of what this two-day celebration will look like when it kicks off on October 31, 2026.
If you've been following this festival — especially because Maximum the Hormone serves as its official ambassador — you're probably curious about how this last-minute change came together, who else is performing, and what makes this event special for both the bands and the Onagawa community. Here's everything we know about the lineup, the venue, and the story behind Kuroyume's emergency addition.
The Quick Version
- Kuroyume will perform on October 31, 2026, at ONAGAWA COTTELEEZUN in Miyagi Prefecture, replacing BRAHMAN after a band member's medical treatment forced their withdrawal.
- The festival runs October 31–November 1, 2026, at Onagawa Town General Sports Ground, marking the town's centennial.
- Maximum the Hormone serves as the festival's ambassador and reportedly approached Kuroyume directly with the emergency invitation.
- The complete lineup includes 11 acts: Kuroyume, Maximum the Hormone, MAN WITH A MISSION, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, RIZE, Sambomaster, and five others.
- Kuroyume's addition completes the announced artist roster for the event.
How Kuroyume Ended Up on the Bill
The story behind Kuroyume's appearance is one of those festival moments that reminds us how tight-knit the Japanese rock community can be. BRAHMAN had been scheduled to perform, though that booking hadn't been publicly announced before the band withdrew. According to an official statement from BRAHMAN, a member is undergoing medical treatment, which made it impossible for them to fulfill the commitment.
That's when Maximum the Hormone stepped in. Members of the band, who are serving as the festival's official ambassadors (particularly for the first day), reportedly reached out directly to Kuroyume with an emergency invitation. Kuroyume accepted, and the announcement came through on September 30, completing the festival's artist lineup just a month before showtime.
This kind of last-minute coordination isn't easy to pull off, especially with a band as influential and historically significant as Kuroyume. The fact that Maximum the Hormone could broker this addition speaks to both their role in the festival and the respect these bands have for each other within Japan's rock scene.
The Complete Festival Lineup
With Kuroyume's addition, ONAGAWA COTTELEEZUN now features 11 confirmed artists spanning multiple generations and styles of Japanese rock and pop. The full announced lineup is:
- Kuroyume — the visual kei pioneers whose influence on Japanese rock from the 1990s onward can't be overstated
- Maximum the Hormone — the festival's ambassadors, known for their explosive blend of metal, punk, and pop
- MAN WITH A MISSION — the wolf-masked rock quintet with international appeal
- Kyary Pamyu Pamyu — the iconic J-pop artist whose colorful, boundary-pushing style has defined a generation
- RIZE — the hard-hitting rock unit formed by Jesse (now JESSE) and Kenken
- Sambomaster — the Osaka-based rock trio known for their passionate live performances
- Yabai T-Shirts Yasan (Yabai T-Shirts Shop) — the energetic rock band that's become a festival favorite
- FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY'S — veterans of the Japanese funk-rock scene
- Gagaga SP — the punk rock trio from Kobe
- Hump Back — the rock band that's built a devoted following with their melodic sound
- Ailif Dopa — adding another dimension to the festival's musical range
This lineup balances legacy acts like Kuroyume and RIZE with contemporary favorites like MAN WITH A MISSION and Yabai T-Shirts Yasan, while Kyary Pamyu Pamyu brings a pop sensibility that broadens the festival's appeal. It's the kind of diverse bill that can satisfy longtime Japanese rock fans while introducing newer audiences to artists they might not have encountered otherwise.
When and Where the Festival Takes Place
ONAGAWA COTTELEEZUN is scheduled for October 31–November 1, 2026, at the Onagawa Town General Sports Ground in Miyagi Prefecture. Kuroyume's performance is set for October 31, the festival's opening day. The event is organized by Onagawa Town itself as part of the municipality's 100th-anniversary celebrations, which gives the festival a deeper community significance beyond just the music.
Onagawa, located on Japan's northeastern coast, was among the communities severely affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The town has spent the years since rebuilding, and this centennial festival — bringing together some of Japan's most celebrated rock acts — represents both a milestone and a statement of resilience. Maximum the Hormone's involvement as ambassadors underscores their commitment to the region and to using music as a way to support and celebrate communities that have faced hardship.
Why Maximum the Hormone's Role Matters
We should take a moment to appreciate what Maximum the Hormone is doing here. Serving as festival ambassadors isn't just a ceremonial role — it involves actively shaping the event, promoting it, and, as we've seen, stepping in when circumstances require creative problem-solving. When BRAHMAN had to withdraw, Maximum the Hormone didn't just wait for the organizers to find a replacement; they used their relationships within the industry to approach Kuroyume directly.
This kind of hands-on involvement shows how deeply the band is committed to making this festival work, particularly for Onagawa's centennial. Maximum the Hormone has long been known for their intense live performances and their connection to their fans, but this ambassador role demonstrates a broader commitment to supporting local communities and the Japanese music scene as a whole.
What Kuroyume's Appearance Means for the Festival
For fans who know Japanese rock history, having Kuroyume on this bill is significant. The band, formed in the early 1990s, was one of the foundational acts in the visual kei movement, helping to shape the aesthetic and sound that would influence countless bands in the decades that followed. After breaking up in 1999, they reunited in 2009 and have performed selectively since then, making each appearance something of an event.
Kuroyume's music — dark, intense, and emotionally raw — provided a blueprint for later visual kei and alternative rock bands. Their influence can be heard in everyone from DIR EN GREY to more mainstream rock acts, and their reunion performances draw fans who've followed them since the beginning alongside younger listeners discovering them for the first time. Having them step in at the last minute for this centennial celebration adds a layer of prestige and historical weight to the lineup.
The pairing with Maximum the Hormone is particularly interesting because these are two bands from very different eras and substyles of Japanese rock, yet both share an uncompromising approach to their music and a reputation for unforgettable live shows. Seeing them on the same bill offers a rare cross-generational experience.
What People Are Saying
The announcement sparked immediate reactions from fans across Japanese social media and music forums. One fan expressed gratitude for Kuroyume's willingness to step in: "The fact that Kuroyume agreed to perform on such short notice shows how much respect they have for Maximum the Hormone and for the Onagawa community. This is going to be incredible."
Another commenter focused on the lineup's strength: "I was already planning to go, but adding Kuroyume to a bill that already has Maximum the Hormone, MAN WITH A MISSION, and RIZE? This might be one of the best rock festival lineups we've seen in Tohoku in years."
Several fans also expressed concern and well-wishes for BRAHMAN's member who is undergoing treatment. "It's disappointing not to see BRAHMAN, but health comes first," one fan wrote. "Hoping for a full recovery, and grateful that Kuroyume could fill in so we still get this amazing festival."
Frequently Asked Questions
When is ONAGAWA COTTELEEZUN taking place?
The festival is scheduled for October 31–November 1, 2026. Kuroyume will perform on the first day, October 31.
Where is the festival being held?
ONAGAWA COTTELEEZUN takes place at the Onagawa Town General Sports Ground in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
Why did Kuroyume join the festival?
Kuroyume was added after BRAHMAN withdrew due to a band member undergoing medical treatment. Members of Maximum the Hormone, who serve as the festival's ambassadors, approached Kuroyume with an emergency invitation, which the band accepted.
Who else is performing at the festival?
The complete announced lineup includes Maximum the Hormone, MAN WITH A MISSION, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, RIZE, Sambomaster, Yabai T-Shirts Yasan, FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY'S, Gagaga SP, Hump Back, Ailif Dopa, and Kuroyume.
What is the significance of this festival for Onagawa?
ONAGAWA COTTELEEZUN celebrates the 100th anniversary of Onagawa's municipal government. The town, which was heavily affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, has spent years rebuilding, and this festival marks both a centennial milestone and a celebration of the community's resilience.
Looking Ahead to October 31
With the lineup now complete, ONAGAWA COTTELEEZUN is shaping up to be a memorable celebration of both Japanese rock and the Onagawa community's century of history. Kuroyume's last-minute addition brings together legacy and contemporary acts in a way that honors the past while looking forward, much like the town's centennial itself. We'll be watching to see how Maximum the Hormone's ambassadorship continues to shape this event, and we're looking forward to seeing these 11 diverse acts share the stage across two days in Miyagi Prefecture. The festival kicks off on October 31, 2026, and for fans of Japanese rock — whether you've followed Kuroyume since the 1990s or discovered Maximum the Hormone more recently — this is an event worth keeping on your radar.
