The Itchyworms, an award-winning Filipino band, will be returning to Japan for another performance of its highly regarded Akin Ka Na Lang… Japan! Early 2025 tour.
The band will play three gigs from January 17–19, 2025, at renowned locations throughout Tokyo, such as Mr. Back in Saitama, Heaven’s Door in Sangenjaya, and Gamuso in Asagaya, following the success of their 2023 tour.
“We’ve been fortunate to build a loyal fanbase in Japan over the years,” says Jugs Jugueta, lead vocalist of The Itchyworms. “It’s truly humbling to see fans traveling hours from all over Japan just to watch us perform. What makes the Japanese audience so special is their deep appreciation not only for our hits but also for the more obscure tracks. To them, it’s all good music.”
The Itchyworms, known for their blend of rock, pop, and humor, have long cultivated an international following. For this upcoming tour, the band promises a fresh setlist that includes more English-language songs from their early catalog, along with some unexpected surprises. “We used to have a lot of songs in English when we were starting out, and we also experimented with odd time signatures. We’re bringing some of those songs back for this tour, and I’m excited to see how the Japanese audience responds to this experiment,” says Jugueta.
Drummer and co-lead vocalist Jazz Nicolas also shares his admiration for the Japanese fans, noting that despite language barriers, music remains a universal connector. “Even if the audience doesn’t understand every word, the connection is still there,” he says. “It’s the music that binds us.”
Nicolas also reflects on a memorable moment from a previous Japan tour. “One time, I decided to surprise my bandmates by crawling on the floor and making weird noises behind a wall, just to startle them. To my surprise, it wasn’t my bandmates who walked in—it was the venue owner. He just smiled and said, ‘Aha! Crawling on the ground. Itchyworms.’ That moment has stayed with me ever since.”
The Itchyworms plan to further broaden their audience next year by performing at additional locations overseas. In addition to their upcoming gigs in Japan, the band is organizing additional events in Australia, additional Zealand, and Canada as well as European tours, with a particular emphasis on the UK.
The Itchyworms have been a popular musical export from the Philippines for more than 20 years, and their popularity continues to grow among admirers worldwide.
Japan’s Akin Ka Na Lang by The Itchyworms! Dates of the 2025 tour:
- January 17, 2025 – Mr. Back, Saitama
- January 18, 2025 – Heaven’s Door, Sangenjaya
- January 19, 2025 – Gamuso, Asagaya
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