Suchmos Revival: “We Kept You Waiting Too Long”

The Ongoing Journey of Suchmos, Even in Hiatus

The story of Suchmos has never truly paused.

That was the feeling that grew inside me as I watched their live performance that day.

Suchmos made their debut in 2015 with the release of their first EP, ‘Essence.’ In February 2021, they announced an indefinite hiatus. This concert marked their return after five and a half years since January 2020. In fact, the band hadn’t played together since March 2020, when their planned ‘Suchmos The Blow Your Mind TOUR 2020’ was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That tour, which would have included unforgettable two-man shows at venues like Zepp alongside artists such as Yumi Matsutoya, Mr.Children, and The Birthday, was destined to become legendary. Their last live appearance before the break was an online show in July 2020, almost five years ago.

In the meantime, the band endured the heartbreaking loss of HSU (bass), a key member who was vital to Suchmos’ formation and sound.

Picking up again as a band was far from easy, and it certainly wasn’t a given that they would return. Yet, the feeling I took away from that night was clear: the story of Suchmos didn’t stop in 2021 — it has been continuing all along.

TAIHEI (piano) launched bands like Sai and N.S.DANCEMBLE, offered support to artists including STUTS and Rei, and realized his long-held goal of composing music for film and theater. A notable example is the new live track “Eye to Eye,” which appears to draw on the experience TAIHEI gained from collaborating with acclaimed trumpeters Yusuke Sase (Sai) and Reiya Terakubo (N.S.DANCEMBLE), shaping its arrangement.

TAIHEI (Pf) has started bands such as Sai and N.S. DANCEMBLE, supported STUTS and Rei, and realized the theatrical music he had always wanted to do. For example, the new song “Eye to Eye,” which was performed at a live concert, is an example of TAIHEI’s experience gained while playing in a band with the famous trumpeters Yusuke Sase (Sai) and Reiya Terakubo (N.S. DANCEMBLE). I think the experience I gained while playing in a band with trumpeters Yusuke Sase (Sai) and Reiya Terakubo (N.S.DANCEMBLE) is used in the arrangements.

After a period of stepping back from the spotlight, YONCE (vocals) rediscovered the simple joy of “music and being in a band” through his five-member group Hedigan’s, all while remarkably deepening the emotional depth of his singing.

Brothers Kaiki Ohara (DJ) and OK (drums) were also exploring their own musical aesthetics on a more local scale, one that Suchmos as a band could no longer operate within. For example, the new song “Marry,” performed that day, seems to be a piece made possible by OK and TAIKING’s vocal harmonies, combined with YONCE’s growth after creating “Saisei” with Hedigan’s.

A band isn’t simply an expression of one person’s life or ideas — it’s a living entity formed by the intertwined lives and thoughts of all its members. Suchmos, in particular, has always believed in this way of being a band.

What I saw at Yokohama Arena on June 21, 2025, was “Suchmos” as a single living organism, woven from the lives and feelings of YONCE, TAIKING, TAIHEI, OK, Kaiki Ohara, and HSU. Each movement of their hearts, each chapter of their lives, seemed to emerge as today’s Suchmos. During the hiatus, none of them shed the identity of being “their version of Suchmos.” The sense I felt—that the story of Suchmos has been continuing all along—came from this very truth.

Opening with “Pacific” Followed by an Unreleased Track

True to the meaning behind their name, Suchmos has been a pioneer, carving out a new path in Japan’s music scene. Before their rise, the rock festival scene was dominated by a “four-on-the-floor rock boom,” while the pop charts were filled with AKB Group and Johnny’s idols—both worlds felt musically one-dimensional. Suchmos emerged as a counterpoint, blending rock with jazz, hip-hop, and soul. Their music being embraced as pop helped bring much-needed diversity to the domestic music scene. It’s safe to say that much of the music heard today is influenced by the path they forged.

Because of their unique presence, ‘Suchmos The Blow Your Mind 2025’ saw an overwhelming 200,000 ticket applications. Not only longtime fans but also people who discovered Suchmos during their hiatus, or younger listeners who missed live shows because they were still in elementary or middle school at the time, were all eager to see them live.

With such high expectations for their first performance in five years, the opening song was “Pacific.” This track dates back to the band’s earliest days—before Kaiki Ohara, TAIHEI, and TAIKING officially joined—and features the lyric “Don’t stop music.” TAIHEI’s piano rang out beautifully, and OK’s drums struck crisply and clearly. As YONCE began to sing under a dazzling backlight, Suchmos’ world expanded instantly, and the venue, packed with swaying fans, looked like rolling waves.

Later, YONCE reflected on this moment: “I was joking around right up until I stepped on stage. The moment I stood there, I realized how foolish I’d been. From the very first note, I painfully felt the reality that we had kept such important people waiting, and that so many years had passed without them having the chance to see us.”

The second song was a brand-new track called “Eye to Eye,” from the upcoming EP ‘Sunburst,’ set to release on July 2. By this point, it was clear the show was not about nostalgia or looking back but about expressing Suchmos’ present—and simply delivering great music that they themselves were enjoying and sharing with the audience.

While singing “Eye to Eye,” YONCE clapped his hands in front of the stand microphone—not as a typical call for the crowd to join in or to guide them through an unfamiliar song, but simply because he was naturally moving with the music. Delivering cool, straightforward music. Enjoying the music themselves first. Respecting each individual’s freedom. This is Suchmos. During the MC afterward, YONCE even invited the audience, saying, “We’re enjoying ourselves, so feel free to do the same.”

Next came “DUMBO,” a song that repeatedly declares, “Amateurs and pros are no different,” showcasing both Suchmos’ rebellious spirit and TAIKING’s guitar heroics. This live performance after five and a half years reaffirmed that Suchmos is a band that creates iconic riffs on bass, guitar, and piano alike. Meanwhile, OK silently drives the groove of the show, and Kaiki Ohara’s DJ work not only adds depth to the sound but also mixes in elements that highlight YONCE’s vocals with the utmost respect.

Their signature hit “STAY TUNE” was performed early as the fourth song. The band then transitioned into “808,” with green lasers cutting through the air as YONCE shouted, “Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce! On bass, Ren Yamamoto!” Filling in for HSU on bass was Ren Yamamoto, a longtime friend who also studied jazz at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music just like HSU. Now active as a bassist in the band LAGHEADS, Ren works across countless genres including jazz and pop. After the show, during a brief conversation with some of the members, TAIHEI smiled and told me, “Ren’s DNA is the same as ours — his height, even the way he smokes, it’s just like Shunta (HSU).” I wanted to share that with everyone here.

An Uncompromising Spirit of Freedom

The phrase “First Choice Last Stance,” sung in “PINKVIBES,” is so important to Suchmos that they named their own label “F.C.L.S.” after it. One of the core stances they have upheld from the beginning is “no compromise.” While many band members value this, actually living by it is incredibly challenging. Refusing to pander, resisting the pressure to conform, honoring one’s own sensibility, and living authentically have become the very essence and way of life of the living entity called “Suchmos,” and this has long been one of the qualities that endears them to their era.

Now, Suchmos seems to embody this “no compromise” attitude even more naturally than ever before. They appear to have gained an even deeper sense of “freedom.”

The new song “To You” (which is not scheduled to be included on the EP ‘Sunburst’) began with all members shouting like mischievous kids. Amid Yamamoto’s grooving bass, they shouted, “We came to say what we want,” and repeatedly asked, “Are you alive?” Meanwhile, YONCE flashed a fearless, Joker-like grin while walking the catwalk. This sequence perfectly symbolized their “no compromise” stance. The track felt like a blend of YONCE’s rock ’n’ roll energy from Hedigan’s and TAIHEI’s horn sounds from Sai and N.S.DANCEMBLE, hinting at an even freer expansion of Suchmos’ musical style going forward.

Another unreleased new song performed live was “Latin,” also not slated for the EP ‘Sunburst.’ In songs like “PINKVIBES” and others, YONCE is known for moving and stepping naturally to the music, letting the sound guide his voice. In “Latin,” a repeated phrase borrowed from a cover of Jagatara’s “Dark Continent” echoed:
“Keep dancing as you please / Keep singing as you please / Keep talking as you please / Keep moving as you please.”

One moment from the song stood out: in total darkness, all the members shouted spontaneous words from the heart:

“Let me say something to the friends who couldn’t come today. You idiots! Thanks a lot!” (OK)
“We’re back, Suchmos! Enjoy the rest of the show!” (TAIKING)
“This feels amazing!” (Yamamoto)
“Hello everyone! It’s been a while! I felt like a kid on a school trip again—so excited I couldn’t sleep. I’m having fun here with all of you! Please continue to support Suchmos!” (TAIHEI)
“Good evening, everyone! Long time no see! I missed you! I think everyone here today is someone you can get along with really well, so please enjoy making memories tonight. Thank you!” (Kaiki Ohara)

They spoke these words without turning on the lights, likely because they believe the music should remain the true star of the show, and they didn’t want to create a sentimental mood. I also sensed this was their own way of showing a bit of “shyness.” When the next song started—and it was “GAGA”—I couldn’t help but smile.

Since their debut in 2015, as they rapidly climbed the ladder and caught public attention, each member has experienced a range of emotions. Even during their hiatus, after losing a beloved member, they surely reflected deeply on life, their paths, and their music. Through it all, they seemed to have embraced a way of living that strips away distractions and unnecessary things, focusing only on what truly matters.

Some things are beyond control. Many others turn out to be manageable. Some things don’t need worrying about. It’s okay not to have all the answers. Suchmos appears to have “overstood” — understood beyond “understanding” — these truths and, in doing so, gained a greater sense of freedom.

Tribute to HSU in the Encore

During the mid-set MC, YONCE briefly mentioned, “Today is the summer solstice, right? The longest day of the year. Maybe there are some people here who aren’t usually around? That’s how it feels.” The following song, “MINT,” featured the poignant lyrics,
“No matter what, it’s fine as long as we can smile / No matter what, it’s fine as long as we can keep walking,”
striking a deep chord — as long as we’re alive, that’s enough.

Next, they performed “Whole of Flower,” their first single after the comeback. Amid a blend of white and golden lights, the line,
“Sadness is not gone in my head but / Let’s smile through an ordinary day,”
resonated with YONCE’s pure vocals, prayerful piano tones, and Suchmos’ signature DJ sounds. This reflected a warmth intertwined with sadness—a form of hope that’s not sugarcoated, brought to life through Suchmos’ music today.

During the encore, they touched on HSU, saying, “What we’ve lost will never come back, never. So I want to keep remembering and keep thinking about him. Let’s close our eyes for a moment and take a deep breath,” inviting everyone to share a moment of reflection. They added, “I know some people don’t like this kind of thing, so thank you,” respecting everyone’s freedom to feel as they wish—true to Suchmos’ spirit.

Then, they performed “Stand By Mirror,” another new song not slated for the EP ‘Sunburst.’ Though not all lyrics were clear, it felt like a special dedication to HSU. YONCE’s use of “damn idiot” and OK’s “you bastard” seemed to express the raw emotion of “Why did you have to leave us?”

“Life Easy” as The Final Song

The final song of the main set was “YMM.” The encore closed with “Life Easy,” beginning with a requiem-like piano solo by TAIHEI, whose intelligence, skill, and kindness support the band. The lyrics—
“Believing is the truth / Not for anyone else / Live for yourself”—
along with YONCE’s vocals and the band’s performance, were filled with a richness only gained through life’s journey. I also want to note that YONCE added an ad-lib:
“New things, things we can’t go back to, things that have changed, it doesn’t matter / Now, now / Joy, happiness, sadness / I want to go to a new place / I want to live.”

Suchmos will release their EP ‘Sunburst’ on Wednesday, July 2. When talking about the work, YONCE said in true Suchmos fashion,
“There will be many different reactions. It’s okay to feel all kinds of things. Good or bad, like or dislike—it’s yours alone, so don’t be swayed by anything.”

They also announced an Asia tour, ‘Suchmos Asia Tour Sunburst 2025,’ visiting 13 cities in Japan and overseas starting in October. Suchmos has experienced two cancellations of Asia tours before, but now, finally, their live shows will reach overseas audiences.

As I wrote earlier, they seemed to be singing and playing with their deepest sense of freedom yet. I hope they can continue to nurture the living entity called “Suchmos” in an environment where they can enjoy music and the band itself while protecting that freedom. From that, surely, they will deliver music yet unknown to anyone and expressions that affirm the outsider within us all.