Turning Japanese: Hitchin’s Club 85 gets set to welcome Tokyo favourites for charity gig

We’ve all heard about bands who boast that they’re big in Japan – but how many Japanese bands can claim to be big in Hitchin?

Heading half way around the world to headline at a charity gig at Club 85 next week are all-girl rockers Hysteric Lolita.

And joining them on the bill in a benefit gig for global charity Unicef on Saturday, July 11, will be heavy rocking Herts favourites JoanOvArc as well as This Is Eight, Echo Tree and Circadian Circles.

When JoanOvArc toured Japan earlier this year, appearing at charity gigs raising funds to help people in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquakes, they struck up a friendship with the Hysteric Lolita crew which has seen the Asian sensations pitching up in England.

To continue the female focus, This Is Eight are a funk rock four piece with a girl singer, Cambridge rockers Echo Tree also have a female singer front and centre and Circadian Circles are an alt-rock outfit who include sample pads, guitar and harmonium in their sound.

While they’re on these shores, Hysteric Lolita will be recording a new single with JoanOvArc, with producer Stuart Epps – who has worked for the likes of Led Zeppelin, Elton John and Oasis in the past – twiddling the nobs.

The single will be released in Japan, and the Hitchin gig has been set up to celebrate the end of a week’s recording work.

Music starts at 6.45pm and the gig is open to anyone aged 16 and over (photo ID required).

Hysteric Lolita mainly perform on the Tokyo circuit, and each member of the band was selected by a Japanese fashion magazine.

Club 85’s Roger King said: “It’s a testament to the local music scene that we are seeing exciting international acts including Hitchin in their touring schedules.

“Hysteric Lolita really are something a bit different and special. Throw in some cracking support acts and this is a must see show!”