Esprit D'Air prepares to tour the UK this summer

Japanese metal band Esprit D'Air is setting off for a headline tour of the UK in a few weeks, performing their latest album Oceans, which entered four UK Official Charts including #13 in Rock & Metal Albums and #7 in Independent Albums Breakers earlier this year.

The live line-up for the tour consists of Kai (Esprit D'Air), Jan-Vincent Velazco (Pendragon, Gus G) on drums, Takeshi Tokunaga (producer of BABYMETAL) on bass, and Yusuke Okamoto on guitar.

From recently headlining the O2 Academy Islington with their album launch party, Esprit D'Air is kicking off their Oceans tour at London’s Amplified Festival on 30 July, alongside special guests Tigress, Daxx & Roxane, RXPTRS, Tokyo Taboo, Light Wave, Giant Walker & Circus 66. On 31 July, they are returning to Newcastle upon Tyne with Pretty Addicted on support; Glasgow on 1 August with Pretty Addicted and Ocean Tides, and ending the tour in Manchester on 2 August with Nebulesse on support. 

Reformed in 2016, Esprit D'Air is a Japanese electronic rock/metal solo project led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Kai. In 2018, Esprit D'Air won 'Best Metal Album' at The Independent Music Awards in New York, for the release of their debut album, Constellations, judged by an esteemed panel featuring Slayer, Amy Lee (Evanescence), Sepultura & more.

Kai is not seeking a major record label but instead, follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself to be as self-sufficient as possible. Consequently, they record and produce their own releases in their own home recording studio.

Lead vocalist and producer Kai says:

“I am really excited to be returning to some of my favourite cities in the UK. Apart from the London festival date, it is a self-promoted tour and it is awesome to see the ticket sales are going really well and that we’re going to be playing to amazing crowds.” 

Esprit D'Air recently released their second album, Oceans on 18 February, which included collaborations with members of the iconic gothic rock group The Sisters of Mercy and Japanese metalcore band Crystal Lake, plus remixes by Heavygrinder, and Shirobon. The new album Oceans is receiving support and praise from Loudwire, Kerrang! Radio, as well as from members of Cradle of Filth, The Sisters of Mercy, and The Birthday Massacre. 

Kai adds:

“The Oceans album took almost four years to create. My laptop containing all of my work-in-progress was stolen in 2019 and I had to start all over again from 2020. In the past two years, I worked hard and collaborated with awesome people to finish the album and we also have our fans to thank for crowdfunding it. I have a good feeling that it will re-enter the UK official charts on the week of our tour.”

Kai will also join Steevi Jaimz (original vocalist for Tigertailz) for a one-off show on guitar at the 229 in London on 15 October alongside Robin Guy (Sham 69, Bruce Dickinson) on drums and Rob Lane (BulletBoys) on bass, celebrating the 35th anniversary release of Tigertailz’s debut album Young and Crazy.

The last remaining tickets for the Esprit D’Air tour are available to be purchased on DICE and SeeTickets.

Oceans UK Tour 2022:

• 30 July: London, Amplified Festival (Headline Act)
• 31 July: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, The Cluny 2
• 1 August: Glasgow, The Garage (G2)
• 2 August: Manchester, Rebellion