Melt-Banana

Melt-Banana have been moving in their very own orbit for decades. Since their beginnings in Tokyo in the 1990s, the duo of Yasuko Onuki and Ichiro Agata have developed a sonic universe that draws as much on noise, hardcore, grindcore and punk as on pop, electronics and experimental art music. The result is a band that has consistently avoided fixed genre boxes and instead has created a term which can only be described as unmistakably Melt-Banana.

Through an extensive discography and countless tours around the world, they have built an almost legendary status among both audiences and musicians. It is also reflected in collaborations and recognition from names such as John Zorn, Mike Patton, the Melvins, Wire, and Lou Reed.

Live, Melt-Banana transforms into an explosive force. Agata's guitar work sends sound fragments in all directions, while Yako's distinctive vocals move between shrill outbursts, rhythmic patterns and surprisingly melodic passages. It's all underpinned by a massive and precise rhythm section that over the years has become an integral part of the duo's digital approach.

Their latest album, '3+5' from 2024, builds on the uncompromising evolution that has characterised the band throughout their career. Still aggressive, still curious and still in search of new avenues.

When Melt-Banana hits the stage, it's not just a concert. It's an intense demonstration of how far rock music can be stretched without losing its immediate impact.