18 performances, 9 venues, 3 countries later, Hikaru Utada has brought the curtain down on an amazing, electrifying run of their SCIENCE FICTION Tour 2024.
Their first in 6 years since 2018’s Laughter in the Dark Tour, the SCIENCE FICTION Tour 2024 was in support of their eponymous 2024 greatest hits album, SCIENCE FICTION, through which they had celebrated 25 years since their debut. It was also Utada’s 4th Japan tour and included overseas stops in Taipei and Hong Kong, where they had made their headlining concert debuts. The tour kicked off at Marine Messe Fukuoka (13-14 July) and wrapped up with a sold-out finale at K-Arena Yokohama (31 August & 1 September).
Being in their final show of the tour, Utada included a few surprises in the mix. For the customary encore, they brought saxophonist MELRAW and dance duo Aoi Tsuki (Aoi Yamada, who starred in Netflix’s First Love and Tsuki Takamura) onstage for the SCIENCE FICTION track ‘Electricity’. Prior to the closer, the ever-iconic ‘Automatic’, which thrilled everyone, fans were treated to an extra special performance of Heart Station (2008) track ‘Stay Gold.’
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Utada told the Yokohama crowd, "This time, I didn't want the focus to be on celebrating my 25 years alone, but on looking back and celebrating the 25 years we've shared together, and taking a moment to say 'well done.' I'm so grateful that we could all come together and feel this way. Thank you."
Hikaru Utada opens portals through time in SCIENCE FICTION – interview
"In 25 years, we've all experienced so much – good times, joyful moments, and difficult ones too,” they added. “But when I think about how every step, whether it was easy or hard, has brought me here, I realize that it was all worth it. Life doesn't always give you what you wish for, and sometimes the things you didn't ask for help you grow the most. Even when you lose something, it's a reminder that it was once given to you. I've come to see that what we've lost becomes a part of our hearts, and even the things we weren't given have enriched us in their own way. I've also learned the joy and fulfillment that comes from giving.
“These 25 years have been amazing for me, and I hope they've been the same for you. I also hope the next 25 years are just as wonderful. For now, let's just say this moment is the best. Congratulations, everyone!"
It has also been officially announced that the concert will be streaming on Japanese platform U-NEXT on 10 November, 4:30 PM (3:30 PM in Singapore and Manila).
The filmed Yokohama finale will also be released on Blu-ray on 11 December. The bundle will include exclusive documentary footage from the nine tour stops, while a limited edition will include a disc containing all of Utada’s 40 music videos from ‘Automatic’ to ｢何色でもない花｣ (A Flower of No Color), a special booklet, and commemorative tickets from each tour stop. Additional details may be released.
Experience the SCIENCE FICTION Tour 2024 finale, in photos by Teppei Kishida:
Hikaru Utada SCIENCE FICTION Tour 2024 K-Arena Yokohama Setlist
time will tell
Letters
Wait & See 〜リスク〜 (Risk)
In My Room
光 (Hikari)
For You ~ DISTANCE (Medley)
traveling
First Love
Beautiful World
COLORS
ぼくはくま (Boku wa Kuma)
Keep Tryin’
Kiss & Cry
誰かの願いが叶うころ (Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro)
BADモード (BAD Mode)
あなた (Anata)
花束を君に (Hanataba wo Kimi ni)
何色でもない花 (Naniirodemonai Hana)
One Last Kiss
君に夢中 (Kimi ni Muchuu)
ENCORE
Electricity
Stay Gold (Final Show Only)
Automatic
Band Credits
Henry Bowers-Broadbent
Music Director/Keyboard/Guitar/Percussion
Hinako Omori
Keyboard
Ben Parker
Guitar
Seye Adelekan
Bass
Isaac Kizito
Drum
K-Arena Show Guests
Aoi Tsuki
Dancers
MELRAW
Saxophone
Watch out for our special coverage of the Hong Kong show (18 August) and read our exclusive interview.
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