ATARASHII GAKKO!: 'We're Constantly Refining And Reimagining Our Performances'

Meredith Music Festival is a long way from Coachella or Tokyo, for that matter. But the J-pop girl group ATARASHII GAKKO! – its members wise Mizyu, rapper Rin, powerhouse singer Suzuka and dancer extraordinaire Kanon – are a global phenomenon. Next month, they'll make their Australian debut with The Marching Of AG! Tour. The four will not only play the sold-out Meredith (as with Brooklyn's reformed TV On The Radio), but also full side-shows in Eora/Sydney and Naarm/Melbourne.

ATARASHII GAKKO! (meaning 'New School Leaders') formed a decade ago as school students under the ASOBISYSTEM entertainment company. Breaking out in Japan with the single dokubana ('Poisonous Flower'), about toxic relationships, they'd develop a unique hybrid of pop, rap and punk, adding high-energy choreography and Harajuku costumes. As important is ATARASHII GAKKO!'s manifesto as Japanese youth representatives – they aim to challenge socio-cultural expectations and champion freedom, individuality and curiosity.

In 2020 ATARASHII GAKKO! found themselves on the radar of 88rising – the New York-based media company and super-collective established by Californian Sean Miyashiro in 2015 with a mission to elevate Asian creatives in a global pop culture. 88rising did much to platform Japanese-Australian soul fave Joji. 

ATARASHII GAKKO! debuted on 88rising with 2021's NAINAINAI ('Not Here') – expressing coming-of-age angst – ahead of the EP SNACKTIME, working in Los Angeles alongside Money Mark, the keyboardist-cum-producer, a key Beastie Boys associate. Meanwhile, they went viral on TikTok with 2020's hi-funk sleeper OTONABLUE ('Grown-Up's Melancholy'). 

In late 2023, ATARASHII GAKKO! made their US television premiere on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, performing the indelible Tokyo Calling – another worldwide hit. Last year, they conquered Coachella, reaching a new audience again on the same day Doja Cat headlined in the Colorado Desert. Indeed, the group staged Tokyo Calling with the famous USC Trojan Marching Band and elite LA drumming ensemble TAIKOPROJECT.

ATARASHII GAKKO! lately released Seishun Inoshishi ('Go Wild'): ATARASHII GAKKO! THE MOVIE, documenting their epic show at Tokyo's Yoyogi National Stadium.

We caught up with ATARASHII GAKKO! – who, having no single leader, answer questions collectively – about celebrating 10 years, their sonic aesthetic, live show and future plans.

This will be your first trip to Australia to perform – and you will be doing headline shows as well as Meredith Music Festival. What have you heard about the scene here? Also, do you have any plans for your downtime?

ATARASHII GAKKO!: "Definitely AC/DC! We really respect them. We also love Sia's energy. And, of course, when we think of Australia, we'd love to meet a koala! We also want to see a quokka's smile and hopefully spot some wild budgerigars. We're excited to try Melbourne's famous coffee, too. Right now, we're reading a book about the First Peoples of Australia to deepen our understanding before our first visit."

ATARASHII GAKKO! formed in 2015, so 2025 is your 10th anniversary year. How have you celebrated? What do you see as your career highlights so far?

"We celebrated our anniversary on July 19 with about 10,000 fans at a live show! The biggest highlight was definitely going international – that was a major turning point for us. Honestly, every day feels like a highlight!"

This year, you released a 'best of', 新しい学校のすゝめ ('Recommendations For A New School'), but only in Japan. What can you tell us about it? Will it get an international release? Do you have any new music planned?

"This 'best of' album features 24 tracks – 12 from our pre-world debut 'good old days' and 12 from our recent 'new era'. It was really hard to choose the songs, but we also invited our fan club members to vote for their favourites and, together with their input, we decided on the final tracklist. It's a very special album for both us and our fans. You can trace our whole story through this record! Please also take a close look at the cover art. We're preparing for a digital release as well! And yes – new songs are coming! Please look forward to them!"

ATARASHII GAKKO! has a unique sound with lots of different elements. How would you describe it? Who are your main influences today?

"We don't like to be bound by genre. We're always meeting new producers and exploring new styles. Our style is something that can only be described as its own genre, 'ATARASHII GAKKO!', where we express many sounds and moods through performance like musical chameleons. Each of us has different influences, but as a group, one big inspiration is Money Mark. He taught us how free and joyful music can be."

You worked with Money Mark on the SNACKTIME EP. Do you have any dream studio collabs you would like to pursue in future?

"There are so many! And we're already scheming a few ideas! We'd also love to work with Mark again."

In 2024, you played Coachella. What was the experience like for you? Did you get to hang out?

"Coachella was truly an unforgettable experience. Having the opportunity to perform our own headline set felt like a door opening to the world, like the start of something new. During Coachella, we rented an Airbnb and lived together. We watched the festival livestreams, had chill meetings by the pool, and really enjoyed our time there."

Japan has a long history of iconic women in music going back to Sandii from Sandii & The Sunsetz (more popular in Australia than any other country!) to Shonen Knife and The 5. 6. 7. 8's – and they are just the classic older acts. Do you feel part of a tradition?

"That's exactly what we hope to become!"

There are four individuals in ATARASHII GAKKO!. What can you tell us about each of your personalities and the dynamic you have in the group?

"It feels like the four of us are cells coming together to form a single living organism called 'ATARASHII GAKKO!'. We're not family by blood, but we share a connection that feels just as deep."

Your show features incredible vocal performances and choreography. What can you tell us about your preparation for touring? How long do you rehearse?

"This time, it's like a special side chapter of our Japan tour – we're evolving and growing as we go! We're constantly refining and reimagining our performances. Please pay attention to who we are right now – in motion, transforming in real time."

What are ATARASHII GAKKO!'s ambitions and what's next for you?

"We want to keep walking forward together – strong, healthy and full of energy – into the unknown path that even we can't imagine yet."

ATARASHII GAKKO! will perform at this year’s Meredith Music Festival and play sideshows in Melbourne and Sydney. You can find tickets to their headline shows via Frontier Touring.