Yoshiki Classical

London again, and a big Friday night for X Japan fans as Yoshiki brought his Classical World Tour to the Royal Albert Hall. From our stageside seats, we enjoyed the superstar’s tender ballads, drum solo and rambling but sincere (and often funny) monologues up close. There were guest appearances from St Vincent, Ellie Goulding and Ai Ichihara, with Yoshiki providing lightweight questions and piano accompaniment like a fashion-forward Jools Holland.

Thanks to Geri and that night at Wembley Arena, I now love X Japan enough to appreciate this evening, but it leaves me itching to hear Toshi screaming out those searing anthems and classic ballads along with Yoshiki and the rest of the band.

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