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Case Studies
We’ve selected some recent projects that illustrate how we help touring bands succeed in Japan—one far-reaching, multi-city tour, a single-day festival that introduced international acts to enthusiastic local crowds, a some local project for the community. These case studies highlight our proven ability to scale from major tours to tailored events, showcasing our deep local connections, logistics expertise, and dedication to creating unforgettable live experiences for travelling artists.
Seven Spires x Lords of the Trident
Japan Tour 2024
We hosted two US-based metal bands (Seven Spires and Lords of the Trident) on an eight-stop nationwide tour. From flights and venue bookings to marketing campaigns and on-site logistics, Cicada Live integrated every key service under one umbrella—making it easy for both bands to focus on what they do best: performing.
With strong support from local openers in each city, plus tailored social media and magazine promos, this tour achieved consistently solid turnouts—even in smaller markets. Dedicated staff at each venue ensured smooth stage transitions, guest-list handling, and merch tables, while a partner travel agency organised schedules for 40 fan-club members joining from the USA.
Objectives & Goals
- Build upon each band’s Japanese fanbases, further expanding their reach
- Maximise the number of tour dates and locations
- Strengthen connections between both bands and their fans, capitalising on their previous Japan tours
- Tour with 40 Fan Club Members
Tour Dates
December 5-15, 2024
Thursday-Sunday
8 Cities Visited
Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka
Attendees
1,500+ total
What We Did
Routing & Logistics
- Covered Japan’s population hubs and cities known for their power metal fanbase.
- Venues chosen based on bands’ past performances in Japan, ensuring reputable spaces matched capacity needs.
- Flights and inter-city transport were managed in tandem with Pacset.
Visa Processing & Application
- Entertainment visas successfully processed for nine band members.
- Procured materials from venues to ensure their eligibility for a nationwide tour.
Promotion & Marketing
- Created bespoke social media campaigns featuring both headliners and support acts.
- Produced video content introducing overseas fans to Japanese artists (and vice versa).
- Used print flyers, posters, paid online ads, and listed in local rock magazines.
- Ran merch giveaway campaigns to stimulate ticket sales.
- Hired photographers / videographers for every tour date.
Ticketing & Financial Management
- Advance ticket sales through the Cicada Live low-fee ticketing platform.
- Regular ticketing and sales updates delivered to the bands.
- Promotional campaigns, guest list management.
- Customer support and troubleshooting.
- Merch digital sales management and tracking through Square.
Support Bands
Zange no Akainu
Japanese Folk Metal
Allegiance Reign
Amiliyah
Valhalla
Blood Stain Child
High Wire
Scars of Moment
Winged Warriors Fest 2024
For Winged Warriors Festival, we curated a high-octane, multi-genre line-up featuring power metal, visual kei, thrash, death metal, and more. The goal? Give Nagoya’s local scene a serious spotlight while introducing international performers to a city often overlooked on big-name tours.
Our team balanced the needs of nine bands, including an off-site VIP lunch and meet-and-greet. Thanks to savvy promotion—targeted social ads, print flyers, and an enthusiastic network of local supporters—we hit a solid turnout and kept fans buzzing about everything from circle pits to cameo appearances (like “Cicada-Man” crowd-surfing)!
Objectives & Goals
Mixed-Genre Showcase
- Power metal, thrash, visual kei, death metal, operatic metal, and more—every act brought a unique angle to the line-up.
Support Local Scene
- Make Nagoya stand out as a live music destination by mixing established international performers with rising local talent.
Celebrate Overseas Headliners
- Ensure the touring acts (Lords of the Trident and Seven Spires) enjoyed a big hometown-style welcome on their Nagoya date.
Winged Warriors 2024 Lineup
Seven Spires (USA)
Lords of the Trident (USA)
Hell Freezes Over (Tokyo)
Fathomless Skywalker (Tokyo)
TEMPLE (Osaka)
Shady Glimpse (Shizuoka)
Cran Arcanaria (Nagoya)
Jealous Wild (Nagoya)
AMUSIE (Nagoya)
What We Did
Line-Up & Scheduling
- Selected three local Nagoya acts and handpicked others from Tokyo, Osaka, and Shizuoka.
- Gave travelling (and international) bands slightly longer slots, culminating in extended headliner sets.
Promotion & Outreach
- Original artwork was commissioned in collaboration with a local artist.
- Employed social media, print flyers, targeted video ads, and combined fan giveaways.
- Encouraged each band to film shoutout videos, attracting their respective fan bases.
VIP Experiences
- Created bespoke social media campaigns featuring both headliners and support acts.
- Produced video content introducing overseas fans to Japanese artists (and vice versa).
- Used print flyers, posters, paid online ads, and listed in local rock magazines.
- Ran merch giveaway campaigns to stimulate ticket sales.
- Hired photographers / videographers for every tour date.
Key Results
- 60% attendance – A solid result for a first-ever festival in a city often overshadowed by Tokyo or Osaka.
- High praise from fans and bands, with many stating that the Nagoya festival date was the most energetic and varied experience on the entire tour.
Ready to Work with Us?
Whether you’re a local Japanese act looking to broaden your fanbase or an overseas band aiming to break into the Japanese market, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch today and see how Cicada Live can transform your live music vision into a reality in Japan.