{"id":25460,"date":"2026-05-19T22:22:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T22:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/25460\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T22:22:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T22:22:30","slug":"japanese-breakfast-return-to-their-roots-at-kilby-block-party-and-weve-never-been-more-excited","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/25460\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Breakfast Return to Their Roots at Kilby Block Party \u2013 and We\u2019ve Never Been More Excited"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n Despite plenty of brunettes in the crowd, no one was melancholy during Japanese Breakfast\u2019s Kilby Block Party performance.
\nStream: \u201cWinter in LA\u201d \u2013 Japanese Breakfast<\/p>\n

Michelle Zauner is on a roll.<\/p>\n

She landed her memoir Crying in H Mart on the New York Times bestseller list, with the movie adaptation (allegedly) in the works. Her band Japanese Breakfast swung big with 2021\u2019s Jubilee, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album in the process.<\/p>\n

Now, she\u2019s one of the songwriters behind last year\u2019s For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The album feels more narrative-lead, less commercial than Jubilee \u2013 whether that\u2019s a good thing or bad thing is open to interpretation. \u201cOrlando in Love\u201d is a string-driven ballad inspired by the 15th-century poem Orlando Innamorato, obviously leaning heavily on the melancholy.<\/p>\n

\"ForFor Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) \u2013 Japanese Breakfast<\/p>\n

\u201cMega Circuit\u201d is maybe the most single-y song on the project, which Zauner describes as a \u201csort of an examination of contemporary masculinity, and explores a conflicted desire to embrace a generation that in the absence of positive role models has found refuge in violence and bigotry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, Michelle Zauner and her band are conquering world-renowned music festivals, from Coachella in California to Kilby Block Party in Salt Lake City.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeart breaking like a punch card,
Keeps his mouth shut,
Keeps his mind fixed and well hidden.
You dream enough for two, dear
Picture window.
Looking out on somewhere else.\u201d
\n\u2013 \u201cPicture Window,\u201d Japanese Breakfast<\/p>\n

During concerts, everyone is there because of a deep love for a specific artist. What makes festivals so special is you can saunter up to a random set and discover your new favorite artist. Everyone there just loves music, so a lot of the pressure is off.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s especially helpful if you\u2019re like me and you either want to be barricade or way in the back with plenty of room to dance. Thankfully, Japanese Breakfast is perfect for both experiences.<\/p>\n

\"JapaneseJapanese Breakfast \u00a9 James Sakert, Kilby Block Party 2026<\/p>\n

The energy is so palpable, and you can tell they all truly enjoy what they do. The music itself is deeply instrument-oriented and live performances are no exception \u2013 whether it\u2019s the gong on \u201cPaprika\u201d or the dull, insistent drone during \u201cDiving Woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

This set was a surprising mix of fan-favorites oldies instead of just new tracks. Zauner traded her sailor-inspired outfits for something more uniquely her \u2013 a frothy spring dress with a pink flower on the front and mismatched ribbons on her shoes. [There was still a nod to For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) with her cutesy earrings of dangling pink ribbon.]\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis might be my favorite lineup all year,\u201d Zauner said to the Kilby Block Party crowd after the band launched into their explosive opening with \u201cPaprika.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JapaneseJapanese Breakfast \u00a9 James Sakert, Kilby Block Party 2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you guys so much for coming out and showing up to see us, we\u2019re Japanese Breakfast,\u201d she continued. \u201cWe\u2019ve played Kilby Court many times, but it\u2019s good to be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, the band included newer songs like \u201cHoney Water\u201d \u201cMega Circuit\u201d and \u201cPicture Window,\u201d but the set didn\u2019t feel bogged down by a particular era.<\/p>\n

There were even some surprises in the set, like a cover of \u201cBlack Light\u201d by Bumper. One of the highlights was definitely \u201cSlide Tackle\u201d from Jubilee, which had the whole audience jumping during the saxophone solo.<\/p>\n

\"JapaneseJapanese Breakfast \u00a9 James Sakert, Kilby Block Party 2026<\/p>\n

Obviously any cute moments between Zauner and her husband\/the band\u2019s guitarist Peter Bradley are adorable, like when they pressed their foreheads together during \u201cDiving Woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overall, it was downright fun, airy and all the things you want from a band with an album called Jubilee. Japanese Breakfast are at their best at a sunny outdoor festival.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

:: stream\/purchase For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) here<\/a> ::
\n:: connect with Japanese Breakfast here<\/a> ::<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cPicture Window\u201d \u2013 Japanese Breakfast<\/p>\n

\"JapaneseJapanese Breakfast \u00a9 James Sakert, Kilby Block Party 2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014 \u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

\"For<\/p>\n

Connect to Japanese Breakfast on
Facebook<\/a>, \ud835\udd4f<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>
\nDiscover new music on Atwood Magazine<\/a>
\n\"?\"\/ \u00a9 James Sakert<\/p>\n