Atarashii Gakko! Announce Debut Album AG! Calling Out June 7 Via 88Rising

“Encapsulating the spunky vigour of youth, which is Seishun in Japanese, they present a refreshing take on Japanese pop and in the grander scheme of things, a fresh outlook on girl groups. One that isn’t manufactured or pigeon-holed.” - Vogue Singapore 

“ATARASHII GAKKO! are singularly, unapologetically themselves” - Nylon

Tokyo-based and wildly special progressive-pop girl group, ATARASHII GAKKO! formally announce their upcoming album AG! Calling out via 88rising on June 7. Fans can pre save the music on their website HERE. 

They have also unveiled a highly anticipated PT. II of their 2024 World Tour. As the talented group wraps their Europe and Asia legs in June, this Fall they will make their way to major North American cities, encompassing large statement plays from the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago to Pepsi Center in Mexico City.

Various fan presales begin Thursday, May 9th at 10am local time and end 10pm local time. General on sale tickets are available starting Friday, May 10th at 10am local time. Tickets to both legs of the tour may be purchased HERE. See below for full routing. 

Coachella Press Photo, credit @lindseyblane 

AG! Calling explores the theme of "Calling," drawing from the dual meaning of the word "korin [降臨]" in Japanese, signifying both "calling" and "to descend" or "to arrive." This linguistic nuance serves as the album's backbone, symbolizing ATARASHII GAKKO!'s presence as they descend into various aspects of our lives. Visualized in the cover art, the girls metaphorically "land" in different dimensions of existence, serving as steadfast companions and empowering cheerleaders. Their message resonates with encouragement and support, inspiring confidence and resilience in listeners to embrace their unique potential.

The album follows a series of far-reaching, breakthrough singles that put ATARASHII GAKKO! on the global stage. Earlier this week, it was announced that a new song from the album, “Fly High,'' will serve as the opening theme for the Netflix crossover animated film Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura, out June 7. It showcases the battles between iconic characters from Keisuke Itagaki’s “BAKI” and Yabako Sandrovich’s “KENGAN ASHURA.” 

These new tour dates follow on the heels of absolutely epic performances at Coachella 2024, including solo sets closing out Gobi stage both weekends and an appearance in 88rising Futures. The crowd’s reaction to the girls' inimitable stunts and iconic dances was palpable. The solo sets were filled with surprises including an appearance from taiko drummers, the USC marching band joining in for “Tokyo Calling”. Los Angeles Daily News raved, “For sheer smile-on-your-face fun it was hard to beat ATARASHII GAKKO! at Coachella.” While The Japan Times echoed, “The four members delivered a nonstop burst of pop energy spiked by the sort of thrills Coachella crowds love.” 

ATARASHII GAKKO! WORLD TOUR PT. I & II DATES: 

JUNE 1 - BARCELONA - PRIMAVERA FESTIVAL

JUNE 3 - BRUSSELS - LA MADELEINE

JUNE 5 - PARIS - BATACLAN

JUNE 7 - COLOGNE - LIVE MUSIC HALL

JUNE 8 - BERLIN - METROPOL

JUNE 10 - LONDON - INDIGO AT THE O2

JUNE 12 - AMSTERDAM - MELKWEG MAX

JUNE 19 - SEOUL - YES24 LIVE HALL

JUNE 21 - KUALA LUMPUR - ZEPP

JUNE 23 - BANGKOK - SAMYAN HALL

JUNE 25 - HONG KONG - MACPHERSON STADIUM

JUNE 27 - TAIPEI - ZEPP NEW TAIPEI

JUNE 29 - SINGAPORE - THE THEATRE AT MEDIACORP

SEP 26 - VANCOUVER - PNE FORUM

SEP 27 - SEATTLE - SHOWBOX SODO

SEP 29 - SAN FRANCISCO - THE WARFIELD

OCT 01 - MEXICO CITY - PEPSI CENTER

OCT 03 - CHICAGO - BYLINE BANK ARAGON BALLROOM

OCT 06 - TORONTO - HISTORY

OCT 09 - BOSTON - ROADRUNNER

OCT 11 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - THE ANTHEM

OCT 13 - ATLANTA - THE EASTERN

OCT 15 - AUSTIN - ACL LIVE

OCT 17 - DALLAS - THE FACTORY IN DEEP ELLUM