NHK “The Covers Fes.in Hiroshima” highlights and set list released! Covers of famous songs by Eikichi Yazawa, Takuro Yoshida, etc.

■Winter rock festival with 13 songs from Hiroshima

NHK’s music program “The Covers” presents the annual “Covers Festival” at the end of the year. Ahead of the broadcast, highlights and setlist have been announced.

This 11th edition will be held in Hiroshima, a place that continues to produce many artists and famous songs. A gorgeous lineup will be provided, including guests with connections to Hiroshima and artists unique to Covers Fest.

They put on a passionate stage performance from Hiroshima, focusing on “famous songs by rock legends born in Hiroshima” and “winter hits that resonate this season.”

Guests include rock legend Kiminori Sera from Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, where the event is held, CHEMISTRY (Dochin is from Hiroshima Prefecture), Momoko Kikuchi, who is celebrating her 40th debut anniversary, Takao Tajima, who will deliver a passionate performance unique to Covers Fest, and morning drama. Memi Tamura, who is currently appearing in “Omusubi”, and LOVE PSYCHEDELICO, who brought a new breath of life to the Heisei rock scene, will make an extremely rare appearance.

There will be many covers, including famous songs by Hiroshima-born legends Eikichi Yazawa and Takuro Yoshida, Mariko Takahashi (the official spelling for “taka” is “Hadashidaka”), and unicorn Tamio Okuda.

The opening will be a special session by Hiroshima-born rock star Kiminori Sera and Takao Tajima. Kiminori Sera & Twist performed their debut song “Anata no Ballad”, and the venue immediately became a huge success.

CHEMISTRY sang Hiroshima-born Unicorn’s famous winter song “Yuki ga Furu Machi” and Hiroshima-born legend Takuro Yoshida’s “Ryusei” with their unique harmony, leaving the venue in a whirlwind of emotion.

Furthermore, Momoko Kikuchi’s special live performance celebrating her 40th anniversary will include the popular song “Yuki ni Kaita LOVE LETTER”, which is perfect for this season, and the debut of the legendary band La Mu, which is gaining popularity overseas amid the city pop boom in recent years. The song “Love is the Work of the Heart” was performed on TV for the first time in 35 years.

Memi Tamura, who plays the role of a Heisei era gal in the morning drama “Omusubi,” sings a hit song by Namie Amuro, the leading diva of the Heisei era.

LOVE PSYCHEDELICO then performed their blockbuster number “Last Smile” from their million-selling first album. Furthermore, at the end of the program, they performed the famous song “Imagine” by John Lennon, a song they respect and wish for peace from Hiroshima. The audience joined together for an emotional finale.

Program information

NHK“The Covers Fes.in Hiroshima ~Rock & Peace~”
12/21 (Sat) 21:00-22:29 *4K advance broadcast (BSP4K)
12/29 (Sun) 22:30-23:59 *Main broadcast (NHKBS)
*Public recording on November 28th (Thursday) at Fukuyama Arts and Culture Hall Reeden Rose

MC: Lily Franky Moka Kamishiraishi
Narrator: Takashi Nagazumi
Guest: Momoko Kikuchi, CHEMISTRY, Kiminori Sera, Takao Tajima (Original Love), Memi Tamura, LOVE PSYCHEDELICO (in alphabetical order)

[Hiroshima legend masterpiece]
Kiminori Sera with Takao Tajima “Your Ballad” (Kinori Sera & Twist)
Kiminori Sera “Wandering” (Tamio Okuda)
CHEMISTRY “Snowy Town” (Unicorn)
Memi Tamura “for you…” (Mariko Takahashi)

[Momoko Kikuchi Special LIVE]
Momoko Kikuchi “LOVE LETTER written in the snow”
Momoko Kikuchi “Love is the work of the heart” (La Mu)

[Famous songs from Fukuyama, the city of roses]
Takao Tajima “You are more beautiful than a rose” (Akira Fuse)

[Heisei masterpieces]
Memi Tamura “Don’t wanna cry” (Namie Amuro)
LOVE PSYCHEDELICO “Last Smile”

[Hiroshima rock legend masterpiece]
Kiminori Sera “Gunclaw” (Kinori Sera & Twist)
CHEMISTRY “Ryusei” (Takuro Yoshida)
Takao Tajima “I Love You, OK” (Eikichi Yazawa)

[From Hiroshima to the world/Famous song cover]
LOVE PSYCHEDELICO “Imagine” (John Lennon)

“The Covers” program site
https://www.nhk.jp/p/thecovers/ts/KXRV2Q744Y/