BIGYUKI wrapped up a two-city Japan tour with New York-based guitarist Randy Runyon and drummer Jharis Yokley, bringing heavy, experimental sounds to venues in Osaka and Tokyo last week. The trio showcased a direction that contrasts sharply with BIGYUKI's recent solo piano work.

The Tokyo show at Shibuya Club Quattro opened with the crushing weight of "When the Sun is dark," immediately establishing the project's aesthetic: complex polyrhythmic drumming layered with reverb-heavy guitar textures and synth bass. The contrast was intentional. BIGYUKI explained that while his mini-album "John Connor" (released just before the tour) was introspective piano work created in isolation, performing with Runyon and Yokley flips that energy outward—transforming private compositions into collaborative, band-driven expressions.

The setlist drew from across BIGYUKI's catalog while emphasizing the trio's fresh chemistry. Tracks like "Nunu" (from his debut "Reaching For Chiron") received entirely new arrangements, showcasing how drastically the same song can transform in a live ensemble context. A highlight came during "Watermelon Juice," where BIGYUKI wove in vocals from his collaboration with 新しい学校のリーダーズ (Leaders of the New School), "Free Yourself," adding an unexpected layer to the performance.

The night's biggest revelation came via "Harvey Dent," a new track from the album currently 90% complete. BIGYUKI revealed that he, Runyon, and Yokley have been working together on this project, which should be shared publicly soon. The track showcased their signature sound: intricate drum-and-bass-inspired rhythms paired with chopped vocal samples and distinctly cool, urban production.

The encore brought a curveball: a cover of Flying Lotus's "Putty Boy Strut." Rather than a straightforward interpretation, the trio treated it as a live session, with Yokley establishing rhythm through hand percussion while Runyon and BIGYUKI built atmospheric layers on top. The audience-drummer interaction gave the cover a celebratory, improvisational feel that capped off a night balancing technical precision with spontaneous energy.