Japanese Breakfast (with Luna Li) at the Neptune Theatre – 9/26/21
By Lisa Hagen Glynn
Japanese Breakfast returned to the Seattle area for three sold-out nights at the Neptune Theatre. The shoegaze-inspired indie-rock band had played the inaugural THING festival in Port Townsend in 2019.
The tour supports their critically acclaimed 2021 album, Jubilee. The record is one of many exceptional accomplishments this year for front woman Michelle Zauner: She also released a New York Times bestselling book, a major video-game soundtrack, and a self-directed music video.
Japanese Breakfast’s set included most of Jubilee, some favorites from Psychopomp (2016)and Soft Sounds from Another Planet (2017), and even Zauner’s video-game single “Glider.” Zauner switched between vocals, guitar, keys, and a gong.
Emerging Toronto artist Luna Li opened with a set of dreamy rock, and introduced her new butterfly guitar. Li, like Zauner, identifies as half-Korean. She paused to acknowledge the importance of representation onstage.
Japanese Breakfast continues their U.S. tour through November. A European tour is scheduled for spring 2022.
Japanese Breakfast – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn
Luna Li – all photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn
Japanese Breakfast Marquee – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn
Japanese Breakfast Setlist – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn
