Haru Nemuri on Her First U.S. Tour as an Independent Artist

9/12/2025 - The Roxy Theater - Los Angeles, California.

BAKU ODORI, printed boldly on her merch shirt, is a Japanese phrase that means “explosively dance” and that is exactly what Haru Nemuri 春ねむり did.

She came to Los Angeles and the legendary Roxy Theater for the first stop of her newest album tour, ekkolaptómenos.

This was her first tour as an independent artist, and while the turnout was uncertain, die-hard fans and curious newcomers alike showed up. Fans lined up early for meet-and-greet access and to be front and center for her set.

When the lights dimmed, the crowd erupted, the energy shaking through the theater. Haru appeared in light pink, framed by atmospheric, dim lighting and bursts of strobe. She began to dance—dance weird, but in perfect harmony with the music. Speaking to the crowd, she described her new album as more pop-influenced than her previous work, then launched into “Supernova” from ekkolaptómenos.

Her stance against rigid social structures feels deeply punk: a belief in choice and the freedom to do what you want. She encouraged everyone to “dance however you want” dance weird. At times she stepped into the crowd, where fans sang along to her Japanese lyrics and even carried her in a moment of crowd surfing.

Haru Nemuri’s music is art rock, rap, spoken word, post-hardcore, electronica. It’s a mouthful, but she resists being boxed in, extending beyond genres. She spoke of free will, explaining that even within rules there is choice. Her message was clear: it’s important to be yourself.

Haru Nemuri has gained a new fan in me, and I’ll be ready with my own dance moves the next time she comes to town, once her visa is renewed.