Queen fans in Japan will be blessed with an opportunity to enjoy the legendary rock band’s hit numbers set to a grand display of thousands of fireworks lighting up the sky in November.
With the long-running hit of the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody and the upcoming Queen + Adam Lambert tour set for 2020, the band’s popularity is soaring in Japan.
Queen Super Fireworks: Yozora no Rhapsody will feature 13,000 fireworks synchronized to the band’s iconic catalog, a mesmerizing hour-long extravaganza to be held for the first time in the world.
Queen has given its nod of approval for the use of its music in this endeavor, with original members Brian May and Roger Taylor sharing their excitement in a statement.
“Japan is a special place for Queen,” May said. “We are very excited to hear that the Japanese traditional fireworks will light up the sky with our music. In 2020, we will be coming back to Japan for a tour, so it’s great that there are many opportunities for the fans to enjoy our music. I wish I can be there to see it!”
Taylor reminisced about the band’s first encounter with the country long ago: “Japan was one of the first countries to welcome us,” he said. “I was very surprised to see the reactions of the fans when I first came to Japan. It was almost like a firework. It’s been 50 years since then, and it’s great that there is a firework event with Queen’s music. Hope you enjoy the Queen fireworks this year and our tour next year!”
Queen Super Fireworks will be produced by the team led by fireworks choreographer Ryo Ohya, a pioneering pyrotechnician specializing in long displays of fireworks seamlessly set to music. He has designed numerous events across the country, including the 2019 Kyoto Geijutsu Hanabi (Artistic Fireworks) in May commemorating Emperor Naruhito’s accession to the throne. His breathtaking displays have drawn a total of 370,000 spectators to date.
Queen Super Fireworks: Yozora no Rhapsody is set for Nov. 3 in Osaka; Nov. 16 in Urayasu, Chiba; and Nov. 30 in Miyazaki, Japan.