Music Industry News

Local Otautahi teen band HOMESICKK? have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in Japan. Members of this young band Grace Wakefield (19 yrs), Kash Perry (16 yrs), Luci Willmott-Dalton (16 yrs) and Asay Ujihara (17 yrs) have been invited to play at the 10th annual Shimane Jett Festival in Shimane, Japan on the 10th and 11th of October as well two additional shows in Tokyo (7th of October) and Osaka (8th of October).

The opportunity arose after the band opened for the renowned Japanese garage punk band, Guitar Wolf, on their Christchurch stop of their New Zealand/Australia tour back in March 2026. Every year Seiji invites two international bands to perform at Shimane Jett Fes. This year, HOMESICKK? are one of the lucky invitees.

Lead singer of Guitar Wolf, Seiji, said he was “Very impressed by the young talent in the band and especially impacted by the high-energy and emotion they put into their show, as well as their songwriting.”, adding on he said, “I had a feeling there is something special about this band.”

HOMESICKK? only formed in October 2025 and have quickly made an impact on the local music scene, performing sold out shows at Space Academy, Darkroom, Dux Central, and Wunderbar. They have made a name for themselves having extremely high energy, tight, and fun live performances playing their melody heavy, emo inspired music.

With two members, Grace (Vocals), who works in hospitality and Asay (Drums), having recently started a hairdressing apprenticeship, both in the workforce. While Kash (Guitar, Vocals) and Luci (Bass) are both Year 12 students still at High School (Shirley Boys & Hagley College), they meet on weekends at their drummer Asay’s house to practice in his lounge.

All members have been playing music for a number of years, Grace started learning how to sing at 8 years old, being a part of her school choir. Kash taught himself how to play Guitar in 2019 and singing in 2021. Luci started learning bass at 8 years old in 2018 while at primary school, and Asay started learning drums back in 2020.

Getting HOMESICKK? to Japan is going to cost in the region of $20,000 to cover flights, accommodation, transportation, as well as recording. Fundraising is currently underway with a quiz night booked for the 29th of June, as well as two fundraising gigs at Space Academy on the 1st of August. The first being an all ages show starting at 1:30pm with support from local greats Saint Peter’s Thursday, Tealskie, and Face First. The second show is an R18 on the same day starting at 8pm with support from Saint Peter’s Thursday and big influence on the group, This Dog. Tickets for both shows will be available at Under The Radar, and will help fund the band’s goal.
An online donation page has been started on the crowdfunding website BOOSTED, so people who aren’t able to attend these events can help boost them from afar. The BOOSTED campaign will be available from June 19th – July 19th with the price goal of $10,000. More info on their fundraising efforts and events can be found on their Instagram.

BOOSTED PAGE: https://www.thearts.co.nz/boosted/projects/nz-teens-invited-to-play-in-japan

Asay’s dad, Tom Ujihara, will accompany them as their manager. Tom was born and raised in Kochi, Japan, he is the perfect person to guide the young band, knowing the country and being a fluent Japanese speaker.

HOMESICKK? will not be the first Kiwi band to play Shimane Jett Fes. Back in 2024 The D4 played the festival after Seiji invited them after their New Zealand shows together in 2023. The D4 and Guitar Wolf have a long history with one another, so being able to play at Seiji’s Festival was a huge honor to them.

HOMESICKK?’s singer, Grace Wakefield went on to contact members of The D4 seeking advice and their experience of the festival. Jimmy Christmas of The D4 said, “If Seiji calls, you should go! Haha seriously though yes it would be AMAZING and you will love it and it will be life changing I think. Do it!”

Shimane Jett Fes (Shimane JETT Festival) is an annual, high-energy rock festival held in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, hosted by Seiji from the renowned punk band Guitar Wolf. It features garage rock, punk, and alternative bands performing on an open-air stage at Oka Kososhi Park, a site known for its 1,600-year-old burial mounds (Kofun).

Seiji created the music festival in his home town ten years ago to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Guitar Wolf being in a band. This makes this year really special, with not only celebrating Guitar Wolf’s 40th anniversary, but also the tenth anniversary of Shimane Jett Fes, making this opportunity even more exciting to the young NZ band.

Check out all things HOMESICKK? below:
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