Japanese rock band SPYAIR is gearing up for their highly anticipated return to Europe with the SPYAIR Europe Tour 2026. Launching on October 30, the four-member ensemble—featuring vocalist YOSUKE, guitarist/programmer UZ, bassist MOMIKEN, and drummer KENTA—will perform across Vienna, Paris, Eindhoven, Frankfurt, London, and Milan. Marking their first European tour in eight years, the band has accompanied the milestone with the release of their compilation album BEST OF ANIME, featuring re-recorded classics alongside their newest track "Awake," the opening theme for The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System, now available on major streaming platforms.
The band members took time to reflect on the deep synergy between their music and Haruichi Furudate's volleyball epic Haikyu!!. Starting in 2014 with the inaugural opening theme "Imagination," SPYAIR produced landmark tracks like "I'm a Believer" and "One Day" before delivering "Orange" for the feature film Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle. The group considers this ongoing collaboration a fundamental pillar of their career longevity and international reach.
Haikyu!! Synergy and Anisong Heritage
According to UZ, the offer to compose "Orange" arrived during a critical turning point in 2023 when YOSUKE had just joined as the band's new lead vocalist. By weaving lyrical callbacks from their prior three Haikyu!! themes into the composition, "Orange" grew into SPYAIR's most-streamed track globally. MOMIKEN highlighted how their relationship with the anime franchise consistently helped the band navigate transitional periods, eventually opening doors for worldwide live performances.
Beyond their sports anime anthems and memorable contributions to Gintama, the band shared details regarding the creation of "Awake." Drawing inspiration from heavy rock festival lineups, UZ and KENTA crafted a fast-paced, sharp rhythmic structure, while YOSUKE incorporated aggressive screams to capture the intense narrative of their latest project.
