YouTube Audition Tournament 'Ongaku Shinka-ron' Begins Its Fourth Season With 10 Bands

YouTube audition tournament 'Ongaku Shinka-ron ~the battle~' starts its fourth season today. A teaser video is now live, with the first competitive block premiering on June 4.

The project received 1,779 applications from 1,632 acts for this season, its largest response to date. Ten bands were selected, including several familiar to listeners of OnlyHits Japan: the five-member rock band LBSTR, featuring members YO, Ian, Yuuki, and Hide; the five-piece Johnnivan; and the three-piece TORO.

The judging panel includes producer Seiji Kameda, drummer Pierre Nakano (of Ling Tosite Sigure), and internet personality Yukipoyo. Comedian Santa Monica hosts.

The winner receives a 1 million yen prize and a featured interview on the music news site Natalie. Both the winner and runner-up will get a day of studio time at the historic Onkio Haus recording studio in Tokyo's Ginza district, which is providing production support as a special prize.

The full list of ten participating acts, with links to their YouTube channels, is below. The main tournament videos will be released on the Ongaku Shinka-ron YouTube channel.

Participating Artists

LBSTR: Five-member rock band formed in 2025. YouTube.

TORO: Three-piece alternative rock band formed in 2023. YouTube.

Jinchiku Randan: Four-member "intensely smelly" girls' punk band. YouTube.

II Rara: Four-piece band where vocalist Risa Suzuki transitioned from drummer due to dystonia. YouTube.

Johnnivan: Five-piece rock band formed in 2018. YouTube.

SSHY The SSHY: Four-piece rock band formed by Tama Art University graduates. YouTube.

Noppera: Three-piece band centered on the unique vocals of Komitagi Momiji. YouTube.

Gamigami: Four-member rock band known for raw, impulsive performances. YouTube.

Oso Russian Revolution: Currently a solo project by Desumeido Onishi, who handles all aspects of production. YouTube.

DIRTY FOUR EYES: Five-piece band blending rock, electronic, funk, and soul. YouTube.

Source: PR Times via 株式会社ナターシャ