Japanese heavy metal band Lovebites announced through their label Victor Entertainment that Lovebites live performances will pause for the entire year of 2027. The five-member group confirmed the decision on Friday, October 9, 2026, explaining that the time away from the stage isn’t a breakup or a permanent shutdown. While concerts will cease for twelve months, songwriting and creative recordings will continue as the members prepare a return to the stage in 2028 [2].
Pausing Lovebites Live Performances for 2027
The band published the decision in a dual Japanese and English statement titled “A Message From LOVEBITES” on October 9 at 18:00 through Victor Entertainment. Victor Entertainment issued the statement online. That message drew a clear distinction between pausing live concerts and halting studio songwriting, confirming that work on brand-new tracks will carry on without interruption while official channels keep fans updated on recording sessions and upcoming releases [2].
Lovebites features vocalist Asami, guitarist Midori, guitarist and keyboard player Miyako, drummer Haruna, and bassist Fami. They launched in Tokyo in 2016. Together they built an enthusiastic overseas audience after providing an anime opening theme song for Vladlove, with the musicians explaining that taking time away from long flights gives them much-needed headspace to write and record rather than exhaust themselves on tour buses [1].
Napalm Records handles foreign distribution. Taking a full calendar year away from concert touring isn’t standard practice for a power metal act with fresh studio albums in stores, but the musicians deliberately chose not to cite medical trouble or backstage disputes. Instead, the group framed the break as necessary artistic maintenance, assuring supporters that new audio projects will arrive throughout the pause [3].
Tenth Anniversary and the Nippon Budokan Debut
The 2027 pause follows a packed tenth-anniversary calendar. Support bassist miho originally moved to launch a brand-new metal project in 2015 by teaming up with former DESTROSE drummer Haruna, leading to the official birth of Lovebites in 2016. The group released their fifth studio album, OUTSTANDING POWER, on February 18, 2026, arriving three years after their fourth full-length record Judgement Day from 2023 [6].
On March 29, 2026, Lovebites fulfilled a long-held dream by headlining their first concert at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan arena under the banner LIVE AT BUDOKAN. Victor Entertainment first announced the arena booking on March 13, 2025, opening a lottery ticket pre-sale exclusively for official fan club members that concluded on March 25, 2025. Doors opened at 16:00 JST before the performance started at 17:00 JST, welcoming fans with general admission tickets priced at 9,500 yen and youth discount tickets at 3,900 yen. The group later marked the record’s success with a special 12-inch double-LP vinyl pressing on August 12, 2026, featuring custom liner notes written by rock journalist Masanori Ito [5].
The band thanked their listeners worldwide. “Being able to sprint through this incredible year at full throttle was entirely thanks to the support of all our fans. Thank you so very much,” the band said in their message to listeners. Delivering a sold-out headline show at Nippon Budokan proved that an all-female Japanese heavy metal act could triumphantly conquer one of the country’s most legendary concert spaces [4].
Solo Music and Stage Activities
The individual members won’t be sitting idle during the break. Several musicians have already scheduled independent public appearances and artistic side ventures in Tokyo. Bassist Fami, who helped reshape the group’s lower-end drive after joining ahead of the 2024 mini-album LOVEBITES EP II, will headline a solo release show at Shibuya Stream Hall on October 31, 2026, celebrating her solo EP titled Hakoniwa [2].
Guitarist Midori booked an appearance at Club Citta’ on December 20, 2026, bringing her virtuosic solo technique to a special live event for local rock enthusiasts. Miyako took on theater acting. Meanwhile, guitarist and keyboard player Miyako expanded her creative portfolio into stage acting after joining the cast of WORLD ENDER ~fate of W/B~, an ambitious theater play that Victor Entertainment announced on August 27, 2026. It’s an opportunity for each musician to explore distinct artistic directions while group tours stay suspended [2].
In related Japanese entertainment scheduling, reporting on the i☆Ris idol unit disbandment at the end of 2027 also outlined a long-term transition away from group performance commitments. For Lovebites, individual pursuits offer creative variety without dismantling the band’s core foundation. The members will keep sharing updates about these independent activities on their social feeds so listeners can stay connected during the live performance pause [2].
How Lovebites Stage Shows Resume in 2028
Taking 2027 off is an intermission rather than a quiet exit. In their dual-language announcement, the musicians promised that Lovebites stage shows will resume in 2028 with even greater energy than previous tours. The group plans to spend the coming months writing fresh material so that when they step back under the stage lights, they have an entire arsenal of heavy tracks ready to unleash [4].
The band spoke directly to their global fanbase. “In 2028, we look forward from the bottom of our hearts to sharing an even more intense, incredible space and moment of live performance with fans all around the world. We hope everyone will look forward to that day just as much as we do,” the members said. That statement shows the quintet views this break as an investment in career longevity rather than a permanent retirement [4].
Long tours across multiple continents demand disciplined pacing. Having toured across Europe, the United Kingdom, and Asia during their tenth year, the musicians know that stepping away from the spotlight often prevents creative burnout down the line. That’s why setting an explicit return date for 2028 gives listeners a clear horizon to anticipate [3].
Remaining 2026 Concerts and Festival Dates
The 2026 concert schedule still has dates left. Lovebites will appear on October 24, 2026 at Pia Arena MM for the opening day of FULL METAL JAPAN 2026 POWERED BY WACKEN. The heavy metal showcase places the quintet on a high-profile bill sharing the stage with legendary international acts including Michael Schenker Group, Stratovarius, and Vandenberg [2].
That arena festival caps a busy year of touring. The band took their music overseas to Germany for Wacken Open Air 2026 as part of their European tour, before launching the Japanese leg from Zepp Fukuoka on August 29 through Zepp Haneda in Tokyo on September 26. Just days before issuing their hiatus statement, the band completed OUTSTANDING TOUR – SEA 2026 with shows in Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur between October 2 and October 4 [2].
Studio tracking will soon replace tour buses. The musicians haven’t stopped writing songs, and taking a step back from travel schedules gives them the space they need to compose, practice, and recharge their creative batteries. While the stages will stay quiet in 2027, Lovebites live concerts will return in 2028 with fresh songs and renewed fire [2].
- ONLINE NEWS Anime News Network. (2026, October 12). Heavy Metal Band Lovebites Suspend Live Performances for 2027. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS TAKA. (2026, October 9). LOVEBITES Will Take 2027 Off From Live Performances — New Music Continues, and the Stage Returns in 2028. METAL BOOST. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Hendriks, L. (2026, October 10). Lovebites Will Not Play Live at All in 2027. KaosMetal. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Gekirock Editorial Department. (2026, October 9). LOVEBITES Announce One-Year Hiatus from Live Activities in 2027; Songwriting and Solo Activities to Continue. Gekirock. [Article Link]
- PRESS RELEASE Victor Entertainment. (2025, March 13). LOVEBITES: First Nippon Budokan Show Set for March 2026. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE HMV&BOOKS online. (2021, November 2). LOVEBITES EP II Product Archive and Band Profile. [Article Link]
