Cephalo’s ‘Gloaming Point’ film screening and live show thoughts
Note: I attended this show on a bit of a whim, so I was not able to shoot the show with a camera or secure a low entry number, but the show was so impactful, I felt compelled to share my thoughts and feelings.
cephalo’s Fluorite Code is an example of exactly why I wanted to list our favorite things in 2025, rather than our favorite things from 2025. A small difference can mean so much, but for an album released at the end of December of 2024, how could we possibly give it the time needed to grow, to be lived in, within just a handful of days. In 2025, they also released a fantastic EP, ‘Gloaming Point’. Both releases are on repeat for me.
So, catching cephalo was so special. Not just hearing those songs live, but it was the celebration of a band that has finally found their place. A big show at WWW in Shibuya is big news. Even bigger, the first 30 minutes of the show was dedicated to the screening of a short film, their music the backbone of its most intense, emotional moments. The film, starring Oto Gojou and Rinya Okuma is so fitting for cephalo’s cinematic brand of shoegaze. The film itself was beautiful, and haunting. Its acting was on point, and it was so, so human. I hope one day it will be available to the general public to see. For now, their music video for “Vapor Road” is a bit of a cut-down version of the film.
The biggest point for cephalo, was that this was their first “one-man” show. In the west, we call those “an evening with”. It reminded me of seeing The National premiere I am Easy to Find at the Beacon Theatre in quite a few ways. Powerful screening of a short film, followed immediately by a raw, live performance of the music that fueled it. To be at this point after forming in 2023 is kind of incredible.
Then they ripped into their set. Beautiful, intense at times. Fuki is a captivating frontperson, her voice ranges from heavenly, to a jarring roar. Hearing the delicate sounds of their biggest song “Route 225” was incredible. Then there was “Sylvan Siren” where guitar roared as Fuki’s voice cut right through it.
There was a moment where they poured out their hearts into why the night was special for them. While I couldn’t understand every word, I absolutely understood the intense emotion guitarist Omae conveyed as he took a turn talking. Holding back sniffles, until it all overcame him. A realization of the momentous occasion for the band.
However, if I had to pick a moment where I felt completely immersed in their universe, it was during their encore. Fuki came out and performed one song solo, then the band came out and played a long, jammed out version of “unnamed planet” that just, ugh, hit me right in the heart. The show came to a close as Omae left his guitar center stage and walked off, as the band played the song out. Intense.
Once the final notes rang out and the house lights came up, Manami Kakudo‘s “朝が夜を照らしている” played in the venue. A moment of quiet beauty after such an intense close – even the pre and post show playlist was curated brilliantly, and you can see the playlist here.
An incredible night full of art, with one of Japan’s best bands.
Connect with cephalo: insta / x
