stakra is a rock band through and through. Taking the powerful sonic palettes of modern J-rock and J-pop and hammering down these qualities into performances that will uncompromisingly energise the audience. The band brings steadfast rhythms, soaring vocals and bleeding guitars to the forefront of Sydney’s live scene, undoubtedly filtered through their own idiosyncratic attitude. Audiences can expect the group to play some of Japan’s biggest contemporary top 10 hits as well as some hard-hitting anime-adjacent favourites.
stakra was formed between friends during their study at UTS. The origin of which dates back to 450 Records’ Vanguard nights, where principal members Yugo Kimura, Leo Hwang and Edsel Jugado interchangeably performed their solo material while also accompanied by Alec Clark and Jonah Sailago. At Smash Con 2024, Hwang and Jugado performed various anime covers ranging from “Your Lie In April” to “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” under the moniker of Devil Akimbo. The duo’s subsequent invitation to perform at 2024 JAM Fest prompted the formation of stakra and plans to continue performing as a band well into the foreseeable future.