FEST. INAZUMA's Timetable Is Different from Previous Years

On August 31, the outdoor festival FEST. INAZUMA 2026, organized by Nishikawa Takanori formerly known as Inazuma Rock Fes, released its timetable.

MCZ will perform on the first day, Saturday, September 19. However, unlike in recent years, they will not close the Raijin Stage. Instead, they are scheduled to appear at 5:20 p.m. on the Fujin Stage. It was also revealed that T.M.Revolution will take the final slot on the Raijin Stage that day, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

MCZ has a long history with the festival. Since 2014, the group has appeared continuously through 2025, except for several years affected by a typhoon cancellation, non-participation, and the COVID-19 pandemic, when the event was held online.

When they first appeared in 2014, they served as the opening act. From then on, their presence became symbolic of an idol group taking the main stage at an outdoor rock festival.

The turning point came in 2019. MCZ was selected to close the Raijin Stage on DAY2, and Kanako revealed onstage that "Mr. Nishikawa personally sent us a letter asking if we would close the show." Their first appearance as the festival's final act became memorable, with the audience filled with Momonofus and Nishikawa making a surprise appearance during T.M.R.'s "Meteor."

During a backstage livestream in 2022, Shiori asked, "Why are we the closing act?" Kanako responded, "I think there is also a feeling that Mr. Nishikawa wants us to stand on our own." The group also laughed about how the offer, which had initially come in the form of a carefully written letter, had become "incredibly casual after three years." The episode reflected both the uncertainty of being entrusted with such a role and the trust placed in them.

MCZ went on to serve as the festival's final act five times through 2025. However, with the festival itself undergoing a rebranding and renewal this year, their performance slot has shifted.

Immediately after the timetable was released on August 31, timelines among Momonofus and festival regulars came alive.

"I thought Momoiro Clover Z would close Inazuma again this year, but they're second from last. That's a little early!!"

"The Inazuma timetable is out, and I'm surprised. MCZ isn't the closing act this year?"

"Could this be the first time since 2016 that Momoiro Clover Z has appeared at Inazuma in a slot other than the closing act?"