Band-Maid

Band-Maid formed in Tokyo in 2013 at the instigation of Miku Kobato, who had worked in a maid café and wanted to set the costume against music that contradicted it. The band plays hard rock with progressive and power-pop leanings — dense riffing from guitarist Kanami, busy bass from Misa, and a two-vocalist arrangement pairing Kobato with Saiki Atsumi. They refer to their concerts as "servings" and their audience as masters and princesses, maintaining the café framing while playing material that leans heavily on instrumental technique. The group has toured internationally and built much of its overseas following through online video.