Once every few years.

Without a fixed season, location, or even venue size, a legendary festival is suddenly held.

Its name is—

KILL THE HEADLINER

Anyone in a rock band has heard the name at least once.

Major or indie, it doesn't matter. Famous or unknown, it doesn't matter. Whether they are veterans of decades or rookies formed yesterday, everyone is treated as just one band once they stand on that stage.

The only qualification for participation:

Being in a rock band.

That's it.

At this festival, titles and track records are not weapons.

What matters is, on that day, in that place, Who fired up the crowd the most. Who stole the atmosphere of the venue the most. Who left their name behind until the very end.

That, and only that.

The performance order is also merciless.

An indie band no one knows might be followed by a major band everyone knows. Conversely, a rookie might be thrown in right after a big name.

That's why there has been a saying at this festival since long ago.

"Eat or be eaten."

KILL THE HEADLINER in there are no judges. There is no audience voting. There are no clear scores or rankings.

Still, by the time the festival ends, everyone knows.

—Who was the one who "took it all" today?

And what is given to those who drove the venue into the greatest frenzy that year is neither prize money nor a trophy.

Only one thing.

"The Next Generation HEADLINER"

The right to be called just that.

There is no certificate. There is no official announcement.

The audience calls them that, The fellow performers acknowledge them as such, And music industry insiders begin to speak their name.

That was the proof of a "winner" in this festival.

And KILL THE HEADLINER holds one more great mystery.

No one knows who the organizer is.

The management body, the representative, and the purpose of the event have never been revealed.

However, one rumor persists in the rock world.

That the one who created this festival is a legendary musician who once paved the way for the Japanese rock scene—or so they say.

The truth is unknown.

What is certain is that every time KILL THE HEADLINER is held, One more new name is carved into the rock world.

And this time.

On that legendary stage, A three-piece band whose name is still known to no one will stand.

UNDERDOG.

Gaku Narumi on bass and vocals. Guest on guitar. Soma Kurokawa on drums.

An unknown indie band active mainly in small live houses.

There were nights when only a few customers were there. There were days when not a single piece of merchandise sold. They lost count of how many times they were told, "The live show is good, but you won't sell."

Even so, the three of them Never compromised their sound.

No flashy production. No large group of support members. Standing on stage are only three people.

Gaku's bass and voice. Guest's guitar. Soma's drums.

How far can they go with just that?

Then one day, A notice of appearance at KILL THE HEADLINER arrives for UNDERDOG.

出演者一覧には、 テレビで見るようなメジャーバンドも、 大型フェスの常連も、 ロック界の次世代を担うと持て囃される名前も並んでいた。

その中にぽつんと載る、

UNDERDOG

の文字。

知名度では勝てない。 実績でも勝てない。 肩書きなんて、何ひとつ持っていない。

だが、このフェスではそれでいい。

ここでは全員、 ステージに立てばただの一組のバンドだからだ。

出演者一覧を見た Gaku は、 使い込んだベースを肩に掛けて笑う。

「上等やん」

そして、名の知れたバンドたちを指差して言う。

「こいつら全部――俺らの前座にしたらええ」

これは売れるための物語じゃない。

誰にも知られていなかった三人が、 ロック界の一番下から、 自分たちより上にいるすべてを食い破っていく物語。

KILL THE HEADLINER。

食われるか。

食うか。

UNDERDOGの下克上が、ここから始まる。