HOT MILK join MAN WITH A MISSION for surprise collaboration

MAN WITH A MISSION
MARK 15TH ANNIVERSARY WITH SURPRISE COLLABORATION WITH HOT MILK AT SUMMER SONIC 2025 OSAKA

XV EP ACROSS THE GLOBE
VINYL AND CD OUT SEPTEMBER 19^TH
via Sony Music Japan/Century Media Records
PRE-ORDER HERE

UK & EUROPEAN
HOWLING ACROSS THE WORLD
HEADLINE TOUR STARTS OCTOBER 2025

Celebrating their 15th anniversary, Japanese superstars MAN WITH A MISSION closed the MOUNTAIN STAGE at SUMMER SONIC 2025 in Osaka with a powerful set that culminated in a surprise collaboration with Manchester’s own HOT MILK.

SUMMER SONIC, one of Japan’s most prestigious music festivals, welcomed global headliners FALL OUT BOY and ALICIA KEYS this year. Although performing only at the Osaka edition, MAN WITH A MISSION drew a vast crowd before their set, the audience gathered in anticipation beneath the stage’s iconic wolf statues.

The band delivered a setlist blending fan favourites with recent releases, showcasing their trademark energy. A rare acoustic rendition of ‘Dead End in Tokyo’ — co-written with FALL OUT BOY’s Patrick Stump, who was headlining the opposite stage — added a unique moment of reflection before the evening’s climax.

Midway through the performance, Jean-Ken Johnny introduced special guests Han and Jim from HOT MILK. Together, the expanded line-up launched into a blistering cover of AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’. The unannounced collaboration between the Japanese wolves and the Manchester power-pop outfit sent the arena into raptures, embodying the spirit of SUMMER SONIC as a space where East meets West in unforgettable ways.

The appearance also carried a deeper resonance. Han had supported MAN WITH A MISSION as a promoter during their early UK tours, while Jim had once attended one of their shows in Britain. Their reunion on stage, years later, marked a full-circle moment for both bands and a highlight of SUMMER SONIC 2025.

MAN WITH A MISSION have announced a brand new vinyl and CD release titled XV EP Across The Globe, out September 19^th via Sony Music Japan/Century Media Records. The new international physical releases follow the digital release of the XV EP in March 2025 which commemorated the 15^th anniversary of MAN WITH A MISSION. Exclusive for Europe and the UK, XV EP Across The Globe will feature a unique tracklist for both the vinyl and CD editions.

The CD will include two previously unreleased bonus tracks: never-before-heard live recordings of ‘REACHING FOR THE SKY’ and ‘Vertigo’. The songs were recorded on their latest arena tour in Japan named the PLAY WHAT YOU WANT TOUR which journeyed across their homeland in February. The band have released the video for ‘REACHING FOR THE SKY’ live from this tour recorded at the K-Arena Yokohama. Watch it here.

The XV EP Across The Globe LP will be available on transparent magenta vinyl and features eight tracks pressed to vinyl for the first time as a UK and European exclusive. These include ‘REACHING FOR THE SKY’ and ‘Vertigo’ as well as the uplifting ‘Circles’ and touching rock ballad ‘whispers of the fake’. On the flip side it includes four songs from the band’s show at Pabellón Oeste del Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City in 2024 on the ‘Kizuna no Kiseki’ world tour.

Both formats of XV EP Across The Globe are available to pre-order now here.

The half-man, half-wolf collective will be bringing their feral live shows to the UK and Europe this autumn for the HOWLING ACROSS THE WORLD tour. The tour starts with three UK shows, kicking off at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire on October 2^nd, they will then play Manchester O2 Ritz (3^rd) and Birmingham XOYO (5^th) before heading off across Europe for 10 dates. Tickets are available to purchase now here.