London’s biggest Japanese pop-culture celebration HYPER JAPAN is back with one of the year’s biggest Japanese music showcases.
Since the start of this now twice annual event in 2010, HYPER JAPAN has been bringing some of the latest in new and traditional sounds out of Japan to the UK stage. From hardcore techno infused chiptune to chill shamisen, this year’s line-up looks to be as varied as the last. Here are just four of our top picks for this year’s event.
TORIENA
Chiptune artist TORIENA has been making waves in the chiptune scene since her breakout music video Pulse Fighter in 2014.
Co-founder of Japan’s first chiptune label MADMILKY RECORDS, TORIENA has four albums under her belt, with her 2016 LP FAKEBIT being her first release with vocal tracks. Her high-energy performances featuring her own brand of 8-bit infused hardcore techno will make for one of the most buzzing sets of the event.
TORIENA
POP NEGA POP
Release Date: 11/09/2016
Label: MADMILKY RECORDS
Get at: Bandcamp
REOL
Combining rap and electronic elements along with some seriously cool visuals, REOL are the next big thing in the new wave of alternative artists coming out of Japan. Officially forming in 2016, the band have already amassed over 10 million views on YouTube with their first 3 singles alone. Their debut LP Σ (SIGMA) even reached a high of 8th place in the Oricon album charts upon release.
REOL
Sigma
Release Date: 19/10/2016
Label: TOY’S FACTORY
Get at: CDJapan | iTunes
THE SIXTH LIE
EDM and rock fusion group THE SIXTH LIE will be making their first appearance outside of Japan at the event. Forming back in 2015 the band have already made a big name for themselves, even being chosen to perform at KNOTFEST 2016. The band’s influences range from L’Arc-en-Ciel, and Ling Tosite Sigure, to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Eminem.
THE SIXTH LIE
DIFFERENTIAL
Release Date: 25/01/2017
Label: audio AVANT-GARDE
Get at: CDJapan | iTunes
SHIN
Ex-ViViD vocalist SHIN makes his international solo debut in London! Despite only going solo just a year ago, SHIN has built a strong fanbase. SHIN will be joining fellow HJ performers THE SIXTH LIE on a 6 date European tour, starting at HYPER JAPAN on Friday 14th July, finishing up in Hamburg on Friday 21st July.
HYPER JAPAN kicks off on July 14th at London’s Tobacco Docks, and more artists are still to be announced. Check out hyperjapan.co.uk for more updates.
LINKS:
– HYPER JAPAN | Official Website
– Facebook
– Twitter