Japan’s music industry sends Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Otoboke Beaver, and Hitsujibungaku to London for matsuri ’26

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Otoboke Beaver, and Hitsujibungaku will perform together at London’s Outernet Live this December, as matsuri ’26: Japanese Music Experience LONDON makes its European debut.

The one-night showcase brings together three contrasting sides of Japan’s music scene, spanning Harajuku-inspired J-pop, alternative rock, and Kyoto punk. It forms part of MUSIC WAY PROJECT, a joint initiative between the Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA), organiser of MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, and Toyota Group, aimed at expanding Japanese music’s international reach.

Hitsujibungaku

Hitsujibungaku return to London just over a year after closing their first European tour with a sold-out show at O2 Academy Islington. The alternative rock band played seven cities on that October 2025 tour, which came just three months after their UK debut at HYPER JAPAN.

Their international growth has been driven partly by anime, with ‘more than words’, the ending theme for the Shibuya Incident arc of Jujutsu Kaisen, surpassing 200 million streams worldwide. The band also won Best Alternative Song for ‘Koe’ (‘Voice’) at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026, alongside their second consecutive Best Alternative Artist award.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu returns to London after performing at MARGINS UNITED in September 2025, two months after she resumed live shows following the birth of her first child. Since her 2011 debut, the J-pop star has established herself as one of Japan’s most recognisable international performers, completing five world tours and closing Coachella’s Gobi stage across both weekends in 2022. She also featured alongside Charli xcx on Yasutaka Nakata’s 2017 single ‘Crazy Crazy’.

Speaking about the upcoming performance, Kyary said:

“I’m so excited to be performing in London again for the first time in a year! I’m especially looking forward to sharing the stage this time with such a wonderfully diverse group of Japanese female artists, each with their own unique character and style. I’ll give it everything I’ve got to share the magic of Japanese music with everyone in London!”

Otoboke Beaver

Otoboke Beaver, meanwhile, return to the capital six months after headlining London’s Electric Ballroom in June. The Kyoto punk quartet played the show days before supporting Foo Fighters at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium, the last of their six UK and European dates on the Take Cover tour.

Their chaotic live shows have also taken them to Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza. In April 2026, they released the three-track maxi-single ‘Is The New Album Out Yet?’, featuring the final recordings of departing drummer Kahokiss, before welcoming Leo (Emi), formerly of Shonen Knife, into the line-up.

Otoboke Beaver said:

“Hello! We’re OTOBOKE BEAVER from Japan! We’re honoured and excited to be asked to play matsuri LONDON. We’re travelling all the way to London especially for this event, and we look forward to seeing everyone there. See you under the mirror ball!”

London was first named as a future host city during the inaugural matsuri ’25: Japanese Music Experience LOS ANGELES in March 2025, where Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, and YOASOBI played to a sold-out Peacock Theater.

An Asian debut is also set for Bangkok on February 13th 2027, celebrating 140 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand. LiSA, milet, and AiNA THE END will perform at UOB LIVE, joined by special guests SU-METAL of BABYMETAL and Thai pop-rock band POTATO.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has selected the project for support under IP360, its content industry funding programme, which works towards the government’s target of ¥20 trillion in overseas content sales by 2033. On the same day as the concert, CEIPA and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will co-host tsudoi, a separate industry mixer, with further details yet to be announced. CHORUS, a new platform taking Asian music to international audiences, is handling planning and production for the London show alongside Live Nation.

Tickets for matsuri ’26 London

matsuri ’26: Japanese Music Experience LONDON takes place at Outernet Live, near Tottenham Court Road station in central London, on Monday, December 14th 2026. Doors open at 7:00 PM.

Tickets will be released in three stages, with an O2 presale opening at 10:00 AM GMT on November 4th, followed by a Live Nation presale at 10:00 AM GMT on November 5th.

General sale opens at 10:00 AM GMT on Friday, November 6th.