The Tokyo Live House experience comes to Canada: Next Music from Tokyo vol 18 Preview
My favorite thing to do on any of my trips to Japan is to check out shows in various parts of the country. Shimokitazawa, Koenji, Shibuya, Shinjuku, even Yokohama and beyond (heck, Teppen was officially launched after a night at Yokohama B.B.STREET). Japan, as a whole, has vibrant and diverse music scene with great music to be heard live every night. Replicating those vibes overseas is difficult. We’ve covered stuff like Japanese wrestling shows in the US and always felt they fell quite short of replicating the Japanese experience, which shows that even with a big budget, it’s hard to get everything right.
But the Next Music From Tokyo tour nails it. Instead of trying to westernize the experience, everything about it feels just like a Live House has been plucked from Shimokitazawa and plopped right down in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver, except for the shows ending a bit later than they would overseas. I attended Next Music From Tokyo vol. 16, which was an absolute joy. In previous versions of the tour, they had artists like Kinoko Teikoku, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, Hitsujibungaku, and Regallily (all Teppen favs). On the 16th edition, it was a fantastic combination of Hammer Head Shark, Sabanoomisony, Nikoん, Fallsheeps, and Koutei Camera Girl Vier.
Related Article: Check out our photos & thoughts on the 16th volume of Next Music from Tokyo.
The 17th edition, I missed due to covering the XPoNential Music Festival just outside of Philadelphia. However, the lineup was an exciting one, with rising stars Haku. topping the bill. Also on the bill were the amazing Carpenter’s Blue, Tattletale, and Banshimoku. A really neat lineup I was bummed to miss, with a band that already had quite an international following at the top.
And while it’s great to know artists ahead of time, part of the magic of these shows, both in Tokyo and Canada, is the musical discoveries you’ll make when there. Just like stumbling into Basement Bar in Shimokitazawa and being blown away by Uchudan, seeing Sabanoomisony in Toronto was a revelation. I’d overhear conversations of people who went in completely blind on the bands, saying they trusted the promoter, Steven. That’s the type of trust he’s built over 18 iterations of the tour, and always delivering. And when you read the names above, yeah, Next Music from Tokyo always delivers.
ハク。(Haku.)
The 18th edition does not appear to be an exception to that sentiment. It’s headlined once again by Haku. And deservingly so. For the uninitiated, their breakout is both atypical, but a sign of the times. You may have seen it, their cover of “Kamu kamo shikamo ni-domo kamo” by MONO NO AWARE was pretty much everywhere if your algorithm came anywhere near being influenced by either Japan or even just music in general. It’s easy to see why, four very talented young women playing a catchy tune, while lead singer Ai raps some Japanese tongue twisterwith incredible precision. In sweatpants.
However, a lot of their original music is incredibly personal for Ai, the lead singer, guitarist, and creative force behind the band. In an interview, Ai said,
“I often write about my own experiences. I’m the type of person who writes lyrics impulsively when something stirs my emotions deeply, regardless of whether the experience is positive or negative”
One of my favorite tracks by Haku. is “Looking through my subtle double eyelids“, which is an honest reminder to herself she is who she is, the ups and downs, and the importance to stay grounded and how a conversation with someone can turn into much more. “dedede” is another fantastic track, driven by an intricate and fast paced drumbeat from drummer Mayu. Especially paired with Kano’s bass line (and she always looks like she’s feelin’ every note.) Also, I just gotta shout out the track “Kaitenshitekarakangaeru“, which has this great start/stop section that’s gotta be killer live. I didn’t bring her up yet, but lead guitarist Nazuna adds so much to each track, balancing out and adding to what Ai is doing quite brilliantly.
The timing of NMFT is also huge for Haku. Their first major record will release on September 9th, just a few days before taking the stage in Toronto.
Connect with Haku.
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揺れるは幽霊 (yureruwayurei)
yureruwayurei, however, were the band that made attending this edition of the tour a priority over whatever else popped up that weekend. Their Youtube page is mostly live clips that are perfect examples why. This four-piece of Sako (guitar, vocals), Hidaka (guitar), Koryo (bass), and Juggler (drums) are not tobe missed.
The band themselves formed in 2024, and have already embarked on a sold out tour. Unlike Haku., there’s really no single viral moment to point to to explain their expansive growth. Their powerful music simply resonates with listeners, both in Japan and overseas. They first hit my ears on a random Japanese Shoegaze playlist with “fragment”, and how the hell could one not get hooked? Last year, they dropped mnemeoid, a brisk 16 minute, 5-track EP that starts out minimal (the song in the clip above), and explodes into a massive, glimmering shoegaze masterpiece. Last month, they dropped “from”, which is a killer gazer with mathy elements. A must see if you dig bands like Cephalo, kurayamisaka, and Kinoko Teikoku.
Connect with yureruwayurei
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SYAYOS
If there’s one thing we love here at Teppen, it’s the completely undefinable. And that’s exactly what the music of SYAYOS is. A little over a year ago, they released their first record, Anthem 1.1, and it’s a hell of a ride. The first track “Spaceboy” is a great introductory track, it’s a fairly straightforward rocker, but one that easily demands attention. “Sayonara baby” immediately follows with a sound that’s as folk as it is electronic. “Last Dance” is a distorted acoustic barnburner. And those are just the first three tracks.
It’s a mix of styles that translates incredibly well live. The band, of singer/guitarist Hina Suzuki, bassist Shohei Kinoshita, guitarist Zen, and drummer Makoto Shimodaira take all the intricate, disparate style and assemble them brilliantly. In live videos, SYAYOS controls the room with their energy, fast paced tracks, stuff to groove to, and big cathartic moments all can be experienced through their live show.
pudelhunds
pudelhunds are true up and comers in the scene in Japan. Just recently signing to Oaiko, a really neat record label with bands like tiny yawn, hitohira, Spit lulu’s and yureruwayurei. Their first release on the label, Imnotsureif, just dropped yesterday and it’s fantastic. It kicks off with some gorgeous, intricate guitar work and vocals, and works its way into some huge, huge loud moments. It’s a dynamic throughout the EP, especially on “halo-“, quiet, sometimes ethereal moments exploding into something much bigger.
Imnotsureif, as well as their first EP memorandum, are incredible examples of what this trio can do. Even if they don’t sound at all like a trio with how alluringly complex and massive their sound can be at times.
Yeah, a three piece makes all that noise. That’s just a testament to how talented Yuji Nakao (lead vocals, bass), Sota Nakano (guitar, vocals), and Daichi (drums) are. Their stuff hits a lot in a way like labelmates hitohira does, mathy and interesting guitar lines, with loud, intense moments of chaos destroying those precision moments. Can’t wait to hear those moments in a live environment.
Connect with pudelhunds:
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Next Music from Tokyo kicks off in Toronto on September 18th at Horseshoe Tavern. The second night in Toronto, on the 19th, is sold out. Then the tour moves on to Petit Campus in Montreal on the 21st, before closing with two nights in Vancouver at Wise Hall on the 23rd and 24th, with the show on the 24th being sold out.
Next Music From Tokyo vol. 18 Tour Dates & Tickets:
September 18, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern – Tickets
September 19, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern – SOLD OUT
September 21, 2026 – Montreal QC – Petit Campus – Tickets
September 23, 2026 – Vancouver, BC – The WISE Hall – Tickets
September 24, 2026 – Vancouver, BC – The WISE Hall – SOLD OUT
*tickets may be available at the door for the sold out shows.
Connect with Next Music from Tokyo:
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