Held at one of Osaka’s newest arts spaces, VS in Grand Green Osaka, Nippachi Festival brings together music and moving image to create an immersive audiovisual experience. The event makes full use of VS’s soaring 15-metre-high interior, designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, as well as its state-of-the-art acoustics engineered by Hiroyasu Sato, a successor to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s sonic vision.
The daytime programme kicks off at 11am with talk sessions and workshops, giving attendees the chance to engage directly with the artists and explore their music, art and creative processes.
Performances begin at 4pm, with audiovisual and improvisational live acts that merge sound, visuals and physical expressions. The evening continues with a roster of DJs to showcase the venue’s ultra-high-definition sound system.
The festival features an impressive line-up of artists active in Japan and abroad, including Daito Manabe (known for collaborations with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Björk), Berlin-based guitarist and soundtrack composer Takeshi Nishimoto, and tap dancer Saro, who has performed at major festivals such as Fuji Rock.
Behind the decks are drum and bass specialist Aya, rising Tokyo artist comm, and Mixmag’s 2024 Producer of the Year, Fetus, among other acclaimed DJs and VJs.
One distinctive feature of the Nippachi Festival is that attendees get to support their favourite artists directly by giving them Cheer Tickets, which will be fully converted into financial support for the artists. Admission for the festival (available online until December 5, 11.59pm) costs ¥4,000, and it comes with a set of Cheer Tickets.