Zepp Shinjuku

If jungle's return to the centre of dance music has had a defining face, Nia Archives is high on the list. The Bradford-born producer, DJ and singer has spent the past few years pulling breakbeats out of the rave archive and into something unmistakably her own, pairing frantic drums with sweet, diaristic vocals and an ear for pop that never sands off the music's edges. Now she's heading back to Japan for two headline dates, including a Tokyo show at Zepp Shinjuku on September 10. The tour follows the July release of her second album, Emotional Junglist, which arrives two years after her Mercury Prize-nominated debut Silence Is Loud and includes 'Get Me Down', her collaboration with Jorja Smith. Archives has gone from early EPs such as Headz Gone West and Forbidden Feelingz to the BRITs Rising Star shortlist and a slot on Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour, all while keeping jungle at the centre of her sound. At Zepp, that combination should make considerably more sense at full volume than it does through your headphones. The Tokyo show is all-standing, with doors at 6pm and the music starting at 7pm. Tickets are ¥8,000 plus a drink charge and are on sale online now. An Osaka date takes place the night before, September 9, at Yogibo Meta Valley.

Indie music fans rejoice, as Sendai’s ‘Hello Indie’ music event is coming to Tokyo on September 6. First launched in 2014 as a multi-venue music circuit in Sendai, Hello Indie has since become a staple of Japan's indie music scene, expanding to cities across the country. Staying true to its community-driven ethos, the event operates on a 'pay what you can' model, allowing attendees to decide the price of their ticket at the venue. The 2026 Tokyo line-up includes experimental rock band Downy and instrumental outfit Mouse on the Keys. Downy boasts cult status in Japan’s underground rock scene and is led by vocalist and guitarist Robin Aoki. The band is known for dense, atmospheric elements mixed with post-rock and noise-rock. Mouse on the Keys, meanwhile, is formed around two pianists, Takumi Shiroeda and Daisuke Niitome, alongside drummer and leader Akira Kawasaki. Their music blends elements of post-rock, contemporary jazz and techno-minimalism. Reserve your spot for the one-day event via Zaiko. Check the event website for more details. Official teaser: