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Some might call it Spooky Season; others might just call it welcome relief from unbearable weather. Whatever you call it, October is bubbling over with opportunities for music fans to layer up and see a gig in Tokyo. This month, Shinjuku Loft throws a multi-venue party, Shibuya’s WWW puts on an experimental music showcase and a beloved Australian indie group makes its long-awaited debut in Japan.
Shinjuku Loft 50th Circuit
Shinjuku Loft, October 3
Shinjuku Loft continues its 50th birthday celebrations with yet another heavy-hitting party, this time spanning multiple venues. The event will see over 60 artists and bands hit stages at nine spots across Shinjuku. The diverse line-up traverses genres as well as generations, with up-and-coming artists like Cat Ate Hotdogs and DNA Gainz playing alongside indie circuit veterans like Cinema Staff, Lunkhead and Sparta Locals. Most stages kick off around midday and wrap up in time for the last train; advance tickets are available for a very reasonable ¥7,200.
Spacey Jane
Space Odd, October 5
Western Australian indie rock outfit Spacey Jane are making their way to Japanese shores for the first time this month. Achieving breakout success during the pandemic, the quartet has since gone on to bash out successful tours of Europe and North America, and make appearances at international festivals like Governors Ball, Lollapalooza and Osheaga. Their latest EP, Exit Wounds, was recorded during the same session as their 2025 album If That Makes Sense and features three previously unreleased tracks. The upcoming Tokyo show comes amongst performances in South Korea and Singapore.
DialHouse Extra
WWW and WWWβ, October 11
WWW’s long-running DialHouse event series welcomes influential noise-rock duo Melt Banana amid the band’s busy international touring schedule. The expanded event takes place over three stages at WWW and WWWβ, showcasing experimental and alternative artists as part of the venues’ ongoing anniversary celebrations. Melt Banana will be joined by emerging artists such as Sagosaid, newcomers Wanbed and Hyper Gal, fresh off a new album release and European tour. Also on the bill are post-rock three-piece Downt, following up a packed-out performance at Synchronicity ’26, as well as post-punk outfit Deadbead Painters, ‘junk pop’ quartet ผ้าอ้อม99999 and heaps more.
Ezra Collective: ‘Here Because of Hope’ Tour
Toyosu Pit, October 13
British jazz quintet Ezra Collective are bringing their latest album to Tokyo. The release, entitled Here Because of Hope, debuted at number 1 on the UK’s album charts. Divided into three parts, the 17-track work traces the lineage of Black music through generations across Africa, the Caribbean and Britain, featuring collaborations with musicians from the worlds of rap, reggae and Afro-soul. This is the band’s first show in Japan since headlining the Field of Heaven Stage at Fuji Rock last year, and their first headline club appearance since playing Liquidroom in 2023.
Less Than Jake
Liquidroom, October 19
Dust off your skanking shoes because Less Than Jake are heading to Tokyo. The ska-punk five-piece are bringing California’s Voodoo Glow Skulls and Osaka’s Dizzy Sunfist along for the ride. The tour follows the June release of the split EP Unity with Osaka ska-punk band Hey-Smith and the new single ‘Another Hostage Situation’, a previously unreleased B-side from their 2024 effort Uncharted. This will be the first Japan performances from the Pez-loving Floridians since their 2017 appearances at Punk Spring – and their first with new drummer Matt Yonker.
Looking for more standout shows? See what’s on at the best live music venues and DJ bars in Tokyo.
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