Tripleguns was responsible for the main stage production at HYPER JAPAN Festival 2026, held at Olympia London from 24 to 26 July 2026.
For a diverse programme featuring artists and performers from Japan and the UK, we managed the overall stage production and show flow, from advance coordination with performers, technical teams and event operations through to on-site stage management and technical coordination during the festival.
HYPER JAPAN Festival introduces audiences across the UK to the diversity of contemporary Japanese culture, including music, anime, gaming, fashion, food and traditional arts. Since its launch in 2010, it has grown into one of the UK’s leading Japanese cultural events, attracting approximately 30,000 visitors over three days.
The 2026 main stage featured a total of 27 stage programmes across three days.
Alongside live performances by rock bands, singer-songwriters, idols, big bands and string ensembles, the programme included taiko drumming, gagaku court music, Nihon Buyō, Awa Odori, shamisen, martial arts, dance, cosplay, a fashion show, a voice-actor talk session and an immersive concert combining live performance with visual content.
Tripleguns coordinated in advance with performers, artist management teams, the event organiser, the venue and the UK technical production team. We managed the complete stage-production process, including stage planning, audio, lighting, video, rehearsals, changeovers and live show operations.
From small-scale acoustic performances and full bands to a large big band, traditional instruments, martial arts demonstrations, dance performances and a fashion show, we supported both visiting artists from Japan and locally based performers. We responded to the different stage configurations, languages and technical requirements of each programme, supporting the UK’s largest Japanese cultural event through comprehensive stage production.
Artists and Stage Programmes
Friday 24 July
Warakuren
Awa Odori and traditional Japanese performing arts
JERO11
Electric shamisen and instrumental metal
The Sixth Lie
Japanese rock and anime songs
Jikankai
Japanese jujutsu and martial arts demonstration
Utane Chan
Japanese idol and J-pop
PlayMud Strings
String ensemble, classical music and pop
TAKUYA TANIGUCHI THE TAIKOIST
Solo taiko performance
QUEEN BEE
Japanese rock and anime theme songs
UPIKO
Singer-songwriter and acoustic performance
JERO11 combined traditional Japanese music with instrumental metal through the electric shamisen, while Jikankai incorporated visual content into a Japanese jujutsu demonstration. Warakuren brought a contemporary twist to Awa Odori by performing in interactive illuminated amigasa hats.
The highlight of the day was QUEEN BEE, who travelled from Japan and performed to a full-capacity audience. Their performance brought an extraordinary level of energy to the opening day, celebrating HYPER JAPAN’s return after a one-year break.
Saturday 25 July
Gagaku: Ancient Sound of Japan with Nobu GOTO
Gagaku and traditional Japanese court music
Yuko Yokoi Band
Brazilian music and jazz
British Shorinji Kempo Federation
Shorinji Kempo and martial arts demonstration
avantgardey
Dance performance
Cosplay Masquerade
Cosplay and character performance
TALE of GENJI / HOKUSAI IMMERSIVE CONCERT
An immersive concert combining traditional Japanese instruments, narration and visual content
Warakuren
Awa Odori and traditional Japanese performing arts
The Sixth Lie
Japanese rock and anime songs
Eir Aoi
J-pop and anime theme songs
Chaidura
Visual kei, emo and alternative rock
Press X
Anime songs, city pop and video game music
This was an especially diverse day of programming, ranging from gagaku, a musical tradition with a history of more than 1,400 years, to martial arts, cosplay, dance, rock performances and a concert synchronised with visual content.
Avantgardey’s first London performance was another major highlight, receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience with their powerful and precisely coordinated dance performance.
Sunday 26 July
Sacred Fleramo
Japanese idol and J-pop
Aigoro Hanayagi
Nihon Buyō traditional Japanese dance
KEISUKE YOSHIZAWA
Solo keyboard performance
Chiaki Kobayashi in Conversation with Elsie Lovelock
Voice-actor talk session
HYPER FASHION SHOW
A fashion show inspired by Japanese style and subcultures
Geeky Beats Big Band
Anime and video game music performed by a big band
Re:O
Alternative metal band
avantgardey
Dance performance
Sunday’s programme brought together Nihon Buyō, a voice-actor talk session, a fashion show, a 17-piece big band, rock performances and dance. Each programme required a substantially different stage layout, equipment setup and technical approach, with a series of complex changeovers delivered throughout the day.