2025 marked a significant year for Japanese artists performing live in the UK, with concerts spanning a wider range of genres, venues, and scales than ever before.
From arena headline shows to theatres, clubs, and major festivals, Japanese music demonstrated a strong and growing presence—especially in London.
Let’s take a look at some of the Japanese artists who performed in the UK in 2025 and explore how their activities reflect the expanding reach of Japanese music and culture.
Arena & Large-Scale Headline Shows
Kenshi Yonezu
As part of his world tour covering seven cities across the US, Europe, and Asia (10 shows in total), Kenshi Yonezu held his first-ever solo concert in the UK.
The European leg consisted of only London and Paris, making the show especially rare.
Tickets sold out instantly and became a major talking point within the Japanese community in the UK.
London: 30 March 2025 (Eventim Apollo)
BABYMETAL
BABYMETAL, who enjoy particularly strong support in the UK, returned in 2025 with major headline shows.
Their performance at The O2 Arena marked the first-ever solo arena show by a Japanese group at the venue.
The concert was later released as BABYMETAL – LIVE AT THE O2 ARENA on Blu-ray & DVD (19 December 2025).
London: 30 May 2025 (The O2 Arena)
YOASOBI
YOASOBI held their first-ever UK headline shows, performing two sold-out nights in London.
Their posters appeared across the London Underground,
attracting attention not only from Japanese residents but also from local audiences.
While rooted in anime music, the duo successfully reached a broad, younger audience.
London: 8 & 9 June 2025 (OVO Arena Wembley)
Ado
As part of her world tour “Hibana”, Ado performed fan favourites including
Usseewa, Show, Gira Gira, Readymade, Kura Kura, and MIRROR.
Following BABYMETAL, she became another Japanese artist to headline The O2 Arena.
- London: 19 June 2025 (The O2 Arena)
Kaze Fujii
Fujii Kaze brought his EUROPE TOUR 2025 to the UK with two sold-out nights at Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
His casual Instagram posts strolling around London also drew attention for how naturally he blended into the city.
London: 6 & 7 July 2025 (O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire)
ONE OK ROCK
Having steadily built a touring history in the UK over many years, ONE OK ROCK returned in 2025 with their latest album DETOX.
Their London show featured a surprise guest appearance by Ed Sheeran, creating major buzz.
London: 15 October 2025 (The O2, London)
FLOW
As part of FLOW WORLD TOUR 2025 “NARUTO THE ROCK”, the band brought their anime-driven rock sound to the UK.
Footage from the European tour’s opening show—packed almost entirely with local fans—was released on the band’s official YouTube channel.
- London: 12 October 2025 (O2 Forum Kentish Town)
MAN WITH A MISSION
Their “HOWLING ACROSS THE WORLD” UK/EU TOUR 2025 kicked off in London.
Notably, this marked their third consecutive year touring since the pandemic, highlighting their consistent international presence.
- London: 2 October 2025 (O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire)
Haruomi Hosono
Haruomi Hosono performed as part of ESEA Encounters, a festival introducing East and Southeast Asian culture.
With support from CHO CO PA CO CHO CO QUIN QUIN, tickets sold out instantly.The show became one of the most talked-about Japanese concerts of the year in London.
A later birthday DJ event in Hackney drew such a large Japanese and local crowd that the venue was packed from Monday evening—prompting many to remark on just how large the Japanese community in London has become.
London: 19 July 2025 (Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre)
Other Japanese Artists Performing in the UK (2025)
- Hitsujibungaku – HYPER JAPAN appearance & UK headline shows
- Kaneko Ayano – Eight-date UK tour including London
- Ichiko Aoba – Solo concert at the Barbican Centre
- Survive Said The Prophet – Download Festival
- ELLEGARDEN – Sonic Bridges Tour 2025 with UK band Feeder
- SHE HER HER HERS – UK shows as part of EU tour (all sold out)
- The fin. – Four UK shows including two nights at Oslo Hackney
- maya ongaku – Live show at The Shacklewell Arms
- Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – Margins United Festival 2025
- Tohji – Margins United Festival 2025
- Shonen Knife – Have a Knife Day Tour (UK/EU)
- FINALBY( ) ∈Y∋ (BOREDOMS) & C.O.L.O – London Contemporary Music Festival
For those living in London, it was possible to attend Japanese artists’ live shows almost every month throughout the year.
(While not music-related, the 2025 Grand Sumo London Tournament also became a major cultural talking point. A separate UK 2025 culture round-up is planned.)
Japanese Underground Idol Culture Expanding Overseas
Japanese Indie idol culture is also making steady inroads into the UK live scene.
A symbolic example is the ongoing “WACK in the UK” series.
Organised by Japanese agency WACK since 2023, the project has brought groups such as GANG PARADE, ASP, and ExWHYZ to London’s The Underworld in Camden.
In 2025, the event expanded to two days for the first time, showcasing Japan’s underground idol culture to international audiences.
Conclusion
Arena shows, historic concert halls, intimate clubs, and cultural festivals—across all scales and genres, from legends to emerging artists,rock, pop, idols, indie, and experimental music—
2025 was a year in which Japanese music met UK audiences in many different forms.
Several factors underpin this growth:
The weak yen and post-pandemic travel boom increasing UK interest in Japan
The global spread of anime and East Asian pop culture
London’s uniquely diverse, multinational audience base
While many artists top Japan’s domestic charts, only a limited number are able to successfully mount live shows in the UK.
Domestic popularity does not automatically translate overseas; instead, cultural connectivity, visual storytelling, and expression beyond language play a crucial role.
London, in particular, has become a city uniquely prepared to welcome Japanese artists.
We’re excited to see which artists will capture attention in the UK in 2026.