We are gradually heading into winter, but for now it is still autumn. The dark days call for cosy evenings, but here at AVO Magazine we think days like these are also perfect for musical outings. And luckily for everyone who agrees, there is plenty to do in November.
Below, we have compiled as comprehensive an overview as possible of all Japanese music events in Europe.
On tour in November 2026
The darkwave/synthpop duo MAYOHK, featuring Közi (ex-Malice Mizer, ZIZ, XA-VAT, Dälle, and more) and Hora (Schwarz Stein), will embark on a European tour this month, starting on 11 November. The tour is part of their world tour that also consists of performances in South America, such as Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and Chile. In Europe, they will have four shows in Finland, France, Poland, and Germany.
The metalcore band Prompts will embark on their first-ever European tour in November and December, supporting the German metalcore band Half Me’s European Crusade 2026 tour alongside English post-hardcore band Lastelle and German metalcore band Kora Winter. They will perform on all 21 dates, starting in the Netherlands. The four-piece can be best described as a hybrid metalcore band with Japanese and Korean members, with a blend of chaotic, heavy and emotionally charged songwriting. The vocalist, PK, is currently also the permanent vocalist of Crystal Lake.
Experimental rock band OOIOO will soon be returning to Europe for a new, short tour. Four shows are planned, in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Hungary. There is a possibility that the band may add an extra show to the schedule. The performance in the Netherlands will take place at the Le Guess Who? festival in Utrecht. OOIOO (pronounced oh-oh-eye-oh-oh) started in 1995, founded by Boredoms drummer and multi-instrumentalist Yoshimi Yokota (also known as YoshimiO), as a fake band for a magazine photo shoot. The quartet is now known for their experimentation with rock and avant-garde music.
Kobe-born, Brooklyn-based trumpeter Takuya Kuroda will be touring Europe in November for ten shows, including a number of appearances at jazz festivals. In 2025, the musician released his eighth album, Everyday, following on from his critically acclaimed 2022 release Midnight Crisp. Kuroda has been building his career in the United States for over 20 years. After studying in New York, he began collaborating with groups such as DJ Premier’s Badder Band and Akoya Afrobeat. He is known for his improvisation when performing live.
The composer, saxophonist and producer Yasuaki Shimizu will be touring Europe this November with his sister, singer-songwriter Mieko Shimizu. It will be his first European tour in 8 years. The tour comprises eight performances, each in a different country, including appearances at Le Guess Who? and the London Jazz Festival. Shimizu is renowned for his versatility, ranging from film scores to pop hits, experimental saxophone work, jazz fusion and ambient dub excursions, installations and collaborations with artists including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Björk and Van Dyke Parks.
For the first time in several years, avant-garde group goat are returning to Europe for a series of shows spread over two weeks. Amongst other things, they are scheduled to perform at Le Guess Who? as well as at the Belgian Sonic City Festival. 2023 marked goat’s 10th anniversary, which was celebrated with two special live shows, Joy In Fear, which is also the title of their first release in eight years. They are currently performing as a quintet, producing music in which they ignore the scales of their instruments as much as possible and create songs from the noise and muted sounds that result.
Singer-songwriter Posuposu Otani is known for his throat singing and his use of various instruments, such as a guitar tuned to open chords and the kohkin, a Jewish mouth harp. His music reflects his deep connection with nature, as well as themes such as freedom and self-discovery. In 2025, he released his first physical release, a self-titled 12-inch record, which was followed by ShuHaRi last October. Posuposu Otani kicks off his European tour with two performances at Le Guess Who? and will then be performing in Belgium and the United Kingdom.
The tour of Hatsune Miku, also known as MIKU EXPO, is coming to Europe this month with nine performances across seven countries. The European tour has a steampunk theme and also features a theme song, Connect:Commune, written by FLAVOR FOLEY. Further information about the tour can be found in this article.
Still on tour in November 2026
The young visual kei band BLAZE will conclude their first European tour on the first of November. The tour, entitled Rengoku, travelled through Romania, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, Poland and Germany, and will be the last stop. The metal band was formed in 2025 with the concept ‘for the irredeemable’, producing heavy, emotionally charged music intended to resonate with people who feel lost, broken or hopeless.
Garage rock band Electric Eel Shock returned to Europe for an extensive tour at the start of October, in the month November there are three weeks worth of shows scheduled. After a couple of shows in the Netherlands and one in Germany, the three-piece will travel to the United Kingdom and Ireland for a whole host of shows. More information about the upcoming European tour can be found here.
New wave trance band Super Jet Kinoko have been touring around Europe in October and will have a couple more in November before they head back to Japan. The tour, entitled SHROOMY PARADE —ECHO WAVE—, will end on the third of November in Germany. However, they just announced that they will be back in the summer, as they are confirmed for the Dutch festival Best Kept Secret in June 2027.
SPYAIR’s European tour just started at YuniCon in Austria and continues on the second of November in France. The rock band will also perform in the Netherlands, with a show at De Effenaar in Eindhoven. Eight years ago, the four-piece rock band last toured Europe as part of their first world tour. More information can be found here.
Psychedelic rock band Tō Yō are currently in the middle of their third European tour and it is quite an extensive one. In November they have more than five shows planned, in Spain, France, and Germany. The band just released their album Yardang via EXAG’ Records, three years after their first album, Stray Birds From the Far East. More information about the band and the upcoming European tour can be found in this article.
The three women of THE LET’S GO’s just started their The Wonder Donut Tour, with shows in France, Spain, and Italy. They also have a new album, The Wonder Donuts Collection, comprising the four singles they have released in Japan. They will sell the 10-inch version of the album during their current European tour. More information about the European tour of THE LET’S GO’s can be found in this article.
Anti Itch Cream, the solo project of Kae Takahashi (ex-Sete Star Sept) is currently touring Europe. In November, there are three shows scheduled, in Belgium and France. All the information can be found on Kae Takahashi’s social media. The project is described as digital noisecore grind, and the musician performs using a self-made drum machine and guitar, combined with screaming and a lot of energy.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the much-loved album Pink, the experimental band Boris started touring Europe in October and this tour, titled Do You Remember Pink Days? will continue in November. Many shows have been sold out already and the band decided to add a few extra shows here and there.
BBBBBBB‘s European tour is still ongoing this month, with the end point being at Le Guess Who? in Utrecht. The Nagoya-based act, which is described as one of the leading acts on the Japanese electronic hardcore scene, describe themselves as a ‘victory hardcore’ band, and you can expect a mix of digital hardcore, noise, industrial and even trap, resulting in a very intense sound with a message of hope and dreams. They just released their brand-new album, Poop Disco.
At the end of October, Melt-Banana returned to Europe for a tour covering northern and central Europe. After their performances at Oslo World Festival, the European tour continues in November with shows in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, where they will be appearing at the Le Guess Who? Festival and the Sonic City Festival.
The composer and multi-instrumentalist Otomo Yoshihide kicked off his European tour in Germany a few days ago. He is touring Europe with his New Jazz Quintet, and you can expect more free jazz, heavily inspired by the free jazz of the 1960s. Otomo Yoshihide has over 100 releases to his name, including compositions for film and television and as a member of the experimental rock group Ground Zero. A number of shows are planned for November, including a performance at the Densites Festival in France. Further information can be found here.
Japanese music at events
At the third edition of the German event Kaidan, on 7 and 8 November, will feature performances of visual kei band Jade Forest Company and alternative pop-rock group SOSOSO. During Kaidan, the organisers showcase the darker side of Japan, featuring Japanese folklore such as yokai, ghost stories with traditional motifs, a dark aesthetic and uncensored art. They have organised various activities centred around this theme, including an eroguro show, shibari, pole dancing, cosplay, a yokai parade and more. Due to this focus, the event is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. You can also expect an artist alley, areas dedicated to J-Fashion and cosplay, video gaming, food and drink, and a manga lounge. Jade Forest Company will round off Saturday evening with a performance featuring elements of visual kei, folk metal and dark fantasy. On Sunday afternoon, Naoki and Kamijo from Jade Forest Company will give a special performance at Bar 45. Alternative pop-rock group SOSOSO will round off Sunday with a performance at Kaidan. More information about the event can be found here.
Le Guess Who? has been mentioned several times above, which is hardly surprising, as this year marks the 20th anniversary edition of the event in Utrecht. This year, the festival will take place from 5 to 8 November 2026. The festival is renowned for showcasing as wide a variety of sounds and voices as possible from international musical acts. Over the years, they have worked with guest curators to invite like-minded artists and those who inspire them to the event. This year, they have a interesting number of Japanese artists in the line-up, including goat, Posuposu Otani, Melt-Banana, Koshiro Hino (from goat), OOIOO, Rai Tateishi, and Yasuaki Shimizu. They also have a Japanese COSMOS Embassy, in collaboration with the Japanese label NAKID; COSMOS is Le Guess Who?’s hybrid platform that shines a spotlight on the independent music scene from around the world. Le Guess Who? is completely sold out, but it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on their online activities.
Have you seen an announcement that hasn’t been featured on the website yet? Send us a message. If you’re an event organiser, feel free to send us a press release. All the contact information can be found on this page. Want to contribute to AVO Magazine? We are currently looking for writers and translators.
