The main stage at HYPER JAPAN Manchester 2025 was alive with energy, colour, and music across all three days! Visitors gathered eagerly to enjoy a vibrant mix of performances, from traditional Japanese instruments to contemporary pop and interactive demonstrations. 

Friday opened with the soulful sounds of Laonikos on shakuhachi, playing both traditional pieces and familiar tunes from Naruto. Akiharu Kitagawa’s solo koto performance wowed audiences with intricate melodies, while singer-songwriter Marina Yozora brought gentle shoegaze-inspired songs, including a cover of Ichiko Aoba. Yo-Kai-Wai combined guitar, tsugaru shamisen, koto, and folk vocals in a dynamic collaboration. Yoh Kamiyama brought his unique blend of electronic production and heartfelt vocals to the stage in his UK debut. Kaiju Project followed with a jazz-infused set blending piano, recorder, and vocals and DJ Mika closed the evening with an electrifying mix of 90s J-pop and anime themes, leaving Friday night buzzing. 

Saturday opened with the dramatic and powerful performance of Tengu Taiko Drummers, whose mask-clad presence and thunderous drumming mesmerised over 300 spectators. Sumie followed with a modern koto set accompanied by a backing track, demonstrating the versatility of traditional instruments in contemporary compositions. Any Joy? brought 90s-inspired Japanese city pop, with vocalists Ali and Ikko delivering smooth performances that delighted fans new and old. Shoko Yoshida captivated the audience with her psychedelic acid-folk set, while LJ English performed classic showa-era songs in beautifully clear Japanese, pairing elegant costumes with rich vocals. Aya Hirano engaged fans with a lively Q&A session and delivered a dynamic performance from her iconic The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series. #STDRUMS energised the crowd with a dynamic, interactive drumming set, and the day closed with a relaxing acoustic session from Aziz and Sumie, blending guitar and koto in perfect harmony. 

Sunday featured the lively pop-rock of Yukka, a demonstration of traditional kendo by GB Kendo, and MIYUNA, who delivered a striking and emotional performance, blending high-energy rock with intimate, expressive vocals that captivated the audience. Yusuke Yamasaki followed with his band, delivering a dynamic blend of folk, rock, and jazz that filled the stage with a relaxed atmosphere. The festival concluded with Manchester-based string quintet PlayMud, performing beloved tracks from Pokémon, Studio Ghibli, and Demon Slayer. The audience hummed along, creating a joyful, communal finale to a weekend of unforgettable performances. 

If you captured any stage moments, tag @hyperjapanofficial when you post!