[2026] RAG 45th Anniversary Festival

Fri 4/17 – RAG 45th Anniversary Festival – Music and Kōdan: Ayawo and RAG’s 45th AnniversaryNEW!Shutsuen: Ayao (Vo) Yamada Akiyoshi (Vo & G) / Gesuto: Kyokudou Nanpuu (Koudan) / Food: Mayuchi

http://www.ragnet.co.jp

Tone

Steshura / Akiyoshi Yamada / Someone I don't know from anywhere

Shiga Discovery! Executive Talk: Isamu Kawamoto × Storyteller [Kyokudou Nampuu]

After making her major-label debut with a band, singer-songwriter Ayawo, who weaves a world of songs imbued with poignancy and warmth, teams up with Akiyoshi Yamada, an artist active across diverse fields from solo work to bands.

Joining their collaboration is the distinctive addition of Nampū Kyokudō, a kōdanshi (traditional storyteller) based in Shiga Prefecture, for an unconventional live performance.

The dense ensemble created by Ayawo’s supple vocals and Yamada’s guitar, rich with a deep singing spirit, is a must-hear.

With Nampū Kyokudō’s narration woven in, a multilayered expressive space emerges where music and story intersect profoundly.

The tightly synchronized interplay—born of years performing together—combined with celebratory food by Mayuchi further elevates the festive mood, resulting in a captivating performance that greatly expands the listener’s imagination.

Sat 4/18 – RAG 45th Anniversary Festival – Mariko Sago’i Piano and Vocal LiveNEW!Sago’i Mariko (Vo, P)

http://www.ragnet.co.jp

#Singer-Songwriter “~RAG 43rd Anniversary Festival~ Mariko Sagoi Piano and Vocal Live” [Partial Free Release]

Mariko Sago-i is a singer-songwriter based in Shiga Prefecture who continues to be active across many fields.

She is an artist who performs pop music characterized by words that express straightforward emotions and approachable melodies.

She has collaborated repeatedly with artists across genres, and the rich expressive power she has cultivated through those experiences elevates each stage into a singular work of art.

This performance will feature a simple setup: piano and vocals.

Her warm singing voice and delicate piano tones will resonate directly with each other, allowing you to savor the beauty that emerges from such refined minimalism.

Another highlight unique to her—who is also active in the media—is her audience-embracing talk, which blends with the music to powerful effect.

Thu 4/23 — RAG 45th Anniversary Festival — 333 (Triad) · Yoko Mihara BAND · Jessie × Kosuke SuzukiNEW!333(Toraiado): nishino kei (Org) fujioka emi (G) oshima naomi (Ds) > mihara yoko (uta) BAND: yamada yaaso yutaka (7-gen G) takei tsutomu (Sax, Fl) tokujirou (uta, Per) jeshii (Vo, G) suzuki kousuke (G)

http://www.ragnet.co.jp

333 Triad - RUDY.S WAY (SOULIVE cover)

I want you to watch over me

Artists enlivening the Kansai music scene are coming together.

First up is 333, a hard-hitting funk unit by Kei Nishino, Emi Fujioka, and Naomi Oshima.

Their near-telepathic chemistry, forged over many years, and the call-and-response between guitar riffs entwined with the organ’s swell are a must-hear! Next is Mihara Yoko BAND, led by Yoko Mihara, who gently sings about everyday scenes.

The dazzling Latin and jazz ensemble crafted by top-tier musicians Yaso Yamada, Tsutomu Takei, and Tokujiro adds its own vibrant hues to each song.

And then there’s the acoustic duo of Jesse and Kosuke Suzuki, whose fresh sensibilities shine.

You’ll be irresistibly drawn into their tightly synced, intimate dialogue that fuses the essence of Western music with approachable pop.

Sat 4/25 – RAG 45th Anniversary Festival Sakakibara Dai 2 DAYS – “Spring Founding Grand Recital Quartet DAY 1”NEW!Sakakibara Dai (P) Manabe Yutaka (Vn) Morita Kohei (B) Saito Takashi (Ds)

http://www.ragnet.co.jp

[Digest Video] Dai Sakakibara 2 Days May 4 [Part 1] — Kyoto RAG 41st Anniversary Festival Live

This quartet brings together leading figures from Japan’s instrumental scene: pianist Dai Sakakibara at the core, joined by violinist Yutaka Manabe, bassist Kohei Morita, and drummer Takashi Saito.

Their genre-defying musicality, embracing the elegance of classical, the approachability of pop, and the drive of jazz, is truly outstanding.

The ensemble—where vivid, scene-evoking melodies intertwine with Manabe’s dramatic violin—is nothing short of breathtaking.

The lush, singing low end from Morita and Saito’s supple rhythms weave a groove of supreme comfort.

You’ll be astonished by the thrilling interplay that transcends mere predictability, born of years of performing together.

Savor the palpable immediacy as their fiery musical dialogue transforms the atmosphere on stage.

Sun 4/26 – RAG 45th Anniversary Festival: Dai Sakakibara 2DAYS – “Spring Founding Grand Concert Quartet DAY 2”NEW!Sakakibara Dai (P) Manabe Yutaka (Vn) Morita Kohei (B) Saito Takashi (Ds)

http://www.ragnet.co.jp

[Digest Video] Dai Sakakibara 2 Days May 4 [Part 2] — Kyoto RAG 41st Anniversary Festival Live

Dai Sakakibara, known for his work with G-CLEF, is a musician who plays a warmly embracing piano that bridges classical fundamentals and pop.

Joining him are Yu Manabe on violin with a sharp-edged tone, Kohei Morita on bass adding sonic depth, and Takashi Saito on drums with precision and dynamism.

It’s a quartet that effortlessly transcends genres.

Their tightly knit interplay—possible only among four artists bound by years of trust—is a major draw.

The violin sings over picturesque, evocative melodies, while the bass and drums provide a powerful heartbeat.

As this is the second day of a two-night run, you can expect to savor an even more heated and mature ensemble performance.