Peter Barakan's Live Magic!

Aiming to fill the gap that other, more mainstream-oriented music festivals have left on the Tokyo scene, radio DJ Peter Barakan set up his very own fest in 2014. Now returning for its fourth edition, Live Magic! has become an essential experience for anyone interested in the roots end of the music spectrum. But that's not to say the festival doesn't have something for everyone: its lineups are usually jolly concoctions of funk, jazz, soul, classic rock, world music and more. In 2017, tunes will be served up the likes of funky organ-driven trio Soulive, genre-crossing American supergroup The New Stew, suspenders-sporting Irish folk quartet We Banjo 3 and Cuban jazz pianist Omar Sosa, who will be performing with Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita. We're also excited to see Minyo Crusaders, a Tokyo collective who blend Japanese folk with Latin beats, bringing together two polarised musical forms and creating a harmony so funky you can’t help but stand up and dance. Check out the full lineup here, and make sure to get your tickets in advance. Highly recommended for anyone on the hunt for fresh musical experiences.