On 11 March, the TOKYO CALLING × INSPIRED BY TOKYO Showcase supported by MUSIC WAY PROJECT took place at beloved music venue Mohawk during SXSW 2025 in Austin, Texas.
2025 promises to be a pivotal moment for Japan’s music scene, with the launch of MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, the country’s largest international music awards event, set to take place in Kyoto this May. In addition, the recently unveiled MUSIC WAY PROJECT aims to drive the global expansion and growth of the music industry, creating pathways for international success. As part of this vision, the TOKYO CALLING × INSPIRED BY TOKYO Showcase supported by MUSIC WAY PROJECT was held to showcase Japan's musical talent on a global stage.
The INSPIRED BY TOKYO showcase spotlighted four talented acts, including Fuki Kitamura, who made her international performance debut, alongside XAMIYA, VivaOla and luvis. Their diverse performances ranged from upbeat electronic and R&B grooves to soulful piano ballads, ambient textures, and mellow melodies, bringing an eclectic energy to the stage while celebrating the rising stars of Japan and Asia.
On the outdoor stage, the sound of rock bands echoed through the Texas sky. GOKUMON, who had to cancel their SXSW performance last year due to visa issues, made their highly anticipated debut at the event, while Enfants played in the U.S. for the first time. Chiaki Mayumura, returning to SXSW for the second time, and the band Tokyo Syoki Syodo each presented songs that offered a personal take on "life in Tokyo," bringing their unique musical voices to the stage.
James Minor, VP of Music Festival at SXSW spoke about this showcase, “The Japanese music scene is growing and having a moment right now. It has always been diverse. American audiences are very different from Japanese audiences. Some artists have performed at SXSW already, so they feel more confident and understand the American audiences are very different from Japanese audiences.”
The two-stage setup wasn’t just about featuring as many artists as possible; it served to showcase the rich diversity of Japan’s music scene. During the same week, J-pop heavyweights Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, and YOASOBI performed at another CEIPA event, matsuri’ 25 in Los Angeles.
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