A month filled with art, music, and meaningful encounters is finally coming to a close.
To wrap up this year’s focus on South Africa, we welcome a lineup featuring: DJ YURI BANGS, who delves deep into South African music; TETSU SHIRAISHI, whose genre-crossing sets take listeners on a journey around the world; and NORIO, owner of the record shop “rare groove.”
From the infectious rhythms of Amapiano and Gqom to unexpected sonic turns, join us for a final night that captures the spirit of KYOTOGRAPHIE, KYOTOPHONIE, and KG＋.
アーティスト
YURI BANGS
In 2019, she began her journey as a DJ, captivated by the contemporary sounds of South Africa. Based in Shizuoka, Japan, her sets are a deep dive into Amapiano and Gqom, seamlessly weaving together diverse African beats to create a cohesive and immersive experience on the dancefloor. In 2023, she performed at the Nyege Nyege Festival in Uganda. Through her recent travels to South Africa, she continues to explore authentic sounds and grooves, building deep connections with local artists and music lovers.
TETSU SHIRAISHI
In the 1970s, TETSU SHIRAISHI became hooked on DJing after experiencing Ageishi’s sets at Akasaka Biblos. Through the 1980s, he learned by watching DJs at Nishiazabu Tommy’s, while the artists at Harajuku Monkberry’s left a lasting impact—shaping his taste across reggae, dub, and rock. At Club D, he trained under Toru Takahashi, often playing marathon solo sets from 5pm through to 6am, usually high-energy throughout.
He became known for his unconventional approach, building sets that started at BPM 85, rose to 135, and returned again—something few DJs would attempt today. Time spent in Kyoto and Osaka further grounded him in the traditions of disco culture. He later founded the legendary Kyoto club GARDEN, a mysterious spot frequented incognito by figures like Eikichi Yazawa and Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Today, alongside his work as an ALS care helper and music selector for Butoh, TETSU SHIRAISHI continues to DJ with a singular, genre-defying style. With a loyal following that embraces his tendency to veer off course, he remains a respected—and at times formidable—presence among veteran DJs, truly in his element when things go off track.
NORIO (RECORD SHOP rare groove)
NORIO is the owner of the record shop “rare groove” in Shinsaibashi, Osaka. Known for its deep and wide-ranging selection—spanning disco, psychedelic rock, new age, and house—the shop attracts DJs and music lovers from Japan and abroad.
He is co-author of the music guidebook “WA B・O・O・G・I・E: 1980s Japanese Boogie / Funk / Modern Soul / Fusion” (Space Shower Books), and co-supervised the compilation “Heisei No Oto (Japanese Left-Field Pop From The CD Age, 1989–1996)” released by the German label Music From Memory, alongside AZ (Revelation Time).
He has also contributed DJ mixes to platforms including Dublab (L.A.), NTS Radio (London), Rinse FM (London), The Vinyl Factory (London), Worldwide FM (London), Redlight Radio (Amsterdam), Noise In My Head (Melbourne), Butter Sessions (Melbourne), Krossfingers (Ukraine), Kiosk Radio (Brussels), Hamon Radio (Tokyo), and Sound Metaphors (Berlin).
Located on the second floor of the Ace Hotel Kyoto, the bar and taco lounge PIOPIKO is overseen by chef Wes Avila — owner of LA’s popular Guerilla Tacos, a recipient of the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award and widely regarded as a rockstar in the culinary world. A space where authentic Mexican cuisine, refined cocktails, DJ music, and diverse art forms cross over.
PIOPIKO is a melding of flavours and cultures and culinary energies. Bringing his signature Alta-California cuisine to Kyoto, Chef Wes finds exuberant harmony in that hearty mix with his vibrant blend of street art meets handmade tortillas meets his take on taco rice. His first outpost in Japan, PIOPIKO is a restaurant in dialogue with its ingredients, ever-changing, ever-evolving and ever-ready to transform its guests’ palates with its instinctually delicious cooking.
