KYOTOGRAPHIE / KYOTOPHONIE / KG＋ 2026 Kick-Off Party MSAKI, DANNY JIN, AICONGA, NiSSiE + SPECIAL GUEST: RICHIE HAWTIN
CLUB METRO
To celebrate the opening of KYOTOGRAPHIE, KYOTOPHONIE, and KG＋, a kickoff party will be held at CLUB METRO, Kyoto’s iconic venue, established in 1990 at the dawn of Japan’s club culture.
Bringing together the photography festivals KYOTOGRAPHIE / KG＋ and the music festival KYOTOPHONIE, this one-night event explores the dynamic interplay between image and sound. Photography and music respond to one another, bringing to life the histories, narratives, and social contexts behind the exhibitions through sound.
Headlining the night is Msaki, a leading singer-songwriter from South Africa, invited in connection with KYOTOGRAPHIE 2026’s special programme "South Africa in Focus". Also performing is rapper DANNY JIN, who brings a powerful anti-war and anti-discrimination message shaped by his Palestinian and Japanese heritage, resonating with the work of Fatma Hassona, who documented her everyday life in Gaza. In addition, aiconga—known for sets centred around cumbia, a genre beloved in South America—joins the lineup in dialogue with Federico Estol’s work on Bolivia’s shoeshiner communities.
Plus, a special guest appearance by pioneering electronic artist Richie Hawtin.
From photography to music, and music back to photography, each form crosses boundaries and intersects, revealing layered cultural perspectives and social realities. This opening night marks the beginning of all three festivals in a vibrant, celebratory atmosphere.
KYOTOGRAPHIE, KYOTOPHONIE, and KG＋ will take place from Saturday, 18 April to Sunday, 17 May 2026.
アーティスト
Msaki
Asanda Lusaseni, known professionally as Msaki, is a South African composer, singer, and songwriter. Although she is known as a musician, Msaki trained in fine art, graphic design, film photography and curation at Rhodes University, Leeds University, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and East London Technikon. She is a South African Music Award (SAMA) winning musician, who contributed to Black Coffee's Grammy Award winning album as writer, composer and artist.
Her practice now entails intentionally synthesising her musical and visual expression through work that merges installation and performance. This expression is seen through the launch of her album: Of Love in Protest, at Nirox Sculpture Park 2022, Johannesburg, and presentation of Ndiyozilanda at the National Arts Festival 2023. She is the 2022 Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Music and a part of this year's South African Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
DANNY JIN
DANNY JIN is a rapper with a Japanese mother and a Palestinian father.
Since 7 October 2023, he has released a series of tracks advocating for Palestinian liberation. His May 2025 album "Dream,," brought him widespread attention across media and the public alike. In July last year, he released "Fxck Xenophobia," a powerful response to the rise of xenophobia in Japan and its music scene. This was followed in October by "Ore wa Second" ("I Am Second"), a track reflecting the complexities and struggles of growing up in Japan with a mixed heritage.
He also contributed to "Flower with the Thorns," a musical work exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in September. His forthcoming album "19,20," released in March, draws from his personal history and environment. Through it, DANNY JIN reflects on his experiences at ages 19 and 20 — including the genocide in Gaza and the loss of his Palestinian grandparents — while capturing his transition from childhood into adulthood with honesty and nuance.
aiconga
aiconga is based in Kyoto and is the organiser of the hybrid Latin party “Our Latin Way.”
She spent her teenage years immersed in hardcore and hip-hop, and in her early twenties was drawn into the world of traditional music through tribal techno and Black music. Captivated by Afro-Cuban sounds, she went on to spend an extended period in Cuba. Since then, she has built her career as a percussionist, while also working as a selector and organiser known for her Afro- and rock-influenced programming.
Since spring 2019, she has been a member of the Naniwa-based cumbia band ROJO REGALO. On 25 March 2026, they will release their full album “愛は永遠〜Amor es para siempre” on LP and digital platforms.
NiSSiE
Born in Osaka, NiSSiE began his DJ career in 2005 rooted in hip-hop. Drawing from his experience as a record store buyer and club staff, he takes an eclectic approach—playing across a wide range of genres with no boundaries.
Based mainly at DNA Paradise in Kyoto, his latest mix, a global music exploration titled "PASORODAR", was released via Japan’s Mixology label.
Special Guest: Richie Hawtin
Richie Hawtin is a pioneering electronic musician, DJ, and technologist whose influence spans underground techno, contemporary art, and music innovation. Born in the UK and raised in Canada, he founded influential labels such as Plus 8 and M-nus, while also creating the iconic alias Plastikman. Known for pushing the boundaries of live performance and technology, Hawtin has collaborated with artists, designers, and institutions—from Raf Simons to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum—and remains a leading figure shaping the evolution of electronic music and audiovisual culture.
PELGAG
This restaurant serves exotic cuisine that combines the atmospheres of various countries and regions the owners have travelled to. Despite being located in the middle of Kyoto’s Uradera district, it’s a relaxing space where time flows slowly. PELGAG will hold a food stall at the Kick-Off party.
CLUB METRO is Japan’s oldest and most innovative club. It has been in operation since 1990 and is well known as both a Nightclub and concert hall. METRO has long been at the forefront of the Kansai culture and arts scene. Its reputation has spread outside of Japan; artists on the global leading-edge are regularly invited to perform.
Address
B1F, 82 Shimotsutsumi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 606-8396 Open in Google Maps
Access
Near exit 2 at Jingu-marutamachi Station on the Keihan line.
