Msaki and Tubatsi—two leading voices in South Africa’s contemporary folk and alternative scene—make their Japan debut in a special, one-night-only performance in Kyoto.
Set within the Higashi Honganji Audio-Visual Hall, a striking modern space beneath one of Kyoto’s most historic temple complexes, the concert brings South African sound into a uniquely atmospheric setting.
The invitation follows KYOTOGRAPHIE / KYOTOPHONIE co-directors Lucille Reyboz and Yusuke Nakanishi’s research in South Africa for the 2026 edition, where they encountered Msaki and were deeply moved by her artistry and presence within the local music community.
Joined by cellist Clément Petit and keyboardist Frédéric Soulard, Msaki and Tubatsi will perform music from their collaborative album "Synthetic Hearts" (NØ FØRMAT!), blending African folk with elements of jazz and soul. Their layered voices and delicate soundscapes promise a deeply immersive live experience.
Held on the same day as the "South Africa In Focus" symposium, this is a rare opportunity to experience one of South Africa’s most compelling musical collaborations live in Japan.
Important Notice
Before the Msaki × Tubatsi Concert, the venue will host a special afternoon program in collaboration with KYOTOGRAPHIE 2026 – South Africa in Focus.
13:30–15:30 (Doors Open 13:00) — Free / Registration Required
South Africa In Focus Symposium: “The Sound of Freedom: How Art and Music Fuelled South Africa’s Struggle Against Apartheid"
Speakers include Siyabulela Mandela, Lebohang Kganye, Pieter Hugo, Sean O’Toole and Msaki
▶︎ Register here
16:30–18:00 — Ticket Required
KYOTOPHONIE Borderless Music Festival
Msaki × Tubatsi Concert
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.
Tubatsi
Tubatsi Mpho Moloi is a South African singer-songwriter blending blues, jazz, rock, and African folk. Influenced by artists such as Guy Buttery, Philip Tabane, Bob Dylan, and Zim Nqawane, he creates an exploratory fusion folk sound.
Raised in Soweto, he began performing early and later appeared in the musical Umoja. He is now the lead vocalist of the experimental band Urban Village, contributing flute, guitar, and mbira.
Tubatsi has shared the stage with Albert Frost, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Femi Koya, and Madala Kunene. A resident artist at the Nirox Foundation, he has performed widely and featured at festivals including Afropunk and the National Arts Festival.
Clément Petit
Clément Petit is an adventurous cellist driven by a constant search for new sounds and artistic encounters. Passionate about collaboration, he pushes the boundaries of his instrument by developing extended techniques and embracing diverse musical languages.
Raised in a multicultural Parisian banlieue, he was immersed in Afro-American, Caribbean and electronic music before moving into contemporary and improvised practices. These influences shape his distinctive voice — one that dissolves genre boundaries and allows sounds to interact freely.
As a cellist, composer and producer, Petit brings this expansive vision to all his projects, collaborating with artists such as Oumou Sangaré, Salif Keita, Angélique Kidjo, Aloe Blacc, Ben l’Oncle Soul, Blick Bassy, Msaki, Yael Naim, Piers Faccini, Mélissa Laveaux, Alani, Naïssam Jalal, Blundetto, Lo’Jo, Leïla Martial and Fidel Fourneyron.
Frédéric Soulard
Driven by a deep curiosity and a love of collaboration, Frédéric Soulard has been exploring musical worlds for over twenty years as a musician and producer. His passion for travel and encounters has taken him from recording albums in Thailand (with his band Limousine), to South Africa (with Urban Village and Msaki x Tubatsi), to creating a tribute project to Ryuichi Sakamoto (Asynchrone) and to producing records ranging from the stripped-down folk of Piers Faccini to the explosive free jazz of Thomas de Pourquery, via the haunted synth-pop of Jeanne Added and the off-kilter electro-rock of Poni Hoax.
Important Information:
* Preschool children are not permitted to enter (under 6 years old).
* A ticket is required for elementary school students (6 years old) and above.
* Cancellations, changes, or refunds will not be accepted after ticket purchase.
会場
Higashi Honganji Temple Audio-visual Hall
Higashi Honganji Audiovisual Hall: Designed by Shin Takamatsu, a piece of contemporary architecture hidden beneath the grounds of Higashi Honganji.
