List of indie festivals nationwide [2025–2026]

This music festival was created with the cooperation of the city to provide a venue for young people engaged in musical activities in Sagamihara. The participating bands not only perform but also handle planning and operations themselves. It takes place over two days: a festival stage for the pure enjoyment of music and a contest stage where techniques are put to the test. On the festival stage, some bands will perform cover songs while others will present fully-fledged original tracks, so there’s a chance that a band could make a nationwide debut from here. It’s hard to take your eyes off the bands you’ll want to root for.

Northern19, a three-piece rock band from Niigata Prefecture, has been hosting this indoor festival in their hometown since 2014. Known for songs that epitomize the melodic hardcore vibe, Northern19 appears on festival lineups across the country every year. Starting with its fourth edition in 2017, their Tokirock event adopted a circuit format held across two venues.

The large-scale circuit festival “GRAND LINE,” organized by RAD CREATION and held in Nagoya since 2011, has changed its name and expanded to two days. The venues are live houses in the Sakae and Shinsakae areas. While the lineup is centered on younger artists, veteran acts are also featured, giving it a broad and well-rounded feel.

In this city where a colorful mix of people, things, and cultures coexist beyond boundaries, we're launching a jaw-dropping, mixed-up entertainment event—packed with art, comedy, gourmet food, and more—that only Ai wa Zubon could create!

Entertainment might be transformed by the power of young people. Organized by Y-PU ENTERTAINMENT, this is a new kind of festival planned and run mainly by university students. HANGEKI FES is being held with the desire to revitalize entertainment through our own efforts, at a time when everyday life can no longer be enjoyed as before due to the spread of COVID-19. Keep an eye on the lineup, featuring artists selected through auditions and picks curated by trend-savvy young generations. It’s a wonderful event where simply taking part lets you support entertainment in many different ways.

This event has been held since 2013, launched by the Osaka Sakai-based bands GOOD 4 NOTHING and THE CHINA WIFE MOTORS out of a desire to give back to their hometown. The venue has been in Sakai City since the beginning, and the event is deeply rooted in Sakai, with booths introducing local food, clothing, housing, and various cultures. This year, the venue has been moved to Sakai City’s Umi to no Fureai Hiroba, featuring an outdoor stage. With the event taking place at the end of May, the weather should be just right for a comfortable and enjoyable time.

Saiin Fes is a free (tip-based) music festival held around Saiin in Kyoto. Since 2017, it has been held in spring, summer, and autumn. Not only live music venues but also cafes and shrines throughout the Saiin area become stages, filling the town with music for two days.