Surf was up for Sydney as legendary Japanese musician, producer, and composer Masayoshi Takanaka made his way down under as a part of his world tour, ‘SUPER TAKANAKA WORLD LIVE 2026’.
Up until last week, my only exposure to Takanaka’s music was through YouTube-generated city pop playlists. While I was aware he was big, I was clueless that he’d become somewhat of a musical deity to Gen Z and international audiences. Tickets to his Aussie shows were so hot, they announced a second date to accommodate the demand. I wanted to get a grasp of the immense popularity that had heralded his arrival on our shores.
To get an understanding, I went to the most reliable source I could think of, Reddit. Clicking on a thread and reading through a few dozen replies, I saw descriptors like ‘feel-good’, ‘joyous’, and ‘optimistic’ appear time and time again when describing his music. Many people confessed that they’d been directed towards him by Instagram and YouTube’s algorithm (we really aren’t so different after all). One user in particular mentioned that Takanaka’s renewed popularity was part of a broader infatuation with Japanese 80s nostalgia, including old-school anime, fashion, and, of course, Mariya Takeuchi’s ‘Plastic Love’.
The biggest takeaway from my “investigative research” was that for most, Takanaka and his Latin-infused brand of jazzy city-pop was a beacon of positivity. With the constant rise in cost-of-living prices, the uncertainty of AI, and a fever dream of a news cycle, it’s safe to say that 2026 has left us all a little worse for wear. While there’s no clear long-term solution to our collective ailments, Takanaka might be the answer, even just for one night.
Though it was a cool April evening, the Sydney crowd was littered with Hawaiian shirts and sportscoats. I was a little taken aback by the turnout, who I’d expected to see at a Geese show more than that of a Japanese music icon. As I got a little lost in thought over my observation, Takanaka came out in his iconic all-red suit, looking like a bottle of Tabasco strapped with a guitar. The crowd immediately erupted into a chorus of cheers as they swayed to his tropical riffs. The room enthusiastically punched the air above them as Takanaka swung the neck of his guitar as if he was waving a wand. He effortlessly glided through his set with the ease of a surfer catching the perfect wave. Tracks like ‘BRASILIAN SKIES’ and ‘SHAKE IT’ turned Sydney into an Okinawan beach party. The crowd ate up everything he was serving, culminating in an encore that saw him remerge with his legendary red surfboard guitar.
As the show came to a close, Takanaka let down his veteran showman composure, expressing his gratitude to everyone who’d come to see him play. Judging by the applause, whistles, and luminous smiles from the crowd, the appreciation was mutual.
Special thanks to This Much Talent, Live Nation Australia, and Takanaka’s team for having us. All photos are courtesy of Jess Glesson. Make sure to follow her @jessgleeson.
