The iconic Japanese guitarist has expanded his City Pop Waves tour, with his iconic surfboard guitar making a rare return to the stage.
Iconic surfboard guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka is bringing his sound to Australia this April, with Live Nation announcing additional dates for the City Pop Waves: SUPER TAKANAKA WORLD LIVE 2026 tour.
Catch up on all the latest news here.
After selling out his initial Los Angeles shows earlier this year, the 72-year-old musician has expanded his Australian run to four performances across larger venues, marking a rare opportunity to experience one of Japan’s most influential guitarists live.
The tour represents a significant moment for City Pop fans. Takanaka’s catalogue spans over five decades, from his early days with The Sadistic Mika Band in the 1970s to his groundbreaking solo work, including the 1981 concept album The Rainbow Goblins, which remains a touchstone of Japanese instrumental music.
Among the tour’s highlights is the return of Takanaka’s legendary surfboard guitar—a full-size instrument crafted from an actual surfboard that’s been on display for more than a decade. Fully restored for this tour, the instrument will make its stage comeback after being performed with only a handful of times, offering audiences a glimpse of a revived piece of musical history.
Throughout his career, Takanaka has collaborated with internationally renowned artists including Lee Ritenour, Carlos Santana, Narada Michael Walden, and Sheila E. His technical brilliance and vibrant musicality have earned him a devoted following that’s only grown with the global resurgence of City Pop—the sun-drenched Japanese genre that continues to draw in new generations of listeners.
Takanaka made his solo debut in 1976 with Seychelles and has since released a succession of acclaimed albums including Ready To Fly and Blue Lagoon. After founding his own label, Lagoon Records, in 2000, he’s maintained complete creative independence while touring annually across Japan.
Recent years have seen major milestones, including a 50th anniversary concert at Tokyo’s historic Nippon Budokan in 2021 and his first-ever sold-out Los Angeles performances in 2024-2025.
Tour dates:
23 April: The Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
24 April: Darling Harbour Theatre (ICC Sydney), Sydney
26 April: Forum, Melbourne
27 April: Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Tickets go on sale Thursday, 11 December at 2pm local time via Live Nation.
