The legendary British hard rock band Deep Purple returns to Tokyo on 11 April 2026 with a concert at the Nippon Budokan as part of the Mad in Japan Tour 2026, a series of shows celebrating the group’s long career and its deep connection with Japanese audiences. Formed in 1968 in Hertford, United Kingdom, and regarded as pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal alongside other historic bands, Deep Purple have influenced generations of musicians through their powerful sound, distinctive guitar riffs, prominent use of the Hammond organ, and unmistakable live attitude. The Tokyo concert stands as one of the key dates of a tour that visits several cities across Japan and reflects the band’s enduring affection for the country, where in the early 1970s, with the line-up known as Mark II, their live performances were documented in the album Made in Japan, a recording that has become part of the collective imagination of rock fans. Over the course of their career, Deep Purple have moved through decades of stylistic evolution with a discography rich in landmark releases, including songs that have become classics such as Smoke on the Water, Highway Star, and Child in Time, combining instrumental power with individual virtuosity. The band has undergone numerous line-up changes while maintaining an active and recognisable creative core, bringing to the stage a blend of energy, technical skill, and engagement that continues to attract audiences across different generations.
The National Art Center in Tokyo presents an exhibition on British art of the 1990s and the Young British Artists. The show reconstructs a decade of experimentation and cultural change. A complex portrait of a scene that reshaped contemporary art.