18+ only event brought to you by Gig Connection with support from Japanese English Meetup group. We bring you a special collaboration live concert between world-renowned writer and composer Hitonari Tsuji and London's magic-fingered guitarist & YAMAHA Music London ambassador Hidè Takemoto. This will be a rare opportunity to see a true legend of Japanese rock accompanied by a modern guitar virtuoso up-close in the historic London venue The Water Rats, which has hosted the likes of Bob Dylan, The Pogues, Oasis and Katy Perry in the past. More details to be added. Tickets are available online on Eventbrite with limited early bird discounts available. Hitonari Tsuji is a Tokyo-born Japanese writer, composer, and film director. In his film and singing work he uses the name Jinsei Tsuji, an alternative reading of the Japanese writing of his name. He made his musical debut as the vocalist and guitarist of the rock band ECHOES. He debuted as a writer in 1989. His books including Calmi Cuori Appassionati Blu (1999) and Good Bye See You Someday (2001) have been bestsellers in Japan as well as overseas, with his work being translated into 20 languages and selling over ten million copies. He is also a film director and his films include Hotoke (ほとけ) (2001) and Filament (フィラメント) (2001) were officially presented at the 51st Berlinale and the 37th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival where he won a special mention in the Ecumenical Jury Award category. He launched the web magazine Design Stories and became its chief editor in October 2016. https://www.designstoriesinc.com/ Hidè Takemoto's "Magic Fingers" blends Indian, Spanish, Celtic, Japanese, Blues, Pop, Rock and Heavy Metal on his guitar. Classically trained in Japan and at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music in London, Hidè epitomises the tradition, compounding classical literacy and the finger-style artistry. His music was featured on Japnaese TV programs as well as numerous radio stations in the UK, including Monocle Radio for his work with Rié, a Japanese Singer-Songwriter. Hidè's guitar technique can be traced back via Keigo Fujii, José Luis Gonzaléz, Andrés Segovia, Miguel Llobet to the great Francisco Tárrega. https://www.hideguitar.com/

Performers / Artists

2Gz - TSUJI & Hidè

Expect to See

True Japanese legend TSUJI's secret and one off live in London with 'Magic Fingers' Hidè Takemoto on guitar.