Joji Hirota and The London Taiko Drummers at October Gallery
Schedule
Fri Mar 20 2026 at 07:30 pm to 08:30 pm
UTC+00:00Location
October Gallery | London, EN
About this Event
Event
Friday 20 March | 19:30
Doors open 18:30 | Duration: 40 minutes
October Gallery – Ground Floor
An evening of thunderous rhythm and meditative precision awaits as internationally renowned percussionist Joji Hirota performs with The London Taiko Drummers at October Gallery.
The commanding presence of taiko drums will resonate through the gallery in a powerful 40-minute performance that reveals both the raw intensity and the disciplined grace of this ancient Japanese tradition. Driving, intricate rhythms unfold into immersive soundscapes — at once elemental and refined.
Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Kenji Yoshida: The Meaning of Life.
The exhibition will be open for ticket holders from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
“The mighty thunder of huge taiko drums. Intricate and fascinating rhythms and soundscapes take us from traditional rhythms into melodic drumming.”
— The Times
Performers
Joji Hirota
Eri Kaishima
Tokiko Minoda
About Joji Hirota
Percussionist, composer, singer and flautist, Joji Hirota brings together diverse musical traditions to create a powerful and distinctive artistic language. Trained as a classical musician in his native Japan, he has spent over half his life in England, blending traditions and influences to create a musical language uniquely his own.
Born in Hokkaido, northern Japan, Hirota began studying percussion at the age of eleven and was composing by thirteen. In the early 1980s, he founded Joji Hirota and The London Taiko Drummers, now one of Europe’s most respected ensembles dedicated to both traditional and contemporary taiko.
The group has performed at major international festivals including WOMAD, appeared on BBC Television, and played at prestigious occasions such as the UK Business Awards Ceremony attended by HRH King Charles. They also featured in the opening act of Live Earth at Wembley Stadium, where Hirota’s composition Pageant formed the motif for 100 drummers alongside Roger Taylor.
Hirota has represented Japanese culture worldwide through official government cultural initiatives across the Middle East, Africa and the Baltic States.
Agenda
🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Doors open
🕑: 07:30 PM - 08:10 PM
Performance
Where is it happening?
October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester St, London, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 16.78
