News · 20 January 2026

Sachiko Kanenobu Announces Debut Australian Tour

Catch Sachiko Kanenobu performing at Arthur Art Bar in February

Roadrunner Tours is excited to bring Japanese folk rock legend Sachiko Kanenobu to Australian shores for the very first time next month.

Widely regarded as the first Japanese female folk singer-songwriter, Kanenobu was discovered at 18 and quickly signed to Japan’s first independent record label, IRC (Underground Record Club) in 1968.

Her debut album, 1972’s Misora, was produced by Haruomi Hosono (Yellow Magic Orchestra, Happy End) and released to little fanfare, but has gone on to become a cult classic in the folk world.

At the age of 77, Kanenobu is finally bringing her ethereal voice and reflective lyricism to Australia, locking in four dates across the country in February. She will be performing as a duo with Jordan Burgis on piano.

Kanenobu’s tour begins at the Cave Inn in Brisbane on Thursday 12 February, and continues with dates at Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club on Friday 13 February, Sydney’s Lazy Thinking on Saturday 14 February and Adelaide’s Arthur Art Bar on Sunday 15 February.

Tickets on sale now at roadrunner-tours.com.

Born in Osaka and inspired by British folk artists, Kanenobu’s Misora has become a cult classic over the years after it was rediscovered in the ‘90s and reissued several times since.

Despite a promising music career, Kanenobu moved to America with her husband, rock critic Paul Williams, not long after the release of Misora. The couple had two children before divorcing in 1980.

Kanenobu remained living in California, with Misora gaining acclaim in 2019 when it was reissued by label Light in the Attic. The track “Aoi Sakana” (Blue Fish) was also featured in Wim Wenders’ Oscar-nominated 2024 film Perfect Days.

The resurgence in popularity has seen Kanenobu revisit Misora in recent years, touring the globe and performing for fans of all ages.

Catch Sachiko Kanenobu performing at Arthur Art Bar on Sunday 15 February. Tickets on sale now at roadrunner-tours.com.