CITY POP WAVES: CASIOPEA Special Live 2026 — Los Angeles, CA

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If you have ever fallen down a Japanese jazz playlist at two in the morning, there is a good chance CASIOPEA was already waiting at the bottom of it - and their return to Los Angeles is rare enough that the people who know feel it the second the bill drops. This is the band for fans of Japanese music, city pop, and jazz who have been holding out for exactly this show. Formed in 1976, CASIOPEA built a reputation for technically flawless performances anchored by guitarist Issei Noro's signature melodic runs, drummer Akira Jimbo's rhythmic precision, and a harmonic sophistication sitting right at the intersection of jazz and pop in a way that still sounds contemporary decades on; their 1982 album Mint Jams became a benchmark of live jazz fusion recording. The show is part of the City Pop Waves series, which has become the SoCal home for Japanese music - the same series brought ANRI earlier in 2026 - built around artists who shaped a sound performing for audiences who grew up with it or found it through the current revival. The Wiltern's 1,850-person capacity means this will feel closer than the music suggests. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm. The Wiltern is at 3790 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles - Metro Purple Line to Wilshire/Western makes it reachable from across the LA basin without parking. Tickets on Ticketmaster now.