For Immediate Release

JAPANESE MUSIC ORGANIZATION CEIPA STRENGTHENS ITS

U.S. PRESENCE BY LAUNCHING THE “MUSIC WAY PROJECT”

WITH THE TOYOTA GROUP

This Project’s First Event in L.A., matsuri’25, is SOLD OUT, Which Also Features an Industry Mixer/Panel Discussion Prior to the March 16 Concert

Moderated by Ryan J. Downey (Billboard, MTV, Loudwire), featuring panelist Ellen Lu (Goldenvoice), Tom Windish (Wasserman Music),

and Rob Kelso (Creativeman Productions)

Los Angeles, CA (March 4, 2025) — As the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA) gears up for its U.S. debut with the matsuri’25: Japanese Music Experience LOS ANGELES concert on March 16 is now officially SOLD OUT, proving the music industry organization has already established what will be an ongoing presence in America.

CEIPA, in partnership with the TOYOTA GROUP, on February 25 announced the launch of the MUSIC WAY PROJECT, which aims to support and drive the fundamental globalization and sustainable growth of the Japanese music industry.

With Los Angeles as one of its overseas bases, the MUSIC WAY PROJECT will be a guide for young musicians by helping them refine their talents through student seminars, professional seminars, online courses, and songwriting camps so they can thrive internationally.

The project will also work to strengthen the footholds of high-profile events, and that includes masturi’25. The world-class J-pop concert, set for March 16 at the Peacock Theater in L.A., stars Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, and YOASOBI. 

Prior to the show, there will be a 90-minute industry mixer starting at 5 p.m. At the center of this mixer will be a discussion about how music festivals and live events contribute to the success of Japanese artists in the international market and related topics. Veteran journalist Ryan J. Downey (Billboard, MTV, Loudwire) will moderate the talk among industry experts Ellen Lu (Goldenvoice), Tom Windish (Wasserman Music), and Rob Kelso (Creativeman Productions).

matsuri’25: JP Music Industry Mixer INDUSTRY PANEL & MIXER INFORMATION

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Los Angeles and Consulate General of Japan Los Angeles are the organizers for the invite-only networking mixer for industry and media professionals prior to the matsuri'25 concert as two-part initiative (industry-private and public) to uplift and feature the appeal of Japanese music to the rest of the world.

Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025, Doors Open 4:00 p.m. PST

Place: Peacock Theater VIP Room

Topic: Music Festivals and Live Events: The Key to Japanese Artists' Success in the International Market

Moderator: Ryan J. Downey (Billboard, MTV, Loudwire)

Panelist: Ellen Lu (Goldenvoice),　Tom Windish (Wasserman Music), and Rob Kelso (Creativeman Productions)

Organizer: The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Los Angeles

Note: Invite-only; closed to the public

RSVP: kelly@kelleemackpr.com

​JETRO is organized and managed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), a ministry of the Japanese government that focuses on economic and industrial development through entertainment, innovation, technology, and foreign investment. JETRO currently maintains 76 offices overseas in 50 countries and 48 offices in Japan, including the Tokyo and Osaka headquarters. For additional info, please visit www.jetro.go.jp/usa/about.html.

CONCERT INFORMATION

Title: matsuri’25: Japanese Music Experience LOS ANGELES

Performers: Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, and YOASOBI *In alphabetical order

Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025, 7:30 p.m. PST

Venue: Peacock Theater, 777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Tickets: SOLD OUT

Organizer: CEIPA x TOYOTA GROUP “MUSIC WAY PROJECT”

Co-Organizer: Goldenvoice

**A portion of ticket sales from the concert will go to L.A. wildfire recovery through MusiCares.**

CEIPA was established by five major Japanese music industry organizations — the Recording Industry Association of Japan, the Japan Association of Music Enterprises, the Federation of Music Producers Japan, the Music Publishers Association of Japan, and the All Japan Concert and Live Entertainment Promoters — and it also organizes the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN set to take place in Kyoto, Japan, in May 2025, and will be livestreamed globally on YouTube. For additional info about MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, please visit www.musicawardsjapan.com.

The MUSIC WAY PROJECT will also be supporting the TOKYO CALLING / INSPIRED BY TOKYO showcase at the South by Southwest® (SXSW®), Mohawk Outdoor, 912 Red River St., Austin, Texas. The lineup for the TOKYO CALLING stage will include Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai / GOKUMON, Enfants, TOKYO SYOKI SYODO, and Chiaki Mayumura. The lineup for the INSPIRED BY TOKYO stage will include Fuki Kitamura, XAMIYA, VivaOla, and luvis. TOKYO CALLING / INSPIRED BY TOKYO showcase will be open to SXSW platinum and music badgeholders.

GOLDENVOICE, creators of Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival, operates successful Los Angeles and Bay Area music venues including the Fonda Theatre, The Roxy Theatre, El Rey Theatre, The Novo, Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall, The Regency Ballroom, and The Warfield. Goldenvoice holds exclusive booking deals at Brookside at The Rose Bowl, Santa Barbara Bowl, Mountain Winery, Great American Music Hall, and Frost Amphitheatre. They also have produced events such as Desert Trip, Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, Day N Vegas,  Porter Robinson’s Second Sky Festival, Just Like Heaven, and many more.  Beginning as an independent punk rock promoter in the early 1980s, Goldenvoice grew to be the preeminent alternative promoter in Southern California by forging strong relationships with both bands and music fans. Currently, Goldenvoice promotes over 1,600 concerts a year in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada, plus recently adding North American tours to their growing list of accomplishments. For additional info, please visit www.Goldenvoice.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Kelly MacGaunn // kelleemack pr // (818) 430-8926 // kelly@kelleemackpr.com

Daniela Hunt // Goldenvoice // dhunt@goldenvoice.com