RYOSUKE KIYASU - MATINÉE SHOW at Exchange
Headfirst Editor's Pick

"Sell out warning! Your annual dose of Kiyasu-core is nigh! The most deranged drum solo imaginable rolls back into town, emboldened by last year’s mini-fest devotion. Armed only with two sticks and a snare, the free-jazz-grind journeyman summons rhythmical re-awakenings and moments of pure ecstasy in all who witness."

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A gig held at Exchange on Saturday 8th August. The event starts at 14:15.


Ryosuke Kiyasu began his career as a snare drummer in Canada in 2003. A driving force in the avant-garde music scene for over two decades, he has been a prolific solo performer while also contributing to the group SETE STAR SEPT and having served as the drummer for Keiji Haino’s legendary ensemble, Fushitsusha.

In 2018, a video of his live performance in Berlin went viral, garnering over 23 million views and sparking global conversation. This phenomenon led to features in major international media outlets, including BBC News and VICE. More recently, his unique performance style was highlighted in the British fashion magazine i-D, further cementing his influence across both music and contemporary culture.

His work has earned high acclaim within the world of classical percussion, leading to his invitation as a main guest for two consecutive editions of Germany’s Überschlag Festival, one of the world's largest biennial percussion festivals. In 2025, a dedicated experimental music festival titled "Kiyasu Fest" was organized by local fans in Bristol, UK, in his honor.

From 2026, Kiyasu has been appointed for a global promotion with Pearl Drums, the world’s leading drum manufacturer, serving as a key figure in the brand’s major international campaigns.

Beyond traditional musical boundaries, he has expanded his reach through collaborations with the fashion label Our Legacy and performances in contemporary art contexts. Performing over 200 shows annually across the globe, Ryosuke Kiyasu continues to redefine the very concept of music.

Web: http://www.kiyasu.com/

Please note the basement is not wheelchair accessible and is accessed by a narrow enclosed staircase. For more accessibility info, please email [email protected]

Support from -

Arts Council Funded - brisk, destructive, acoustic noise core.

Seth Cooke - no input field recording and other bewildering sonic experiments.

Pain Matter - minimal / maximal guitar skronk.

WÜLF GAS - noise grind without the grind.

£12 advance/ more on the door.

Please note the basement is not wheelchair accessible and is accessed by a narrow enclosed staircase. For more accessibility info, please email [email protected]



Entry requirements: 14+, any under 18s accompanied by an adult

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