Hokkaido's Rusutsu hosts its first-ever outdoor music festival, 'NEXWAVE - RUSUTSU ROCK×FOOD FES'!

The Rusutsu Chamber of Commerce announces the launch of 'NEXWAVE - RUSUTSU ROCK×FOOD FES,' Hokkaido's first loud rock-focused outdoor music festival in Rusutsu Village, on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the outdoor stage of Rusutsu Furusato Park (adjacent to Michi-no-Eki Route 230 Rusutsu). The full performance schedule has now been unveiled. Headlined by AFTERVOID (the solo project of Koie, vocalist of Crossfaith, making its first band-set performance in Hokkaido), a total of nine acts from inside and outside Hokkaido will perform. Rusutsu Village is approximately 90 minutes by car from Sapporo. Tickets are now on general sale via Lawson Ticket, with free admission for children up to junior high school age (must be accompanied by a guardian).

A youth-driven initiative to revitalize Rusutsu through music

The organizing team consists of music enthusiasts aged 20s to 40s from across Hokkaido, operating this non-profit festival without professional event planners. Young people are leading the planning and execution through trial and error, aiming to revitalize the local community. While Rusutsu is a major resort destination in Hokkaido, few visitors venture into the central town area. This core area is losing vitality due to a shortage of local workforce caused by aging and declining populations, as well as business closures due to aging owners. To address this, the festival leverages Rusutsu’s vast natural environment and high tourism potential, breaking from conventional norms and fostering active collaboration between public and private sectors to revitalize the region with fresh perspectives.

A bold challenge

Rather than accepting the notion that 'innovation can't happen in rural areas,' the organizers aim to turn the passion unique to rural communities into reality. NEXWAVE, while a music festival, is designed to inspire dreams and hope in younger generations. These experiences will plant seeds in their hearts, and when they someday wish to launch similar community revitalization projects in their hometowns, a new cultural movement could bloom across Hokkaido—starting from Rusutsu. NEXWAVE is the first step.

A rare genre-specific festival in Hokkaido!

This is a rare 'genre-specific festival' in Hokkaido, dedicated exclusively to 'loud rock.' The lineup features AFTERVOID (Koie of Crossfaith’s solo project) as the out-of-region headliner, performing its first-ever band set in Hokkaido, alongside Earthists., TERU (Crossfaith), MAZE-BANDSET-, and SBE. From within Hokkaido, CallsNameAgain, CRYONIKS, HYSTERIA, and DJ Ko-Ki feat. Aoki Aihito TOMOYAH (Tukisamu Mutton Network) will perform. Top artists leading Japan’s loud rock scene are gathering from across the country.

[Performing Artists]

・Opening Act from Rusutsu

・Hysteria from Sapporo

・CRYONIKS from Sapporo

・DJKo-ki feat. Aoki Aihito TOMOYAH from Sapporo

・CallsNameAgain from Muroran

・SBE from Morioka, Iwate

・MAZE from Tokyo

・TERU (Crossfaith) from Osaka/Tokyo

・Earthists. from Tokyo

・AFTERVOID (-BANDSET-) from Osaka/Tokyo

Full schedule now revealed!

General ticket sales now open!

Lawson Ticket: https://l-tike.com/concert/mevent/?mid=781709

Follow official SNS channels ✅

Official X: https://x.com/NEXWAVEFES

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nexwave.fes/

Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nexwaverusutsu?_r=1&_t=ZS-9748ZofeNKG

Official Website: https://r.goope.jp/nexwavefes/

Event Overview

Event Name

NEXWAVE - RUSUTSU ROCK×FOOD FES

Date

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Doors & Performance

8:30 AM – Entry to Parking Lots A & B begins

9:00 AM – Venue entry begins

9:50 AM – Opening Act (local band)

10:20 AM – Main acts begin

6:30 PM – Event ends

Venue

Outdoor Stage, Rusutsu Furusato Park (127-2 Rusutsu, Rusutsu-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido; adjacent to Michi-no-Eki Rusutsu)

Ticket Sales: General sale via Lawson Ticket

https://l-tike.com/concert/mevent/?mid=781709

Ticket Pricing:

Early Bird Adult Ticket: ¥6,000 per person

Student Early Bird Ticket (high school, vocational college, university): ¥5,000 per person

Adult Ticket with Bus Pass: ¥12,000 per person

Student Ticket with Bus Pass: ¥11,000 per person

Preschool Children: Free (must be accompanied by guardian)

Organizer: Rusutsu Chamber of Commerce

Supporting Organizations: Rusutsu Village, Rusutsu Village Tourism Association, Rusutsu Chamber of Commerce Board, Rusutsu Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs Division, Rusutsu Chamber of Commerce Women's Division

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  • Source: PR TIMES
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