Koyabu Sonic 2026 concludes 19-year festival run in Osaka

The final installment of the music and comedy festival ‘Koyabu Sonic 2026’ concluded on September 23 at Intex Osaka. The event marked the end of the 19-year history of the festival hosted by comedian Chiyoto Koyabu.

During the final day, the musical group Monaki made their first appearance at the festival. Koyabu praised the group for their broad appeal across generations, comparing their presence to the classic ‘Shin-kigeki’ style of comedy due to their ability to provide a sense of comfort to both children and the elderly. He also offered advice to the members to treat one another as ‘another organ’ to emphasize the importance of mutual support within the entertainment industry.

The band Jenny High, featuring Koyabu on drums, also performed during the finale. This appearance followed a period of hiatus after their contract with Warner Music Japan ended. Additionally, Koyabu discussed his upcoming departure from Yoshimoto Kogyoki on December 31 and joked about creating a new music award competition to rival existing industry ceremonies.