"Her crystalline voice and classical guitar are arresting.” (Pitchfork)

BRDCST Curator: Ichiko Aoba

Since her debut Kamisori Otome (loosely translated as ‘razor girl’) in 2010, Japanese composer Ichiko Aoba (JP) has created her very own, somewhat nostalgic universe. An ethereal mix of folk, ambient and experimental sounds - often inspired by her dreams, nature and art - with which Aoba succeeds in enchanting audiences time and time again. Both live and recorded, from regular albums to soundtracks.

This has already taken her to iconic venues like the Royal Albert Hall (UK) or Sydney Opera House (AU). After performing at BRDCST in 2023 and at Feeërieën in 2024, she now returns as both headliner and curator for BRDCST 2026.

Her ninth and latest album, Luminescent Creatures, released on her own label hermine, has been met with universal acclaim. Pitchfork even awarded it Best New Music. The Guardian awarded it four stars and wrote: “Luminescent Creatures is an album to fall into; prescription-worthy aural blood pressure medication against a frenetic world.”

In Japan, she is revered by iconic musicians like Ryuichi Sakamoto (with whom she recorded the album Disappearance in 2018, RIP), Cornelius and Haruomi Hosono (the founder of Yellow Magic Orchestra).

Her fans, known as ‘Atóllba Islanders’, meet up in an online community called Atóllba. “It’s a magical island, an iridescent safe space, in which like-minded people can gather.” says Aoba. Finally, another noteworthy quote: “I don’t really think of myself as a musician. I just love sound. Sometimes I’m still surprised when I’m described as an artist.”

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Ichiko Aoba.