LiSA's first European Live Tour should not be missed!

Written by Ross Locksley on 30 Jan 2026

One of anime's most endearing qualities is often the music that accompanies those opening and closing credits. Perhaps it's because the Japanese take animation more seriously, but the soundtrack to an anime is often as iconic as the series itself, and if we're looking for a talent that can cross genres and musical styles, it's LiSA, who marks 2026 with her first ever European tour, with a performance in London on September 22nd.

For fans of anime and Japanese music, this is a rare opportunity to see one of the biggest talents in the industry. Starting out as a member of Girl's Dead Monster, the name for the in-series band in the wonderful Angel Beats, LiSA made her solo debut in 2011 performing the opening for Fate Zero, Oath Sign. A punk-pop blast that immediately marked her out as a talent to watch - the punk-princess aesthetic and high energy style she adopts in the video is a clear nod to her roots singing along to Avril Lavigne in her youth.

LiSA's solo debut for Fate Zero, Oath Sign

Following this up with Crossing Field for Sword Art Online in 2012, it marked the beginning of a long-running association with the franchise and, in the same year, she won the Billboard Japan Music Awards prize for Animation Artist of the Year, staggering considering how early she was into her career. 

The accolades didn't stop there, perhaps the most notable was the Grand Prix win at the Japan Record Awards for Demon Slayer's Homura in 2020, though winning MTV Japan's award for Best Collaboration Video for Play the World featuring Pablo in the same year must run a very close second - the acoustic clapn'n'stamp intro is reminiscent of Queen's "We Will Rock You", but soon blasts into an altogether more modern  anthem full of attitude and energy.

Play the world is energetic, anthemic and best played at full volume

LiSA's UK debut in London, at the Troxy on September 22nd, marks an incredible opportunity for UK fans to see an artist at the height of her powers live and in person. It's the sort of concert I never thought we'd see in this country so I'd urge anyone who's a fan of her music, or Japanese pop, punk and rock, to get there if they can. 

I'll leave you with this official video from the recent live performance in Nagano - it gives you an insight into the prep that goes into the shows and a taste of the energy you can expect on the night. 

You can book tickets for LiSa: LiVE is Smile Always～15～on the official Troxy London site.