Yoichi Ochiai x Japan Philharmonic Project VOL.9 "null² Concert" "Hand Drum Seats" for the Hearing-Impaired (Sold Out)
For the "Yoichi Ochiai x Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Project VOL.9 'null² Concert'" (Tokyo and Expo performances) to be held on August 21st and 30th, 2025, Sony Group Corporation's (hereinafter "Sony") Creative Center, the design division, will provide "hug drums" and "handle drums" that allow people with hearing impairments to feel the music through vibrations, so that they can also enjoy music.
"Handle Drum, Hug Drum" is a percussion instrument developed by the Sony Group that allows you to feel the sound of your opponent's strikes through light, color, and vibration. By playing in pairs, you can play in concert, guided by the light and vibration of the other person's strikes. For this performance, seats will be provided for those with hearing difficulties, and a performer will be assigned to act as a rhythm interpreter, using the "Hug Drum" to convey the rhythm through vibrations. By conveying the performance on stage through vibrations, visitors can experience the music through touch by holding the "Handle Drum."
"Yoichi Ochiai x Japan Philharmonic" project creates a new era of musical experiences
The "Yoichi Ochiai x Japan Philharmonic Orchestra" project goes beyond the fixed idea of listening to music only with the ears, and utilizes the latest technology to create music that can be felt with all five senses and heard with the body.
This initiative, which began with the first performance in 2018, "Concert Without Ears®," aims to change the conventional wisdom of orchestral listening, and with the motto "For all people, all generations, for society, for the world," it aims to be a concert where anyone can enjoy music, regardless of age or disability, and a "musical experience as a whole-body experience."
Therefore, this project has always provided viewing seats for those who are hard of hearing, and this year will provide eight "handle drum seats" with rhythm interpreters.
Outline of the performance
Yoichi Ochiai x Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Project VOL.9
Tokyo Performance <null² Concert>
Date: October 2025, 8 (Thursday) 21:19 start
Venue: Suntory Hall
HP: https://japanphil.or.jp/japanphil_wp/concert/20250821/
Handle drum seat: 2,000 yen (same price for one accompanying person) ※sold out
Expo Performance <null² Concert supported by ROHM Music Foundation>
Date and time: Saturday, August 30, 2025 Doors open at 14:30/Start at 15:00
Venue: Shine Hut, EXPO Hall, Osaka Kansai Expo Site
HP: https://japanphil.or.jp/japanphil_wp/concert/20250830/
Handle drum seats: Free (application required from the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra/expo ticket with designated date and time required) ※sold out
For inquiries and applications regarding the performance and "Handle Drum Seats":
Japan Philharmonic Service Center
TEL.03-5378-5911 [Weekdays 10am-17pm] order-ticket@japanphil.or.jp
This related event will help you enjoy the performance even more, and will feature an exhibition of the history of devices that have been introduced to enable people with hearing impairments to enjoy music together. (The Tokyo performance will start at 6:00 PM on August 21st.)
Only those with tickets for the performance on the day can participate for free.
- "Bodysonic" prototype (created by Nozomi Matsumoto, owned by Matsumoto Memorial Music Guest House)
・SOUND HUG (Provided by Pixie Dust Technologies Inc.)
・ORCHSTRA JACKET (Provided by Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc.)
・LIVE JACKET development prototype (Provided by: Digital Nature Group, University of Tsukuba)
・Ontenna (Provided by Fujitsu Limited)
・Hugdrum (Provided by Sony Group Corporation) [The above is planned]
