Performance

Dance & Music & Beatbox

SOME≡LINEZ

Thang Long – Ha Noi Festival 2026, ‘Heritage Flow’

SOME≡LINEZ x B.NASHOR / BIGTOE CREW Concert

**More details regarding admission fee and tickets can be found in the “Program Schedule” section.

A New Combination of Tradition and Innovation: Japanese Performance Group SOME≡LINEZ Makes Its Vietnam Debut in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City

The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam is pleased to present SOME≡LINEZ, an innovative Japanese performance group that seamlessly blends traditional Japanese music with contemporary street culture. This September marks their first-ever appearance in Vietnam through a series of performances in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.

SOME≡LINEZ is a Japanese performance trio that fuses Tsugaru shamisen, human beatbox and street dance into a powerful contemporary stage expression, bringing together three award-winning and internationally active artists: Shibata Masato, a Tsugaru shamisen player who has won first prize at major national competitions in Japan multiple times; TATSUYA, a leading human beatboxer who has won Japanese and international beatbox championships and serves as Representative Director of the Japan Human Beatbox Association; and FLAVA, a dynamic street dancer whose freestyle movement gives the group its distinctive visual impact. Known for their striking fusion of traditional Japanese sound and contemporary street culture, SOME≡LINEZ have gained wide attention on social media, attracting around 900,000 followers in total, and have performed for audiences in Japan and overseas, including an appearance at BEST ENKA/KAYŌKYOKU LIVE as part of MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026.

The group will begin their Vietnam tour by participating in the Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Thang Long – Ha Noi Festival 2026 “Heritage Flow” on 11 September 2026, followed by an Art Exchange Program on 12 September 2026. These events are part of the festival organized by the Ha Noi People’s Committee, celebrating cultural heritage through diverse artistic activities and international exchange. In addition to their participation in the festival, SOME≡LINEZ will collaborate with one of Vietnam’s most renowned street dance groups, B.NASHOR / BIG TOE CREW, for a special performance at the Vietnam Youth Theatre. This collaboration promises an unforgettable showcase of artistic excellence, bringing together Japanese and Vietnamese performers in a vibrant dialogue between traditional and urban cultures. Concluding their Vietnam tour, SOME≡LINEZ will travel to Ho Chi Minh City for an all-style jam session with the local dance community. Designed as an open and interactive gathering, the event welcomes not only dancers but also individuals interested in dance, traditional music, and contemporary performance arts. Participants will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the group’s distinctive fusion of traditional Japanese culture and modern street dance expression.

Through these performances and exchanges, SOME≡LINEZ aims to inspire audiences and artists alike by demonstrating how tradition and innovation can coexist, evolve, and create new possibilities for cultural expression.

The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam warmly invites audiences in both Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City to experience this exciting encounter between Japanese traditional music, street culture, and international artistic collaboration.

For inquiries on the program, please contact at:

The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam

Ms. Linh 024-3944-7419 (ext. 115) / Ms. Ushio (ext. 160)

27 Quang Trung, Cửa Nam, Hà Nội, Việt Nam           ĐT 024-3944-7419

https://www.facebook.com/japanfoundation.vietnam/ https://hn.jpf.go.jp/

■ Program Schedule _____________________________________________________________

1) Thang Long – Ha Noi Festival 2026, ‘Heritage Flow’

*Note: SOME≡LINEZ only performs at the Opening Ceremony (Sep 11) & The International Art Exchange Day (Sep 12)

Opening Ceremony

[Date & Time]            20:00 until late, September 11, 2026

[Location]       Thang Long Citadel (19C Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi)

[Duration for SOME≡LINEZ’s performance]           2 songs (around 7-10 mins)

International Art Exchange Day: Thang Long – Heritage Bridge

[Date & Time]            20:00 until late, September 12, 2026

[Location]       Thang Long Citadel (19C Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi)

[Duration for SOME≡LINEZ’s performance]           3 songs (around 10-12 mins)

*[Admission Fee for both days] Free tickets;

Registration is required via website Thăng Long – Ha Noi Festival 2026;

Or tickets can be collected directly at Thăng Long Water Puppet Theater

(57B Dinh Tien Hoang, Ha Noi) from 9:00 until 16:00 (September 2 – 10, 2026)

** Thang Long – Ha Noi Festival 2026, ‘Heritage Flow” will also be available to watch on Hanoi1 Chanel and other official live streaming websites of Ha Noi City.

2) SOME≡LINEZ x B.NASHOR / BIGTOE CREW Concert in Ha Noi

[Date & Time]           15:30, September 12, 2026 (Sat.)

[Location]      Youth Theater Vietnam (11 Ngo Thi Nham, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi)

[Admission]   Free but registration is required via: https://forms.gle/d8gnJHfoetsSB9Lf6

[Program Concert]  Around 60 minutes

                                   Part I : SOME≡LINEZ

Part II : B.NASHOR / BIGTOE CREW

Part III : SOME≡LINEZ x B.NASHOR / BIGTOE CREW

Special Guests in Hanoi_________________________________________________________

B.NASHOR / BIGTOE CREW

B.NASHOR carries on the legacy of Vietnam’s first street dance crew. Formed in 2020 under the leadership of Maitinhvi, the crew is uniquely recognized for excelling in both the battle and showcase scenes, earning numerous awards across both disciplines.

Their diverse dance vocabulary encompasses a wide range of street dance styles, including Hip Hop Dance, House Dance, Waacking, Locking, Breaking, and Soul Dance. B.NASHOR has become a prominent presence on major stages and cultural events, representing the dynamic evolution of Vietnam’s street dance scene.

Dancer & Crew Leader: MAITINHVI

Beginning her journey with Big Toe Crew, Maitinhvi has dedicated 23 years to street dance. She is the only dancer in Vietnam to have achieved championship titles across four disciplines: Hip Hop Dance, House Dance, Waacking, and Locking.

Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in the development of Vietnam’s street dance culture, helping bring urban dance from underground communities to theater stages and television programs nationwide. As both a performer and mentor, Maitinhvi has inspired generations of dancers and countless young audiences through her artistry, dedication, and influence.

■PR Images                                                                     

Remarks: For the usage of the following images for your media, please kindly put the credit and information below [PR Kit]

SOME≡LINEZ (from left to right: TATSUYA-FLAVA-SHIBATA Masato)

Follow SOME≡LINEZ on SNS for more information:

Facebook: SOMELINEZ

Instagram: instagram.com/somelinez

TikTok: tiktok.com/@somelinez

Youtube: SOME≡LINEZ – SHOGUN