From Asia to Europe, this artist leads a wave of Japanese talent that is increasingly taking hold across the continent through fast-paced and diverse rhythms such as UK garage, amapiano, and jersey club
In today’s era, where the world is fully connected and multiculturalism prevails, electronic music reflects this reality. Sounds that were once tied to specific places and only traveled slowly through vinyl records can now be accessed with a single click, enabling an unprecedented fusion of styles and global reach. A clear example is riria, a young Japanese DJ who is gaining increasing success in Spain—something that would have seemed unthinkable decades ago.
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riria is based in the United Kingdom, something clearly reflected in her DJ style, where garage dominates. One of the positive aspects of musical globalization is that artists are no longer confined to a single sound. Instead, they shape their identity from everything they love, making their sets extremely engaging. riria is no exception: alongside her UK garage foundation, she incorporates styles such as amapiano, bass, dub, jersey, and underground sounds, connecting especially with younger generations eager for something new.
Platforms such as Boiler Room, Rinse FM, and in Spain Antídoto Club have connected with this contemporary mix of sounds, and riria has been part of all of them. Her artistic personality fits perfectly with these platforms, and especially through her viral Boiler Room Tokyo set in 2024, she has grown into one of the most exciting names of this modern wave. In Spain, her presence extends beyond festival stages—she has also played at clubs like Nitsa (Barcelona) and Amnesia (Ibiza), as well as events such as Recreo (Torremolinos) and Santé (A Coruña).
«We’ve had riria twice and both times were incredible. My friend Danga showed her to me before Boiler Room, and we were already trying to bring her before everything blew up. Both times were amazing. The first was when she hadn’t fully shifted into electronic music and leaned more toward global sounds—I already thought it was a 10/10 set. But the second time… we didn’t expect that peak energy. I’ve rarely seen someone outside the UK play bass music so well. It’s been twice already, but it could be a thousand more. You’ll definitely see her back at the green booth soon.» – Yosef, Head Honcho of Antídoto Club.
«In the three years we’ve been running parties, I’ve never experienced anything like what happened the afternoon riria played at Recreo. UK Garage/Bass are very niche genres in Spain, especially in Andalusia. But in the south, breakbeat is very popular, and I think Andalusians go crazy for any broken rhythm—from flamenco to breaks. riria also delivered perfect mixes that kept people fully engaged for the entire 90-minute set. When the mixing is especially good, people feel it. I think Spain has a strong rave culture, and riria represents that spirit.» – Jaime, CEO of Recreo Club.
Whether it’s her energy behind the decks, her music selection, or the overall experience, riria has clearly built a strong connection with Spanish audiences. In many of her sets, the bond with the dancefloor is intense, creating an atmosphere full of energy and movement. This summer, the Japanese artist will take the next step, moving from clubs to festivals with performances at Warm Up Festival in Murcia, the prestigious Sónar in Barcelona, and Astral Plan Festival in Madrid.
Take advantage of her upcoming tour, which will bring her back to Spain, to experience live one of the standout artists of this fast-paced garage-driven sound that continues to grow across Europe.
