CITY CHILL CLUB Unveils Eclectic April 2026 Music Selectors, Promising a Month of Sonic Serenity
Dive into a diverse soundscape as Japan’s beloved late-night program curates tranquil tunes from rising stars and established acts.
Tokyo’s airwaves are set to embrace a fresh wave of auditory delight as “CITY CHILL CLUB,” the popular late-night program on TBS Radio, announces its lineup of music selectors for April 2026. Known for its unique concept where artists and creators craft two-hour “CHILL” playlists, the show, broadcast Monday through Friday from 27:00 to 29:00, will feature a captivating mix of talent, ensuring a month of serene listening experiences until April 30.
This month’s selections promise to transport listeners into a world of diverse soundscapes, from indie rock to jazz fusion, and even spoken word. “The variety this month is truly inspiring, offering a unique journey for every late-night listener,” remarked a fan, capturing the excitement surrounding the diverse curation.
Meet the April 2026 Music Selectors
Mondays: Kicking Off the Week with Melodic Journeys
The beginning of the week brings a blend of emerging and established sounds.
1st & 2nd Weeks: endoa.
Formed in November 2025 around mol-74 bassist Ryoma Takahashi, endoa. is a four-piece band featuring Moeka from Fumin Ryoko (Vo.), Yuki Akihoshi from yeti let you notice (Gt.), and ioku (Dr.). Their sound is characterized by high-level musicianship, delivering glittering pop and alternative melodies.
3rd & 4th Weeks: H ZETTRIO
This “too free” piano trio, known for H ZETT M’s “zero-gravity” piano technique (blue nose), H ZETT NIRE’s robust bass grooves (red nose), and H ZETT KOU’s dynamic drum beats (silver nose), creates a rich, three-dimensional sound. Seamlessly blending jazz with funk, rock, hip-hop, and even traditional Japanese elements, they are a truly unique trio. They are set to release their 11th original album, QUESTUNE, in June 2026, which is anticipated to mark a new coordinate in the context of Japanese instrumental music.
Tuesdays: Collaborative Curation and Dynamic Duos
Tuesdays offer special collaborative playlists, bringing together distinct musical voices.
1st & 2nd Weeks: Emiri Minakami (nakigoto) × Motoki Fujimori (SAKANAMON)
Emiri Minakami leads nakigoto, a band formed in October 2018, aiming to provide “a little bit of a whimper for tired daily life.” They transform unspoken emotions and struggles into pop sounds with clever lyricism, performing at major festivals. They made their major debut with Epic Records Japan in July and are currently on their “Bittersweet Baby Tour 2026.”
Motoki Fujimori is the vocalist and guitarist of SAKANAMON, a three-piece rock band celebrating its 18th anniversary. Known for their unique live performances and the mascot “Sakanamon,” they released the mini-album kodomo to otona in January 2026 and hosted their first circuit festival in March 2026, which sold out instantly.
3rd & 4th Weeks: Yushin Takei (Czecho No Republic) × Noriaki Teraguchi (Ivy to Fraudulent Game)
Yushin Takei is from Czecho No Republic, a band formed in 2010 known for its uplifting male-female vocals. They debuted majorly in 2013, have had songs featured in Dragon Ball Super/Kai and various TV shows, and performed internationally. They celebrated their 15th anniversary in 2025 and released their 9th full album, Mirage Album, in November.
Noriaki Teraguchi is from Ivy to Fraudulent Game, a three-piece rock band formed in Gunma Prefecture in 2010. Their captivating live performances and Fukushima’s (Dr.) songwriting, which weaves intricate narratives, have garnered a strong following. The band’s name reflects their desire to spread music like ivy and to create music that pleasantly surprises listeners.
Wednesdays: Unconventional Voices and Groovy Rhythms
Midweek brings diverse selections, from conversational podcasts to vibrant rock.
1st & 2nd Weeks: Shiranee Tango
Shiranee Tango features Rin Sono, who doesn’t cross blinking traffic lights, and Tama Kanai, who gets glasses despite having no money. They deliver unstoppable snippets of conversation, streamed bi-weekly on YouTube and Spotify.
3rd & 4th Weeks: GIMA☆KENTA・Ryosuke Tominaga (Ai wa ZUBOON)
From Osaka, Ai wa ZUBOON is a strange rock band formed in 2011, characterized by playfulness, free ideas, and philosophical lyrics that make audiences dance. The band released their 15th-anniversary best album, I was born, on March 11, 2026.
5th Week: JP
Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1983, JP debuted as an impressionist in 2004. He gained significant attention in January 2022 for his stand-in appearances on Fuji TV’s Wide na Show and TBS’s Love It!, topping the “Yahoo! Search Awards 2022 Comedian Category.” He has also expanded his career as an actor, appearing in numerous dramas.
Thursdays: Rock Anthems and Cinematic Presence
Thursdays feature dynamic rock bands and a talent known for her on-screen charisma.
1st & 2nd Weeks: Hitohira
A four-piece rock band based in Tokyo, Hitohira bases its sound on emo, post-rock, and shoegaze influences. They captivate a wide range of music fans with their unique Japanese melodies and abstract poetic world.
3rd & 4th Weeks: yutori
This four-piece female-vocal rock band from Tokyo, with an average age of 22, has gained steady support in the scene. Sato Kotoko’s impulsive yet wistful and alluring vocals, combined with their live performances honed in music venues, have led to numerous appearances at major rock festivals. They made their major debut with two anime tie-ups in 2025 and are currently on a nine-city national tour, including KT Zepp Yokohama.
5th Week: Koki Kimishima
Born in Tokyo in 1994, Koki Kimishima is a talent who has won numerous commercial auditions. She is currently active as an actress, appearing in films such as Kaiki Taxi: Fukoku wo Shiranu Monotachi ni and dramas like DMM Short/YTV’s Fukushu Aite ga Sude ni Fukuzoko nan desu ga!.
Fridays: Artistic Fusion and Seasoned Pop
The week concludes with multi-talented artists and a celebrated pop band.
1st & 2nd Weeks: Makoto Kondo
A multi-artist based in Tokyo, originally from Kurume City, Fukuoka, known for ramen. Despite his laid-back persona, he meticulously crafts tracks that elevate jazz, R&B, neo-soul, and funk into approachable pop music. He handles lyrics, composition, arrangement, performance, artwork, and animation production himself. His live performances, manipulating keyboards, trombone, and samplers, are also a highlight. He contributes music and animation to TV Tokyo’s children’s program Shinapushu and is active in CM singing and narration.
3rd & 4th Weeks: PasPied
Formed in 2009 by Narita Haneda (key), PasPied takes its name from a piece by French composer Debussy. Their music is characterized by exceptional music theory, technique, a pop sensibility that digests music from the 70s to 00s, and captivating music videos and artwork by vocalist Natsuki Ogoda. They debuted with their 1st mini-album Watashi Kaika Shita wa in 2011 and performed solo at Nippon Budokan in 2016. In April of the previous year, they held a sold-out 15th-anniversary concert at Bunkamura Orchard Hall. They have also successfully performed in Shanghai and Beijing, held joint live shows, and released a new album in February, followed by a national tour.
Special Corners for Deeper Chill
Beyond the daily selectors, “CITY CHILL CLUB” offers unique segments to enhance the late-night experience.
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#KTCHAN’s MUNYA MUNYA
Hosted by artist/rapper #KTCHAN, this corner offers talk and music selections that feel like peeking into #KTCHAN’s dreams. Tune in for a full dose of #KTCHAN’s unique world.- Broadcast: Every Wednesday late night, approximately 27:35 – 27:55.
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Yuga’s midnight whispering
Singer-songwriter Yuga, known for theme songs like “Meguru” (film Nagai Owakare) and “Tomoshibi” (TBS drama Wife, Becomes a Grade-Schooler.), hosts this segment. It promises a moment of calm, like a relaxed chat with a friend late at night.- Broadcast: Every Thursday late night, approximately 27:35 – 27:55.
“CITY CHILL CLUB” continues to be a sanctuary for late-night listeners, offering a curated escape through music. The program airs Monday through Friday from 27:00 to 29:00.
For more information and to tune in, visit:
This April lineup for “CITY CHILL CLUB” not only highlights the vibrant diversity of Japan’s music scene but also reinforces the growing global appeal of Japanese “chill” culture. As these curated soundscapes reach listeners, they are sure to inspire new connections and appreciation for the unique artistic expressions emerging from Japan.
