Kani Kani Matsuri

Japan's heavy metal circus Samurai orchestra Hatenkohro return to San Fran for Kani Kani Matsuri, with support from our favourite misfits DJ Lord Echo, Kuki Koori, The Nudge, Hongi Slicker and DJ Dr TV.

The Kani Kani Matsuri event name is inspired by Kani Kani which is Maori for dance and in Japanese Kani means Crab. Matsuri is Japanese for festival. So it’s a crab dance festival folks, get along and dance sideways. This extraordinary event is presented by Hills Hats to help celebrate 145 years of making hats in Petone for the world, hats donned by our best musicians.

Hatenkohro is an intoxicating fusion of traditional Japanese sword fight and dance with heavy metal rock and flourishes of classical violin. The 9 strong group last played San Fran for Hatmans birthday bash and are back for one night only in the Capital before they hit Splore festival. They wear Hills Hats exclusively, original custom hats made from vintage kimono.

The Nudge are a Wellington institution, delivering hurricane force psychedelic and hypnotic sonic music. Members Ryan Prebble, James Coyle and Iraia Whakamoe suit up with Hills Hats originals that match their music, tie dye bowler hats, over sized cowboy hats and everything is big open crown felt hats.

DJ Lord Echo is Mike Fabulous, a multi-instrumentalist producer and engineer and DJ whose music imagines a world where reggae and rocksteady rub shoulders with Latin music, disco, African soul and techno. Lord Echo wears a signature cap or a Spanish riding hat custom made by Hills Hats.

Kuki Koori weave mesmerising sonic beats and live psychedelic animations, an audio-visual spectacle from Fat Freddy's Drop keyboardist Iain Gordon aka Kuki Blaze and visual artist Mick 'Koori boy' Finn. Kuki has an ever evolving collection of original Hills Hats while Koori favors a custom 3D Greek fisherman hat with sequins.

Hongi Slicker is the masterful award winning Troy Kingi, Kerikeri based musician and actor. His album releases 'Holy Colony Burning Acres' 'Shake That Skinny Ass All The Way To Zygertron' & 'Guitar Party at Uncles Bach' draw on roots, reggae, soul and funk vibes. Troy religiously wears custom Bakerboy hats and NZ tartan Engine drivers hat by Hills Hats.

DJ Dr TV is Thomas Voyce from Rhombus, flying solo with an eclectic bag of tunes. By day a teacher of sonic composition at Victoria University, by night a dub stepping hip hop sound machine. Dr Thomas has his own signature Hills Hat, a converted kepi cap in multiple fabrics.