World Piano Day: Celebrate with TØKIO M¥ERS
In honour of World Piano Day, we had a deep dive into the musical talents of TØKIO M¥ERS, coming to City Varieties Music Hall this May.
Written by Henry Crabtree
About Piano Day
In 2015, German musician, composer and record producer, Nils Frahm, created Piano Day – a love letter (or should that be love melody?) to one of the most iconic and beloved instruments worldwide. Piano Day is celebrated on the 88th day of the year, paying reference to the 88 keys on a standard piano. When asked why the world needs a Piano Day, Frahm replied “…mostly, because it doesn’t hurt to celebrate the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano builders, tuners, movers and most importantly, the listener.”
In celebration of World Piano Day, we’re shining a spotlight on TØKIO M¥ERS, one of the UK’s most innovative classical music trailblazers, who just so happens to be gracing the stage of Leeds’ own City Varieties Music Hall this May.
TØKIO M¥ERS
At the age of nine, TØKIO’s father bought him a keyboard that he played ‘for hours and hours’. Having studied at the Royal College of Music, he went on to support Kanye West, The Police and Amy Winehouse, as well as Lianna La Havas on her 2016 European Tour. In 2017, TØKIO shot to fame after winning Britain’s Got Talent with an emotional and unique rendition of Rag’n’Bone Man’s Only Human.
TØKIO is a musical alchemist, blending the rich traditions of classical music with rhythms of hip-hop, electronic, and pop – unconventional and brilliant. This distinctive fusion of time-honoured technique and contemporary production elements has placed him firmly on the radar of music lovers globally. Following a sold-out UK tour and his reworking of Jerusalem becoming the official anthem of the Commonwealth Games England, he went on to win the Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Classic BRITs 2018.
TØKIO is a master of musical fusion, seamlessly blending disparate styles. Take, for instance, his premiere appearance and audition on Britain’s Got Talent, in which he expertly blends Debussy’s Clair de Lune and Ed Sheeran’s Bloodstream – resulting in a performance that begins familiar and gentle, evolving into a hauntingly captivating auditory landscape.
This ability to meld genres with finesse is what sets TØKIO apart and allows his music to resonate with a diverse audience. His music is of two somewhat contradictory worlds, and as such, can bring together listeners from all walks of life.
TØKIO’s success on Britain’s Got Talent shone a much-deserved spotlight on the piano as a versatile instrument capable of both innovation and experimentation. Through his electrifying performances and compositions, he has demonstrated that the piano is not just an instrument of the past but a powerful force driving the future of music.
New and old
But don’t just take our word for it – come and see for yourself! TØKIO’s combination of old and new is echoed by our venues, bridging the gap between the traditional and contemporary; offering stages steeped in history to some of the most exciting upcoming national and international performers. We invite you to join us in commemorating World Piano Day and experiencing TØKIO’s unique blend of musical styles first-hand.
TØKIO M¥ERS comes to City Varieties Music Hall on Fri 10 May 2024, promising a show unlike any you’ve seen before.
The yellow and gold new plaster work of City Varieties Music Hall is chipped, revealing the former Victorian wall decoration beneath.
City Varieties Music Hall Building Fund
The City Varieties Music Hall is the gem in Leeds’ crown. As the city’s oldest theatre, we want to ensure that Britain’s longest, continuously operating music hall is here for future generations, making it more accessible, sustainable, and comfortable. All donations will be fully invested in the building and equipment and will enhance your experience as a customer.
