The fifth Punkspring music festival takes place at the beginning of April. Usually held alongside its urban music cousin Springroove, this year only Punkspring has been scheduled and, in an interesting twist, despite selling out its last three editions in Tokyo, tickets prices for the high energy, fist-pumping bash have been lowered.
Punkspring's international headliners include Lostprophets, Zebrahead and 311. Previously playing the fest's debut in 2006, the American quintet 311, whose chart-topping music mixes alternative rock, reggae and punk, are riding high on the success of their biennial "311 Day." Held every two years on March 11, last month's concert saw the band powering through a 60-song, Phish-like five-hour-long show for some of their most dedicated fans.
Catchy posthardcore act Fact are one of the event's domestic top draws. In January, the Chiba five-piece released their third full-length album, "In the Blink of an Eye," and performed for capacity crowds on their subsequent Japanese CD release jaunt. Recorded in the U.S., the disc will be issued in the U.K. in May, and Fact will go on tour there in early summer.
Punkspring takes place on April 2, 3 (2:30 p.m./1:30 p.m.) at Zepp Nagoya; ¥6,000 one day/¥11,000 two days; (052) 541-5758; April 2, 3 (2:30 p.m./1:30 p.m.)at Zepp Osaka; ¥6,000 one day/¥11,000 two days; (06) 4703-7760; April 4 (1:30 p.m.) at Makuhari Messe, Chiba; ¥7,800; (043) 296-0001. For details, visit www.punkspring.com