Music Topics

Make it a countdown to remember

In Japan, New Year’s Eve is traditionally celebrated at home with the family. For many it is a somber — if not sober — experience. Yet over the years Japan has firmly placed itself on the world map as a major stop-off point for ...

Concert Preview Dec 8, 2011

Perfume "JPN"

by Ian Martin

Whatever else you might say about idol trio Perfume’s new album, “JPN” is a title fraught with possible meanings. Is it a postquake rallying cry? A doomed attempt to reach out to overseas audiences following the use of “Polyrhythm” in Pixar’s pointless “Cars 2″ ...

Concert Preview Dec 1, 2011

EKD "Bon Voyage!"

by Shawn Despres

Comprised of a guitarist, a DJ, and a percussionist, EKD have opened Japan dates for globe-trotting rabble rousers such as France’s Manu Chao and Spain’s Obrint Pas. This year, the Tokyo three-piece have showcased their infectious multicultural tunes in Europe and also performed at ...

Concert Preview Nov 24, 2011

Blackwoods

by Daisuke Kikuchi

In a city like Tokyo, with more than 13 million people and who knows how many aspiring musicians, what does a band need to do to set their show apart from the others? The Blackwoods event, hosted by Tokyo-based rock trio Golden, hopes to ...

Concert Preview Nov 3, 2011

Bitch Magnet

by Shawn Despres

The flier for next week’s Tokyo concert by recently reunited posthardcore pioneers Bitch Magnet boasts praise from Ian Williams, the guitarist for acclaimed rock act Battles: “Probably more than any other band, Bitch Magnet sent me in the direction I took with the music ...

Concert Preview Oct 27, 2011

Burning Spirits

DAISUKE KIKUCHI Special to The Japan Times Who says Halloween isn’t popular in Japan? The Burning Spirits Halloween 2011 event will rock Shinjuku Antiknock on the scariest night of the year, with acts hand-picked to create a creepy but fun atmosphere. Expect bands and ...

Concert Preview Oct 20, 2011

Blip Festival Tokyo

by Daniel Robson

If there’s anything video-game geeks hate, it’s interacting with other people — at least, that’s the common perception. However, it’s a perception that is routinely shattered by the live chiptune music scene — and where better to go multiplayer than at this weekend’s Blip ...

Concert Preview Oct 13, 2011

Sakanaction "DocumentaLy"

by Patrick ST. Michel

“DocumentaLy,” rock outfit Sakanaction’s fifth full-length, stands as the group’s best effort to date and one of the biggest mainstream triumphs in Japanese music this year. The Tokyo-based band didn’t accomplish this through a sudden change in sound or any other grandiose moves often ...

Concert Preview Oct 6, 2011

Seiji

by Patrick ST. Michel

Dance-music maker Paul Dolby, aka Seiji, has played with many electronic genres since he began DJing in the 1990s. The Seiji coming to Japan this weekend releases club-centric tracks for free on his website while also putting his personal spin on artists such as ...

Concert Preview Sep 22, 2011

Red Hot Chili Peppers

by Daisuke Kikuchi

After a triumphant appearance at this year’s Summer Sonic music festival, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are coming back to Japan via cinemas. The “Red Hot Chili Peppers Live: I’m With You” concert film will be screened at cinemas nationwide for two weeks starting ...

Concert Preview Sep 15, 2011

"Matthew Herbert"

by Arni Kristjansson

Matthew Herbert can hardly be called a one-trick pony. Leaving his background in classical violin early on in his career, he has traversed many genres of dance music with his Doctor Rockit, Wishmountain and Herbert aliases. He has also conducted his own jazz big ...

Concert Preview Sep 8, 2011

"Jamaica Rocks"

by Norman Monroe

A group of Jamaican musicians and dancers led by explosive “singjay” Abijah, as well as Tessanne Chin and rising star I Eye, have set off on a major tour of Japan. The tour is being coordinated by the Min-On Concert Association, in collaboration with ...