Music Topics

Linkin Park returns to Summer Sonic

Aug 1, 2013

Linkin Park returns to Summer Sonic

by Jason Richards

Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park always starts his trips to Tokyo the same way. Jet-lagged and unable to sleep on the first night, the band’s founding member has made a ritual of hitting up the Tsukiji fish market around 4 a.m. for sushi and ...

A year of tough choices at Fuji

| Jul 31, 2013

A year of tough choices at Fuji

by Mike Sunda

Wandering around on the opening day of this year’s Fuji Rock, I got the impression that numbers were down on previous years. Of course, anyone who has ever been stuck in the event’s seemingly never-ending lines for the portable toilets — or who’s been ...

Tame Impala

| Jul 31, 2013

Tame Impala

by Shaun Curran

You’ve been to Japan as visitors before, how does this trip compare? Kevin Parker (vocals, guitar): It was pretty similar to this, just being overloaded by visual stimulation and generally wowing at all the things in the culture. Japanese audiences are … whenever you ...

Savages

| Jul 31, 2013

Savages

by James Hadfield

Is there anyone you’re hoping to catch at the festival? Jehnny Beth (vocals): I don’t think we’ll have time. I mean, Bo Ningen at breakfast was amazing. (Laughs.) I just had Bo Ningen at breakfast, and that was the best breakfast I’ve ever had. ...

Steruss

| Jul 31, 2013

Steruss

by Mike Sunda

You’re performing on the Red Marquee this year as a result of winning the Rookie A Go-Go competition at last year’s festival, how does that feel? crime6 (MC): Last year we didn’t expect to win at all. There were so many great bands — ...

Yo La Tengo

| Jul 31, 2013

Yo La Tengo

by James Hadfield

They had you playing just after noon today. Do you find it’s hard to be switched on so early in the morning? Ira Kaplan (guitar, vocals): Well, luckily we’re so completely turned around: we’ve been on tour all month, working very hard, and then ...

Toro y Moi

| Jul 31, 2013

Toro y Moi

by Shaun Curran

You’ve played Japan before, were they festivals? Chaz Bundick: The first two times were at festivals. We haven’t done club shows in Tokyo yet, that’s pretty hard. I’m not really sure about what goes into it, but I imagine it’s difficult with us being ...

Jamie xx

| Jul 31, 2013

Jamie xx

by Mike Sunda

This is your third time at Fuji Rock, you must like it? Jamie Smith: I do like it. It’s really nice out in the actual festival; backstage … not so nice! It’s a really good vibe out there, which is what really matters. You ...