January featured a ton of great concerts across Japan, but February might be even better — hope your wallet isn't too thin this month.
One of Tokyo's best shows this month also happens to be one you should get on right away. Apocalyptic rockers Swans come to the capital for one show on Feb. 19 (Daikanyama Unit; 8 p.m. start; ¥6,000 in advance; 03-5459-8630). Only 400 tickets are being sold for the show, in which the New York band plans on using additional amplifiers to bring the tracks from last year's album "The Seer" to life.
Similarly loud and high profile is My Bloody Valentine's three shows at Studio Coast in the middle of the month, which have unfortunately all sold out. Instead of listening to "Loveless" and drowning your sorrows though, check out Tokyo's Japan Shoegazer Festival 2013 (Club Seata; 12:30 p.m. start; ¥3,000 in advance; 0422-29-0061). Among the many blissed-out artists playing are Lemon's Chair and cruyff in the bedroom. Lemon's Chair also contributed two tracks to the recent "Yellow Loveless" album of My Bloody Valentine covers that came out on High Fader Records last week.