Being an ambassador has its perks. Sure there's a ton of diplomacy to weave through, but the work must be worth it if you get to hold concerts at your house.
Last Friday, Swiss Ambassador Urs Bucher invited a small group over to see an intimate show by singer-songwriter Bastian Baker. The 23-year-old tried out some Japanese during his performance (arigato [thank-you] and the odd kawaii [cute]) and the audience responded with clapping and some shouts of approval.
The show came ahead of Baker's Japan tour, which took in Osaka and Nagoya before hitting Kansai later this week. The multi-instrumentalist played songs from his two solo albums, including "I'd Sing For You," "Lucky" and "Follow the Wind," before trying out some new material and wading into a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah."