If there were a theme for this year’s summer festival circuit in Japan, it would be “attempting normalcy,” and Summer Sonic will be the latest event offering that bold experiment when it takes place Aug. 20 and 21.
Held concurrently in Tokyo and Osaka, Summer Sonic is rolling out all of its usual hallmarks with a roster loaded with overseas acts, something that was a stretch (and point of contention when electronic artist Zedd showed his luxurious accommodations when non-Japanese students couldn’t easily come into the country) at last year’s scaled-down Supersonic event. With borders slightly more open, the festival is less likely to receive any grief this year, and for those in need of a clubbier experience, Sonicmania will take place at the Tokyo venue ahead of the main concert lineup.
For fans of live performances, spectacle is back on the bill. British postmodernist rockers The 1975 present their first live show since the pandemic started as one of the top headliners, making for what should be the most newsworthy and — given their love of poking at our social media-obsessed reality — dizzying set. Also gracing the festival’s main stage will be rising pop artist Rina Sawayama and Houston rapper (and noted anime lover) Megan Thee Stallion.