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April 29, 2024
 

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J ROCK

Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 17, 2017
Fleshgod Apocalypse balances technical ability and chaos
When you think of Japanese music fans, those who are into symphonic death metal don't usually spring to mind. But the fandom is real, and Italian metal band Fleshgod Apocalypse can attest to that.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 25, 2017
Are Crossfaith rock's last true believers?
Crossfaith is experiencing an existential rock 'n' roll crisis. It's not stopping them from partying like rock stars, though.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 19, 2017
Beck: 'I wanted to put out a giant positive wave of sound'
"It's actually surreal that it's finally out," Beck Hansen says of his 13th album, "Colors." "It's the longest time from inception to release I've ever had. It's been like a rebirth."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Aug 10, 2017
Fuji Rock's closing act was a load of trash
By all accounts, this year's Fuji Rock Festival was a success. Punters of all ages and demographics enjoyed the laid-back vibe at the three-day music spectacular — give or take the constant rain — and most social media posts about the event focused on good times. Not everyone was happy, though.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 1, 2017
Fuji Rock Festival: It may not make sense on paper, but the end results are glorious
This year's Fuji Rock Festival was a damp and turbulent affair, albeit only in the most literal sense. Whatever the formula is for convincing people to blow their entire summer vacation budget on a few days in the Japan Alps — much of which will likely be spent lining up for the toilet, getting drenched in thunderstorms and searching for a stall selling beer that isn't Heineken — this year's festival appears to have cracked it.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 27, 2017
Quruli has noticed a change in the way young people listen to music
Many musicians will admit to having a special affection for Fuji Rock Festival, which unfurls at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture this weekend. Few, however, have a history as tightly intertwined with the event as Quruli, the affable guitar-rock outfit from Kyoto.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 26, 2017
Figuring out who to watch at this year's Fuji Rock Festival
The 2017 edition of Fuji Rock Festival boasts one of the more eclectic lineups the long-running gathering has had in recent years. The headliners tell the tale: Cartoon rockers Gorillaz share the same font size as electronic pop star Bjork and dance music weirdo Aphex Twin. Dig deeper and you'll find everything from big-stage EDM to Japanese "group sounds" legends. To help you navigate three days up in Naeba, here are some of The Japan Times' music writers' insights into this year's Fuji Rock.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 26, 2017
Be prepared before you head out for a weekend of music
With Fuji Rock happening this weekend, it's time to start making sure you've got everything you need to make the festival an unadulterated success. Here's a list of essential items you should consider trying to squeeze into your bags:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 25, 2017
For Uhnellys, surviving Tokyo's live-scene circuit has been an exercise in perseverance
When you're an independent rock band, maintaining a do-it-yourself ethic long-term can be difficult. Many acts eventually have to scale back, and dreams of a musical career turn into the reality of having a really cool hobby. Uhnellys, however, have kept up the fight.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 11, 2017
Rock act Boris marks 25 years with an album inspired by fans
Halfway through my conversation with Atsuo, drummer and spokesman for drone metal trio Boris, I bring out an original CD copy of the group's 1996 release, "Absolutego."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 27, 2017
Tricot fine-tunes a formula that got the trio noticed overseas on '3'
It has never been easy for Japanese bands to find success both domestically and abroad. For the most part, they can muster notable attention on one side or the other, but rarely both — regardless of how many awkward English-language songs or cringe-worthy collaborations they attempt. However, tricot (pronounced tree-koh and spelled in lowercase) may have stumbled onto a winning strategy.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2017
Rare ptarmigan chicks hatched in breeding program at Toyama zoo
Two artificially incubated rock ptarmigan eggs have hatched in a government-backed breeding program, according to zoo officials in the city of Toyama.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jun 8, 2017
Tilt toward domestic acts risks watering down uniqueness of Japan's big music fests
Japan's 2017 summer music festival landscape has mostly settled into place. The Fuji Rock Festival, after an upbeat 20th anniversary last year, kicked up excitement thanks to a top-heavy bill headlined by Gorillaz, Aphex Twin and Bjork, along with the promise of more left-field fare down in the smaller font. Summer Sonic, meanwhile, has placed Calvin Harris and Foo Fighters up front, followed by an array of Western acts.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Jun 2, 2017
Cubans rock to once-censored Beatles at Havana tribute concert feting 'Sgt. Pepper's' 50th anniversary
Communist-run Cuba, which once frowned upon the Beatles as a decadent Western influence, on Thursday held an open-air covers concert in a Havana park to celebrating 50 years since the release of the band's landmark album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 9, 2017
Rock fans complain of heat exhaustion during concert at Chiba venue
Around 50 people complained of symptoms related to heat exhaustion Saturday during a rock concert at Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba Prefecture, police said.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 26, 2017
What's in a name? Just ask Cairophenomenons
When a band changes its name, it sometimes signifies a switch in artistic direction. For indie band Cairophenomenons — previously known as Cairo — the decision was far more practical, even if the new moniker is a bit of a mouthful.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 26, 2017
Review: WagakkiBand at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
The only way WagakkiBand could be more Japanese is if Scarlett Johansson was playing the part of the singer.
CULTURE / Music / STRANGE BOUTIQUE
Feb 26, 2017
Music venue Three tries to up its numbers
Tokyo's independent live music scene has always been somewhat dysfunctional.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 15, 2017
Paellas aim to redefine the sound of 'now'
Fitting into the sound of the moment while still standing apart from it can be a tricky thing to do. Paellas guitarist Satoshi Anan says he wanted the feeling of "now" to come out on his band's newest album, "Pressure."
Japan Times
CULTURE
Dec 30, 2016
The top entertainment stories of 2016
The Japan Times newsroom selected these culture stories as the most important of 2016.
Number of homeless in Japan hits record low
Homeless people sleep on the street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in August 2021.
In Japan, regional revitalization fails to halt population decline
Sakiyama elementary school in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture, in March .Over the past decade, the government has directed efforts toward policies designed to give young people incentives to base themselves in rural areas.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Ukraine is far from doomed
When comparing Ukraine’s military situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

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