Music Sep 25, 2021
Supersonic hits quiet mode on its summer party
by Patrick St. Michel
The two-day music festival had crowds dancing at Zozo Marine Stadium with foreign and domestic acts despite pandemic-related obstacles.
Music May 13, 2021
by Patrick St. Michel
Naoki Shimizu, the man behind Japan's massive Summer Sonic festival, talks about COVID-19 precautions and new ideas for moving forward.
Music Aug 11, 2020
Supersonic 2020 postponed due to COVID-19 concerns
by Patrick St. Michel
Event company Creativeman announced that this year’s replacement for Summer Sonic will be postponed until 2021.
Music Aug 21, 2019
It's time for Summer Sonic to think beyond the music
by Oscar Boyd
Summer Sonic 2019 featured the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sakanaction and Babymetal. With the music under its belt, what's next for the festival?
Music Aug 15, 2019
Choose your acts wisely at this year's Summer Sonic
by Patrick St. Michel
The 2019 edition of the Summer Sonic music festival, held concurrently in Tokyo and Osaka from Aug. 16 to 18, marks the 20th anniversary of the gathering. Though that's not the only special twist gracing an event offering the experiences of a big musical ...
Music Aug 15, 2019
Foals: Summer Sonic's storm before the calm
by Oscar Boyd
"My knees are fine, my knees are fine. Yeah, no problem there. I'm actually jumping off even higher things these days," says Yannis Philippakis, lead singer of the British band Foals. Philippakis is referring to his raucous live performances, which display a commitment to aerobatics ...
Music Jun 20, 2019
Japan's summer festivals plan for a final party before Olympic fever hits
by James Hadfield
As Yo La Tengo once sang, "summer's what you make it," and that's especially true in Japan this year. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics are likely to throw a major wrench (or should that be hammer?) in the works for next summer's festival ...
Music Feb 8, 2019
Chemical Brothers, The Cure and Sia among first batch of acts for Fuji Rock Festival '19
by Jordan Allen
Also appearing on the bill are Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, James Blake, Mitski and Janelle Monae, with many more still to be announced.
Music Aug 21, 2018
Western acts take note: Joy and enthusiasm are the key to winning over Summer Sonic crowds
by Patrick St. Michel
British rocker Noel Gallagher has developed a reputation in recent years for delivering biting, hilarious one-liners, both in interviews and at concerts. In front of the crowd as the Saturday night headliner for Tokyo's leg of Summer Sonic, however, the former Oasis brain trust ...
Music Aug 21, 2018
Sunset and a glimpse of Mount Fuji add to Tom Misch's Tokyo debut
by Oscar Boyd
As the sun began to set on this year's Summer Sonic, London-born singer Tom Misch took to the Beach Stage for his first live appearance in Tokyo. Misch, who released his debut album "Geography" in April, performs an upbeat mix of lo-fi funk and soul. ...
Music Aug 16, 2018
Summer Sonic's helter-skelter lineup provides a lot of chances for younger Japanese acts
by Patrick St. Michel
When it comes to music festivals in Japan, Fuji Rock is the pretty one, Rock in Japan is the domestic one and Summer Sonic is the crowd pleaser. Past headliners have included acts as diverse as Metallica, Beyonce, Green Day and Stevie Wonder. In 2018, ...
Music Jan 17, 2018
Beck, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds to headline Summer Sonic
by Margaret A. Goff
American singer-songwriter Beck and British rock outfit Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds have been named as headliners at this year's Summer Sonic music festival in August. Among other acts that have also been named on the bill are Chance the Rapper, pop star Shawn Mendes ...