Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Summer(?) Sonic Osaka 2012

I recently bought tickets for Muse's concert (myfavoritebandofalltimesooooexcited) in Oakland, and it reminded me of one of my concert adventures in Japan. It was definitely a concert event I will never forget. So let me tell you about my Summer Sonic experience.

Besides Fuji Rock, Summer Sonic is one of the biggest summer music festivals in Japan and with a line-up like Rihanna, Gym Class Heroes, and Perfume, I definitely wanted to go before I left Japan. So I did.

A hot, summer concert? Oho, little did we know...

My friends and I went on Saturday and although I was sad to miss out on Green Day and Franz Ferdinand, I ended up seeing artists I like such as Gym Class Heroes and Perfume, and even old school favs like Garbage, The Cardigans, and New Order (all of them, were *amazing* by the way). 

So here my friends and I were, sweating and enjoying Perfume's performance, when clouds started creeping over the sky. I didn't think *too* much of it. After all, summer time in Japan is usually caught between nasty humidity and nasty humidity + rain. A little rain couldn't hurt a concert right?

WRONG. First came the thunder. It was so close and very very loud. It was freaking people out, including me. It didn't help that Perfume stopped performing, apologized and said they would be "right back", then left (they *left* us). Then came the downpour. Honestly Japan, of all the days to rain...


Seeking refuge

Despite the torrent, the *second* we saw it stop, the crowd *rushed* back to the stage areas. So in the end I stayed out all night wet and muddy. I didn't exactly feel my finest, but thinking back on it now I'm definitely glad I went even though I lost a good pair of flats. *sigh*

All in all, not bad for my first summer music festival. Don't let Japan's random fickle weather stop you from going to any of Japan's music summer festivals. I definitely recommend going if you can get the chance.


And I leave you with the foodie pic of the day!


Okay I lied. The Meiji Chocolate building seen from the shinkansen.

Brought to you by PanRa at 11:00 AM 0 comments  

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Sunday, October 28, 2012

Blast from the Past: The Melody of Hamamatsu

I know. It's been a while. So much of a while, in fact that now this post is about what I did *last* October.

2 of my friends were placed in Hamamatsu (浜松) in Shizuoka prefecture. Most know the prefecture for some random volcano, mountain thing called Fuji, but for any classical music buff Hamamatsu happens to be known for music: Yamaha is stamped everywhere (its headquarters is based there) and there are music motifs  *everywhere*, including a statue to one of the great composers (a personal fav or mine), Frederic Chopin.

Even their manhole covers! *Manhole covers!* 

Such an emo

As much as I love being an Okayama JET, I have to say the music lover in me was so jealous that my friends were placed here! I remember there would be music everywhere we went whether its from some hopeful band jamming outside, or even the little classic jingles they play on the bus. I was also surprised there was a  pretty big Brazilian community. 

To kill some time we also went to the Museum of Musical Instruments where, well, they showcase musical instruments from around the world.

My friends loved being placed there. I'm glad I had a chance to see why.


Brought to you by PanRa at 1:44 AM 0 comments  

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Friday, June 29, 2012

Fireworks! Streamers! Transformers!

...I'm actually talking about a concert.


Back in the day I used to watch a little anime called Bleach (actually my mind is still reeling that a shonen series, let alone Bleach actually *ended*. Ending?) and one of the catchy opening tunes was from a group called UVERworld. I thought the song was so-so at the time, but then I found a...link...to one of their albums and decided to give them a shot. I needed more Japanese music in my iTunes so I figured, what the heck. The rest as they say, is history. I've been buying their albums ever since. I love their rock/pop/hip-hop blend and their instrumental songs just keep getting better and better. This is a band that I would want to see live if given the chance. So of course, now that I live in Japan when I was notified by Lawson's l-tike service of upcoming UVERworld concerts I immediately signed up. 

For those who don't know much about going to concerts in Japan, it's pretty damn hard. Most, if not all concert tickets (popular music; never tried classical/enka/etc) have to be won by lottery. You sign up then a few days later you get a yay or nay. So the more popular your band is, the harder the chances. That being said, I've heard that joining the band/artist's fanclub gets you better chances or even the chance to buy it earlier, but so far that hasn't worked for me (I'm looking at you Johnnys!!!!) Well, being let down so many times, I signed up anyway and of course I didn't win. My friend, however did. <--This was the part where I fist pumped and nearly screamed in fangirl joy.

Before I talk about the concert, a little background of my previous concert experiences in Japan. Japanese audiences are really...calm. My first experience was a VAMPS concert and since they're a visual kei/rock group, I figured I'd see head banging and dare I say, maybe a mosh pit in the standing area? What I got was this odd...hand flicking. And the creepy thing was the crowd knew when to change hand gestures! I felt like I was missing something! How did they *know?* My next concert, a Rip Slyme one was a bit better, but not much. The hand thing was still there, but since it was hip-hop there was a *bit* more moving around in the audience. I guess it didn't help that the venue was a theater with seating only. It looked like people were having fun. I think. Then there was Lady Gaga. Oh man. It was fun, but it was a mix of a concert and cosplay event, which didn't surprise me and was pretty damn awesome regardless. Cosplayers are so amazing here. Anyway, what I'm trying to get at is, I was kind of wondering what the atmosphere of an UVERworld concert would be like. The majority of their songs are upbeat rock songs you can dance to. There was still a lot of hand flicking/waving, but there was also jumping, dancing (with the space allowed anyway). UVERworld live is *awesome*. Takuya is sweet, always thanking the audience for being there and listening to their music, and Shintaro the drummer is my new husband-to-be amazing and cute when he talks to the crowd. Best part of the concert hands down is seeing Takuya appearing on stage on the drums and playing alongside Shintaro. Then as if he couldn't get more epic, the next tune he goes over to the piano and starts playing. Seeing a versatile musician...is pretty hot.

What I like best about having a concert in Osaka hall is the food stalls surrounding the building. All the standard matsuri fare was there, from okonomiyaki to castella. I've never seen a matsuri set up in any of the other venues I went to. I wonder if it's just an Osaka thing?

I am so glad I was able to see UVERworld live. Can definitely check that off my list of things I want to do in Japan.

One of the many goodies I bought at the concert. Also one of the English phrases that make *sense*. I still love you UVERworld!

Brought to you by PanRa at 8:47 AM 0 comments  

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