Thursday 16 June 2011

Summer music festivals 2011

As the weather warms up, it's time to hit some 夏フェス (Natsu Fesu - summer festivals). There are plenty to choose from in the Tokyo area, from monster outdoor festivals like Fuji Rock Festival to smaller indoor livehouse events like Japan Shoegazer Festival.
At the bottom I have listed most of the other upcoming music festivals throughout Japan.


OTODAMA SEA STUDIO 2011
This is a series of mini-festivals throughout summer held at a venue set up on the beach in Zushi.
When?
From June 24th to August 28th.
Where?
Otodama Sea Studio, Zushi.
Who's playing?
There are different genres each day, from rock to dance to pop, from Special Others to Ken Ishii to orange peckoe.
How much?
Different prices for different days, from 2000yen to 7000yen.
Tickets:
Pia, Lawson, eplus, 7-11.
Website:
otodama-beach.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Otodama Sea Studio



SHIMOKITAZAWA INDIE FANCLUB
A ticket to this indie rock festival gains you access to 15 venues in Shimokitazawa.
When?
June 26th (Sun)
Where?
Various venues in Shimokitazawa.
Who's playing?
SAKEROCK, Otogibanashi, SEBASTIAN X, Sokabe Keiichi Band, nhhmbase, group_inou, Tokyokarankoron, DODDODO, Nikaido Kazumi, Kicell, GELLERS, YOUR SONG IS GOOD, more.
How much?
4500yen advance, 5000yen on the day.
Tickets:
Pia (code 135-301), Lawson (code 71711), eplus, Shimokitazawa venues.
Website:
indiefanclub.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Shimokitazawa Indie Fanclub



JAPAN SHOEGAZER FESTIVAL 2011
See Japan's best noisy guitar pop bands at High, Koenji's temple of shoegazing.
When?
July 9th (Sun)
Where?
Koenji HIGH and AMP cafe.
Who's playing?
cruyff in the bedroom, Lemon's Chair, sphere, texas pandaa, Aureole, my dead girlfriend, SPEAKER GAIN TEARDROP, shojoskip, sugardrop, lily of the valley, moskitoo, swimmingpoo1, shelling, tanaka ken, DJs.
How much?
2000yen.
Tickets:
High, eplus.
Website:
lemon's chair
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Japan Shoegazer Festival



NANO-MUGEN FES
Large rock festival organised by Asian Kung-Fu Generation.
When?
July 16th (Sat) & 17th (Sun)
Where?
Yokohama Arena
Who's playing?
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, THE RENTALS, THE YOUNG PUNX! & PHONAT, WEEZER, the HIATUS, ASH, NEGOTO, MANIC STREET PREACHERS, STRAIGHTENER, BOOM BOOM SATELLITES, MowMowLuLuGyaban
How much?
9800yen each day.
Tickets:
From Pia (code 134-801), Lawson (code 79952), eplus.
Website:
nano-mugenfes.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Day One, Day Two



GFB'11 (Goose Fresh Beat '11 / Tsukuba Rock Fes)
Japanese indie band festival held in a park in Tsukuba.
When?
July 16th (Sat) & 17th (Sun)
Where?
Tsukuba Yukari no Mori
Who's playing?
MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS, Qomolangma Tomato, OWARIKARA, creephyp, SuiseiNoboAz, nhhmbase, tatetakako, tokyokarankoron, NEW HOUSE, Turntable Films, GELLERS, SEBASTIAN X, QUATTRO, oono yuuki, more
How much?
1 day 3900yen, 2 days 6900yen.
Tickets:
eplus.
Website:
goosefreshbeat
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Day One, Day Two



NATSU BIRAKI
Peaceful family festival in beautiful surroundings northwest of Tokyo.
When?
July 16th & 17th
Where?
Tokorozawa Kōkū-kōen, Saitama
Who's playing?
Day One: Sokabe Keiichi BAND, YOUR SONG IS GOOD, youmoutoohana, Kuricorder Underground, SOUR, Gentle Forest Jazz Band, more.
Day Two: bonobos, Kicell, Ovall, D.W. Nicols, Yoshida Yamada, BLACK BOTTOM BRASS BAND, more.
How much?
1 day 3900yen, 2 days 7000yen.
Tickets:
Lawson (code 76355), Pia (code 137-722), CN, eplus.
Website:
natsu-biraki.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Natsu Biraki



ENBAN SUMMER FESTIVAL (ENBAN NO NATSU MATSURI)
Tiny record store/live venue Enban's favourite experimental acts perform on two stages over two days at Shibuya O-Nest.
When?
July 16th (Sat) and 17th (Sun).
Where?
O-Nest, Shibuya.
Who's playing?
Day One: LSD March, ECD & POPO, CORE OF BELLS + Taku Sugimoto, VIDEOTAPEMUSIC & PROMNIGHTBOYS, more.
Day Two: Acid Mothers Tenniscoats, Nisennenmondai, Americo, Yoshihiro Kawasome, Suppaband, more.
How much?
2000yen each day.
Tickets:
Lawson (code 72615).
Website:
Enban News
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Day One, Day Two



FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL
Giant festival with multiple stages in the mountains of Niigata.
When?
July 29th (Fri), 30th (Sat), 31st (Sun)
Where?
Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata.
Who's playing?
Day One: COLDPLAY, ARCTIC MONKEYS, BIG AUDIO DYNAMITE, CSS, SISTERS OF MERCY, The Birthday, WASHED OUT, DEERHOOF, FOUR TET, WIDESPREAD PANIC, SAM MOORE, more.
Day Two: THE FACES, TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA, BATTLES, INCUBUS, ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION, the HIATUS, DIGITALISM, KIMONOS, 80kidz, WIDESPREAD PANIC, TODD RUNDGREN, CONGOTRONICS vs ROCKERS, more.
Day Three: THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS, YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA, MOGWAI, FEEDER, WILCO, CAKE, ATARI TEENAGE RIOT, envy, BEACH HOUSE, QURULI, TOWA TEI, DARK STAR ORCHESTRA, CORNERSHOP, BUDDY GUY, more.
How much?
One day 16,800yen, 3 days 39,800yen. Camping 3000yen.
Tickets:
Lawson (code 70666), Ganban, eplus. Tickets from overseas: Ganban
Website:
fujirockfestival.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Day One, Day Two, Day Three



ROCK IN JAPAN FES. 2011
Large three-day festival focusing on Japanese rock and pop artists.
When?
August 5th (Fri), 6th (Sat), 7th (Sun)
Where?
Kokuei Hitachi Kaihin Koen in Hitachinaka-city, Ibaraki.
Who's playing?
Day One: ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, ASPARAGUS, 80kidz, OGRE YOU ASSHOLE, Perfume, COMEBACK MY DAUGHTERS, HiGE, MONGOL800, POLYSICS, YUKI, more
Day Two: ORANGE RANGE, capsule, HALCALI, Kimura Kaela, ZAZEN BOYS, Dragon Ash, Unicorn, YUI, Chara, RIP SLYME, SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS, more.
Day Three: ACIDMAN, BRAHMAN, THE ELEPHANT KASHIMASHI, KREVA, PUFFY, te', NICO Touches the Walls, B-DASH, ART-SCHOOL, the band apart, NEGOTO, more.
How much?
1 day 11,500yen, 2 days 22,000yen, 3 days 30,000yen.
Tickets:
Pia, http://rijfes.jp/11/ticket
Website:
rijfes.jp/11
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Day One, Day Two, Day Three



TOKYO SKA JAMBOREE Vol.3
Friendly ska festival held near Mt.Fuji.
When?
August 6th (Sat)
Where?
Yamanakako Ska Field.
Who's playing?
FISHBONE, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, .MICETEETH, Blue Beat Players
How much?
6800yen.
Tickets:
eplus
Website:
tokyoskaj.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Tokyo Ska Jamboree



YOKOHAMA REGGAE SAI
Indoor reggae event held in Yokohama.
When?
August 6th (Saturday)
Where?
Yokohama Stadium.
Who's playing?
MIGHTY CROWN FAMILY, PUSHIM, RYO the SKYWALKER, JUMBO MAATCH, TAKAFIN, BOXER KID from MIGHTY JAM ROCK, Special guests from Jamaica, HOME GROWN, STONED ROCKERS, more.
How much?
Arena/Stand S 7800yen, Stand A 6800yen.
Tickets:
Lawson (code 76000)
Website:
yokohamareggaesai.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Yokohama Reggae Sai



WORLD HAPPINESS 2011
Electronic and quirky pop festival held in a Tokyo park.
When?
August 7th (Sunday)
Where?
Yumenoshima Koen Rikujokyogijo in Shin-Kiba.
Who's playing?
YUKI, THE BEATNIKS, YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA, Takano Hiroshi, LITTLE CREATURES, SCHADARAPARR, TOWA TEI, Hoshino Gen, OKAMOTO’S, kotringo, Fennesz+Sakamoto, SinseiKamattechan, KIMONOS, Sakanaction, Miyazawa Kazufumi as GANGA ZUMBA
How much?
8500yen
Tickets:
Pia (code 132-676), Lawson (code 72912), eplus, CN, Kyodo.
Website:
world-happiness.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
World Happiness



SONICMANIA
Summer Sonic's warm-up rock and dance festival.
When?
August 12th (Fri)
Where?
Makuhari Messe.
Who's playing?
Underworld, Primal Scream present Screamadelica live, Boom Boom Satellites, Chase & Status, A-TRAK, autoKratz, Jamaica, South Central, Vitalic.
How much?
9,000yen.
Tickets:
Lawson (code 72790), Pia (code 136-070), eplus, CN, JCB. From overseas: ticketweb.co.uk
Website:
creativeman.co.jp/sonicmania
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Sonicmania



SUMMER SONIC
Huge commercial and indie music festival held in urban Chiba.
When?
August 13th (Sat) and 14th (Sun)
Where?
Makuhari Messe.
Who's playing?
Day One: THE STROKES, BEADY EYE, KIMURA KAELA, NE-YO, RIP SLYME, THE MARS VOLTA, SIMPLE PLAN, DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979, KORN, THE HORRORS, ZIGGY MARLEY, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, VILLAGE PEOPLE, more.
Day Two: RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS, X JAPAN, P.i.L, THE JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION, SUEDE, JAMES BLUNT, BOW WOW WOW, HOUSE OF PAIN, FACT, VILLAGE PEOPLE BOOTSY COLLINS, MAXIMUM THE HORMONE, more.
How much?
1 day 15,000yen, 2 days 27,000yen.
Tickets:
Pia (code 134-175), Lawson (code 77777), CN, JCB.
Website:
summersonic.com/2011
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Day One, Day Two



FREE DOMMUNE ZERO
Earthquake charity event brings noise artists and dance music together.
When?
August 19th
Where?
Higashi Ogishima East Park, Kawasaki
Who's playing?
WHITEHOUSE/CUT HANDS, HIJOKAIDAN, KEIJI HAINO, MERZBOW, OTOMO YOSHIHIDE, FISHMANS+, STEWART WALKER, ISAO TOMITA, JEFF MILLS, EYE, KEN ISHII, TOWA TEI, more.
How much?
Free
Website:
dommune.com/freedommunezero
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Freedommune Zero



TONE RIVER JAM '11
This Japanese rock festival in Chiba will be held on two days this year.
When?
August 20th (Sat) and 21st (Sun)
Where?
Yu Yu Park, Abiko, Chiba.
Who's playing?
locofrank, UNITED, F.I.B, GARLICBOYS, IDOLPUNCH, MEANIING, kamomekamome, FCFiVE, DEEPCOVER, Gocoo, more.
How much?
TBA.
Tickets:
TBA.
Website:
toneriverjam.jimdo.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Day One, Day Two



WIRE11
Dance the night away at this electronic music festival.
When?
August 27th (Sat)
Where?
Yokohama Arena.
Who's playing?
Agoria, Beroshima, Mark Broom, Dop, Dr. Shingo, Dubfire, Len Faki, Ken Ishii, Takkyu Ishino, Takaaki Itoh, Ben Klock, Shin Nishimura, Radio Slave, Rainbow Arabia, Snuff Crew, Sodeyama, Daniel Steinberg, Fumiya Tanaka, Tasaka, Westbam, more.
How much?
11550yen.
Tickets:
Pia (code 138-130), Lawson (code 78740), e+, CN, 7-11.
Website:
wireweb.jp/11
Tokyo Gig Guide:
WIRE11



SPACE SHOWER SWEET LOVE SHOWER 2011
Japanese rock and pop festival organised by a TV channel.
When?
August 27th (Sat) and 28th (Sun).
Where?
Lake Yamanaka Community Plaza Yamanakako-village, Yamanashi.
Who's playing?
Day One: andymori, HY, Okamura Yasuyuki, Ryujin Kiyoshi, salyu × salyu, HiGE, BRAHMAN, The Mirraz, YOUR SONG IS GOOD, more.
Day Two: Kegawa no Maries, Sakanaction, SAMBOMASTER, SISTER JET, [Champagne], SEKAI NO OWARI, NICO Touches the Walls, THE BAWDIES, more.
How much?
1 day 9,000yen, 2 days 17,000yen.
Tickets:
Pia, Lawson, eplus
Website:
sweetloveshower.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Day One, Day Two



PROGRESSIVE ROCK FESTIVAL 2011
Three classic rock groups will perform in Hibiya park.
When?
August 28th (Sun).
Where?
Hibiya Park Open Air Concert Hall.
Who's playing?
KANSAS, WISHBONE ASH, PFM (Premiata Forneria Marconi)
How much?
12,000yen
Tickets:
Pia (code 142-569), Lawson (code 72430), eplus.
Website:
clubcitta.co.jp/001/progfes2
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Prog Rock Fes



METAMORPHOSE
Electronic and rock music festival which always has an interesting lineup.
When?
September 3rd (Sat)
Where?
Cycle Sports Center, Shizuoka.
Who's playing?
Leftfield, The Flaming Lips, Tim Deluxe, Orbital, Cut Chemist, Moodymann, Galactic, Stevie Salas, Derrick May, minilogue, Gold Panda, DUB SQUAD, Nanao Tavito, Nisennenmondai, DEEP COVER, rega, EYE, DJ BAKU, GALAXY 2 GALAXY, Ebo Taylor and Afrobeat Academy, rei harakami, more.
How much?
TBA.
Tickets:
metamo.info/preticket
Website:
metamo.info
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Metamorphose



FUNTE NEON
Small indie festival in Tokorozawa.
When?
September 4th (Sunday)
Where?
Tokorozawa Koku Kinen Koen Outdoor Stage
Who's playing?
SOUR, COMA*, 4 bonjour's parties, miaou, Choir touched teras chord, more.
How much?
2300yen advance. 2900yen on the day.
Tickets:
eplus
Website:
funteneon.com
Tokyo Gig Guide:
Funte Neon


Later Festivals:
Even when summer is coming to an end, you can still enjoy a few festivals around Tokyo.

TOKYO JAZZ FESTIVAL 2011
September 2nd, 3rd & 4th at Tokyo International Forum
TokyoJazz2011

TAICOCLUB CAMPS '11
September 9th & 10th at New Greenpia Tsunan, Niigata
Day One, Day Two

LABYRINTH 2011
September 17th, 18th & 19th at Naeba Green Land, Niigata
Day One, Day Two, Day Three

AIR JAM '11
September 18th at Yokohama Stadium
Tokyo Gig Guide

NEUTRALNATION 2011
September 19th at Tokyo Odaiba Seaside Court
Tokyo Gig Guide

GG11 (MUSIC ON TV - GEORGE'S GOVERNMENT 2011)
September 23rd & 24th at Makuhari Messe
Day One, Day Two

GURU GURU MAWARU
September 24th at Saitama Stadium 2002
Tokyo Gig Guide

LOUD PARK '11
October 15th at Saitama Super Arena.
Tokyo Gig Guide

KAIKOO POPWAVE FESTIVAL
November 19th at various venues in Shibuya.
Tokyo Gig Guide

ASAGIRI JAM
Probably October 8th, not announced yet.
smash-jpn.com/asagiri


Other summer music festivals in Japan:
Here are the highlights of the summer festivals in other parts of the country.

MIYAKO ISLAND ROCK FESTIVAL in Miyako Island, Okinawa
June 25th
mirf.jp

PEACEFUL LOVE ROCK FESTIVAL in Okinawa
July 9th & 10th
peaceful-love-rock.com

KYOTO DAISAKUSEN 2011 in Kyoto
July 9th & 10th
sound-c.co.jp/kyotodai/11

ROKKO SUN MUSIC 2011 in Kobe
July 10th
rokkosun-music.com

GREEN GREEN MUSIC FESTIVAL in Hiroshima
July 10th
greenx2fes.web.fc2.com

STARLIGHT REGGAE FESTIVAL in Gifu
July 16th, 17th & 18th.
starlight-reggaefesta.com

AOMORI ROCK FESTIVAL in Aomori
July 17th.
natsunomamono

JOIN ALIVE 2011 in Hokkaido
July 23rd & 24th.
joinalive.jp

SETSTOCK '11 in Hiroshima
July 23rd & 24th.
setstock.jp

OGA NAMAHAGE ROCK FESTIVAL in Akita
July 30th.
onrf.jp

ROCK DAZE 2011 in Fukuoka
July 31st.
kyodo-west.co.jp/rockdaze_2011

RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL 2011 in Ezo, Hokkaido
August 12th & 13th
rsr.wess.co.jp

MTV ZUSHI FES 2011 in Zushi
August 12th, 13th & 14th
mtvjapan.com/zushifes

TREASURE05X in Nagoya
August 13th to September 10th
sundayfolk.com/treasure

TOHOKU REGGAE SAI in Iwate
August 14th.
tohoku-reggaesai.com

MONSTER BASH in Kagawa
August 20th & 21st.
monsterbash.jp

SKY JAMBOREE 2011 in Nagasaki
August 21st.
skyj.jp

ARABAKI ROCK FEST 11 in Sendai
August 27th & 28th.
arabaki.com

RUSH BALL 2011 in Osaka
September 4th.
rushball.com

MASTER COLISEUM '11 in Osaka
September 23rd.
master56.com

NAGATA DAIKOUSHINKYOKU (GAGAGAGA SP FES) in Kobe
September 24th & 25th
ldandk.xsrv.jp/gagaga-fes

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