Summer Music Festival Guide 2006

Forest Frolic: Fuji Rock Festival

Red Hot Chili Peppers Courtesy of Smash

With the Fuji Rock Festival celebrating its tenth anniversary amid talk of a festival bubble, promoters are pushing the limits of the possible. Japan’s music-going audience is the beneficiary of a profusion of festivals of every shape and color.

The granddaddy of Japanese music festivals celebrates a decade as the country’s marquee rock event, now firmly settled at the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture.

But it wasn’t always wine and roses. After a typhoon hit the festival in its first incarnation on the slopes of Mt Fuji, the inaugural FRF had to be cancelled midway through. To set the score straight, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who headlined the first festival, are back this year with their new album, Stadium Arcadium.

The Chili Peppers will be headlining the largest Green Stage on Saturday, while Friday’s bill is topped by Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand and Sunday’s by New York rockers The Strokes.

Often at Fuji Rock, the most intriguing sets can be found at the smaller stages, such as the indoor Red Marquee and far-flung Field of Heaven, or even the tiny makeshift stages on the pathways—where, for example, Los Lobos delivered an impromptu set last year after a late arrival prevented them from performing as scheduled.

Other bands to watch for aside from the headliners include Jack White’s new supergroup the Raconteurs, Canadian indie-rockers Broken Social Scene, and Brooklyn’s engaging Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

The Japanese rock scene is also fully represented by the likes of pop-punkers Asian Kung-Fu Generation, melo-core veterans Eastern Youth, and the deliciously psychedelic Yurayura Teikoku. Meanwhile, the throaty, experimentally minded singer UA and bossa nova diva Lisa Ono will be on hand to demonstrate that not all female Japanese pop stars are quavering, no-talent cuties.

Boots and full-body Gore-Tex recommended.
When: July 28-30
Where: Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture
Tickets: Three-day pass ¥39,800; one-day pass ¥16,800 (limited to 10,000)
Info: FRF ’06 Info Center: 0180-993-998
Online: http://fujirockfestival.com
Fan site: www.fujirockers.org

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Q&A
with Fuji Rock Festival founder Masa Hidaka

Photo: Dan Grunebaum

How has FRF changed most since the first event?
I suppose the most obvious answer it is much bigger and wider event from the first time. Even the location has changed.

How has the audience changed?
We advanced planned all we could, but there was no blueprint for the first Fuji. We even checked the weather reports for 50 years prior. We checked and doubled-checked and thought we had done everything, but we quickly learned an outdoor event is the flip of a coin, weather-wise. The typhoon changed everything and we learned from the experience. After that we spent a lot of time educating the audience on how to behave and how to prepare for a weekend outdoors. It seems silly now, but a huge percentage of the audience turned up in almost beach wear. I like to think we created a festival audience.

How has Fuji Rock influenced Japanese rock culture?
I always felt the Japanese work ethic doesn’t make space for a father and son (or mother/ daughter) to experience things together. It was my dream to change that even for a few hours. I get great pleasure in seeing that breakdown of the generation gap. A father and son sitting watching the same band together. Neil Young comes to mind. From an industry point of view, I suppose the majors naturally look on the festival season as a great marketing opportunity, but Fuji Rock is more than just a platform for selling records. The festival is a celebration of the best that’s around, a holiday weekend that is camping, good food, great music, fun times, meeting and making friends, enjoying life. Simple ideas, really.

What are your personal worst and best FRF moments of the past ten years?
The worst and best moments all happened in a few hours at the first festival: amazing performances from Rage Against The Machine and the Chili Peppers but then the onslaught of mother nature in full steam. Years of planning gone in hours in a battle with a typhoon. But the memory of smiles on the faces of the audience gave me the willpower to make Fuji 2 a must. I needed to find a new site and overcome a skeptical media.

What has been the most historic Fuji Rock performance?
This is an impossible question to answer as it’s like asking me what’s my favorite record or song.

What band do you most still want to invite to Fuji Rock?
I have asked Van Morrison many times to come, but that is a personal thing. I get a kick out of booking artists the audience may not know—because they come just to see their favorite band—but then discover say, Adrian Belew or Kid Carpet. We have six main stages and they cover a wide range of music. Often the discovery of the unexpected is what makes a festival special.

Concrete Rumble: Summer Sonic

Daft Punk courtesy of Creativeman

Naoki Shimizu, the creator of Summer Sonic, had long wanted to put on an urban rock gathering along the lines of England’s Reading Festival. But it took a few years of building up his company Creativeman, launched in 1990, until he had the know-how.

With the experience under his belt of promoting tours by bands like Radiohead, and having seen the proven success of Fuji Rock, Shimizu held the first Summer Sonic in 2000. Rather than Fuji’s deep woods approach, the idea was to do something more accessible from town, targeting a younger demographic with less disposable income.

A two-prong attack sees the festival take place over two days at locations in Kanto and Kansai. In Tokyo this means the concrete-and-steel environs of the Chiba Marine Stadium and the nearby Makuhari Messe convention center, allowing festival-goers to walk to and fro between the two main venues.

This year’s SS covers all the stylistic bases. From metal warhorses Metallica to rap-rockers Linkin Park, from European beatmakers Daft Punk to English youth rock phenomenon Arctic Monkeys, the bill indicates the depth and breadth of Japan’s international music market.
The domestic scene is represented by, among others, expert neo-punkers Ellegarden, fey indie-rock-flavored unit Quruli, hip-hop MC/impresario m-flo, and in-your-face ex-model Anna Tsuchiya.

When: August 12-13
Where: Chiba Marine Stadium and Makuhari Messe
Tickets: ¥14,500 (one day); ¥26,500 (two days)
Info: Summer Sonic 2006 Office: 0180-993-030 Online: www.summersonic.com

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Udo-stock: Udo Music Festival

Santana courtesy of Udo

After testing the waters with its stadium Rock Odyssey event in 2004, veteran promoter Udo returns with a full-fledged outdoor rock festival. The show brings together the outdoor appeal of Fuji Rock with the two-city, two-day approach of Summer Sonic. This summer will tell if it’s a successful blend.

Following mixed reviews for Rock Odyssey’s lineup, which included the Red Hot Chili Peppers warming up for Japanese retro-rocker Eikichi Yazawa, this year’s Udo Music Festival bill seems more considered.

Baby boomers are catered to on the first day with Latin rock innovator Santana, California soft-rock group the Doobie Brothers, and punk queen Chrissie Hynde’s the Pretenders. Aside from headliners Kiss, day two seems more youth oriented, with grunge survivors Alice In Chains (minus heroin-overdosed frontman Lane Staley) and Godsmack. Originally scheduled to appear, Audioslave—comprising ex-Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell and the former rhythm section of Rage Against the Machine—have cancelled apparently to focus on recording, while Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins’ new unit is a recent addition to the bill.

When: July 22-23
Where: Fuji Speedway, Shizuoka Prefecture
Tickets: ¥16,000 (one day); ¥30,000 (two days)
Info: UDO 03-3402-5999 Online: http://udofes.jp

Homegrown: Rock In Japan Fes

Shonen Knife courtesy of Rockin’ On

J-pop’s answer to the Fuji Rock and Summer Sonic reportedly draws a bigger crowd, making it Japan’s largest rock festival. Produced by Rockin’ On Inc., publisher of the eponymous magazine, the festival was first held in 2000.

Rock in Japan this year spans three days at a seaside location in Ibaraki Prefecture with a lineup that ranges from chart-toppers to relative unknowns. Day one features rap-core collective Dragon Ash, kitschy anime stars Puffy, and candy-punk veterans Shonen Knife, whose 20th anniversary was recently feted with the release of a tribute album. Day two’s bill is topped by Ellegarden and R&B diva Bennie K, while day three will see sets from emotive duo Oceanlane and the eccentric jazz-funk outfit Soil & “Pimp” Session.

When: August 4-6
Where: Kokuei Hitachi Kaigan Koen,
Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Tickets: ¥10,500 (one day); ¥20,000 (two days);
¥27,000 (three days)
Info: Rock In Japan Fes: 0180-993-611
Online: www.rijfes.co.jp

Cool Runnings (“Mon”): Reggae Sunsplash in Japan

Jimmy Cliff courtesy of kyodo yokohama

Before its decline in fortune in recent years, reggae was once the definitive soundtrack to Japanese summers. But reggae events are showing signs of life, with both the competing Reggae Japansplash, held this spring, and now Reggae Sunsplash, making comebacks this year.

Produced simultaneously with Jamaica’s legendary event of the same name, Reggae Sunsplash in Japan was first launched in 1985 and returns after an eight-year absence to an outdoor location in bayside Yokohama.

The bill is designed to appeal to both diehard dreadlock roots reggae fans and followers of the newer, hopped-up sounds of dancehall. Two of the sweetest voices in reggae are represented in the form of Freddie McGregor and Jimmy Cliff, while toasters and boasters like the gruff-voiced Shaggy and newcomer Kiprich will be imparting the right note of tropical sweat and sexuality.

When: August 19
Where: Minato Mirai Shinko Pier Special Stage, Yokohama
Tickets: ¥9,500 (dance/free area), ¥11,000 (seated)
Info: Kyodo Yokohama 045-671-9911
Online: http://coolsound.jp/rs

Artsy fartsy: Tokyo Summer Festival

Youssou N’Dour courtesy of Arion-Edo

Rather than focus on any one genre of music, Tokyo’s high-culture music festival, created 22 years ago by pianist Kyoko Edo, composer Maki Ishii and musicologist Takashi Funayama, takes its cue instead from a different theme each year.

This year’s is “Songs of the Earth/Music in the Streets,” and looks at worldwide traditions of minstrels and troubadours. “By singing about the joys and sorrows of life,” says promoter Arion-Edo, “the common people easily identified with these musicians.”

Headlining is Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour. Possessed of one of the highest, clearest voices in music, N’Dour has brought African pop to the world, and he’ll be joined by his group Le Super Etoile de Daker. Another treat will be an appearance by Iranian classical singer Shahram Nazeri, a virtuoso singer and specialist in Shahnameh Kurdish love poetry, while Japanese tradition is represented by the singing and sanshin playing of Kazuhira Takeshita, from the southern Amami Islands.

The Tokyo Summer Festival also takes in dance and theater, and this year is no exception with a much-anticipated performance on the bill from French breakdance group Black Blanc Beur. The group will be making its first-ever visit to Japan, and is to be joined by top Japanese dance units Perfect Combustion and Stax Groove.

When: July 5-Aug 6
Where: various venues (see concert listings for details)
Tickets: prices vary according to event
Info: Tokyo Summer Festival Ticket Center 5465-1233
Online: www.arion-edo.org/tsf

Tell it like it is: Japan Blues & Soul Carnival

Otis Clay courtesy of M&I Company

Renaming his long-running Japan Blues Carnival the Japan Blues & Soul Carnival doesn’t mean he’s diminishing the role of the blues, says Kazuya Kitamura. It means that, after celebrating the 20th anniversary of his festival, he wants to expand it to take in different kinds of music that emerged from the blues.

Japan’s premier American roots music festival, which comes both in an indoor, nighttime version and an outdoor, daytime version, is this year headlined by Chicago deep soul king Otis Clay, a hero in Japan, where he has recorded two searing live albums.

The younger generation of soul singers is represented by Van Hunt, who honed his sound in Atlanta, debuting with a self-titled album in 2004 and following it up with this year’s On the Jungle Floor.

The blues are not neglected, with one of the finest Chicago bluesmen in the business on the bill in the form of Eddy Clearwater. A leading purveyor of the keening West Side-style blues guitar, “The Chief,” as he’s known for his penchant for wearing Indian headdresses on stage, is also an archetypal, old-school showboater.

When: July 21 & 23
Where: Club Citta & Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo
Tickets: ¥7,000 (Club Citta); ¥7,350 (Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo)
Info: M&I Company 03-5453-8899
Online: www.mandicompany.co.jp

Swingin’ Japan: Tokyo Jazz

Chick Corea courtesy of Tokyo Jazz

In 2002, the organizers of Tokyo Jazz called on pianist/composer Herbie Hancock to take the reins of the new music festival, giving him the difficult remit of trying to find a future for jazz without compromising its essential integrity. Jazz festivals in Japan have had a checkered history, but Tokyo Jazz has since proved the viability of holding a large event in Tokyo, with thousands turning out each year for concerts that both explore possible future directions for jazz and also look to its storied past (with the emphasis on the latter).

After experimenting with venues like stadiums and convention centers, this year’s Tokyo Jazz moves to the comfortable environs of the glistening Tokyo International Forum. For unexplained reasons, Hancock himself is no longer on board, but the bill doesn’t seem to have suffered, with greats including dynamic pianist Chick Corea and guitar virtuoso Larry Carlton scheduled to make appearances. Jazz history will also be present in the form of The Great Jazz Trio by Hank Jones, fronted by the 88-year-old pianist, while the immensely gifted young pianist Hiromi Uehara represents the future of Japan’s jazz scene.

When: Sep 2-3
Where: Tokyo International Forum, Hall A
Tickets: ¥8,500 (S); ¥6,500 (A)
Info: Hello Dial 5777-8600
Online: www.tokyo-jazz.com

Island beat: Earth Celebration

Kodo courtesy of Don Morton

World music fans travel from around the globe every August to attend this three-day festival hosted by acclaimed taiko percussion ensemble Kodo on distant Sado Island in the Japan Sea. And with its combination of earthshaking beats, instructional workshops, flea markets and freewheeling spirit in a lazy island atmosphere, the Earth Celebration makes the trip worth taking.

Since 1981, the devoted members of Kodo have lived on Sado, spreading their gospel of global unity through tireless touring and via the Earth Celebration, in which each year a different guest is invited for three days of concerts and workshops. The grand finale sees the guests joining Kodo onstage for a collaborative performance, with always-unpredictable results.

This year’s guest is New York City tap collective Tamango’s Urban Tap. Founded by French Guyanese tap dancer Tamango, the group blends tap with Brazilian capoeira and hip-hop, as well as percussion, wind instruments and vocals. But the real star of the festival is the massive o-daiko, played with steely discipline and brio by the members of Kodo themselves. Earth Celebration is also unique in being the only festival with a participatory element: attendees are invited to take part in a range of workshops in everything from taiko to hula dance.

When: August 18-20
Where: Ogi Town, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture
Tickets: prices vary for individual events
Info: 0259-81-4100 Online: www.kodo.or.jp/ec/en

E ‘n’ glee: Wire

Takkyu Ishino Dan Grunebaum

Created in 1999 by Japanese electro idol Takkyu Ishino as a platform for his Denki Groove ele-pop unit and superstar DJ/producer friends from Europe and the US, Wire competes for the title of Japan’s largest arena-style rave. Now in its eighth year, Wire boasts, in addition to Ishino, fellow Japanese electronica stars, Okinawa-based duo Ryukyudisko and techno poster boy Ken Ishii.

Worldwide dance culture is present in the form of North American dance music titans, DJs Jeff Mills and Richie Hawtin, with Germany heavily represented by, among others, Westbam and Frank Muller.

Perhaps the highlight of the all-nighter will be a live set by cult electro-industrial duo Nitzer Ebb. Founded in 1982 by Essex mates Douglas McCarty and Vaughan Harris, the unit recently reunited for a tour, with Mute Records releasing a much-delayed retrospective, Body of Work.

When: Sep 2
Where: Yokohama Arena
Tickets: ¥10,500
Info: Wire Office 3475-5999 Online: www.wire06.com

Honorable mentions: Outdoor electronic music festivals: Solstice Music Festival July 15-17, The Pirates July 21-24, and Metamorphose Aug 26-27; the J-pop oriented Excite Music Festival July 1-2; the Tokyo Salsa Festival July 22-23; the Avex music label’s A-nation Aug 26-27; and the Hyde Park Festival, a new rock get-together celebrating its second year Sep 9-10 in suburban Saitama

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