Golden Week: Tokyo, 2011

Friday, April 29

Koto Power Trio!
It's hard to think of a western equivalent for the transformation that Michiyo Yagi has wrought on the koto. The Japanese zither is normally synonymous with sedate plink-plonking, but in Yagi's hands it's an instrument capable of startling violence and power – witness her collaborations with fiery improvisers such as Peter Brötzmann and Keiji Haino. She's upping the ante with her latest project, enlisting frequent co-conspirators Jim O'Rourke (on 'guitar, etc.') and drummer Tamaya Honda for an evening of full-on power improv. Yagi will play electric 21-string and 17-string koto, and also chip in on vocals. Should be fierce. For further details, click here

Heavy Magnet!!
No, we're not sure what the implication of that title is either. But if you're looking for an affordably priced dose of underground indie-skronk mayhem this Golden Week, this should be just the ticket. Groundcover. (note the pointless full-stop) are one of the worthiest heirs to the spazz-punk legacy of Boredoms and Aburadako, and over a decade into their career they've lost none of their intensity as a live band. Then there's Praha Depart, fresh from a well-received trip to NYC and ready to claim the mantle as Japan's answer to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (only better). There'll be more female-fronted fabulousness from noise rockers Vovivav, with all-girl mutant disco unit HB bringing up the rear. Pretty damn essential. For further details, click here

Reunion
They had us with the CND symbol on the flyers, to be honest, but we've got to admit that this globe-trotter gathering has a mighty tempting lineup, especially for fans of the likes of Manu Chao. Reggae and Afrobeat-influenced songwriter Naoito is on first, performing music off new album 379 Days, followed by Osaka-based reggae/cumbia group Rojo Regalo. The Tchiky's – that's bassist Shoji Ishiguro and guitarist Seitaro Minetaro of hip-hop group Inushiki, plus Senegalese percussionist Latyr Sy – round things off, while there'll also be DJ sets by Takeshi Kubota, Hikaru and others. For further details, click here

Saturday, April 30

Radars
So you want to know what 'the kids' are listening to these days? Promoters Creativeman have assembled a tasty sampler set of up-and-coming acts from England and Australia, some of whom will probably be found plying the festival circuit come summer. It promises to be a varied afternoon of music, ranging from the eclectic alt rock of Everything Everything to the '80s dancefloor revivalism of Miami Horror (seriously, who'd have thought that Hall & Oates would ever get a second chance?). 'Lo-fi dance' trio Is Tropical up the hipster quotient significantly, while close-harmonising rockers Little Red might be worth catching before they graduate to the big league. And spare a thought for Psysalia Psysalis Psyche, who sound at times like the Japanese runt offspring of Jesus Lizard and Nirvana, with trace elements of shoegaze and death disco. For further details, click here

Tsu · Te festival
A huge posse of musicians, dancers, performers and fashionistas will be descending on Yebisu Garden Place this weekend for what promises to be one of the largest charity events in Tokyo during Golden Week. The two-day 'Tsu · te' sees a host of performers do their thing on two stages, while fashion models, stylists and other glamorous types throw a charity bazaar. The music ranges from taiko group Gocoo to rock singer Nanase Aikawa, with dancers including hip-hopper Kentaro!! and flamenco group Latidos Flamencos (though judging from the jam-packed timetable, it doesn't look like many of them will be playing for long). On the second day, the action will continue at an after-party at Unit in Daikanyama. For further details, click here

Sunday, May 1

Guitar Magazine Festival
This has been a banner year for Japan's middle-aged axesmiths, thanks to B'z guitarist Tak Matsumoto's win at the Grammies back in February. You can pay your respects to a few of the nation's greatest fret-fiddlers at this annual bash, where the lineup is every bit as geeky as you'd expect for a gig organised by Guitar Magazine. The stars of the event are Char and Masayoshi Takanaka, now both well into their fifties, while versatile jazzman Kazumi Watanabe will be performing in a duo with fellow guitarist Yosuke Onume, as well as with his regular Jazz Kaiki Trio. Oh, and let's not forget about fusion plank spankers Masao Matsubara and Issei Noro, who'll be jousting like the eighties never ended. Good times. For further details, click here

Shibusashirazu Orchestra
They're one of the most ramshackle, sprawling ensembles playing on the Japanese live circuit today – and also one of the most prolific. Last month alone, Shibusashirazu Orchestra managed a few dates in Tokyo, plus trips to Nagoya, Osaka and a free gig in Sendai; quite a logistical feat when you're juggling so many members. This shifting collection of jazz musicians, rockers, go-go girls and butoh dancers is capable of real brilliance as a live act, but their ubiquity is such that it's worth choosing your gigs wisely. While we're fans of their pithy, crowd-pleasing festival appearances, if you want the ultimate Shibusashirazu experience it's worth catching a 'one-man' show such as this, where songs can sprawl out for 20 minutes or longer, and almost anything is fair game. For further details, click here

Kings Jr.
It's like an A&R man's wet dream: five of Japan's most commercially viable but, y'know, still vaguely credible guitar bands, all under one roof. Unapologetically retro rock'n'roll act The Bawdies seem to have officially crossed over into the mainstream now (witness their recent collaboration with R&B singer Ai), and some of the other bands on the bill can't be too far behind. The Telephones and Quattro tap into the sound of early-eighties New Wave, while The Brixton Academy take inspiration from the electropop movement of the same decade. Pills Empire, meanwhile, have obviously spent far too much time listening to Primal Scream and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – but if you like your rock served with leather jackets and carefully mussed hair, that's probably a good thing. For further details, click here

Monday, May 2

Gueen
It's been 40 years since Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor first got together to form Queen – and exactly 20 since Yoshinori 'Freddie' Hatae birthed the band's premier Japanese tribute act. Gueen only perform a couple of large gigs each year, and they're something to treasure. Hatae might not have the chops that Freddie did (and, honestly, who does?) but he's a compelling performer, and the band's renditions of Queen's music are pretty much spot-on. Get over the weirdo novelty value, and it's an evening of guaranteed crowd-pleasing fun. For further details, click here

Tuesday, May 3

Tokyo M.A.P.S.
Each Golden Week, the folks at Roppongi Hills team up with radio station J-Wave to host a free live event – the eponymous acronym stands for Music, Art, Performance and (wait for it) 'a Series of Special Streaming Session Showcases'. Or something like that. The curator for the latest event is none other than Yukihiro Takahashi, one third of YMO and co-organizer of the annual World Happiness festival. Takahashi himself will be playing on the first day, when he appears as part of TYTYT, his group with Yuri Miyauchi, Hiroshi Takano and Tomohiko Gondo. Other artists on the bill range from soulful rocker Chu Kosaka to baroque pop ensemble 4 Bonjour's Parties to sweet-voiced J-pop singer Yuko Ando. And, yes, it'll cost you absolutely nothing. For further details click here

Keiji Haino
In what's become something of an annual tradition, each year Japan's legendary sunglass-sporting noise overlord emerges from his lair to play a special Golden Week gig. Why? Because it's his birthday too, you know. Keiji Haino towers over the Japanese underground: his colossally heavy guitar excursions inspired a whole generation of psychedelic rockers, but his omnivorous musical appetites have also seen him collaborate with jazz musicians, branch out into DJing, and play an entire gamelan orchestra single-handedly. There's no knowing what to expect from a solo Haino gig, but be warned: his performance at the I'll Be Your Mirror festival in February was so loud you could hear it from Shin-Kiba Station. On a side note, if you want to hang around and wish the man a happy 59th after the gig's done, be sure to bring some cake – Haino doesn't smoke or drink and is a strict vegetarian, but he's got a bit of a sweet tooth. For further details, click here

Fishmans (and friends...)
Ask pretty much any Japanese hipster in their thirties, and they'll tell you: Fishmans were the bomb. It's hard to overstate the influence that this bunch of skinny, dub-drenched pop kids had on the leftfield music scene here – an influence that endures 12 years on from the sudden death of lead singer Shinji Sato. The remaining members of Fishmans still convene from time to time to honour Sato's legacy, roping in a group of old friends and collaborators to help out. Their latest concert – subtitled 'A Piece of Future,' after the final song that Sato ever wrote – enlists the talents of UA, Keigo 'Cornelius' Oyamada and violinist Yuji Katsui, to name but a few. For further details, click here

Wednesday, May 4

Hibiki Rock Fest, 2011
Name-your-price albums have been de rigueur ever since Radiohead flipped the music industry on its head with In Rainbows, but it takes a rare breed of foolhardiness to throw a name-your-price gig. In the wake of the March 11 quake and tsunami, the organisers of Hibiki Rock Fest had a change of heart and decided to waive the original admission fee: now punters need only pay for a 500 yen drink ticket to get in, though naturally you're encouraged to chuck in a bit more than that. And the music? Well, the overseas artists originally booked have all cancelled, but there's a strong showing of homegrown talent. Sleazy electro-rock trio Mo'some Tonebender and instrumental rockers Mudy on the Sakuban should provide the highlights on the first day, while the second day features Mogwai-esque post-rockers Te', New Wave popsters Polysics and indie genius Shugo Tokumaru. For further details, click here

Music Day 2011
May 4 is 'Music Day', and the disparate selection of gigs on offer includes an evening with husky-voiced singer-songwriter Sion and numerous guests at Shibuya O-East, a bumper lineup of tribute bands at Duo Music Exchange and a ska-punk festival at Club Citta. If you're determined to get the most out of your yen, nine venues in Shimokitazawa and Yoyogi will be joining forces, including Shelter, Basement Bar and Club Que. Pay an extra 500 yen at the first of these venues you go to, and you'll get a pass that lets you into all of the others. For further details, click here

Friday, May 6

The Gravy Train
Led by the talented Kev Gray, The Gravy Train take the stage at What the Dickens (arguably their spiritual home) between sessions for upcoming album Prisoner in Paradise. The band does a great line in melancholy, soulful bar blues, and their appearances at this snug Brit pub are always a celebratory mix of original numbers (Gray is a dark and brooding songwriter, with a kind of Morrissey/Heaton ear for a lyric about him) and inspirational covers. You'll want to be there for 'Six Feet Under', a Gravy Train original that never fails to get the drunken hordes swaying in unison. For further details, click here

John Zorn's 'Cobra'
John Zorn's 'Cobra' is one of the most famous compositions in the world of improvised music (redundancy noted). This so-called game piece isn't based on a written score, but rather on a series of rules, gestures and cue cards, which are used by a designated 'prompter' to guide the assembled musicians. While Zorn has conducted many performances of the piece himself, he's found a reliable Japanese interlocutor in Koichi Makigami. The idiosyncratic vocalist, best known as frontman for new wave band Hikashu, learnt the 'Cobra' ropes in New York in 1992, and started monthly run-throughs in Tokyo the following year (some of which are documented on the album John Zorn's Cobra – Tokyo Operations '94). For his latest, he's drafted in some familiar faces from the Tokyo improv circuit, among them baritone sax man Ryuichi Yoshida and drummer Tatsuhisa Yamamoto, but also a few wild cards: who'd have thought indie polymath Shugo Tokumaru or Kinoco Hotel keyboardist Marianne Shinonome were this way inclined? For further details, click here

Saturday, May 7

DMBQ & Nisennenmondai
Nisennenmondai are a three-piece rock band who make music that sounds more like minimal techno crossbred with Krautrock. DMBQ are a quartet who make music that sounds like being punched in the face by The Stooges and MC5. Repeatedly. If there's a better gig going on in Tokyo tonight, we're changing our name to a pointless acronym. For further details, click here

Freaks Music Festival
If you're looking to finish Golden Week with a bang, head to Sagamiko Resort in Kanagawa for an afternoon of beats and bands. While the emphasis at Freaks Music Festival is on DJs, the varied bill ranges from the synthesizer experiments of Logic System to the African-influenced psychedelic jams of OOIOO, via Radio Slave's techno and Washed Out's chillwave pop. For further details, click here

Sunday, May 8

Musicians for Earthquake & Tsunami Relief
A host of musicians, both Japanese and otherwise, come together for this charity event at What the Dickens. The event is free to attend, though you can expect to be hounded for loose change throughout the seven-hour shindig, with all funds raised going to the affected areas via CrowdRise. The lineup includes Martin Leroux, Chris Piper, David Juteau, The Can Can's, Stuart O'Connor, Moichido, Sweet Little Soul (visiting from Sendai), Shiro and the Jam Dogs, The Complaints Department, RakuRaku and The Watanabes. For further details, click here