Summer Music Festivals Guide

Taico Club '11: the early one

Photo by retrospective-photo on Flickr

Posted: Tue May 17 2011

Like a warm-up party for the summer music festival season, Taico Club takes place in early June at a mountain campsite in Nagano Prefecture that's usually given over to young parents and their kids. Though it's an all-night party, most people bring tents so they can grab a few hours' rest amidst the revelry.

The lineup

Albatrus, Arakajime Kimerareta Koibitotachi e, Tyondai Braxton, Daniel Bell, Cyclo, Dam-Funk, Dry & Heavy, Maia Hirasawa, Takkyu Ishino, Kimonos, Takeshi Kubota, Moodman, Mouse on the Keys, Mum, Tavito Nanao, Nick The Record, Rolando, Simian Mobile Disco, Alex Smoke, Keiichi Sokabe, Y. Sunahara, Toro Y Moi, Zainichi Funk

The verdict

Taico Club lost its star attraction when minimal techno doyen Ricardo Villalobos pulled out. While it's nominally a dance event – and DJs Takkyu Ishino, Daniel Bell and Simian Mobile Disco should keep it that way – some of the most intriguing acts on the bill this year are unlikely to inspire much ass-shaking, be it abstract electronica duo Cyclo or Icelandic post-rockers Mum.

Setting:
Variety:
Predictability:
Commerciality:
Family friendliness:
Convenience: