Don’t-miss gigs 2/26-3/11

Fri Feb 26

Basement Jaxx

The act that managed to get a totally exhausted Fuji Rock ’09 audience to get up and dance some more makes its return to Japan to promote a new album. Of course, Basement Jaxx chose a live performance, not a DJ set. If you missed their Feb 25 Akasaka BLITZ performance, then get yourself over to Shin Kiba’s STUDIO COAST to get your dance on.

Time: 6pm open, 7pm start
Location: Shin Kiba STUDIO COAST
Address: 2-2-10 Kiba, Koto, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)5534 1515
Tickets: Adv ¥7,000 (plus one drink)
Website：www.smash-jpn.com/band/2010/02_basementjaxx/

Mon Mar 1

Biffy Clyro

Having opened for big-name bands like The Rolling Stones and The Red Hot Chili Peppers whilst building their fanbase, Biffy Clyro is back from their break. The Scottish three-piece rock band’s fifth album, ‘Only Revolutions’ shows off a richer sound, making this live performance a must-see.

Time: 6pm open, 7pm start
Location: UNIT (Full details & map)
Tickets : ¥5,000 (plus one drink)

Tue Mar 2

Sheryl Crow/Jackson Browne

This performance kicks off an American singer-songwriter’s dream joint-tour. With a mass of hits between the two of them, even if you’re only a fan of one of them, by the end of the show, you’ll definitely be a fan of the other too.

Time: 6pm open, 7pm start
Location: Tokyo International Forum Hall A (Full details & map)
Tickets: S ¥13,000、A ¥12,000、B ¥11,000

Thur Mar 4

Motion City Soundtrack

You might have forgotten Motion City Soundtrack from first came to Japan as a supporting act for BLINK-182, but they’re back with a bigger fanbase than ever. They will play with their good friends BEATCRUSADERS again, along with the newly invited ORESKABAND.

Time: 6pm open, 7pm start
Location: Akasaka BLITZ
Address: Akasaka sacas complex, 5-3-2 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo
Tickets: Adv ¥6,200 (plus one drink)
Website: www.smash-jpn.com/band/2010/03_motioncity/

Fri Mar 5

Placebo

It seems hard to believe that, in September 2009, Placebo came to Japan for the first time in 9 years. One night of their highly-anticipated solo tour sold out quickly, proving their popularity hasn’t slipped. With their first work in 3 years, ‘Battle for the Sun’, Placebo haven’t faded away one bit, maintaining their ‘glam yet tough’ mystique.

Time: 6pm open, 7pm start
Location: Akasaka BLITZ
Address: Akasaka sacas complex, 5-3-2 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo
Tickets: Adv ¥6,500 (plus one drink)
Website: www.creativeman.co.jp/english/

Sat Mar 6

GAN-BAN NIGHT SPECIAL feat. Simian Mobile Disco

Carrying the flag of their second album, ‘Temporary Pressure’, the unit has chosen to tour with an all night DJ set. Having done wildly an successful all-night party tour in the UK in support of GOLD PANDA, Japan’s party commanders DEXPISTOLS and !SOBE (GAN-BAN), prepare for an intense rave party.

Time: 11pm open
Location: WAREHOUSE702 (Full details & map)
Tickets: Adv ¥4,500 (Minors under 20 are prohibited, photo ID required.)

Isis

Leading the hardcore scene, Isis’ Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka tour opens the curtains at O-EAST. After performing at LIQUIDROOM’s April 2009 ‘Leave them all behind’ won them a slew of accolades, they break out on their own for some solo performances. Isis’ sound consists of a roaring density that exists to intoxicate the audience.

Time: 6pm open, 7pm start
Location: O-EAST (Full details & map)
Tickets: Adv ¥6,000 (plus one drink)

Enter Shikari JAPAN TOUR 2010 with A Day to Remember, Escape the Fate

One of Japan’s favourite hardcore band, Enter Shikari, punk’s A Day to Remember, Escape the Fate from Las Vegas are sharing the stage in Japan, and sure to cause a ruckus. With SiM also having a Tokyo performance, hardcore inflected rock and chaos are the order of the day.

Time: 4pm open, 5pm start
Location: Shin Kiba STUDIO COAST
Address: 2-2-10 Kiba, Koto, Tokyo
Tickets: Adv ¥6,000 (plus one drink)
Website: www.creativeman.co.jp/english/

Mon Mar 8

Cobra Starship

With their third album, ‘Hot Mess’, Cobra Starship got their big break in their home country of America, and without a doubt would play at their headlining show in Japan for the first time. Their rocking party tunes, ‘Hot Mess’ and ‘Good Girls Go Bad’ prove where their power lies, with audiences irresistibly greeting with cobra sign, instead of wolf sign.

Time: 6pm open, 7pm start
Location: LIQUIDROOM (Full details & map)
Tickets: Adv ¥6,300 (plus one drink)

Wed Mar 10

Backyard Babies

Twenty years after their formation, Swedish rock band Backyard Babies unexpectedly and suddenly disappeared from the stage indefinitely in November 2009. Now performing their European tour and having released their best album to date, ‘THEM XX’, after their Japanese performance they plan to stop . If this turns out to be their last performance, then this will be one that will be burned in your mind.

Time: 6pm open, 7pm start
Location: SHIBUYA-AX (Full details & map)
Tickets: Adv ¥6,500 (plus one drink)