Japan: Guide to Spring music events

Japan: Guide to Spring music events

8 April, 2008 | 1.01AM

• Section: Music News Topics: Beatport Blog
• Written by: Yuko Asanuma

Although the cherry blossoms are almost gone now, here are some more excuses for you to visit Japan and perhaps its countryside this spring or early summer.

Below is the list of big music events and festivals to take place in the next few months.

Click on the event name to jump to the official websites.

April 12 & 13 - Nagisa Music Festival (Tokyo)

The largest open air music festival in central Tokyo area, Odaiba. Takes place twice a year in spring and autumn and draws about 20,000 people each time. An interesting mixture (or a chaos - in other words...) of more than 100 artists & groups performing all kinds of dance music from hip hop to psy-trance on 8 different stages.
The lineup for the spring dates include DJ Danny Krivit (718 Sessions), Clark (Warp), X-Dream (Solstice), DJ Kentaro (Ninja Tune), Tom Middleton among many many local DJs and bands.

April 26 & 27 - Kaikoo meets Revolution (Yokohama)

An ambitious attempt to take place in Yokohama, mixing hip hop, rock and dance acts and crowds. Features some of the Japanese underground stars such as DJ Baku, Goth-Trad, Tha Blue Herb, Tucker and Eye (of the Boredoms), Kenji Takimi (Crue-L) and an international act Al-Haca as well as many others.

April 29 - Nagisa Music Festival (Osaka)

A spin-off of the Tokyo event to be held for the second time. Much smaller in scale of about 5000 people, but showcases many Osaka area locals.  Frank Muller and Mix Master Morris is confirmed to play on the main stage. More to be announced.

May 3 & 4 - Effect 08 (Kagoshima)

The first large scale music festival to be held in Kyushu (South-Western island) up on the nice and breezy hills of Kirishima in Kagoshima-prefecture with the help of local municipalities. The top notch domestic performers such as Ken Ishii, Takkyu Ishino, Jazztronik, Shinichi Osawa (ex Mondo Grosso), Chari Chari, Tha Blue Herb, DJ Baku and many more are to appear on 4 different stages. 

May 4 & 5 - Ground Beat 2008 (Gunma)

For psy-trance/ progressive heads, this is a very well organised & earth friendly open air rave held in a beautiful woods. Their 4th annual event lineup includes many international acts Atomic Pulse (Israel), Protoculture (South Africa), Wrecked Machines (Brazil), Emok (Denmark), Mix Master Morris (UK) etc etc.

May 18 - Body & Soul Live in Tokyo Open Air 2008 (Tokyo)

Staring the bests of NYC - Francois K, Joaquin “Joe” Claussell, Danny Krivit - much anticipated night “Body & Soul” returns to Tokyo after a successful open air event last year. This year, AK (who recently wedded Danny Krivit) is confirmed to perform live on stage.

June 7 & 8 - Taico Club Festival (Nagano)

Definitely one of the most pleasant outdoor music event held in Japan. Taico Club brings the most sophisticated and non-commercial lineup of both Japanese and international acts, draws the most musically mature audiences to the most beautiful location in the mountain. Absolutely heavenly! Here’s the lineup for their third annual event: DBX (Daniel Bell and Shaun Rudiman), Nathan Fake, Petter, Tha Blue Herb, Ulrich Schnauss, James Holden, Luke Vibert, Osunlade, Quantic, Fumiya Tanaka, Takkyu Ishino, Moodman, Nick The Record + more.

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