One of my favorite metal bands is coming to Japan (Gojira, incidentally not a Japanese band…) and I was wondering about the general vibe at metal shows in Tokyo.
I have only been to metal shows in Europe and the US ( plenty other style in Japan but no metal).
Regardless of before/during Covid, would love to get some feedback.
Mainly, do they mosh? wall of death or pits can be expected ?
Thanks in advance.
(Edit Tokyo but all over Japan is fine too !)
5 comments
Pretty reserved by comparison but there will be girls m/
I’ve been to a couple, before the pandemic…
Kiss: half the crowd wore black, the other half wore white and waved their hands in the air as if it was a kindergarten. Everyone was kinda old, but that figures.
Some EU metal band: smaller venue, you get a weird token for booze… but you can be pretty safe, none’s moshing or spilling their beer in the crowd. A bit blase.
In my experience:
Small shows: the crowd will mosh, but it helps if you’re willing to instigate it
Big shows: too packed in like sardines to move, nevermind mosh
YVMV
The only show I went to here with moshing was Dillinger Escape Plan, but that was to be expected. But I haven’t been to anything else where you would typically mosh anyway.
Been to way more shows in Japan than I ever had the chance to see state side. Yes, moshing is a thing. Lining up at the venue and being let in in order of ticket number is a thing.
The metal scene is awesome here.
Shortly after buying my move-to-Japan ticket I learned Ihsahn would be performing here two months later. Keeping in mind I have two Emperor tattoos I took that as confirmation I had made right choices. Definitely go to shows. Definitely go to the metal bars. Great fucking crowd, you won’t be disappointed.
Sidenote: Gojira with Devin Townsend opening was the very last show I saw before moving to Japan. Special memories.
Edit: notes: in my nine years in Japan I’ve easily been to over 100 shows of all sizes, working backstage and as a customer. If that gives any anecdotal context… the biggest things that have left an impact on me were the entire thousands of people audience at Loud Park singing along to “Thus Spake the Nightspirit,” and the incredible buffet backstage at Ozzfest. Aside from that, memorable moments were the At the Gates/Survive moshpits (and discovering Japanese thrash) and just the cool people here. Shinjuku is the place to be.