I’d love to see some live music but I’m a bit ignorant of the current music scene in Japan. I’m really trying to expand my musical tastes as well so any suggestions would be nice. Currently I listen to YMO, Towa Tei and Vaundy but I’m open to whatever.
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One Ok Rock always seems to be touring somewhere. Another good Japanese musician is ReN.
Chai are good fun live. Punk pop vibes, not a million miles from the likes of Shonen Knife or Cibo Matto.
I’ve always loved GReeeeN and Super Beaver!
Mouse on the keys is playing their first show in 3 years in dec
If you like Towa Tei perhaps you’d like [QPLO](https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChzL94tjLIt/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=)
[PROCYON](https://instagram.com/procyon_band?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) are also a great semi-electronic band operating in Kansai
tricot
Crossfaith are a banger band live. I would’ve said Crystal Lake too, but their vocalist left the band due to depression just a few weeks ago… 🙁
That is if you’re into metalcore, of course. But even if for non-core fans Crossfaith are a fun experience, have brought friends who are into softer music and they had a blast anyways. I guess it’s the electronica influences.
Is Base Ball Bear still active?
Go to The Game in Shibuya if you like rock/punk music. They have shows on almost every night, and you get to support smaller bands instead of huge ones playing arenas.
Kind of a segue question for those who follow non pop music: Are their any stoner punk bands similar to specifically the Happy Bivouac album by The Pillows? I was always into specifically the kind of dead inside punk sound of that Japanese band.
I toured a few times and was socially at ground zero of the ‘scene kid’movement (the emo ex girlfriend to sex worker pipeline is real af btw.), But the only Japanese band I genuinely like is The Pillows definitely because it makes me feel similar to Gin Blossoms, Third Eye Blind and that kind of 90s soft rock (something that should honestly have its own popular comeback).
I’ve been really out of touch with music since moving here.
I’ve seen cross faith live and was not impressed. Think by the numbers metal core from 10 years ago so you have that but with more of the Skrillex sounding effects. That plus you have an all Japanese band trying to sound too American. It was a sure miss for me.
Mono is a must see
I’m heading to Polkadot Stingray next weekend. They’ve got a good few dates left in their tour schedule rn
BAND-MAID tours and are really good. (They’re on tour in the US now, but they do tours in Japan as well.)
Also I believe Ningen Isu plays live shows as well and are also really good.
If you’re into death metal, Gotsu-Totsu-Kotsu （兀突骨）is active AFAIK.
Also if you’re OK with pushing into idol/rock hybrid territory, PASSCODE tours frequently as do other alt-idol groups.
It’s still a ways off but get tickets for Countdown Japan 22/23. It a four day music festival at the end of year (Dec 28-31) where you’ll be able to see a ton of different bands and find new music.
Nullbarich and Man With a Mission come to mind.
Obligatory Shonen Knife. They are even planning a UK tour next year