Sorry if this is too much of a specific question.. ive always been interested in visiting the more under ground, tight-knit music scenes in Japan.
My first thought was to find some punk/metal/other rock venues and take a visit there, but I honestly have no idea what to expect.
Do people just go there to discover new artists or are they most people who are already fans of whoever is performing? Would it be weird to go alone? What kind of people are even there?
If anyone has experience and could tell me what exactly it was like I’d greatly appreciate it!
6 comments
I’ve been to a few lately. Almost every weekend! At my events it’s usually all people that know each other. Sometimes they book out a live house and just play whatever. There’s a monthly event like that I go to. I think it’s not awkward to just show up and go with the flow. If you keep visiting same genre/band/etc the members will recognize you and can spend more time talking etc. I think it’s a pretty good way to spend time while enjoying the music and or the people. I find most of the info i need on Twitter, following few of the band members will give you plenty of advance warning for next event.
*Do people just go there to discover new artists or are they most people who are already fans of whoever is performing?* Most people are already fans, but not always.
*Would it be weird to go alone?* Not at all. If you end up liking a band and going to all their lives, you’ll see the same faces each time and create affinities. I made a few good friends because of a certain band.
*What kind of people are even there?* All kinds of people. Many “band tshirts” people, but I’ve seen salarymen-like guys in suits (probably going to the livehouse directly from work) at death metal events. Age range 20’s~50’s – the longer the band has been in activity, the older the attendance gets. My husband plays in a hardcore band that started in 87, and when i went the average age in the livehouse was 50~55 xD
Most people are nice and friendly, anyway. Just try and go. In Shinjuku, Wildside often has metal evenings. If you don’t mind cramped spaces, El Puente in Yokohama and Pit Bar in Nishi Ogikubo are great.
It will depend on the venue, and the type of music. Much like anywhere else in the world. Just mind your manners and you’ll be fine.
Many, but not all, people who show up to shows are friends/acquaintances/bands of the band(s) as far as I have been able to tell. Whether it’s weird to go alone or not, I don’t know, but I almost always have gone alone (because I don’t know anyone who likes the kinds of music I do) and have never felt odd. No one has ever treated me badly.
If you’re used to going to punk/metal shows in other countries, be aware that (a) the venues can be much smaller than what you’re used to, (b) many places have drink minima, and (c) it can be extraordinarily hot even if you’re not moving around.
I made almost all my friends at small basement live shows in Japan. It’s definitely not weird to go alone, but it might feel a bit awkward at first but you’ll be fine.
I’ve found that while some people will come just for the bands playing that show, like any music scene anywhere in the world, there are some people who will just go because there’s a show on and they like that venue/type of music, especially if there’s not many live shows in the area. That’s what i did and I found there will always be some regulars that you may end up getting to know and it’s a great way to find new bands and meet people because you already have something in common.
As mentioned by victoria_sama you get a wide range of ages and types of people, but I never noticed any divide between people or groups. In my case I actually found the older crowd much more friendly and easy to get on with.
I did find live shows in Japan to be expensive, even small local shows, but that’s because the cost of booking the venue is so steep. The other side of that is that the sound quality is normally always amazing, even in the most divey of basement venues. You also normally have to buy one drink on top of the ticket fee, but it doesn’t have to be alcohol if you don’t drink.
I’m not sure where you’re based but if you’re over in Kansai I’d recommend Socrates, Pop! Pizza, Annie’s Cafe, and Nega Posi in Kyoto, and Hokage and Namba Bears in Osaka.
They have social media but sometimes the best way to find out about shows is to go down and look at what fliers are posted
Try MoreThanMusic events. Pretty good gaijin-friendly community with regular concerts from different artists. Also they utilize different venues so you can get a sneak peak into what is usually going on in small live halls