5 Great Music Venues in Tokyo
While you’re doing your sightseeing in Tokyo, you probably have an extensive list of things you want to see. To add some nighttime fun and enjoyment to your list, you might enjoy checking out some of Tokyo’s top music venues. Almost everyone enjoys music, so this would probably be something you would enjoy during your time in Tokyo. In fact, in recent years, many gay tourists come to Japan’s blossoming night clubs that serve the gay crowd. There’s an abundance of music venues around Tokyo to choose from. Top music venues in Tokyo include Unit, Liquidroom, Blue Note Tokyo, Earthdom, and Shinsekai.
If you would like to experience Japanese indie-rock, Unit might be the music venue for you to check out during your time in Tokyo. Some of the artists who have been known to play at Unit include Toquio Lequio Tequnos, Sakanaction, and Takami. Unit tends to have a pretty full schedule, so you are almost guaranteed to find something for during your stay in Tokyo.
Liquidroom is referred to as being the legendary music venue of Tokyo. It has truly come a long way over the years. It started off as a shabby venue for gigs and club nights. However, now it offers more live events. It is definitely a great place in Tokyo to check out a show. So, be sure to check their schedule to see what’s going on during your stay in Tokyo.
For the jazz enthusiast, Blue Note Tokyo is definitely the venue to check out. Blue Note Tokyo is the largest jazz club in all of Tokyo. Aside from jazz; you can also find Latin, world, and soul played as well. Aside from their great shows, they also serve delicious food for you to enjoy as you enjoy the show as well.
If you’re more into punk or hardcore, Earthdom is definitely the music venue for you to experience while you’re in Tokyo as Earthdom is probably the top venue for punk and hardcore shows. Earthdom has the ability to serve some pretty large crowds. The sound system in Earthdom is also quite intense. You won’t be disappointed by any show you choose to check out at Earthdom, so be sure to take a look at their schedule to see what they have going on during your time in Tokyo.
Shinsekai is another great music venue in Tokyo. It used to be an underground playhouse called Jiyu Gekijo. You can find dub, jazz, and experimental improv shows being played at Shinsekai. If this is something you’re into or would like to experience, you should check out their schedule to find out what they have going on during your stay in Tokyo.
Unit, Liquidroom, Blue Note Tokyo, Earthdom, and Shinsekai are just five of the many great music venues available for you to check out during your time in Tokyo. After a long day of sightseeing in Tokyo, checking out a show at one of the music venues would be a great way to unwind. So, be sure to check out the schedules for the music venues so you can experience the music of Tokyo. It would be a great experience for the music lover.
Top 3 J-Pop Stars
Music is an important part of our culture no matter what part of the world you are from. There are a variety of genres that have reached our ears as artists have shown us their talent. In today’s society, one of the biggest genres of music that has graced countries around the world is Pop. Pop stars and groups have risen in numerous counties like the United States, England and even now, Japan.
Pop has become very popular among the Japanese people. There have been several Japanese pop stars and groups that have caught the attention and have risen to the top. The top three Japanese Pop stars and groups of today’s society are AKB48, Tegomass, and Kobukuro. Each of these groups have risen to the top of the charts with their amazing and unique talent.
AKB48 was founded in 2005 and is an all female Japanese theater/idol group. The group is divided up into 3 different teams, A, B, and K. There are a total number of forty-eight girls in AKB48. The group actually holds the Guiness Book of World Record for the “Pop group with the greatest number of members.”
Tegomass is a duo group, which was founded in 2006. They started produced their first single in Sweden and later in the year produced and released it in Japan. That single reached number one on the charts when it was released. This group has been very popular and has released number one singles since it started.
Kobukuro is a band that was founded in 1998, with members Kentaro Kobuchi and Shunsuke Kuroda. They worked hard on their band and landed themselves into a label and made their major label debut in 2001. Since then, they have performed in venues all over Asia and have released 12 albums, with 5 of those albums reaching number one.
These three groups of artists are just a few of the greatest of today’s Japanese Pop Stars. Keep them in mind when searching for J-Pop artists to listen to.
Japanese Pop Music News
In what may come as sad news to fans of Jpop supergroup Morning Musume, the groups current leader Takahashi Ai, has decided that she will graduate from the group this year. The announcement was made during the Hello! Project’s winter concert held in the Sun Plaza in Nakano. Her plan is to graduate from the group at the end of their fall tour. But fear not Takahashi Ai fans, as she has also stated that she will continue her musical and theatre careers after the graduation.
Takahashi has been a member of Morning Musume since August 2001, she is a 5th generation member of the group and currently the most senior member amongst all of the Hello! Project acts.
Having recently recruited four new members into the Morning Musume ranks, Takahashi has stated she wants to continue until the fall tour to fully help them settle in. In December when three members of the group graduated (Eri Kamei, Junjun and Linlin) producer Tsunku, spoke to Takahashi and suggested that she should think about when she would graduate.
After Takahashi moves on from the group, Risa Niigaki shall take on the leadership role.
Here is the announcement by their producer Tsunku:
Thank you for your continual support as always.
As announced directly herself on the stage of January 9th’s show at Nakano Sunplaza,
5th generation member, Takahashi Ai will be graduating from both Morning Musume and Hello! Project in Morning Musume’s concert tour this fall.
When the proposal for Kamei Eri’s graduation was made last year,
I told Takahashi Ai, “It’s about time you should consider the timing of your own graduation and what you want to pursuit afterward” as an advice.
The 5th generation members will have joined Morning Musume for 10 years.
Takahashi Ai is the 6th leader and has been in this position for 3 years and 7 months.
Takahashi Ai holds the record for being the longest in the group and the longest to hold the leader position.
Looking back, she has honestly carried the responsibility for all this time.
(In no disrespect to all former members and leaders of the group…excuse me)
I have talked with her about various things, such as her activities afterward
As announced in the new year concert, her graduation will be in Morning Musume’s Autumn concert tour,
this was the right time to make the announcement.
Since there are still more than half a year to go,
the 9th generation members have to familiarize themselves with Morning Musume’s music
and dances, to become self aware that they are part of the group.
Takahashi plans to properly finish her job as leader in the mean time.
Please be looking forward to what will become of Morning Musume.
Takahashi Ai will continue to be active in music, theater, and live events after her graduation.
Details will gradually be released.
Also, after Takahashi Ai’s graduation, Niigaki Risa will assume the leader position of the group,
and become the longest active member of Morning Musume
2011.01.09
Morning Musume Producer
Tsunku
Here is the message from Takahashi Ai:
It has been decided that, I, Takahashi Ai, during Morning Musume’s concert tour this Autumn,
will be graduating from Morning Musume and Hello! Project.
At the time when Kamei Eri, JunJun and LinLin’s graduations were decided,
Tsunku-san told me, “It’s about time Takahashi should think about your own graduation’s timing!”
which has gotten me thinking.
I will have been in Morning Musume for 10 years comes this August,
So I thought it will be a good time! to graduate in the Autumn Morning Musume concert tour.
As there are still around 9 months left, I will do my best as leader until that time to shape up this new Morning Musume.
I will be affectionate to the newly added 9th generation members as I try to teach them various things, everyone please rest assured.
New Releases from Japan
November 24th is an interesting day for fans of Utada Hikaru, as it will see the release of two “greatest hits” albums. The first entitled – Utada Hikaru: Single Collection Vol. 2, the other “Utada the Best”, which is a collection of songs from two of her English language albums. What makes this particularly interesting is that Utada herself said of the latter album: “The release of ‘Utada the best’ is entirely against my will. I wish that my fans won’t have to buy it. There’s no new material in it”. The former album will come with an EP featuring five brand new recordings.
The lead single of the collection is the song “Hymne à l’amour (Ai no Anthem),” which is a cover version of the 1950’s song by French singer Edith Piaf. Utada sings the song both in French and Japanese, using her personally written translation. Check out the table below for track listings and information about these new releases!
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utada_Hikaru_Single_Collection_Vol._2