Before coming to Japan I used to go to concerts on a weekly basis. There was always some band coming through town I wanted to see and with ticket prices usually under $20 it wasn't too damaging to check out a new band for the hell of it. Unfortunately I have only been to a few shows in Japan, mainly because of less frequent tours and much higher ticket prices.
All of the following are shows I would probably check out in the states if I had nothing better to do. But these prices seem a bit high. Are they worth it?
Soulive - w. Reggie Watts (of Maktub) - Thurs 4/1-3 @ Blue Note Tokyo - 7000Y $70US. Maktub is a very cool funky-groovy-jazzy band from Seattle that I have seen a number of times and always really enjoyed. Soulive is a jazzy-jammy group with ties to Dave Matthews that is big in Japan. They are supposed to be amazing live although I have never had the pleasure. Worth $70? - probably not.
Brand New - Fri 4/2 (early) @ Harajuku Astro Hall - 3900Y $39. This indie pop-punk band out of NYC has been topping my playlist lately. I can't get enough of their latest Deja Entendu. Usually I wouldn't miss an opportunity to check out an up and coming band that I am really into live. Worth $39 - I doubt I would pay it in the states.
Ninjatune Live - Coldcut, Hexstatic, Kid Koala, Bonobo, Cinematic Orchestra, Dominic Smith, Jason Swinscoe - Fri 4/2 (late) @ Shibuya O-East - 6000Y $60. Now this looks cool. A whole bunch of cool cutting edge DJs with a strong visual sense. This should be an experience for the ears and the eyes. Worth $60? - hell yeah.
The Dojo tour - day one: Anthrax, Killswitch Engage, Darkest Hour, From Autumn to Ashes. day two: Anthrax, Dillinger Escape Plan, Burnt by the Sun, SikTh - Wed/Thurs 4/14-15 @ Shibuya O-East - 6500Y $65 each day. These are some great metal bands and it would be interesting to se a hardcore show in Japan, but splitting up the bill that way is just lame. Worth $65? - maybe if Killswitch and DEP were on the same day.
Radiohead - 4/17-18 @ Makuhari Messe - 7500Y $75 One of the truly great bands around today that I have still never seen. However, the location is an hour outside of Tokyo and adds another $15 to the already steep ticket price. Plus I am not really that into Hail to the Thief and I am sure these guys will be touring for a while. Worth $75 (or $90)? - I'll wait to see them at some place like the Gorge.
The Get Up Kids - 4/26 @ Shibuya AX - 6000Y $60 These Indie Rockers' 2002 album On A Wire is one of my top 5 indie albums. I listen to them all the time (although I am not as impressed with their latest album that dropped a couple months ago) and still haven't seen them (to my knowledge). On top of that, Shibuya AX is a pretty cool venue. Worth $60? - I just can't imagine spending $60 for this kind of show.
What do you think?
Is it worth it?
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