After 2 failed attempts to go to the Sumer Sonic in 2008 and 2009, i finally managed to go there this year, in 2010. Summer Sonic is an annually organized music festival with international high-level bands on more than 5 stages. The event takes part in Chiba prefecture, which is in proximity to Tokyo. From Tokyo station, it is a mare 30 minutes to Makuhari Messe 幕張メッセ, where the event takes place. Makuhari messe is a huge convention centre and also home of the Tokyo Game Show that takes place in Autumn each year.
Going from the station to the event. Unlike Tokyo, the area in Makuhari Messe is less densely inhabited and provides much more space.
The line to the left are people waiting for the bus. The stages were far from the entrance area, so that the event organizer offered to provide shuttle buses with frequent service.
The line-up for the event. To be honest, it is a bit less attractive than compared to the bands in 2008 and 2009. On the other hand, I guess I am pretty much out of synch when in comes to newcomer bands, especially since I don't really follow any radio or television anymore.
Of course, promotions by major tabacco company were everywhere.
And the prices for drinks etc. way overpriced. A 0.4l beer was more than 600yen.
But that didn't bother the masses of (paying) customers much.
Most of the events were in halls. The same halls that are used for conventions like the Tokyo Game Show. Then, some of the other stages were outside.
Here is the newcomer indy-rockband Two-DoorsCinemaClub playing.
The lights in the halls was rather good.
And, of course, sponsored by a big company.
The biggest stage, the Marine Stadium, usually used for sport events.
Back to the halls. To change between the halls was rather inconvenient. There was no direct connection so visitors had to go all the way around the halls or take the bus to go to the marine stage. That took about 15-20 minutes. Not very smart from the organizers.
The biggest thing for me, was to see the band A-H-A live. I was listening to their songs in my childhood and never seen them live. Now, here in Tokyo, I got to see them only to realize this was their final show in Japan. The event in Chiba was part of their final tour. No A-H-A, never again.
The stage was crowded...
... and the songs explosive.
They played all the hits, including the James Bond title music "Living Daylights".
And, of course, their biggest hit at the end...
... "Take on me".
Back outside, it was about to get dark and we thought about changing locations.
So we had to go all the way to the other stage.
Meanwhile, the Island stage was more than crowded. After we got to the Marine Stadium, the staff sadly confiscated my camera so I couldn't take any pictures. But it was rather nice with a crazy, full stadium partying to the songs of The Offspring and Jay-Z.
...and after the event ended...
... many people were still hanging around, some even went to see the night-party, which was starting after the last train, shuden 終電, was already gone. And for some, the real party just began: the second day of Summer Sonic.
Going from the station to the event. Unlike Tokyo, the area in Makuhari Messe is less densely inhabited and provides much more space.
The line to the left are people waiting for the bus. The stages were far from the entrance area, so that the event organizer offered to provide shuttle buses with frequent service.
The line-up for the event. To be honest, it is a bit less attractive than compared to the bands in 2008 and 2009. On the other hand, I guess I am pretty much out of synch when in comes to newcomer bands, especially since I don't really follow any radio or television anymore.
Of course, promotions by major tabacco company were everywhere.
And the prices for drinks etc. way overpriced. A 0.4l beer was more than 600yen.
But that didn't bother the masses of (paying) customers much.
Most of the events were in halls. The same halls that are used for conventions like the Tokyo Game Show. Then, some of the other stages were outside.
Here is the newcomer indy-rockband Two-DoorsCinemaClub playing.
The lights in the halls was rather good.
And, of course, sponsored by a big company.
The biggest stage, the Marine Stadium, usually used for sport events.
Back to the halls. To change between the halls was rather inconvenient. There was no direct connection so visitors had to go all the way around the halls or take the bus to go to the marine stage. That took about 15-20 minutes. Not very smart from the organizers.
The biggest thing for me, was to see the band A-H-A live. I was listening to their songs in my childhood and never seen them live. Now, here in Tokyo, I got to see them only to realize this was their final show in Japan. The event in Chiba was part of their final tour. No A-H-A, never again.
The stage was crowded...
... and the songs explosive.
They played all the hits, including the James Bond title music "Living Daylights".
And, of course, their biggest hit at the end...
... "Take on me".
Back outside, it was about to get dark and we thought about changing locations.
So we had to go all the way to the other stage.
Meanwhile, the Island stage was more than crowded. After we got to the Marine Stadium, the staff sadly confiscated my camera so I couldn't take any pictures. But it was rather nice with a crazy, full stadium partying to the songs of The Offspring and Jay-Z.
...and after the event ended...
... many people were still hanging around, some even went to see the night-party, which was starting after the last train, shuden 終電, was already gone. And for some, the real party just began: the second day of Summer Sonic.
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