Wild Mood Swings party - dance!

Wild Mood Swings is an all-new, all-night, all-mix DJ party in Tokyo, playing an unpredicatable mix of different tunes, aimed to frizzle-fry your brains! Ideal for those with short attention spans, like the guy from Memento.
It's at Hell's bar in Sangenjaya on March 21st (Sunday, before a national holiday) from 11PM 'til the break of dawn. And it's free.

The bipolar DJs are:
craig eee (Tokyo Gig Guide)
Grant McGaheran (Abikyokan)
Jake Arntson (Abikyokan)
Timebred (GaijinTonic)
Yukari (UK Sound)
Brendan Smith (Belgium Internet)
Mu-tan
Junko
Special K



Expect to hear all genres like indie, disco, dub, italo, old-skool hip-hop, electropop, 80s pop, krautrock, African 70s, Farsi pop, psychedelic, shoegaze, electronica...

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wildmood

On Tokyo Gig Guide: http://www.tokyogigguide.com/en/gigs/details/2420

You can dance if you want to

by liza

When a show lets out at 9 or 10pm, the excitement is high but the night is still young! What to do then?

When the usual izakaya or bar seems like a buzzkill, there's always getting your dance on. And there are definitely places that play music other than what you'll hear at a Gaspanic horrorshow or Roppongi pick-up joint.

Tokyo Indie lists these nights in English. (I suppose "indie" is now a genre instead of a way of thinking, but I digress.) I'm not affiliated with this site at all but I'm glad it's there!

This Saturday night, they're throwing a party at Hell's Bar in Sangenjaya. I went to the one in November and had a good time, even though it was really crowded and seems like it will be again. I'm sure the cover charge of "free" has nothing to do with this!

As for other bigger parties -- Hard to Explain is once a month and the location changes sometimes. It's usually good fun with more obscure music toward the beginning of the night and "classics" once everyone is good and liquored up. They used to have bands playing earlier in the evening but I haven't seen any since the night has moved to smaller venues.

Mighty Pop throws parties in different places. I've been to one at the Chelsea Hotel that had a good opener band and slightly more obscure but good music, but it was quite fashion-y. Lots of people dressed up standing around chain smoking looking bored for awhile. But they loosened up.

Parties listed on Tokyo Dandy seem to be more electro- and fashion-oriented. Haven't been to any yet.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but my late-night standby when all else fails is the Rock no Cocoro bar in Shibuya. The music is not especially "cool" but the people and staff there are usually really nice and like to party. (plus there's no cover!) Stay away from the food though...

Anyway those are the bigger ones, am still sussing out the smaller ones so let's hear it if you know a good one!

New Year's Eve Guide 2009-2010

There are plenty of things to do in Tokyo to celebrate the new year. Here are the Tokyo Gig Guide recommended countdown parties

Festival


COUNTDOWN JAPAN 09/10
WHO? capsule, RYUKYUDISKO, POLYSICS, Shugo Tokumaru, GO!GO!7188, Superfly, Elephant Kashimashi, HALCALI, MOGOL800, the telephones, detroit7
On the 28th - Ryuichi Sakamoto and Perfume
WHERE? Makuhari Messe
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2188

Dance



ELECTRONIC TRIBE - YEBISU NEW YEAR'S PARTY 2010
WHO? Laurent Garnier, Mixmaster Morris aka The Irresistable Force, DJ Krush, 80KIDZ, DJ Baku, Daniel Wang, Kenji Takimi (Crue-L), Calm, DJ Kyoko, Ametsub
WHERE? Ebisu Garden Hall
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2197

ageHa COUNTDOWN 2010
WHO? BOOM BOOM SATELLITES, KEN ISHII, DJ EMMA, DEXPISTOLS, DISCO TWINS, The SAMOS, MYSS, more
WHERE? ageHa in Shin-Kiba
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2147



AIR NEW YEAR'S EVE COUNTDOWN TO 2010
WHO? SATOSHI TOMIIE, HECTOR ROMERO, RADIO SLAVE, DJ ENDO, YUMMY, ANRI, more
WHERE? AIR in Daikanyama
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2204



2010 LIQUID
WHO? Takkyu Ishino, Fumiya Tanaka, Tohru Takahashi, DJ WADA, DJ NORI, MOODMAN, more
WHERE? Liquid Room in Ebisu
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2199

BLUE WINDY NIGHT 2009−2010 COUNT DOWN SPECIAL
WHO? DJ NORI, Toshio Matsuura, Shuya Okino, De De Mouse, Yama a.k.a.Sahib, Eiji Takehana, more
WHERE? Mado Lounge & Tokyo City View in Roppongi
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2198

WOMB presents NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN 2010
WHO? JEFF MILLS, AKi, TECHRIDERS, OHNISHI, AKR, RYUSUKE NAKAMURA, Dr.SHINGO, SATOSHI OTSUKI, TAKUYA, more
WHERE? Womb in Shibuya
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2042

Different

COUNTDOWN 2009>2010 ＠ O-EAST
WHO? Shibusashirazu Orchestra, TURTLE ISLAND, Soul Flower Union, NATSUMEN, DJ KENSEI, more
WHERE? O-East in Shibuya
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2201



ENBAN NO YUKU-TOSHI KURU-TOSHI
WHO? Maruo Maruko (from Kyoto), FREAKOUT FAN CLUB, Shigehiko Matsui, Johnny Okura Daijin (Suichu Sorewa Kurushii), Fumihito Taguchi, ju sei, Kitamura Sakiko, mamimi fouksong, 2コ (eetsuu), TABATA, Suzuki Junzo, JON (THE DOG), Ritsuko Sakata (pagtas) + Saitto Elettrico, purin no tameiki, suppa band nanika, OPQ, MY PAL FOOT FOOT, Takashi Ueno (Tenniscoats)
WHERE? Enban in Koenji
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2106

KAN MIKAMI COUNTDOWN LIVE
WHO? Kan Mikami & guests
WHERE? Muryoku Muzenji in Koenji
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2200

Punk

BURNING SPIRITS 2010 YEAR END EVE
WHO? Tetsu Array, EXTINCT GOVERNMENT, WAR HEAD, 九狼吽 (CLOWN), THE TRASH, SLIP HEAD BUTT, NO PROBLEM, more
WHERE? Antiknock in Shinjuku
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2205



2009/2010 COUNT DOWN LIVE ATOMIC NITE THE FINAL
WHO? FRAGMENTS, ED WOODS, BRAZIL UFO, TOKYO-RYOZANPAKU, mohipuri, GOLGO BUTCH, more
WHERE? Heaven's Door in Sangenjaya
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2203



Beat Happening SPECIAL！～COUNT DOWN TO HAPPENING！
WHO? STRIKERS, NeZuMiHaNaBi, Analogue Jidai, NaLas, Tsubaki, ELECTRIC EEL SHOCK, URBANfeti, the HANGOVERS, asunarou
WHERE? Lush in Shibuya
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2207

Rock



SHIBUYA YANEURA YEAR END SPECIAL 2009→2010
WHO? PLATON, Tsubaki, Sonic Attacks Blaster, UNDER THE COUNTER, Fuzz Picks, POP CHOCOLAT, Sexy Panther, FRESUBT, BAZRA, Bob&Carnivals, Techma!, more
WHERE? Shibuya Yaneura
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2038

SWAN SONG COUNCIL vol.11
WHO? about tess, birds melt sky, Far France, fukurouzu, henrytennis, hinomari, JUGONZ, mothercoat, oak, SuiseiNoboAz, more
2009/12/29 to 31
WHERE? AT SHINJUKU MARZ + Motion
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/1883

COUNT DOWN at Zher the ZOO 1st round ～DELICIOUS BUMP SHOW!!～
WHO? the pillows, noodles, POP CHOCOLAT, monokuro
WHERE? Zher The Zoo in Yoyogi
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2025


We Jam Econo '09
WHO? Mike Watt's (Minutemen) new band brother's sister's daughter, Yuka Honda (cibo Matto) and nels cline's (Wilco) project stadium kitchen, COMBOPIANO, LITE, Qomolangma Tomato, kuruucrew, Samm Bennett, more
WHERE? ERA in Shimokitazawa
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2202

BASEMENT BAR COUNT DOWN PARTY 2009>2010
WHO? SUNN, kingnurarihyong, mop of head, yuguretoronica, DEDESUKE, pocketlife, salsa, Zews, highered-girl, the highest, Creepy pop
WHERE? Basement Bar in Shimokitazawa
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2206

TENSAW COUNTDOWN 2010
WHO? TENSAW (SAYBOW, Take, michiaki, GRICO)
WHERE? Showboat in Koenji
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2184

Jazz


ALL NIGHT CONCERT 2009～2010
WHO? Shun Sakai Group, Takeshi Shibuya Orchestra, EMERGENCY!, Fumio Karashima Quintet, HIROSHI MINAMI Trio+1, Yoichi Murata Orchestra, Fumio Itabashi＋4
WHERE? Pit Inn in Shinjuku
http://www.tokyogigguide.com/gigs/details/2189

Shibusashirazu Orchestra @ Goodman

by craig


Daisuke Fuwa has conducted the Shibusashirazu Orchestra for 20 years, a huge collection of free jazz musicians and dancers. I had heard so much about what an amazing live band they were but never had the chance to see them live. Last night they were playing at Club Goodman in Akihabara so I jumped on my mamachari and pedaled over there. After being distracted by the shiny things in the guitar shop above, we descended the stairs to the tiny livehouse in the basement. It soon filled up with enthusiastic fans and the stage filled up with over 20 musicians and performers; drums, saxophones, trumpets, guitars, bass, keyboards, tuba, dancers, singers, girl waving giant bananas....


The crowd pumped their fists as Shibusashirazu started their first song, a 30 minute half-improvised jazz/ska/rock explosion with long crazy guitar and sax solos. Butoh dancers appeared from nowhere on the platform beside us scaring the girls behind me. Later they played a Kiyoshiro Imawano song as a tribute to the legendary rock singer who recently died of cancer. The sound and energy was amazing coming from the middle aged guys on the stage as they played over 3 hours of fast wild rock-influenced jazz causing even the shyest audience members to dance and wave their hands in the air. I was exhausted.


There is nothing like a Shibusashirazu Orchestra show. You have to experience it at least once.

They are playing on Sunday May 10 (as Shibusashirazu) at O-Nest supporting moools and nhhmbase. Details.

The Orchestra is also playing at Club Quattro in Shibuya on May 28th. Details.

Shibusashirazu Orchestra are regulars at Fuji Rock Festival and will be playing again this year on day 3 (July 26th). Details.

You can sometimes catch members of the orchestra playing at places like Airegin in Yokohama.

New Year's Eve Guide 2007-2008

by craig

So what is there to do in Tokyo for New Year's Eve? Well, if you want to dance or catch some live music, there are plenty of events going on. Here is the Tokyo Gig Guide recommended selection.

To dance at a huge party, you can go to YEBISU08 NEW YEAR’S PARTY to hear Gilles Peterson (from UK), Kyoto Jazz Massive, Jazztronik, Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, ZERO dB and more in Ebisu.


jazztronik, ken ishii

Ryota Nozaki aka Jazztronik will make his way between Ebisu and Shibuya to join famous techno DJ Ken Ishii as well as Sugiurumn and others at AIR for COUNTDOWN 2007-2008.

At Liquid Room, also in Ebisu, you will find DJs Takkyu Ishino (denki groove), Fumiya Tanaka, Moodman, Hiroshi Kawanabe and many more. 2008liquid


takkyu ishino

Club Asia in Shibuya has DJs Eitetsu Takamiya, Kentaro Takizawa, Yasutaka Nakata (from capsule), AYASHIGE, GOTH-TRAD and others with live music and dance performance by Osaka Monaurail. Club Asia Countdown

Cozy Organ bar on the other side of Shibuya has a bunch of Organ Bar favourites like DJs Tatsuo Sunaga (Sunaga t Experience), Kensho Onuki and Gakuji Matsuda (Cubismo Grafico). MCing will be YOU THE ROCK★. Toshikoshi Summit


gakuji matsuda, yasutaka nakata

Capsule’s Yasutaka Nakata and Cubismo Grafico’s Gakuji “Chabe” Matsuda will be busy, as they're also playing at OTO’s NEW YEAR PARTY in Shinjuku alongside Takeshi Kubota, hasehajimu, Kenta Kazumatsuri and others. It starts at 10pm.

London’s A MOUNTAIN OF ONE will be joined by the mighty DJ EYE (BOREDOMS/V∞REDOMS) plus KENJI TAKIMI, Mo Morris (A Mountain of One) and other DJs and VJs for 8UP


EYヨ, avengers in sci-fi

To catch some Japanese rock, head to Loft in Shinjuku for THE FINAL OF 2007 where you can catch THE STREET BEATS, REDЯUM, avengers in sci-fi, Good Dog Happy Men and others from 1pm.

Avengers-in-sci-fi will move to MARZ, also in Shinjuku, to join about tess, tron, LITE, school food punishment and others for SWAN SONG COUNCIL vol.9.

More rock will be happening at Club Quattro in Shibuya for VINTAGE x DI:GA 2008 with the pillows, who will be playing during the countdown. Joining them will be ELLEGARDEN, THE NOVEMBERS and more.


the pillows

If you like your rock harder and crazier, LOVE? OR TOUGH? is on at Heaven`s Door in Sangenjaya featuring FRAGMENTS, JET BOYS, ED WOODS, THE FACEFUL and many more.

German jamband Mars Mushrooms are playing at Kinack in Ueno with FLY. It starts at 9pm.


mars mushrooms

For some experimental music in a small place, there’s Enban’s 2007 Thank You Party in Shimokitazawa featuring a whole lot of Enban favourites like Feedback Syphon featuring Saya (tenniscoats), cottonioo, My Pal Foot Foot, TABATA and Yoshihiro Kawasome from 5pm to 5am.


saya, takeshi shibuya

For experimental and improvised jazz, Pit Inn in Shinjuku is holding ALL NIGHT CONCERT 2007-2008 with all the stars of the scene playing in Takeshi Shibuya Orchestra, Shun Sakai Group, HIROSHI MINAMI Trio, EMERGENCY! and other groups. It starts at 7pm and runs until it’s time for the first train.


polysics, halcali

Or if you want to go to a large festival and catch a whole lot of Japanese pop artists, there’s COUNTDOWN JAPAN 07/08, a four-day festival at Makuhari Messe. Some of the many artists that are playing on the 31st are Kimura Kaera, Art-School, Polysics, HALCALI, Sambo Master, your song is good and SAKEROCK.
edit: Tickets are sold out!