Promoters/Touring Managers

Is more of what I'm looking into in Japan. A couple venues, or in TGG's case, "Live Houses" have promoters linked to their pages, but Google Translate can only take you so far.

I am looking to book a small tour for a couple artists in JP for next fall and I would prefer to get in contact with a Promoter/Company who books and has positive relations with venues across Japan.

TGG's live houses list is great. If only we could work on getting more promoter/booking contacts.

There aren't really any "booking agents" in Japan for indie or non-famous bands/artists (Japanese or foreign). The reason why that is venues (live houses) in Japan don't pay artists - artists have to "pay to play" or "audition to play". Since doing gigs in Japan is a promotional expense rather than a revenue-generating activity, there are no commissions to be made, and hence, no booking agents.

There are of course concert or event producers which may "book" and pay foreign artists for the events they produce but they usually work with famous artists and their record labels. Usually an artist they are sure to make money from.

There are companies that specialize in planning and managing live tours/gigs for foreign artists. But you must pay them for their services as well as all the expenses. If you can't speak Japanese then you probably have to use one of these companies. I think you can get a list of these companies at www.jics.com .

It's also a good idea to set up a Japanese web page so live house managers and Japanese bands/fans can learn more about you in their own language and buy your music.

I did just that at www.topmusic.jp and I now I got sales of my CD in Japan.

I look for promtion of my music ( www.labasheeda.nl )
in Japan and was wondering or www.topmusic.jp pays itself back if you do not directly perform live in Japan?
It seems like you have informed yourself about the musicindustry in Japan?
Is there somewhere a list with contact details of zines, blogs and radio or a way to get it?
Or maybe you can help with it?