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TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Check out http://www.tokyoartbeat.com/index.en, http://www.tiff-jp.net/en/.

I'll be posting on Chibaraki Life blog about independent artists, local music events when I can. See www.chibaraki.wordpress.com

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

For music' Liquid Room' in Ebisu....Daikanyama??? is good. The international shows are pricey, but Japanese bands are cheaper.

There is never a shortage of quality art to look at in this city. All of the bigger museums have international shows as well as Japanese artists.
The newer 'National Art Center' in Roppongi is a beautiful building, and I've seen 3 really excellent shows there....all contemporary Japanese artists. Also in Roppongi, the Mori which housed an amazing show of Japanese artists last Fall???
The Hara Museum is out of the way but always enjoyable....again contemporary stuff, and an interesting space....cool cafe and garden!!
All of these places have web-sites.

There is a bi-lingual art magazine published here called 'Art-It' which has a lot of listing for smaller galleries as well....excellent publication.

I guess all of these things aren't really indie......but if you're into art....well?
Tokyo is like any other big city....to get to the real stuff, and people, you have to be here for awhile and dig your way down

Have a fantastic visit!

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Now back to our regular programming...

ann_o, where can one find Art-It? I've never seen it, but then I wasn't looking for it.

For more leads about culture, arts, not quite mainstream stuff, I'd say Tokyo Journal is another publication to have a look at - http://www.tokyo.to/

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

I bought it once at the Mori Musuem shop, and now buy it at Kinokuniya.....but it's not with the foreign literature on the 6th floor, it's with all of the Japanese mags on the 1st or ground??

B0RGNINE · Joined: 28 Jun 2008 Posts: 48

B0RGNINE · Joined: 28 Jun 2008 Posts: 48

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

My husband and I are going to see 'Envy', a Japanese rock band...lots of screaming vocals......I actually saw their cd in an old, cool used record shop when I went back to the States a couple of weeks ago. Good stuff....they are playing with 2 newer bands well known in music circles here.
In the past 'Mogwai' had played there....Gilles Peterson....I'm not sure of all the others, but my husband is really into music and says they have always had good shows there....oh....Autechre just played there!!
International acts run 6,000. The 'Envy' show is only 3,000...not so bad.
I get so pissed off at even the thought of paying 10,000 to see Radiohead play in a huge stadium here....no thanks...but I guess that's business and it costs a lot to bring the bigger international artists here??

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Thanks ann_o, I'll look for it!

About going to music events -

A few weeks ago, I was at Fuji Rock - http://www.smash-uk.com/frf08/ - for the day, and I was impressed with the mix of big names local and foreign, new bands that are more of the alternative variety and the cleanliness and safety on the site. In addition, waste control/disposal was carefully planned and concert goers appreciated it and participated. The lineup for recycling bins was longer than the beer line!

One day there, transportation (ride share), ticket (advanced purchase), and food cost me about Y20,000.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

How about 16,000 yen to see Sly and the Family Stone in Tokyo? Hope he shows!
Enjoy,
s

B0RGNINE · Joined: 28 Jun 2008 Posts: 48

16,000... wow, that's a lot.

The most I remember paying is to see the Pixies here for $50, and that was a *painful* amount to pay for nosebleeders.

I also paid the same to see Mogwai... the actual ticket price was $20, but I was a broke student at the time, and I knew I didn't have enough in my bank account, but I used my debit card anyway... so with the $30 late fee... THAT concert was worth the cash though! The loudest thing I've ever heard.