Japan Nite

Last updated
Japan Nite
Japan Nite 2008 poster-250.jpg
Japan Nite 2008 promotional poster featuring the tour's signature female mascot
Genre Rock music, Punk rock, Pop music, Jazz, Electronic music
Years active1996–present
Website https://www.facebook.com/JapanNite

Japan Nite is an annual music event in North America which began in 1996, featuring Japanese rock, pop, and alternative music artists. Originally centered around South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, the event expanded in later years to include multi-city tours of the United States, and has often been the first US performance for the participating artists.

Contents

History

Japan Nite was conceived by Hiroshi Asada, former manager of Pizzicato Five, and Audrey Kimura, the founder of the independent Japanese label Benten.

Asada organized a showcase called Psycho Night (a play on the Japanese word saiko, for "awesome") at the 1992 New Music Seminar in New York City featuring only Japanese acts, including Pizzicato Five. [1] Asada was approached by representatives from SXSW who invited him to create a similar showcase in Austin, since there was not a strong presence of Asian music at the festival at the time. [2] [3]

Kimura brought her band Lolita No. 18 to perform at the first Japan Nite in 1996, the first Japanese band to ever play SXSW. [4]

In 2008, the all-girl rock band Scandal toured the U.S. as part of the Japan Nite tour, the band's first tour outside of Japan. [5]

In 2011, Japan Nite's performances at SXSW benefitted the Japanese Red Cross's recovery efforts for the Great East Japan Earthquake. [6] In 2013, Japan Nite's tour extended to Canada for the first time with a performance at Canadian Music Week. [7]

In 2016, X Japan leader Yoshiki made a surprise guest appearance at Japan Nite's SXSW performance in Austin on the same night as the festival's premiere of the documentary film We Are X . [8] [9]

In 2020, the Japan Nite tour was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. [10]

Reception

Japan Nite's reputation among music journalists has been anchored in its eclectic showcase of unusual artists. [11] The Austin Chronicle said "Japan Nite usually means getting your mind blown" [12] and LA Weekly characterized the tour as "bringing an eclectic mix of alternative-minded Japanese bands". [4]

Participating artists

"It used to be that most of the artists at Japan Nite were major label bands," Asada said. "The music business people thought that one show at SXSW would be enough to make a deal out of, but it isn’t so easy." Lack of participation from major labels became a major factor in the tour's programming, and Japan Nite's lineup shifted away from the mainstream in later years, featuring primarily alternative music acts. "I go for the weird bands,” Asada said. "If we could deal with major labels, we could set that up, but they just focus on the Japanese market now." [2]

Japan Nite Artist Lineup

YearArtistCities
1996Lolita No.18, PugsAustin (SXSW)
1997 Husking Bee, Cocco, Pugs, The Mad Capsule Markets Austin (SXSW)
1998Tengoku Jack, The Kokkeshies, ONTJ, Balbora, CoccoAustin (SXSW)
1999 Ex-Girl, Missile Girl Scoot, Nicotine, Number Girl Austin (SXSW)
2000 Mummy The Peepshow, Dr. Strangelove, Number Girl, Spoozys, Lolita No.18, Original LoveAustin (SXSW)
2001 Love Psychedelico, Bleach03, Heart Bazaar, Playgues, The Jerry Lee Phantom, Dr. StrangeloveAustin (SXSW)
2002Bonkin'Clapper, The Soulsberry, Understatements, Foe, Nananine, Fantasy's Core, Petty Booka, The Jerry Lee Phantom, The Salinger, Bleach03Austin (SXSW)
2003Condor44, Core Of Soul, Invisibleman's Deathbed, Minor League, Papaya Paranoia, Petty BookaAustin (SXSW)
2004 Kishidan, Fuzzy Control, Zanzo, The Emeralds, Response, Romz Records Crew, TsuShiMaMiRe, Kokeshi Doll, Noodles, Petty Booka, Bleach03Austin (SXSW)
2005Titan Go King's, I-Dep, The Emeralds, Noodles, The Pillows, The Hot Shots, Suns Owl, Zanzo, Petty Booka, Bonnie Pink Austin (SXSW), Chicago, New York, Canton, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, San Francisco [13]
2006Vasallo Crab 75, The Rodeo Carburettor, PE'Z, Ellegarden, TsuShiMaMiRe, The EmeraldsAustin (SXSW), San Antonio, New York, Cambridge, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles [14]
2007 HY, The Emeralds, The 50 Kaitenz, Go!Go!7188, Pistol Valve, Oreskaband Austin (SXSW), New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles [15]
2008Detroit7, Avengers in Sci-Fi, Ketchup Mania, Petty Booka, Quartz-head 02, Sodopp, Scandal Austin (SXSW), New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles [16]
2009FLiP, Dirty Old Men, Honey Sac, Sparta Locals, Grapevine, Detroit7, Stereopony, SpecialThanks, The Emeralds, SA, Asakusa Jinta, QuaffAustin (SXSW), New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles [17]
2010 Chatmonchy, Okamoto's, Red Bacteria Vacuum, Dolly, Omodaka, JinnyOops!, Riddim SaunterAustin (SXSW), New York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles [18]
2011Mo'some Tonebender, Lolita No.18, Hystoic Vein, Zukunashi, White White Sisters, Oh SunshineAustin (SXSW), New York, Chicago, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles [19]
2012Saito Johnny, Nokies!, Kao=S, ZZZ's, Vampillia, The Rubies, Akabane Vulgars on Strong BypassAustin (SXSW), Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco [20]
2013Kao=S, Charan-Po-Rantan, Jake Stone Garage, Chihiro Yamazaki+Route 14 Band, Pirates Canoe, Four Minutes Til Midnight, JosyAustin (SXSW), Chicago, Columbus, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto [21]
2014Happy, Mothercoat, Mayu Wakisaka, Jungles (R.B.V.), Starmarie, Sentimental City RomanceAustin (SXSW), Athens (GA), Chicago, Columbus, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco [22]
2015 moumoon, TsuShiMaMiRe, Pirates Canoe, The Fin., Quorum, Samurai Dynamites, MahoshojoninaritaiAustin (SXSW), Athens (GA), Chicago, Columbus, New York, Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco [23]
2016Ed Woo, Pannacotta, The Fin., Tempalay, Rei, Jungles (R.B.V.), Reatmo, Alexandros Austin (SXSW), New York, Baltimore, Chicago, Long Beach, San Francisco [24]
2017 Chai, Srv.Vinci, Walkings, Anglogix, HanatoChiruran, RiRiAustin (SXSW), New York, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles [25]
2018Domico, Attractions, Mika Kanda, Rude-α, Prankroom, Anna TakeuchiAustin (SXSW), New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco [26]
2019Furutori, Asterism, Stereogirl, Regallily, The Perfect Me, Ex-GirlAustin (SXSW) [27]
2020* (cancelled)Uchikubi-Gokumondokokai, Kyusonekokami, Tri4th, The Tomboys*all venues cancelled due to COVID-19 [28]
2021* (cancelled)(no musical acts announced)(no venues announced)

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References

  1. ↑ McClure, Steve (1997-11-29). "Pizzicato Five moves U.S. management to Japan". Billboard. p. 48.
  2. 1 2 Michel, Patrick St (2015-03-24). "SXSW's Japan Nite celebrates 20 lively years". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  3. ↑ "ＳＸＳＷの本質はインディーズ精神にあり アジア代表 麻田浩氏に聞く". サイド E (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  4. 1 2 Ohanesian, Liz (2011-03-28). "Japan Nite 2011 at The Viper Room: Presenting 5 Japanese Bands You Should Hear Right Now". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  5. ↑ "Interview with SCANDAL". JaME. 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  6. ↑ Babayan, Siran (2011-03-21). "SXSW Recap: Japan Nite Raises Money for Earthquake Relief". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  7. ↑ McKenna, Shaun (2013-03-28). "Japanese acts play music ambassadors at Canadian Music Week". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  8. ↑ "SXSW Music: Japan Nite". www.austinchronicle.com. March 19, 2016. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  9. ↑ "Yoshiki Makes Surprise Appearance For Japan Nite Showcase At SXSW 2016 -". mxdwn Music. 2016-03-19. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  10. ↑ Michel, Patrick (2020-03-25). "As COVID-19 cripples live music, hopeful promoters look ahead". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  11. ↑ "Japan Nite celebrates 20 years at SXSW". Austin 360. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  12. ↑ Bertin, Michael (March 16, 2012). "Japan Nite". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  13. ↑ "JPN Girls Nite US tour 2005". www.sister.co.jp. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  14. ↑ "Japan Nite US TOUR 2006". www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  15. ↑ "Japan Nite US TOUR 2007". www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  16. ↑ "Japan Nite US Tour 2008". www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  17. ↑ "Japan Nite US Tour 2009". www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  18. ↑ "Japan Nite US Tour 2010". www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  19. ↑ "Japan Nite US Tour 2011". sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  20. ↑ "Japan Nite US Tour 2012". sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  21. ↑ "Japan Nite 2013". JRock Revolution. 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  22. ↑ "Japan Nite 2014". JRock Revolution. 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  23. ↑ "Japan Nite 2015, TsuShiMaMire, QUORUM, The fin., Zarigani$, BO-PEEP, Samurai Dynamites". The L Magazine. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  24. ↑ "Japan Nite returns to SXSW 2016 with a stunning lineup plus Preview Show and US Tour!". Hello Asia!. 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  25. ↑ Fulton, Nick (2018-09-10). "japanese punk band chai are redefining kawaii". i-D. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  26. ↑ "ドミコ、"SXSW Japan Nite 2018"出演 6大都市を回るUSツアーも開催 | Spincoaster (スピンコースター)". Spincoaster (in Japanese). 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  27. ↑ "ASTERISM, eX-GIRL, Otoboke Beaver among top Japanese indie acts at SXSW 2019". J-Generation. 2019-02-21. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  28. ↑ "Japan Nite 2020". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
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