I’m an American J-pop artist and have traveled out to Tokyo several times now for my live house concerts and to even shoot a documentary. On my most recent trip and as part of a mini-tour I performed at a live house called Omotesando FAB! Live Houses is the term for music venues (a la House of Blues) out in Japan. What I noticed about Omotesando FAB compared to venues back in the states is that they thoroughly go through every detail of the show for that night. When I performed out in LA I was lucky to get a 10 min sound check. But at Omotesando FAB the whole band arrived to the venue at 3PM even though the show was at 8PM. And we had our sound check when we arrived and we went over the whole show. Each staff member at the venue was trained very well with how they set up the stage. And because we had an hour sound check I felt confident knowing that the sound would be right on for the show. After we were done with the sound check we were told where dressing room/backstage was unique in the way that IT was setup that all the counters connected and mirrors along the wall as well. At one of the counters was a T.V. Where we can see each band before we were up.
The whole dressing room/backstage was unique in the way that is was setup that all the performers that night could bond very easily before the show. I also noticed that the two other bands/artists that performed that night had similar music to me. Whereas venues out in the states usually just take whatever band that can have that night and most of the time the bands are very unmatched. Now that I have performed out in Tokyo and LA I must say that I am more pleased with how the live houses treat their bands/artists in Tokyo. At Omotesando FAB the staff and performers for that night all treated the show very passionately like it would be their last. If you are ever out in Tokyo I would definitely suggest that everyone should go at least once to a live house out in Tokyo.
Comments
Japanese live houses are like Mcdonalds, you know what to expect, the service is efficient, but the atmosphere is bland and predictable. Sound check, play, pack up, sell merchandise go home – predictable, easy and boring! This is perfect for generic radio style pop artists and the managers of the live houses. I personally prefer the more unique places that don't make fans arrive at 6pm on Tuesday nights, or charge massive amounts on the door and for drinks (which are half full of ice). I guess unlike Mcdonalds live houses are not cheap from it in fact Bands usually have to pay large amounts to play at these places and rarely make a profit. Young, upcoming or more experimental acts are the most often screwed by this system.
Yay yay for Tokyo city live houses! It's the small houses, festivals and clubs were all the best stuff happens.
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location?? I would like to attend some of the events….
thanks!!
Hey Steph the Vids from your tour were great. Nice read. Hope there are future blogs to come. Good luck ^_^
Hey Steph the Vids from your tour were great. Nice read. Hope there are future blogs to come. Good luck ^_^
Stephanie Yanez is a smart, beautiful & a great singer!! You look awesome Steph very gorgeous….(^_^)
This is cool. Good information I can use whenever the next time I go to Tokyo is. Thanks a lot!
Great write up! The live houses are great in Japan, particularly the staff. True story! Keep up the great work.
Great write up! The live houses are great in Japan, particularly the staff. True story! Keep up the great work.
Another great thing about gigs in Tokyo is that when you walk out there is already somewhere else cool to go. In the UK you walk out to a car park and a long ride home…
I saw your show OMOTESANO FAB in Tokyo.
Oh, It's “Brilliant!!!”(^.^)
I felt your performance were so powerful and sexy, and back band sound was powerful.
So, You are “Rock Diva”
Well, That Live House's sound system was good.
I look forward to go to your next Japan Tour.(^_-)-☆
Puchi Bruce.
i love it u are awesome Stephanie *smiles*
I saw Head Phones President at Club Citta in Kawasaki. It was a terrific place for a show. That sound system was awesome.
Awesome job, you should do more blogs about your tour experiences 🙂
How interesting to get a first-hand take on the live house scene from a performer. I remember going to live houses in Tokyo and the shows often started earlier than in the U.S. so you could get out at a decent hour and still catch the train, which stops running at midnight. Very civilized!
whenever I visit Japan I’ll be sure to check one out, it seems like a lot of fun, especially if the music somehow all meshes well.
You look gorgeous in the picture!
Thank you everyone so much for the comments! Your support means so much! Please look forward to more blogs from me on GaijinPot!
Steph
STEPHANIEYANEZ.COM
whenever I visit Japan I’ll be sure to check one out, it seems like a lot of fun, especially if the music somehow all meshes well.
You look gorgeous in the picture!
Thank you everyone so much for the comments! Your support means so much! Please look forward to more blogs from me on GaijinPot!
Steph
STEPHANIEYANEZ.COM