Ryuichi Sakamoto's Invitation to a Public Viewing

On the day of "skmtSocial Meeting," held as part of the skmtSocial project, rehearsals were underway for the live online broadcast of his solo piano tour in Korea on January 9th of the following year, with a significant amount of equipment set up in the venue. While the event was streamed on Ustream, it was also simultaneously recorded by six high-definition cameras. Amidst numerous staff members, Toru Furukawa, the key figure who personally live-streamed Ryuichi Sakamoto's North American tour "Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano - North America Tour 2010," moving over 220,000 people worldwide across four performances, was meticulously adjusting new equipment called Zephyr while seated on the floor. His partner, Tomoyasu Hirano, CEO of Digital Stage, was also busy with overall direction and moderation. A positive energy, driving the realization of new endeavors, permeated the atmosphere.

First, at the venue, it was officially announced that the first initiative of the skmtSocial project would be a high-quality, high-definition live stream of the solo piano concert "Playing the Piano," to be held in Korea on January 9, 2011, via the internet. The stream was planned for Ustream and the mobile video distribution site "mu-mo." Furthermore, fans were invited to organize public viewings of this concert live stream in movie theaters or at gatherings, connecting the online and real worlds.

When we speak of public viewing, one might recall events like watching the World Cup on large screens in stadiums or public spaces. While live online broadcasts often mean listening in front of a computer, this project's novelty lies in not only allowing viewers to watch and experience the stage but also in facilitating user-organized public viewings, sharing the preparation stages, and providing video chat reports from behind the scenes of the main performance. Ryuichi Sakamoto aims for an experimental event where users participate, engaging with social media to build excitement leading up to the performance day and share the live experience and emotions together.

Of course, watching alone at home or gathering with friends to watch also counts as "participation." Anyone who watches or listens to the live stream, or who gathers people for a public viewing, is a participant.

On December 24th, the official website posted a video titled "Invitation to Social Media," calling for public viewings, along with an interview with Ryuichi Sakamoto.http://skmtSocial.comPublic viewing locations are now displayed on a map.

Experts Illuminate the Future of Music x Social Media!

Ryuichi Sakamoto has live-streamed four performances of his North American solo tour in October 2010 and all performances of his UTAU tour with Taeko Onuki from November to December 2010 via Ustream. The skmtSocial project builds upon this, developing it into a project that will first roll out the live stream of the aforementioned Korean solo concert as public viewings organized by volunteers nationwide. The concept is to transform social networks into real-world encounters and fully share the live experience with everyone.

At the skmt Social Meeting, centered around Ryuichi Sakamoto, guests who had experienced the Ustream broadcasts of his North American and Japanese tours engaged in a passionate and free-flowing discussion, extending well beyond the scheduled time, from the perspective of "listeners" representing social communities. The participating members were truly exceptional.


What are the thoughts behind such initiatives from the globally renowned musician Ryuichi Sakamoto? What is the skmtSocial project? The discussion delved into the possibilities of social media, the intersection of music and social platforms, what can emerge from music and the internet, new music business models, copyright issues, Creative Commons, and other fascinating, ongoing conversations about music and social engagement. While the full details are available on Ustream, here is a summary of key statements that offer insight into the skmtSocial project.

Ryuichi Sakamoto has been contemplating the future of music for the past 15 years.
"Previously, we spoke of the 'digital divide' – the gap in treatment, wealth, and opportunity between those who can use information technology (IT) like computers and the internet, and those who cannot. This refers not only to disparities between individuals but also between nations and regions. I believe we are now seeing an increasing number of people who understand the web and blogs but are unfamiliar with Ustream or Twitter. In a sense, a 'social divide' may be emerging. It's an interesting era where virtual and real are becoming closer through the use of social networks."



Indeed, the public viewing that the skmtSocial project aims to implement is an experiment to bring social networks online closer to reality. January 9, 2011. This day will undoubtedly mark a shift in the world.
"For the concert in Korea, we want everyone around the world to spontaneously organize public viewings and watch together. Isn't it interesting to experiment with organizing social networks, which have so far been confined to the internet, in the real world? It's an invitation to an experiment," says Ryuichi Sakamoto.

The results of this experiment will undoubtedly become the standard for the future of music. Yes, history will change. Will you be a spectator, or will you participate in the experiment as an active agent of change? The answer is obvious. Make history with your own hands.