Summer Music Festivals for Adults 2015 | FEATURE
Feature | A Curated Lineup for Adults
OPENERS Selects: Summer Music Festivals 2015
Recently, music festivals have seen a shift in their concepts. Keywords like outdoor leisure, international artists, large-scale venues, and earth consciousness have become prominent. Added to these elements is "compatibility with daily life." Instead of spaces designed for the extraordinary, we're seeing festivals in accessible locations and with gentle, approachable atmospheres. The opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen also means more accessible venues from the Tokyo metropolitan area, which is not to be overlooked.
Leisure that welcomes all attendees and naturally blends into one's lifestyle. Here, we present a curated selection of music events suitable for adults, held from July to September.
Text by OPENERS
A Mix of New and Established Events Across Japan
Over a Month-Long Run, Japan's Largest Jazz Fest
SAPPORO CITY JAZZ
A jazz festival unfolding across the city of Sapporo, Hokkaido. The main venue hosts daily performances until Friday, July 31st. Its charm lies in the sophisticated atmosphere where you can enjoy music from renowned artists while dining.
Dates | July 9 (Thu) - August 29 (Sat)
Location | Odori Park (Main Venue), Sapporo, Hokkaido
Tel. 011-592-4125
http://sapporocityjazz.jp/
Japan's Premier Outdoor Music Event
FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL
Fuji Rock Festival, advocating for "coexistence of nature and music." This year, the event, a staple of summer leisure, will feature big international names and a diverse lineup to satisfy even seasoned fans.
Dates | July 24 (Fri) - July 26 (Sun)
Location | Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture
http://www.fujirockfestival.com/
Pioneer of All-Night Outdoor Festivals
RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL 2015 in EZO
As the name suggests, this event allows you to experience music while watching the sunrise over the land of Ishikari, Hokkaido. It's also known for its lineup of artists popular across a wide range of age groups, considered the pinnacle of music festivals primarily featuring Japanese artists.
Dates | August 14 (Fri), 15 (Sat)
Location | Special Venue next to Tarukawa Pier, Ishikari Bay New Port, Hokkaido
Tel. 011-614-9999 (Weekdays 11:00-18:00)
http://rsr.wess.co.jp
Tracing the 45-Year Career of Lyricist Takashi Matsumoto
Kazemachi Legend 2015
A concert honoring the achievements of Takashi Matsumoto, a lyricist who has left his mark on Japanese music history, will be held on an unprecedented scale. These two miraculous days will feature a stellar cast including his close collaborators like Haruomi Hosono and Shigeru Suzuki.
Dates | August 21 (Fri), 22 (Sat)
Location | Tokyo International Forum Hall A, Tokyo
Tel. 050-5533-0888
http://kazemachi-legend.com/
Numerous Encounters Reflected in the Life of a Musician
NATURAL FOUNDATION Presents Return of "SUMMER CAMP"～Gen Tamura 60th Anniversary Party～
An event organized by the agency that manages the band KIRINJI. This occasion celebrates the 60th birthday of a band member, bringing together musicians connected to him. Artists like LITTLE TEMPO and Mari Nakaura, among Japan's finest, will perform.
Dates | August 22 (Sat)
Location | Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall, Tokyo
Tel. 050-5533-0888 (Weekdays 12:00-20:00)
http://natural-llc.com/blog/2015/04/06/320/
A Time to Share Musical Creativity and Happiness
WORLD HAPPINESS 2015
Curated by Yukihiro Takahashi, this event is known for the experimental endeavors of its seasoned artists, showcased each year. This year, fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto is responsible for the main visual.
Dates | August 23 (Sun)
Location | Yumenoshima Stadium, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5720-9999
http://www.world-happiness.com/
Enjoy an Evening Breeze with Beautiful Music in a Land Steeped in History
Slow LIVE'15 in Ikegami Honmonji
"Slow LIVE," embodying the concept of a music festival for adults, takes place at Ikegami Honmonji, founded in 1282. Responding to the elegant surroundings, the performers present stages where the nuances of sound, such as acoustic sets, can be fully appreciated.
Dates | September 4 (Fri), 5 (Sat), 6 (Sun)
Location | Ikegami Honmonji, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5720-9999
http://lultimo.jp/smsl/
Three Days Covering Jazz from Classics to the Latest Forms
Tokyo JAZZ
"Disseminating New Culture" "Inheritance and Development for the Next Generation of Jazz" "Cultural Crossover"—These are the ambitious goals this event has championed since its inception in 2002, addressing key aspects of the jazz scene. It has been a resounding success each year with its highly satisfying program.
Dates | September 4 (Fri), 5 (Sat), 6 (Sun)
Location | Tokyo International Forum and other venues, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5777-8600
http://www.tokyo-jazz.com/
Western Japan's Leading Festival, Set Against a Sunset Sea
Sunset Live
Now in its 23rd year, Sunset Live is held at Keya Beach in Fukuoka, offering camping facilities. Given the area's history of nurturing diverse musicians, it attracts true music enthusiasts. The interactive stage performances are a delight.
Dates | September 4 (Fri), 5 (Sat), 6 (Sun)
Location | Special Stage, Keya Beach, Fukuoka Prefecture
http://www.sunsetlive-info.com/
Warm Interactions Born from a Handmade Venue
Sanjo Rakun-sai
Sanjo Rakun-sai, held in Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture, began as an event created by citizens and local government and is now in its seventh year. It's an at-home gathering featuring music, nature, workshops, and craft sales, offering a charmingly intimate atmosphere. Admission is free.
Dates | September 6 (Sun)
Location | Himesayuri Forest Park, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture
Tel. 0256-47-0048
http://rakuonsai.com/
Discover Jazz in Kanazawa, a City Rich in History
Kanazawa Jazz Street
Kanazawa, with improved access from Tokyo thanks to the 2015 opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, has always been a city with a rich cultural and artistic foundation. Against this historical backdrop, jazz musicians showcase their talents. It's an event that fosters a sense of unity, with participation from general attendees and students alike.
Dates | September 18 (Fri) - September 21 (Mon, Holiday)
Location | 10 venues in the central area of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Tel. 076-224-8133
http://kanazawa-jazzstreet.jp/index.html
Musical International Exchange Integrated into Kyoto's Daily Life
Kyoto Music Expo
Organized by the rock band Quruli, this event focuses on acoustic sets. The venue, Kyoto's Umekoji Park, is a spacious area beloved by locals. This performance, with its distinctly at-home atmosphere, consistently attracts many international visitors.
Dates | September 20 (Sun)
Location | Lawn Plaza, Umekoji Park, Kyoto Prefecture
Tel. 06-6341-3525
http://kyotoonpaku.net/2015/
Lauryn Hill Makes Her First Visit to Japan in 8 Years
SOUL CAMP
Billing itself as a "soulful open district," SOUL CAMP is a new urban music festival starting this year. With Lauryn Hill as the headliner, it promises a powerful and grand stage, alongside the big surprise of her appearance.
Dates | September 22 (Tue), 23 (Wed)
Location | Toyosu PIT & Magic Beach, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3499-6669
http://soul-camp.jp/
A Celebration of Popular Music Led by the New Generation
Ringo Music Festival
The Ringo Music Festival was initiated by organizers who love Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, with the desire to enhance the city's appeal. Its unique, carefully selected lineup, spanning pop, soul, hip-hop, and experimental genres, offers a perfect opportunity to discover new sounds.
Dates | September 26 (Sat), 27 (Sun)
Location | Alps Park, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture
Tel. 070-6524-9430
http://ringofes.info/
The Blue Note Jazz Festival Lands in Japan for the First Time
Blue Note JAZZ FESTIVAL in JAPAN
The Blue Note JAZZ FESTIVAL, a summer tradition in New York, makes its debut in Japan as a one-day outdoor festival. Bringing together veteran and new generation artists who deliver quality music across genres and eras under the banner of jazz, they will gather in Yokohama.
Dates | September 27 (Sun)
Location | Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Outdoor Special Stage, Kanagawa Prefecture
Tel. 03-3499-6669
http://bluenotejazzfestival.jp/
