The uninitiated might have been puzzled by Tomoe Shinohara’s concert with Hikashu at the Japan Society on May 13. Here was a pop singer and TV personality best known for her gusto paired with a cult experimental band. On the surface, Shinohara’s bubbly stage presence—she entered the stage grinning infectiously and tossing fake flower petals …
Tag Archive: AKB48
Dec 23
[review] Gelatine: Gie Ji Gaii
Sometimes you have to see musicians live to get them. I had previewed the bands playing the Far East to East Showcase at Webster Hall prior to the event on Sept. 27 , and Gelatine didn’t grip me instantly. My first impression, based off performance videos of singer Seiko shrieking and marching around in a …
Nov 30
[interview] AKB48: A classic fantasy for the 21st century
New York Anime Festival was the Big Apple hub for thousands of anime, manga and J-music fans from Sept. 25 to 27. What musical act would have better fit the convention than one from Tokyo’s own pop culture district, Akihabara? AKB48 is a 65-member idol collective that takes the winning combination of cute girls in …
