Emo/Math @Hokage Osaka
The Cambodian New Year falls in April every year. This is usually a 3-day main holiday, but the country effectively shuts down for the week with many people taking the entire week off, which is what I did. Since I was in Japan at this time, I decided to do a Kansai base trip and made Osaka my home base.
Whenever I go into the city, I always try to scout out music. Sometimes this is bigger touring acts, other times it’s trying to find small local shows and local talent at one of the (probably) thousands of “Live Houses” throughout the country. I sort of hate to admit it, but I’ve been using Claude AI to help with some research on my trip planning. I’ve got a whole project that I’ve fed in my interests for photography and music, neighborhoods, things I like and don’t, and a few “pegs” I use to help me map out rough walking routes. I have to say, it’s been super helpful, in a big part because it can go through all the Japanese language sites that would take me much longer to find (they translate fine with the web browser, but searching and finding them is the tricky part). This time, Claude helped find this venue and show. It hit it out of the park.
Music Bar Hokage is a small 2-level basement bar, maybe like 50 SQM at best on its stage-less venue room, and then a level down a tiny bar and hangout area for between sets. I’d exported playlists, genres, and music and venue likes into Claude, which described this as a long-established underground venue for small and up-and-coming acts and this night as a mixture of emo-math-influenced rock, my cup of tea.
I was one of, I think, 3 foreigners I saw. There were 5 bands playing 30-40-minute sets with quick changeovers. I missed the first band because I needed to eat (shows here usually start around 7 p.m. and finish by 10:30 so people can get the train home), but every act I saw was awesome. I felt like I was back in Austin in ’98 in one of the dive venues along Red River north of the real Emo’s. I can’t remember the names.
Even though I was an outlier in terms of nationality and age (by a lot), it was a time machine. One of the things I love about Japan is their love and support of live music and bands. In this world of solo/producer-led music, I think Japan’s big cities deserve the title of live music capital of the world. Whatever genre you may be into, there is a scene for that and a support community. These kids, and most of them were in their 20s, so I’ll say kids, were all in, the bands, and the audience. Crowdsurfing with no stage, limited space, and a low ceiling. Everyone knowing the songs and singing along.
Such a great show.
Osaka Rocks.
7th Jet Balloon
Links
PLATFORM
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Liaroid Cinema
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OLPHEUS
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