Performing Inside the Station for the Yokkaichi Jazz Fest

Hello.
I had the opportunity to perform at the Yokkaichi Jazz Street that’s held every October in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture.
I would like to share some details about the event and the equipment I used during the performance.

About the Jazz Fest

In recent years, more and more cities have started holding jazz festivals. Stages are set up at various locations throughout the city where live music is performed, local products are showcased, and local tourist spots are introduced. It’s an event that combines music with community promotion.
While the common thread is that these festivals blend music with local revitalization, the content and focus of each event can vary depending on the festival.

Music Genres

• Events centered mainly on jazz
• Events that include jazz as well as funk, R&B, and acoustic styles
• Events where you can hear all genres, including heavier rock

Venue Characteristics

• Centered around live bars and live houses, where attendees hop from venue to venue to enjoy multiple performances
• Held mainly in open spaces like shopping streets, parks, and malls, where you can enjoy walking around while eating and drinking
• Focused on local concert halls, where you can listen to live performances in a concert hall setting

The characteristics of these events vary depending on the region, so you might think, “Huh? This is totally different from the jazz festivals I know.”

About Yokkaichi Jazz Street

The Yokkaichi Jazz Street is a jazz festival held in my hometown (or rather, the neighboring town), and this year marked its 12th year. Stages are set up mainly at the Civic Park, the train station, and shopping streets.

12th Yokkaichi JAZZ FESTIVAL 2025

Every year, applications for performers open in June, and the festival takes place in October.
This time, I performed solo guitar at the Asunarou Station venue in Yokkaichi.
As a side note, this event not only notifies applicants of acceptance but also announces the performance venue via postal mail. The moment you open the envelope is pretty nerve-wracking (laughs).

Live Venue

The Asunarou Station venue where I performed was quite unique. The stage was right next to the ticket gates, which was just off the platform. It was a small space that would be full with about 20 spectators, but having the chance to perform right next to an active train line is pretty rare, don’t you think? (laughs)

Equipment and Setup

At the Yokkaichi Jazz Festival, each stage was set up pretty thoroughly. Here’s a look at the equipment at the venue where I performed!

Sound System at the Venue I Played

Soundcraft / EFX12 – Analog mixer, 16 channels

ART / EQ341 – Stereo 15-band graphic equalizer

TC ELECTRONIC / M350 – Rackmount processor

→ At Sound House, the M100 effects unit is available.

ART / Dual X Direct – 2-channel active direct box

With a setup like this on stage, you really only need to bring your instrument. (Since we only had 20 minutes for setup and soundcheck, I did bring my usual gear, though.)

As for my personal recommendation of the mixer: the Soundcraft comes equipped with Lexicon digital effects. Even 50 years after their initial release, Lexicon’s reverb and chorus effects are still highly regarded by engineers and musicians worldwide. This means that you can really shape your sound with just this one mixer, provided you take the time for a thorough soundcheck and rehearsal (laughs).
If you’ve ever wanted to try Lexicon’s spatial effects live, I highly recommend this mixer.

For those curious about experimenting with Lexicon’s reverb, you can enjoy it fully in your DTM software:

⇒ Lexicon / Delay/Reverb lineup

If you just want the effects unit itself… try hunting for a used model. If you check Soundmart frequently, you might just get lucky and find one (laughs).

The best part after performing: strolling the streets and enjoying live shows

After my own performance, it was time for the real joy of the jazz festival—walking around the city while catching live performances on other stages.
I checked out stages around the shopping arcade and the station building, stopping for tea at one of the shops and taking it slow while soaking it all in.

Here and there in the shopping arcade, you can hear everything from blasting funk to smooth, mellow jazz.

This is the Qūyō-shi Jazz Festival pamphlet. Holding it while wandering the streets is not only convenient but also gets you in the festival mood.

Also, for this event, a street piano was set up.
The concept was “skill level and genres don’t matter,” so I couldn’t resist playing a little myself. (By the way, I can only play at a beginner’s level, like a child who just started learning.)

Summary

So, how was it? This time, I introduced the jazz event held in my hometown, Yokkaichi, and the equipment used there.

There might be music events like this in your own hometown too. Experiencing your city from the perspective of a performer can lead to all sorts of new discoveries—it’s really fun. Why not look for events in your area and check them out?

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