[Event Report] Toso Art Music Festival Vol. 4 - Rock in Asahi

2023-06-19

The Toso Art Music Festival began two years ago in the Toso area of Chiba Prefecture, held its fourth event on June 3, 2023, at the Toso Cultural Hall in Asahi City.

What is the Toso Art Music Festival?

The event was sponsored by 0479 Club, an organization that was established by Shinichi Ichikawa, a bassist from Yokoshiba-Hikari, to vitalize the Toso area in Chiba Prefecture (Choshi, Asahi, Sosa, Yokoshiba-Hikari, Tako, Shibayama, Sammu, Kamisu), all of which have the area code 0479, using the power of the music. The event is held twice a year, in different venues in different cities and towns in the area.

⇒ Report on the 1st Toso Art Rock Festival
⇒ Report on the 2nd Toso Art Rock Festival

With a different theme for each edition, this time the theme is hard rock with the motto, “Turn Asahi City into a Rock ‘n’ Roll Town!”

Bands:

BARAKA
EARTHSHAKER
WILD FLAG

These bands have been leading the Japanese rock scene!

The venue was the grand hall of the Toso Cultural Hall.

Despite the record-breaking heavy rain from the previous day through the morning of the event, the hall was filled with fans from all over the country!

At the start of the event, Shinichi Ichikawa, the representative of the organizing group 0479 Club, took the stage.

“With the bad weather, I’m sure many of you were anxious about getting here! I was anxious too! Thank you so much for coming!”

A huge round of applause greeted the relief of being able to hold the event as planned.

“Please enjoy the next three hours!”

As Ichikawa finished his greeting, mysterious sound effects and fantastical lighting set the stage.

This was undoubtedly the turn for Ichikawa’s band, BARAKA, to take the stage!

BARAKA’s sound was like a thrilling ride with the guitar moving through the venue.

It felt like the bass was more booming than any other Toso Art Music Festival events.
Perhaps the sound setup was adjusted for hard rock this time.

After the first song, Ichikawa joyfully shouted.

This year marks BARAKA’s 26th anniversary.
They have an anniversary live show scheduled for the fall, so check their official website for the latest information!

BARAKA Official Website

They then performed tracks from their album Maverick, released last year, in live arrangements.

BARAKA’s music, which deftly blends natural sounds like folk music with industrial elements, draws listeners further into their world with every listen.

They ended with “Superior Force 1”, the precursor to “Superior Force 2”, the theme song for the 2022 Super Formula Championship, finishing with a full-throttle performance!

Bassist Ichikawa and drummer Hiraishi have also appeared in Sound House’s online content, so be sure to check it out!

⇒ Learn Bass Lessons from the Basics

BARAKA Drummer Masaki Hiraishi Reviews PLAYTECH/PSD200

Then came EARTHSHAKER, introduced by Ichikawa who mentioned, “My bass buddy Kai from the band quickly agreed to join this event when I asked!”

As their sound effects played, fans stood up one after another, welcoming the members with applause.

When their rock ‘n’ roll beats exploded, a chorus of cheers and raised fists erupted. There were even glow sticks in the crowd.

Yes, they were back (tears)!!!

It had been a long time since I experienced a live concert without any restrictions, and I was moved by the sight in front of me.

The stage was alive with a relentless, tough performance.
The crowd was electrified by MARCY’s unchanged charisma and high-pitched voice!

EARTHSHAKER, which has long led the Japanese rock scene, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year!
It’s a miracle for such a beloved band to last so long!

You could feel the strong bond with the fans through their tight interplay.

“Let’s sing out our passion and send it to the world!”

As we joined in the chorus of “Radio Magic”, we gave heartfelt applause to the sweat-drenched rock legends.

EARTHSHAKER Official Website

“We have this guy here today, Kyoji Yamamoto! He opened for KISS’s first Japan tour as a member of BOWWOW and I went to the show on my own in the third year of junior high!”

Thinking about what emotions Ichikawa must have felt when he asked Yamamoto to perform here is truly heartwarming.

Leaded by the super guitarist Kyoji Yamamoto, the last band for today was his trio band, WILD FLAG!

The audience felt like they were witnessing something extraordinary as their heavy sound came at them with no mercy.

Yamamoto, stylish in jeans, a red guitar, and a red hat, looked like a guitar god.

“I saw a city name with unfamiliar kanji on the way here. It’s pronounced ‘Sosa’!”

His local talks drew laughs.

“There may be people here who haven’t seen or heard of WILD FLAG before, but today we’re going to instill the rock spirit that only we can deliver!”

He continued.

The performances by brothers, Shotaro and Eiji Mitsuzono were otherworldly!

Kyoji Yamamoto Official Website

The 4th edition of the Toso Art Music Festival was so stimulating that the three hours flew by!

The next, the 5th Toso Art Music Festival, will be held as an outdoor festival on November 5 (Sun.) at Sakata no Ike Park Baseball Field in Yokoshiba-Hikari! Don’t miss it!