12-06-2017, 07:12 AM
Just a list of things you’d never see at a Western show that you would at a Japanese show. Feel free to add, whether it’s from shows you’ve been to, seen on DVD, whatever.
1. Accurate start times. It drives me insane that UK gigs rarely list these - but then I think UK venues are far more dependent on booze sales so they want you to get there as early as possible to get tanked up. If they gave out accurate start times, probably people would be more tempted to rock up just in time for showtime = less bar takings.
2. Audience participation levels. When I was first getting into bands in the late 80s/early 90s, Japanese fans were infamous for being stony silent and passive during the songs, then clapping politely in between- at least according to every Western band I saw interviewed. Well I don’t know what happened, but now Japanese fans seem to go all out with the fist-pumping/chanting/you name it. With one Japanese band I saw (Classmate Cinderella) the lead singer was doing some sort of Gangnam Style dance routine at one point - and people were joining in in a way that would NEVER happen in London.
3. Towel waving. Basically a glorified excuse to flog some more merch to the superfans, who then get to prove they’re a superfan cos they have a TOWEL, dammit.
4. Towel place reservation. Again, you are a SUPERFAN if you have a band towel, and as such you are perfectly entitled to drape it over the front of the stage to reserve your spot - and people will let you back in without question. Such are the secret powers of the band towel.
5. Going through every single item you have for sale at the merch table in the middle of the show. Thankfully only Aldious did this one, but you’d get absolutely slaughtered for doing this in the UK...the heckles would start within seconds!
6. No phones obstructing your view. No-one takes pictures/videos during the Japanese shows I’ve seen, they may take pics of the stage before or after, but not during. I’ve been a little disappointed not to take 1 or 2 snaps, but frankly if that’s the price of not having your view obstructed by a sea of phone screens, then bring it on.
7. A curtain lowered during set-up. I think this adds to the “show” aspect a little, and especially if the band is acting as their own roadies, it keeps the mystique a little more than seeing them fiddling round with amp/mic levels pre-show.
1. Accurate start times. It drives me insane that UK gigs rarely list these - but then I think UK venues are far more dependent on booze sales so they want you to get there as early as possible to get tanked up. If they gave out accurate start times, probably people would be more tempted to rock up just in time for showtime = less bar takings.
2. Audience participation levels. When I was first getting into bands in the late 80s/early 90s, Japanese fans were infamous for being stony silent and passive during the songs, then clapping politely in between- at least according to every Western band I saw interviewed. Well I don’t know what happened, but now Japanese fans seem to go all out with the fist-pumping/chanting/you name it. With one Japanese band I saw (Classmate Cinderella) the lead singer was doing some sort of Gangnam Style dance routine at one point - and people were joining in in a way that would NEVER happen in London.
3. Towel waving. Basically a glorified excuse to flog some more merch to the superfans, who then get to prove they’re a superfan cos they have a TOWEL, dammit.
4. Towel place reservation. Again, you are a SUPERFAN if you have a band towel, and as such you are perfectly entitled to drape it over the front of the stage to reserve your spot - and people will let you back in without question. Such are the secret powers of the band towel.
5. Going through every single item you have for sale at the merch table in the middle of the show. Thankfully only Aldious did this one, but you’d get absolutely slaughtered for doing this in the UK...the heckles would start within seconds!
6. No phones obstructing your view. No-one takes pictures/videos during the Japanese shows I’ve seen, they may take pics of the stage before or after, but not during. I’ve been a little disappointed not to take 1 or 2 snaps, but frankly if that’s the price of not having your view obstructed by a sea of phone screens, then bring it on.
7. A curtain lowered during set-up. I think this adds to the “show” aspect a little, and especially if the band is acting as their own roadies, it keeps the mystique a little more than seeing them fiddling round with amp/mic levels pre-show.
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