that foreign music blog🌎

Just got back from the show for Slimcat and 2 and let me tell you, it was totally different from other shows I’ve been to. For one, the venue was super hard to find, and also WAY TINIER THAN I EXPECTED. LIKE. WOW. I felt like Daisy Bar in Shimokitazawa might’ve been bigger, but on the other hand, MUSIC ZOO had a backstage area for the artists so maybe it was just how the room was arranged.

Anyway, I had arrived in Sannomiya at about five-forty with Google Maps reading that the music hall was about five minutes away. While Google didn’t fail me this time and led me in the right direction, I was extremely doubtful as it continued to lead me down a sort of sketchy area at the side of the train tracks. Once I was supposedly a minute away, I still couldn’t find anything that looked anything like a music hall and crossed the street, only to cross back. I risked a few steps more and then I saw it…this little building covered in leaves with the name: “Music Zoo Kobe 太陽と虎” written across the top. I was so flabbergasted by the placement of the building that when I walked in, I told the clerk, “GEE THIS PLACE IS HARD TO FIND”.

After looking through the venue’s website for pictures to post for you, I found that they also had a very detailed explanation–with pictures—to tell you where to go. It’s not so much that it’s hard to SEE, but like I mentioned, it doesn’t look anything would be there—UNDER THE TRAIN TRACKS.

In fact, I didn’t realize it at the time, but during intermission, you could actually hear the rumble of the trains passing overhead. It wasn’t so loud and sounded like someone was rolling equipment on dollies, but now that I think about it, it must’ve been the trains.

However, while the place was hard to find, I really enjoyed its exotic theme. I wasn’t sure if it was just a coincidence that it was called MUSIC ZOO, but on the walls, you can see plastic animal heads peering through jungle vines. The bar is also decorated with wood planks as if it really is in the middle of a zoo. Even the drink tickets are animal themed, giving you little facts about the specific creature you got. My card was of a sloth.

The show was supposed to start at six and judging by the size of the venue, I was hoping to get a glance of 2, but I instead saw….who might be their manager or close friend? He’s pretty noticeable with his six-foot frame and curly hair, which is often tied up in a colorful towel. I saw a few people approach him, and some fans even gave him gifts! He stayed for the entire show and waited beside the band while they signed autographs. I made eye contact with him a few times and smiled in acknowledgment, but I didn’t know what to say, or if I should’ve said anything at all. That was sort of atmosphere of the show, though: everyone sort of seemed to know each other. I mean, if that WAS the manager, people were just talking and drinking with him like it was no big deal, although I suppose it shouldn’t be. They are all just people, after all. Still, the small size of the venue seemed to really encourage this sense of togetherness.

In the beginning, I did get a few curious glances, but perhaps because I was wearing my green “2” shirt, it was easier to understand why I was there? Halfway through their set, I noticed a girl beside me who was trying to keep the energy alive. We didn’t talk until the end, but upon noticing her in my peripheral, I decided to follow her lead. The audience was so disappointing that I actually got angry a few times. I know that I mentioned how Japanese audiences tend to stand and listen, but when the band has to keep pushing for you to liven up, you know there’s something wrong. I will say that 2, while they’re great musicians, didn’t guide the audience as well as the headlining band, Slimcat, did. I noticed this from the beginning, as during every opportunity to clap during a small pause in a song or for us to join in on the chorus, none of the band members called out the audience. I mostly blame the latter for the little energy that was offered each artist, but there was a HUGE difference in how 2 and Slimcat interacted with their fans.

The same thing happened with KEYTALK in the beginning, so they always tried to add dances to their songs. It was awkward in the beginning, as sometimes the dances were too complex or weren’t consistently performed, but now fans know exactly what to do at their shows. This may also have to do with their fame, but if you’re a musician who ever gets a chance to play in Japan, these things might be worth noting. I’m not saying you need choreography, but you need to lead the audience–perhaps more than you may need to in the West.

To be honest, because of the low energy of the audience it was hard for me to enjoy. I was unfortunately stuck behind a line of people who weren’t moving at all, separating me from the bit of energy that was towards the front of the stage. Yutaro had even gone out of his way a few times to step in closer to us and, while I had a clear vision of all the members, I was sad I couldn’t at least offer a high-five.

However, when 2 ended their set, that’s when things got kind of interesting as, after getting myself a beer, the two girls that’d been jumping at the very front of the stage had now shifted towards the back. We made eye contact and one of the girls didn’t seem so friendly towards me initially, but that changed a few songs into Slimcat’s performance.

I also want to note how adorable these guys are. I didn’t realize how young they looked until I saw them in person. They can’t be older than me—if anything, they probably just graduated from university! For instance, in the video for “Emily“, the bassist, especially, looks older with his hair like that, but if you see him in “Don’t Stop Groovin‘” it’s like he got younger!

Another interesting point of the band is that Slimcat is clearly influenced by American music. They remind me of bands like We the Kings and All Time Low, and after glancing at their website, it turns out the vocalist is a fan of Panic! At the Disco! Slimcat, themselves, say they’re alternative rock, and I guess all the artists I mention fall into that category. Some of their songs have a pop-punk feeling, but that could also be the vocals. I mean, before looking at their website, I was sold that they were pop-punk, but as a means to describe their sound, I guess you could say they’re in that weird grey area. “Alternative rock” is such a wide category that it really doesn’t give you a sense of who they are at all.

After seeing Slimcat live, I became more of a fan than when I simply saw a few of their videos. I don’t always enjoy American-sounding Japanese bands, but they were so fun that it was hard not to fall in love. Not only were they smiling the entire time, the vocalist had no problem telling us when we sucked, and it was great. Towards the end, he actually jumped down to the floor to intensify the atmosphere and when we died out, he was all, “WHAT HAPPENED?” It was exactly that I was thinking, and I was so happy he said something. I have no right to say how someone SHOULD act at a concert, especially when it’s a cultural thing, but when a band gives you that much energy, there really is no excuse to give only half back. But like I said, that’s probably a Western perspective.

When I started this post, I said this was one of the better experiences as a whole. What really made the night was when, at the end of Slimcat’s two-song encore, the surrounding fans looked back at me and offered handshakes. I feel like the five of us might’ve been some of the only people who were dancing the whole time, which may be what ultimately brought us together. The girl who’d been dancing next to me during two pulled me aside to talk a little while we waiting in line to meet 2. She’d come two hours by train to Kobe to see them, though I didn’t ask exactly where she was from. We didn’t talk long, but it was cool to be welcomed by the locals. You may think I’m overreacting, and perhaps I am, but when you’re the only foreigner at a small concert, you’re never really sure how you’ll be received. Most of the time I’m just ignored—which, is normal. They don’t know me. It’s not common that complete strangers are so friendly to me, though, so it was really special.

Slimcat’s booth was rather empty, but when the band appeared, more fans began to gravitate towards them. I praised the guitarist as he passed by and I really wanted to talk to the bassist because I thought he was so cute, but I had a mission to get 2’s autograph. I had also prepared a picture/letter, so I couldn’t just leave. Thus, I sacrificed my flirting (hahaha, just kidding! He really is adorable, though. I guess I like smiley guys, eh?) to meet 2. And this time, the whole band was at the booth. I first encountered the drummer, Yucco, and handed her the picture I’d drawn. Her and Yutaro were kind enough to offer a nice reaction, and as I picked out my merchandise, I noticed Yutaro reading the letter I’d written the band on the back. It was such a weird feeling, as the letter also expresses how I’d been a big fan of HIS music, which was how I came to love 2. Naturally, the moment he looked at me, I put my head down. Without even realizing it. Ah….but I was at least able to shake all their hands. 

I suppose the best part of small shows like this IS the accessibility to the artists. Yutaro and Ryota might’ve been the most “famous” people there with their music histories, but I really loved how close everyone seemed to each other. I hope that foreign and Japanese fans can continue to come together like they did that night, particularly for local bands. I also hope I can get that bassist’s number. 😉