The summer heat is finally lifting. You can now hear the sound of the cool autumn time bugs. It’s the pleasant sound of the new season arriving. I’m sure there’s a lot of people out there who want to hear autumn time music, correct? October in Japan also means the arrival of an abundance of exciting concerts and events bursting with originality. The more you go and listen the more you will be faced with all kinds of great music. Let’s go!

AOMORI ROCK FESTIVAL ’16 ～Natsu no Mamono～
Saturday October 1st, 2016
Location: Yogoshiyama Ski Area, Hiranai, Higashitsugaru, Aomori
Line-up: Kenji Ohtsuki, Ningen Isu, Takashi Fujii, POLYSICS, Shinsei Kamattechan, Wasureranneyo, ROLLY, SCOOBIE DO, THE NEATBEATS, HINTO, Wienners, Urbangarde, DOTAMA, CreepyNuts (R-Shitei & DJ Matsunaga), MOSAIC.WAV, SuG, Bed In, Yū Hayami, Kobushi Factory, Bando Ja Naimon!, You’ll Melt More!, Stereo Tokyo, DJ Ichiro Yatsui, & more
http://natsunomamono.com/index.html

Held in Aomori, this event will be celebrating its 10th year in 2016! Although it’s a rock festival it doesn’t stop there, as in addition to the amazing line-up and variety of Japanese culture at the event, the festival’s official unit “Natsu no Mamono” is garnering a lot of attention! Look out for them.

MEGA★ROCKS
Saturday October 1st, 2016
Location: Venues around Sendai, Miyagi-ken
Line-up: a crowd of rebellion, Ivy to Fraudulent Game, Akai Ko-en, Akairo no Glitter, Ame No Parade, antenna, Ishizaki Huwie, Usotsuki, Okazaki Taiiku, ONIGAWARA, Kafka, Geo, SHE’S, STANCE PUNKS, NakamuraEmi, Masatoshi Nakamura, HOWL BE QUIET, Bakudan Johnny, Panorama Panama Town, Hello Sleepwalkers, Brian the Sun, & more
http://www.datefm.jp/megarocks/

This event will be held across 10 locations around the city of Sendai, which is sure to warm the place up a bit! The event will be broadcast on FM radio so even if you are unable to attend the event you can still tune in and enjoy the music. This will is a very special day as bands and artists fill the city with music!

OTONOKO
Sunday October 2nd, 2016
Location: Ishikawa Prefectural Industrial Exhibition Hall, Ishikawa-ken
Line-up: Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE), Tetsuya Komuro, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Dempagumi.inc, TeddyLoid, Atarashii Gakkou No Leaders, banvox, DAISHI DANCE, TEMPURA KIDZ, 80KIDZ (LIVE SET), CAPSULE, & more
http://www.otonoko.com/

Japan’s forefront music producer Nakata Yasutaka has established an all new music festival that ties together the music, the artists and the fans. Worldwide flourishing artists will be gathering in the city of Kanazawa to heat up the city with this event.

MINAMI WHEEL 2016
Saturday October 8th, 2016～Monday October 10th, 2016
Location: Venues around Minami, Osaka
Line-up:
【Oct.8th】Aimyong, Kidori Kidori, Hakka Drops, Higuchiai, First Impression, phyxmoment, fishlife, Fujita Yusuke, Fujiwara Sakura, Helsinki Lambda Club, Bed In, Homeocomings, Holo, My Hair is Bad, Mahou Shoujo ni Naritai, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, Stereo Tokyo, Yabai T-shirts Yasan, & more
【Oct.9th】I Don’t Like Mondays., Ame No Parade, antenna, Usotsuki, Nodoka Kirishima, DAOKO, Tequeolo Caliqueolo, HARUHI, BURNOUT SYNDROMES, FINDLANDS, FOLKS, FlowBack, PELICAN FANCLUB, livetune+, & more
【Oct.10th】Akairo no Glitter, Adati Kengo, Amelie, Awesome City Club, OverTheDogs, Okazaki Taiiku, CRAZY WEST MOUNTAIN, Sakamoto Shogo, Siamese Cats, Halo at Yojohan, Rhythmic Toy World, LILI LIMIT, Ring Ring Lonely Rollss, & more
http://minamiwheel.jp

More than 400 artists will be performing at venues around Minami in Osaka. No matter how high the ladder goes the firey energy below will never burn out in this chance for you to encounter so much new music. And it will spread throughout the whole city. For those of you who love music, this is a 3-day event where you can enjoy yourself without a care in the world, so please be sure to go!

Victor Rock Festival ×MBS On Matsuri ～2016 Osaka・Aki no Jin～ supported by uP!!!
Sunday October 9th, 2016
Line-up: Gacharic Spin, KEYTALK, Shikao Suga with Suganami Eijun (THE BACK HORN), Fujiwara Sakura, Gen Hoshino, Rekishi, & more
http://www.rockmatsuri.com/osaka/

Victor Entertainment and Rock Matsuri, which is broadcast every day on TV, will be taking the festival to Osaka for the very first time. The festival’s motto is “Rock – always and forever ” (translated from: ずっとロック、これからもロック), and it’s a place that has record companies calling it THE place for rock shows. Seasoned artists will be singing their heart out from Osaka-jō Hall to fans all around Japan!

BOROFESTA 2016
Friday October 28th, 2016〜Sunday October 30th, 2016
Line-up:
【Oct.28th】Hachimitsu Pie, cero, Homecomings
【Oct.29th】Yoru no Honki Dance, Okazaki Taiiku, tofubeats, Hanadorobow, DENIMS, Typhoon Club, And Summer Club, & more
【Oct.30th】Ginnan BOYZ, eastern youth, POLYSICS, Tensai Band, Good Morning America, Limited Express (has gone?), Have a Nice Day!, Nama Ham to Yaki Udon, Wasureranneyo, MOROHA, & more
http://borofesta.jp/

OSAKA KAWAii!! in Chayamachi
Saturday October 8th, 2016〜Sunday October 9th, 2016
Location: Osaka MBS, Chayamachi
Line-up: TEMPURA KIDZ, Kondo Natsuko, Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders, Musubizm, Osaka☆Syunkasyuto, Peko, Ryucheru, Miracle Vell Magic, Mito Natsume, Seto Ayumi, Shibata Saki, Murata Rinko, Nakata Kurumi, Una, Yano Anna, Kimura Misa, Koseki Ren, Shibata Hikari, Suganuma Yuri, Nagasawa Mei, Tanioku Ema, Tanioku Eri, Yabe Yuuna, Yutaro, & more
http://osaka-kawaii.com/

Artists and models at the forefront of kawaii culture will be heading around the town of Chayamachi! This huge event is completely free and will feature performances, fashion shows as well as hand shake sessions, closing the distance between you and the artists. Don’t miss out a chance to see and meet them with your own eyes!

Nakata Yasutaka✕Kyary Pamyu Pamyu SPECIAL DJ✕LIVE ZEPP TOUR 2016
Thursday November 10th, 2016
Location: Zepp Nagoya, Aichi

Friday November 11th, 2016
Location: Zepp Namba, Osaka

Line-up: Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE), Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
http://asobisystem.com/news/160819/

This is an extremely special two-man tour featuring Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who has just completed her overwhelmingly successful 5-year anniversary tour, and her music producer Nakata Yasutaka, who has produced all of her songs to date. “Please look forward to a new kind of performance that is a little different from anything you have seen before”, says Nakata Yasutaka in relation to the tour. Kyary also spoke excitedly about the event, saying “I’m really looking forward to going on this new live tour together with Nakata!” A crossover between the best of the best artists… this is one show you cannot afford to miss! (they will also be performing at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo on November 14th!)

There are so many different events to expect. Autumn is the season to take your time to enjoy music. You should definitely try going to these places and becoming one with the music!

Original Text: Naoko Sugita (SHUTTER)