Shibuya Sound Riverse: FRIENDSHIP. bring Tokyo’s finest to Brighton

Venturing from the vibrant streets of Tokyo to the coastal charm of Brighton, HIP LAND MUSIC’s digital distribution label, FRIENDSHIP., brought the eclectic sounds of Japan’s flourishing rock scene to The Great Escape Festival 2024. Titled ‘Shibuya Sound Riverse from Tokyo: Curated by FRIENDSHIP.’, the event spotlighted long-time underground favourites LITE, along with up-and-comers domico, Helsinki Lambda Club, and Ayano Kaneko.

Taking place in the packed-out seafront cave-like WaterBear, nestled within the city’s iconic arches on a postcard-worthy sun-kissed Friday afternoon, the venue provided an intimate setting for the four artists to confidently deliver short but satisfying 30-minute sets.

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LITE

Kicking off the showcase, LITE, seasoned veterans of the UK tour circuit, brought their finely-tuned math-rock sound to the stage. With multiple tours across the country and Europe since their formation in 2003, they’ve made a name for themselves with their impressive instrumental performances. Tracks like ‘Ef’ and the electronic-led ‘Deep Inside’ showcased their ability to blend dark, heavy tones with light, twinkling melodies. Backed by tight bass lines and superb drumming, LITE did an amazing job of not conforming to a single tone. From the funky undertones of ‘Crushing’ to the uplifting sounds of their other tracks, each song managed to pull off a new vibe without diverting hugely from their core characteristics. When Nobuyuki Takeda (Gt./Vo.) introduced their album ‘STRATA’ in fluent English, the crowd responded enthusiastically, captivated by their immense skill and energy.

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domico

Next, domico took the stage, bringing a raw, edgy energy and a hint of sleaze to the showcase. Despite being a duo, Hikaru Sakashita (Vo/Gt) and Keita Hasegawa (Dr) flawlessly executed a full band sound. Sakashita skillfully layered rhythm and bass loops while ripping into solid guitar hooks and solos, and Hasegawa’s dynamic drumming grew more wild as the set progressed. By the last track, Hasegawa was trashing the skins, sweating from head to toe. Their set, characterized by head-banging guitar riffs and intense drumming, left the audience in awe of their powerful performance.

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Helsinki Lambda Club

Helsinki Lambda Club brought an infectious indie rock vibe to the showcase, filling the venue with danceable tracks and boundless energy. Dressed in coordinated Fred Perry polo shirts, the band charmed the audience with their melodic vocals and irresistible hooks. Frontman Kaoru Hashimoto led with sweet charisma, while bassist Inaba Kodai’s lively dance moves added an extra layer of fun, uniting the crowd in spontaneous dance.

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Their track ‘Golden Morning’ paid homage to classic 80s rock with its driving guitar riffs, while their breakout single ‘Good News is Bad News’ kept the momentum high. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause and left the venue with smiles on their faces. No one in the room would be forgetting this set anytime soon.

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Ayano Kaneko

Ayano Kaneko closed the showcase with a captivating performance. Her serene yet powerful voice and storytelling through lyrics transcended language barriers. Supported by a sophisticated band, her emotionally charged set began with ‘Lucky’, filling the venue with light. The audience swayed slowly, drawn in by her reverent guitar play and clean, sincere tone. The final song, ‘To Us’, ended with a beautiful mix of sound, leaving the audience with a profound sense of awe.

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This showcase epitomized the essence of musical discovery, offering a platform to unearth new talent and immerse oneself in a diverse array of musical genres. It was a testament to the rich and varied rock-centered talent emerging from Japan, each act distinct yet harmoniously complementing one another. The overflowing crowd, with some unfortunate onlookers relegated to the bar area, attested to the event’s allure. The four acts from Shibuya, Tokyo, left a strong impression, marking their presence in the global music scene.

Photos by Charles Shepherd (Room.C)

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