I bopped over to
www.j-pop.com to see what they offer now for $50,
besides no sake summit, no film festival, no meet/greet with headliners,
and no getting close to the bands (the dog run in front of the stage is
VIP passes only, there is no credentialed press area as such).
It's somewhat pitiful, you can walk into the merchandizing barn and visit
vendor booths, hear project pitches, watch a drag contest, join karaoke
sing-alongs, have your questions ignored at the MAY'N Q&A…
• TOKYO GEGEGAY – fetish culture mashup dance review & freak show
• BAND-MAID – yay, sort-of
• Babyraids Japan – middle-of-the road corporate idolatry from Pony Canyon
• Misaki Iwasa ex AKB48 – solo "enka and R&B" song to pre-recorded backup
• Yanakiku – decora-culture EDM lip-sync and cosplay in a new fashion morph
What the hell happened to this event? Like last year, they're still promising
last-minute additions. Unlike last year, there's no Wednesday Campanella
in the cards. Their marketing communications get glossier and more
salesmanlike with each new generation.
While I was momentarily glooming out over how un-special the 2017 Summit
is looking to me, I recalled how special the 2015 edition turned out to be.
JinnyOops! – I didn't really know what to expect. Photos ©Kevin FratesSF North Bay photographer Kevin Frates has a collection of choice concert
photos going back to the 2009 J-Pop Summit with Noodles, Tsushimamire
and Red Bacteria Vacuum.
How's that for a show bill? Never again.
The new summit of j-pop is pre-packaged consumables, pin-up idolism,
big-money gourmandizing, and high-tech development funding.
Forget culture if it doesn't have a marketing and merchandising plan.
Don't talk to me about rock unless it comes in a maid's uniform.
Kevin's 2015 JPOP Summit Festival album at flickr
www.flickr.com/photos/saruworld/albums/72157656638076529Kevin's 2015 JPOP Summit Festival photostream at flickr (starting with JinnyOops!)
www.flickr.com/photos/saruworld/20750843801/in/photostream/Kevin Frates online photo portfolio (productive to about 2016)
kfrates.zenfolio.com/p862933760