Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2013

In eight years, trendy Harajuku department store Laforet’s Performance + has become one of Tokyo’s better showcases of cutting-edge music and performance art. This year, Laforet teams up with Dommune, the streaming club and promotion outfit run by digital wunderkind Naohiro Ukawa, for a look at the current state of Japanese electronic music and alternative rap. The first day’s program, “New Sound Generation,” presents the careful electronic glitch-pop of Shuta Hatsunuma and the retro-techno inventions of Open Reel Ensemble. The second day, “Nihongo Rap,” raises the bar for foreign listeners with offerings including the likes of tongue-in-cheek girl-rap duos, DJ Misoshiru & MC Gohan, and Charisma.com.

Dec 21-22 at Laforet Museum.