Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2012
Autumn music fest Neutralnation takes over bayside Studio Coast (aka Ageha) for a day of “not rubbish” tunes. Actually the lineup is more promising than the catch copy would have you believe. Since launching in 2009 with a “neutral” take on pop culture, the event has presented some of Japan’s worthiest alternative acts, pairing them with one reasonably high-profile band from overseas. This year the ‘honored guest’ takes the form of UK postpunk legends Wire. The group heads up a bill that runs from De De Mouse’s J-pop inflected electronic dance music to Saitama duo Uhnellys’ loop-based hip-hop/funk to the subterranean rumblings of young Japanese-American bass music producer Eli Walks. The festival kicks off at noon and runs through the evening.
