It’s been a hectic ten days, but damn has it been enjoyable. Kode 9 landed in Japan on the 12th, and what followed were ten days of non stop sightseeing, shopping, eating, fooling about and music. I also somehow managed to go to work during that time even with lack of sleep and a cold holding me down, I’m still not quite sure how.

It was all worth it though - everyone had an amazing time. Ms Haptic aka Jess aka my ex-tutor at uni came with him, and it was great finally catching up with her after a few years of not seeing each other. Same with mr 9 - we’ve known each other for a long time, but we haven’t had the chance to chill in a few years and so it was nice spending time showing them around Tokyo, doing stupid shit and also practicing my Japanese in restaurants and shops.

The Bug was also here, him and Kode 9 were touring with Goth Trad. This led to some funny moments - they both have a seriously funny sense of humour. I went down with them to Kyoto last week, and had some of the funniest times I’ve had in recent years. As well as eating more chocolate and cake in one week then I have in a year - sweet tooth doesn’t even begin to describe their attitudes towards cakes.

Amongst the messing about, lack of sleeping and shopping for equipment, records and various other sound related things (like kids in a candy store! ha ha) they did also play a series of wicked gigs. First up was DnB sessions at Unit, which I missed out on, followed by an amazing night at Shibuya O-East on the 16th. Art Jam Session was a daytime event, running till 10pm, and Kode 9, The Bug and Goth Trad all played in the second room, while the main live room was host to the likes of Kentaro and Baku, who I’m told ripped it up. Elsewhere the venue also hosted a gallery of photographs, artwork on all the walls and various other interesting things. I only managed to catch the end of Baku, having had to work that day, but I saw most of Kode 9 and The Bug and that was a memorable event.

The room, which was actually more of a landing area on the top floor converted into a dancefloor, had an amazing sound, and about half way through 9’s set, I started getting flashbacks to DMZ at 3rd Base and FWD at Plastic People - the air was thick with bass, enough to make your eyeballs vibrate, the room was packed and the energy levels were off the chart. As the rewinds started piling up towards the end of his set, the place just blew up, and it was a seriously impressive sight - people dancing from wall to wall in a sea of bass heavy music. No standing around mean mugging, just good vibes and people dancing their socks off. What’s more, the DJ area had lots of candles around it, and we joked at the end of the night that anywhere else in the world this would have probably led to a fire within 20 minutes. Not in Tokyo though, and it didn’t stop the crowd from brocking out. They loved it so much, the night ran over by about 40 mins, which was quite a sight as everytime the record got stopped people stood about shouting for more. Again it was funny witnessing the differences between Western and Japanese club manners - no heavy handed bouncer looking over your shoulder and staring you down till you turn the music off. Instead the promoter kept coming over and asking if they could finish it off. After 3 requests it finally happened.

With that done, they moved to Kyoto where amongst some sightseeing and eating the pair of them managed to find some of the new Boss space echo pedals - after some unsuccesful attempts in Tokyo they had to go across the country to find them, which was quite funny. I couldn’t stay for the gig but heard it also went well, with The Bug putting in a surprise appearance, with his trademark, overbearing wall of sound approach. His new tracks, including ‘Skeng’ and ‘Poison Dart’, will definitely be the tunes of the summer in Tokyo and the soundtrack to a memorable 10 days. Skeng has now become a linguistic virus all of its own, started as a joke and truly taking on scary proportions on the last night.

Back in Tokyo on the 21st, we all rolled up (minus Bug who played in Nagoya that night) to Heavy Sick Zero in Nakano, for the last night of the tour - Back To Chill vol.11 Hyperdub Night. With Kode as the guest of honour alongside Rumi, Goth Trad, the BTC crew, Quarta 330 and myself. It was always going to be a special night and it didn’t disapoint.

Rumi’s live set with Goth Trad as her DJ was definitely a highlight - she’s got an incredible stage presence and flow, especially for a girl so small. She played tracks from her new album and had the place jumping from wall to wall - which granted wasn’t that difficult considering the size of the room. That only added to the atmosphere though. She’s definitely one to watch, her new album is well worth hunting down and look out for her collaboration with The Bug for his Ladybug project - it’s gonna be dirty.

Kode 9 then rolled up, and kept the place vibing for an hour and a half in fine style. The man’s selection and mixing is definitely up there. People were loving it - the system was nice, if a little heavy on the high end, and with the room being so small (holding maybe 60 people tops) it helped make the music sound warmer and the atmosphere more intense. The cheeky rewinds and continuous shouts of Skeng! (soon enough echoed by the crowd) definitely made it all the more funny and memorable. Kode’s recent Dabrye remix sounds amazing on a big system, with its double bass line and swirling synths and sounds as do a lot of his new tracks, including that Den of Drumz one. Pure vibes all night, varied styles and a great atmosphere.

Ske & Hyaku Mado closed things up in fine style, keeping it going till 6am, an hour past the official closing time. As people left, there were some definite looks of tiredness amidst all the happy smiles and contended bodies. Hell I was gagging for my bed by this point - 24h straight with a cold left me feeling a little worse for wear. Big ups to Jess though who managed to dance for nearly the entirety of the night - I still don’t know how she pulled it off, the girl’s got stamina!

It was definitely a night to remember though - finished in fine style with a massive okonomyaki session the next day before they all set off back to England. The music and laughs will stay behind though, and to be honest I’ve got a feeling this isn’t going to be the last Tokyo sees of them lot.

There’s a bunch of pictures from the Art Jam Session and Back To Chill nights on Flickr, links below.

Royal Art Jam Session - Flickr set

Back To Chill vol.11 - Flickr set

For more on Kode 9, Goth Trad, BTC et al check the links on the side. Next stop, BTC first anniversary on August 30th!

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written by Laurent \\ tags: back to chill, dubstep, goth trad, kode 9, mad rave