Inazuma Rock Festival - Day 2

Nishikawa Takanori celebrated his 39th birthday during the first day of the Inazuma Rock festival on September 19th. The audience all joined in together and sang "Happy Birthday", and he then appeared on stage to thank everyone. "I want to continue to sing songs that have meaning for you all. Thank you! Thank you very much! This year has been a very difficult year, but you were all there supporting me. I am very thankful to those who assisted in bringing the event to Shiga Prefecture, and all those who have had anything to do with making it actually happen. I would like to dedicate this song to all those people."

On October 24th, 2008, Nishikawa Takanori was the first to become Shiga's "Tourism Ambassador." Making such an event happen would not have been easy, however, his activities both domestically and internationally - covering various genres including anime events and musicals - have helped this huge event to be realized. In the Inazuma Festival pamphlet, and in long interviews, he has often said, "I hated Shiga. There was nothing there, and artists would always pass through Shiga to play in other areas. So I left with only my music. But I never imagined that I would ever return because of music. There was a lot of anxiety, but being able to stand on that stage, have all those wonderful artists participate, and have so many people come from so many places to see them in Shiga, really fills me with happiness."

On the second day of the event, the 20th, even more fans had come to see the amazing musical talent that would be on display. The opening act, 369, was followed by LINDBERG, who had regrouped especially for the event, SEAMO who had come from Nagoya, tetsu from L'Arc~en~Ciel (a personal friend of Nishikawa Takanori), and mega band BUCK-TICK, who have influenced many musicians in the industry. It seems that the wind must have carried the sound as there were many local families who came out to the event as well. One father commented, "People who live in Shiga are very conservative so they don't go out often. But having this type of event where everyone seems to be having a good time will probably encourage more and more to participate. But we are not used to having the spot light so we feel a little shy with all this attention."

In contrast to the day before, Nishikawa Takanori appeared on the stage as part of T.M. Revolution shouting "Welcome home!" After singing thirteen songs (including encores) Nishikawa talked more about what had been happening around him and his musical activities in the future:

"Thank you very much. I think if this event were to continue we would see many different people participate in it. Today is an important turning point for me, and I think I am really trying to get a message across to everyone. I want to say thank you to my parents for having me. Whatever happens I know that there will always be those who are on my side sharing my vision, that's why I can be Nishikawa Takanori. I didn't think I'd want to do something like this on my birthday, but I am glad I did. I want to do it again too. Let's meet again, Inazuma! Thank you! Let's meet again!" And with those words the two day festival came to a close.

Nishikawa Takanori's enthusiasm for the event could also be seen in the various printed materials about the event: "Over the past few years, there have been many summer music concerts held around Japan, however, if I were to help with creating one I knew that I wanted to do it in Shiga. I wanted those who were not from the area to learn about Shiga, and for Shiga people to move from being the side that just listens to the side that expresses... I don't know when there will be a next time. Next year, or even the year after. But Inazuma Rock Festival will continue. Even if it takes a few years, I want Inazuma Rock Festival to be Shiga's."

It is unknown when the next Inazuma Rock Festival will be. However, over these two days it has become clear that it is really important that fans as well as the people of Shiga to embrace the festival for its survival. Just as the name of the festival indicates "Inazuma Rock Fest 2009'' is just that, "2009", it would be great to see the people of Shiga continue the new tradition and even attract fans from overseas, telling not only Japan but also the rest of the world through its music fest about just how great Shiga really is.


Set list:

369

1. Ikanakucha
2. FF
3. Hoshikuzu danse
4. Kaeri michi

LINDBERG

1. Ima sugu Kiss Me
2. Koi wo shiyou yo　Yeah! Yeah!
3. POWER
4. GAMBAranakucha ne
5. BELIEVE IN LOVE
6. Over The Top

SEAMO

1. Intro ~Here Comes the SEAMO~
2. Tengu matsuri no tema (short ver.)
3. FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER
4. Mata aimashou
5. Continue
6. Fukeiki nante buttobase!!
7. Rupan za fire

tetsu

1. Fresh
2. REVERSE
3. wonderful world
4. Roulette
5. SCARECROW
6. loneley girl

BUCK-TICK

1. Makka na yoru-Bloody-
2. Les Enfants Terribles
3. Memento mori
4. Jonathan Jet-Coaster-
5. HAVEN
6. GALAXY
7. Kyokutou yori ai o komete

T.M.Revolution

1. resonance
2. HIGH PRESSURE
3. HOT LIMIT
4. WILD RUSH
5. LEVEL4
6. vestige-
7. WHITE BREATH (with tetsu)
8. Naked arms
9. Zips
10. Madan -Der Freischutz-
11. ignited
EN-1 HIGH PRESSURE (with Akashiya Sanma)
EN-2H EART OF SWORD-Yoake mae-