Are summer festivals killing Japan's live-music market?
Weird question, right? Hundreds of thousands of people shell out gobs of yen every summer to see an amazing array of domestic and international acts rock out at festivals up and down the Japanese archipelago. (Organizers say last year's Fuji Rock Festival drew 140,000 attendees, while Summer Sonic's team say 200,000 were at their Tokyo and Osaka shows.) Promoters, merchandisers, local businesses and the musicians make money. Artists gain valuable exposure to a potential new fan base, and the fans come away with happy musical memories.
So it's music, sunshine and good vibes, yeah?
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