Blog - Toy music reunion vol.2: report

Toy music reunion vol.2: report

Last weekend on Saturday I went to Enban in Kōenji for an event called 「おもちゃ音楽、再び全員集合!!」 (translates to something like "toy music reunion again"). Enban was transformed into a big playground, with tables everywhere filled with toys. There was nowhere to sit, and even almost no room at all for spectators.

I went there mainly to see Hosaka Akane who I'm a big fan of, it was the first time I got to see her live this year. I was also very curious about the event's theme. I was hoping to find some nostalgic toys, which I didn't, but I found a lot of fun ones that I had never seen. There was no stage of sort, each "band" had their toys up on a separate table and they played in turn without set changes.

First up was Shibata & Asuna, one of who did the MC for the event, speaking through a voice-changing tape player. They sampled and looped toys while one played guitar and sometimes sang.

Next was yuki kaneko who sat in a corner where I couldn't quite see. His set was the most ambient-ish of the event, it made me feel a bit sleepy.

Next was Thomas, a guy who came all the way from Mie prefecture. I think he's an organizer for the event. His set was fun and playful, playing with a sampler while doing a story with squeeky chickens, and playing a pianica using a balloon for air source. You can view his chicken stories and other works on YouTube.

Hosaka Akane then performed as a special unit just for the day, together with DJ Peaky (her collaborator in side-project Kawashima Circulation Bus Line). Many toys were used, including the familiar blue bird Peckpee, and other bird-shaped flutes, a pianica and more. You'd expect her to play some songs from her album, but her entire set consisted of special songs for this toy set! Most songs were themed on a specific toy (or two). I wonder if we'll ever hear these again.

Last up was unit OPQ who came dressed like fast food employees. Part of their set was a bicycle wheel didn't spin but instead was used to make some violin-like sounds.

At the end, all toy musicians did a jam session together. The audience were given whistle candies to participate, but I couldn't manage much with mine other than eating it.