Dead middle of August, possibly the hottest weekend of the year. By 10am the heat was oppressive, the humidity was inescapable, it was like being in an oven. Despite being just a stone’s throw from Tokyo Bay, not so much as a light breeze would help take the edge off. And there we were, a family of four, walking back and forth, a kilometer or two, between stadium and convention center at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe, to see the bands of the Summer Sonic Music Festival, most of whom I admittedly did not know.
It was to be an adventure for sure, seeing some of the kid’s favorite acts. They were mostly loving it, focussed on the music, the timetables, on the scale and extravagance, What I was seemed to focus a lot on were lines, the lines to get in and out of concerts, the long queuing for food and drink, the impossibly long bathroom lines, the collecting of forgotten souvenirs or things left in the locker …exhausting crowds, offensively expensive merch, unimpressive stages, mediocre sound. At one point it dawned on me that more than a decade has passed since my last attendance, sometime before my 12 and 13-year olds were born, and that… AH HA!!… Summer Sonic is a YOUNG man’s game. I looked around and said to myself, “But surely some are older than me, …where must be the fellow die-hard Gen X seniors, …Surely, I’m not the oldest one here, …am I?” …and I was. Not a soul in any direction for several hundreds of people had as much grey in their beard as I did. Damn, I’ve aged out!
But ALAS! A RECORD! I FOUND ONE! Now for my corny on the spot Tokyo Record Style pitch to lovely and cool Mio and her friends (while my daughter says, “GAWD DAD! Do you have to do this NOW? You’re so embarrassing!!”
So yes, I chatted up friendly Mio and her squad that was 6-7 deep, a crew of friends and family all decked out in full festival regalia, coming from the Tyla performance. I asked Mio and her friends a few on the spot questions …however my OWN crew were pulling me away out of humiliation. So I had to follow up with Mio later:
“Nice to meet you too! My name is Mio and I’m from Tokyo! I love to listen to music and this was my second time at Summer sonic. I really love R&B music and I first got to know Tyla Through Instagram. Some other artists I love are Sza and Sabrina Carpenter. Even though months have passed since Summer Sonic, I actually haven’t played this Tyla record I got yet, but I’m keen to listen with my friends. As far as other interests and hobbies, well, I love fashion. I’m not sure yet what my plans are for the future, but I want to do something creative, maybe work in fashion or media, and definitely come to Summer Sonic again!”
Thanks Mio! It was fun to meet you and I was glad I found somebody who scored a record at a music festival! That might be a first and last time! So, thanks again for chatting me up and letting me make your photo! Hope you had a great rest of the festival!
More Tokyo Record Style on the way!
Tyla – Tyla
Label: Epic – 19658876921, Fax Records (4) – 19658876921, Sony Music – 19658876921
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Orange Translucent With Red Swirls
Country: Europe
Released: Mar 22, 2024
Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: African, Rhythm & Blues
https://www.discogs.com/release/30170306-Tyla-Tyla
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