Now it's time to go to Setouchi JAM!
About Setouchi JAM
This year's event, the fourth of its kind, was held at Uno Port in Tamano City on February 23 (Wed.), and featured a variety of local attractions, including Keiyo Noguchi, a bronze medalist in women's combined sports climbing, Kazuha Izawa, keyboardist for "Tokyo Incidents," the 3-piece piano pop band "Appa," the popular "TENDRE" with its commercial song, and Hisashi Sudo of "HiGE" with his solo project "Hisashi Sudo GATALI ACOUSTIC. The festival will also feature eminent guests such as Keiyo Noguchi, a bronze medalist in women's combined sports climbing, "APPA," a three-piece piano pop band led by Kazuha Izawa, keyboardist of "Tokyo Incidents," "TENDRE," which has been the talk of the town for its commercial songs, and "Hisashi Sudo GATALI ACOUSTIC SET," a solo project by "HiGE's" Hisashi Sudo. At the Marche booth, locally produced and consumed food, drink, and goods will be available. This is a community-based event that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults and people with disabilities.
https://setouchi-climbing.com/
Then came the second day. The venue was the plaza at Uno Port, which we visited yesterday, and although the weather was unfortunately cloudy, it was so busy that there was a long line of people waiting even before the doors opened. Compared to urban festivals, there were more families, and a few kids who looked excited and couldn't wait to get there.
The venue is divided into three floors, with a "main stage" featuring live performances by a group of splendid artists, a six-sided "special bouldering wall" that anyone can participate in free of charge, and a "marché" where locally produced and consumed food, drink, and goods are available for purchase.
The time schedule is as follows. In addition to live performances by "Appa" led by Kazuha Izawa, keyboardist of "Tokyo Incidents", "TENDRE" and "Hisashi Sudo GATALI ACOUSTIC SET", there will be a talk session and bouldering class by professional free climber Keiyo Noguchi, and a wealth of other contents. A special guest is scheduled to join the "Tamano High School Brass Band Volunteers" on stage.
Now, let's play back the day's events!
The opening performance was started by "Tamano High School Brass Band Volunteers". This is a small band made up of 3rd year students who are about to graduate. The band played a melody that conveyed their feelings for their friends and for Tamano City, which they will be leaving when they go on to higher education.
As the stage was nearing its end, special guest Kazuha Izawa appeared on stage. The song of choice was "Kimi no Hitomi ni Koishiteru," a well-known song to everyone. The audience applauded her majestic performance, which made it hard to feel the nerves from the session with a professional artist. How did the girls feel after their dreamy performance?
We rehearsed together yesterday, and I got goosebumps the moment we put them together. I am so happy to have such a precious opportunity. But it was the teacher who was the most excited (laughs)."
The three-piece band "Apa" takes the stage. If you can't turn your fingers because of the cold, it's a charm (laughs)," says Izawa.
TENDRE" was performed entirely on keyboards. The slow tempo and gentle melodies warmed up the audience.
Hisashi Sudo GATALI ACOUSTIC SET" decorated the last show.
Japan Tequila Association's official song "Tequila! Tequila! the tension in the venue exploded.
Later on stage, eminent personalities such as "APPA," "TENDRE," and "Hisashi Sudo GATALI ACOUSTIC SET" appeared on stage.
Although alcohol was not served as the event was held under the priority measures to prevent the spread of disease, the audience was intoxicated by their music at a very close distance and swayed with the ocean view in the background. This open-air mood is unique to an outdoor festival, or perhaps it is unique to "Setouchi JAM.
To the three groups, how was today's stage?
I am from Kurashiki City, but I have not been to the Uno Port area very often. It was very impressive that we were able to perform while looking at the ocean today. It was very pleasant, and once again I felt the soft and gentle nature of the Okayama people.
Rather than a lively band-like atmosphere, I tried to warm up the audience from the inside with my storytelling (laughs). Although the venue was cold, everyone welcomed us warmly. It's a loose event in a good way that makes you want to come back again (TENDRE).
I hadn't seen the members for about two years since the Corona Disaster, but thanks to the invitation to this event, we were able to perform together for the first time in a while. We were worried about the temperature since it was February, but we were able to communicate with the audience, and at the end of the show, we felt warm (Hisashi Sudo, GATALI ACOUSTIC SET).
On the other hand, at the "special bouldering wall," a mini-bouldering class was held by Keiyo Noguchi. The kids were boldly climbing the wall while Ms. Noguchi lectured them on how to grip the holds and how to put their weight on the wall.
It is a rare experience to be taught directly by a professional sport climber, even a medalist. Perhaps a future star athlete will be born here. ⁉︎
