194: Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Japan’s summer music festivals survived the pandemic but they now face new threats: extreme heat, a weak yen and aging audiences. Music writer Patrick St. Michel joins us to talk about the “Big Four” festivals and how these challenges are changing the way we have fun during summer.

Hosted by Shaun McKenna and produced by Dave Cortez.

On this episode:

Shaun McKenna: Articles | Twitter | Instagram

Patrick St. Michel: Articles | Twitter

Read/watch more:

• Can Japan’s summer music festivals adapt to a post-pandemic reality? (Patrick St. Michel, The Japan Times)

• Is Creepy Nuts’ catchy, rapid-fire ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Bong’ the song of the year? (Patrick St. Michel, The Japan Times)

• Japan’s summer offerings include jazz and classical music festivals (Alyssa I. Smith, The Japan Times)

• “Scream inside your heart” (YouTube)

Get in touch: Send us feedback at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!

Photo: You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival. | JAMES HADFIELD