The appeal of “MINAMI WHEEL,” a circuit-style music festival in Kansai

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• Music Festival Master / Editor-in-ChiefKeisuke Hane
  Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC and in charge of music festivals. When I attended my first music festival as a freshman in college, I was captivated by its charm—“I can’t believe there’s a place this free and this fun.” I share information about wonderful music festivals every day to help grow the community of festival fans.

What is MINAMI WHEEL (Minami Hoiiru)?

MINAMI WHEEL is a circuit-style music event organized by FM802 and held every autumn throughout the Minami area of Osaka.

The biggest attraction of Minami Wheel, which has been held since 1999 and is being held for the 17th time this year, is the sheer number of performing artists.

This year it runs for three days, with more than 400 performing artists—truly a festival of music.

It's exciting not only to see your favorite artists but also to discover new music.

In addition to captivating many music fans, Minami Wheel has also become a gateway to success for young artists.

Although there is a review by the organizing office, anyone can apply regardless of professional or amateur status, so it’s a good idea for hardworking artists to apply as a way to test their abilities.

One of the charms of MINAMI WHEEL is that you can not only see live performances by already very popular, well-known artists, but also catch many shows by up-and-coming artists to look forward to.

Let's discover the future hit artists now, before everyone else does.

About the circuit event

Earlier I mentioned that MINAMI WHEEL is a circuit event, but are you all familiar with what a circuit event is? A circuit event is an event where live performances are held one after another at live houses and clubs throughout a neighborhood, and attendees can freely move between venues to watch the performances of the artists they like.

It might be easier to understand if you think of each live music venue or club hosting the event as equivalent to a stage at an outdoor festival.

Thinking about it that way, a circuit-style event is like a festival that uses the entire city, and just imagining it is exciting.

Speaking of this kind of circuit event in the Kansai region, there are many similar events, such as Mihoudai held throughout Osaka Minami, Nekofes in Kobe, and Itsumademo Sekai wa… in Kyoto, which also used Studio Rag as one of its venues.

One common feature of these various circuit events, I believe, is that they aim to draw people who usually don’t go to live houses into live venues.

In recent years, many outdoor festivals have been held in various places, but I imagine there are quite a few people who have attended festivals yet have never been to a live music venue.

To encourage such people to visit live music venues, some events set up free-to-watch stages in nearby places like cafes or shopping street plazas.

Another notable feature is that they often create events that are closely tied to the local community.

As I mentioned earlier, there are also efforts to ensure that visitors who come for the circuit event can enjoy the town at the same time and leave satisfied—for example, by setting up stages at nearby cafés and shopping streets, and offering services coordinated with the event at local shops.

As a music fan myself, I think it’s wonderful and very gratifying to see more people going to live music venues and to see each region get energized through music festivals.

Highlights of 2015

KNOCK OUT MONKEY

Kobe’s rampaging monkey, KOCK OUT MONKEY.

Their songs, by this four-piece rock band, are rooted in rock and characterized by a mixed vibe that blends loud, reggae, and hip-hop elements.

They made their major debut in 2013 and have since become a regular band at festivals across the country.

Their greatest appeal lies in the intensity and coolness of their live performances.

Anyway, their live shows, where they clash head‑on, are definitely something you should witness at least once.

JET / KNOCK OUT MONKEY

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=9UfsG2Xj6p4

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE

Among the five members, remarkably, three are still in their teens—Mrs.

GREEN APPLE。

The band was formed, surprisingly, in 2013.

Despite being only in their third year as a band, they swept major domestic festivals in 2015, including RUSH BALL, SWEET LOVE SHOWER, RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL, and ROCK IN JAPAN FES.

Their appeal lies in songs that are irresistibly poppy, bright, and easy to listen to.

Their popularity is skyrocketing, with tickets for the solo concert in Shibuya on September 26 already sold out.

StaRt / Mrs.

GREEN APPLE

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=OTUtF7ZxRN8

Age Factory

Age Factory is a three-piece band from Nara Prefecture.

They captivate listeners with their distinctive husky voices and emotional songs.

They’ve been playing multiple live shows every month since their high school days, released their first nationally distributed record, “Te o Furu,” in 2014, and are an up-and-coming young band now in the spotlight, with their second nationwide release slated for this September.

Their live shows have a unique atmosphere, with a mysterious allure that keeps you glued from start to finish.

Please make sure to see their live show in person.

Farewell, City / Age Factory

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=uMFnQXTiIls

WHITE ASH

Vo.

Gt.

WHITE ASH, whose aggressive and cool songs contrast with Nobita’s soft appearance, are captivating.

His voice, which you would never imagine from his appearance, is very cool and captivating.

Again, Vo.

Gt.

Lefty, Ba.

I also find the impact you have when you step onto the stage as a woman incredibly cool.

And it seems that most of the lyrics in their songs don’t have much meaning.

Basically it’s in English, but there are also made-up words used in the lyrics.

They say, 'We think the sensory aspect is important, and we want to convey something that we can't quite explain but feels cool.'

Anyway, they’re just so cool—please experience their live show at least once.

Jails / WHITE ASH

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=8JPABRJ6bE4

Awesome City Club

Formed in 2013 and making their major debut this year, Awesome City Club is a five-member band—three men and two women—currently at the height of their momentum.

They describe themselves as being drawn to tracks that you can dance to even at a slow BPM, and their music is characterized by a peaceful, happy vibe.

I feel like the songs I want to listen to while gently swaying tend to shine in outdoor settings.

This summer, too, we captivated music fans at many outdoor festivals.

Although their performance at this year's Minami Wheel will be indoors, why not let their music make you feel happy?

Outsider / Awesome City Club

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=RajV0aqK0C8

Secret Tryst and Tinnitus

The four-woman band Mikkai to Miminari from Osaka describes themselves as a fully independent band, not signed to any label and operating entirely on their own.

However, their self-produced 1st mini album “From the Top Floor, Goodbye” was initially available only through HOOK UP RECORDS and the Tower Records NU Chayamachi store. As their popularity grew, other Tower Records locations also began carrying it, making them a must-watch band steadily gaining fans on the strength of their talent.

Some of you may not have been able to see them at last year’s Minami Wheel due to admission restrictions, but let’s make sure to catch their uniquely high-energy live show this year.

Disco / Secret Trysts and Tinnitus

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=N0SHknj-5mo

Northern19

Northern19 is a three-piece melodic punk band from Niigata Prefecture.

The name came to be seen at many festivals and the band became a festival staple.

Since last year, 2014, he has also been hosting his own event, “TOKI ROCK,” and this year it will be held in his hometown of Niigata on October 17.

Let's enjoy their live show at Minami Wheel, featuring bright, fast-paced songs full of the energetic drive characteristic of melodic punk.

Northern19 / MORATRIUM

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=5-_Qj6Ip_nY

SWANKY DANK

Vo.

Gt.

YUICHI and Vo.

Ba.

SWANKY DANK is a four-piece rock band formed around KOJI’s biological siblings.

Their greatest appeal lies in songs that weave a hardcore vibe into pop-punk elements.

In 2013, they released a split album with AIR SWELL, BLUE ENCOUNT, and MY FIRST STORY, and have been rapidly gaining popularity alongside these rising bands.

music / SWANKY DANK

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=IXxcVbc3x1Q

Okazaki Taiiku

Okazaki Taiiku, who describes his own music as 'Basin Techno,' is a solo artist based in Nara and Kyoto.

Last year we held a one-man live show, and this year we’re performing at COMIN’ KOBE, so our popularity has been gradually growing.

His greatest appeal is his uniqueness, and once you see him live, you'll undoubtedly become captivated.

His live shows are simply full of nonstop smiles and are truly wonderful, but please do check out the full experience with your own eyes.

Family Structure / Okazaki Taiiku

https://www.

youtube.

com/watch?v=zTmmyIJ6eh8

Event Overview

Sat 10/11–Mon 10/13 MINAMI WHEEL (Minami Wheel)

minamiwheel.jp

It’s the biggest showcase live event in Minami, Osaka, brought to you by FM802! Concerts will take place across live houses throughout the Minami area. Whether you’re here to see your favorite artists or to discover new music, the choice is yours!

Lastly

How was it?

Has this jam-packed MINAMI WHEEL made you want to go? For three days, the streets of Osaka Minami will be immersed in music, so whether you’re a music fan or not, why not join in at least once?

It’s totally fine if you’re just there to have a drink, so if you’ve been to festivals but haven’t yet set foot in a live music venue, why not take this opportunity to give one a try?