This festival started in 2010 as BLARE DOWN BARRIERS, a live event hosted by coldrain, and from 2020—its 10th year—it has been held as BLARE FEST. With a stellar lineup that festival lovers won’t be able to resist, a sellout seems inevitable. We recommend checking ticket information early. It’s the kind of festival where you’ll want to catch every second across all three stages, so if you’re coming from out of town, plan to stay overnight and make the most of it.

As a spin-off of hoshioto, which is held annually in Okayama Prefecture, this event is titled machioto because, unlike hoshioto—which takes place at a campground under starry skies—it is held in live music venues in the city. It’s a circuit-style event that takes place across several live houses in Okayama City. Why not come and discover some new music?

Entertainment might be transformed by the power of young people. Organized by Y-PU ENTERTAINMENT, this is a new kind of festival planned and run mainly by university students. HANGEKI FES is being held with the desire to revitalize entertainment through our own efforts, at a time when everyday life can no longer be enjoyed as before due to the spread of COVID-19. Keep an eye on the lineup, featuring artists selected through auditions and picks curated by trend-savvy young generations. It’s a wonderful event where simply taking part lets you support entertainment in many different ways.