The multifaceted concert event "Songs of Tokyo," where songs, locations, singers, and the audience come together, will be held in various locations in Tokyo from 22nd of September (Friday) to 5th of November (Sunday).

In the world of popular music, songs that sing about cities and towns are often referred to as "local songs." Tokyo boasts an unparalleled number of "local songs," and in "Songs of Tokyo," these songs will be performed by singers and recited by novelists and artists at special locations that have left their mark on customs and cultural history.

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The background of this project lies in the attention that Japanese pop songs are receiving in this YouTube era. The NHK serialized TV drama "Boogie Woogie," based on the legendary singer Shizuko Kasagi, has started this autumn. One of the charms of popular song is its ability to express emotions such as love affairs, eros, passion, endurance, resignation, jealousy, bravado, self-deprecation, and playfulness, which are often not covered in contemporary pop music.

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These emotions transcend time and, as long as humans have feelings, possess the power and intensity to resonate with the heart. With the anticipation that popular song will continue to be loved as a global pop music genre, just like chanson sung in French, this project has been initiated.

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Now, we all have common impressions of places like Ginza, Shinjuku, and Roppongi, but the basis for these impressions can often be found in popular song and pop songs. For example, Shinjuku is often associated with a feeling of "A woman who was deceived by a man seems to be drinking alone.," while Ginza is a place where the night mist suits it well, and Roppongi is known for " Women who hide their naive faces with heavy makeup appear frequently. " (it's true).

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Alongside these general impressions, there are personal memories of these places in people's hearts. The neon brilliance experienced for the first time upon moving to Tokyo, scenes of encounters and farewells, and more. When the songs of these places become voices in the air during the musical event, it's as if they summon and invigorate the spirits of the land, creating visible chemical reactions in the hearts of each individual.

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From the rooftop of Tokyo Tower to the Golden Gai, from a hotel in Asakusa to the high-end clubs of Ginza... The participating establishments and locations are filled with unique Tokyo landmarks. In this age of SNS information, there are many special Tokyo attractions that are "hard to reach without someone to introduce you to," and "not open to the public."

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Thinking of the people who once sat in this chair, we will explore the details of the store that tell the story of its history, the feelings of the lyricist who wrote the lyrics, the composer who wrote the melody, and the multilayered nature of the city of Tokyo, the past and the future. , experience this once-in-a-lifetime experience with all your five senses. We hope you can enjoy the connection between people, songs, places, and memories in "Songs of Tokyo."

Love affairs, eros, passion, endurance, resignation, bravado, self-deprecation, playfulness...
populer songs that sing about the "places" here pierce into one's memories and heart when heard.

Project Director: Reiko Yuyama

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Sponsors

JBL

Support

"Let's Meet at Tokyo Tower" Planning Office

Special Support

Tokyo Tower Co., Ltd.

Website: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/

Funded by

Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Arts Council Tokyo

[Arts and Culture Attraction Creation Grant]

Key Visual Design: Keiji Ito
Flyer and Poster Design: Shohei Kai