Summer Sonic 2009: a reader Q&A about the event

(Graphic by Joshua Williams)

I would like to share a question I received from one of my readers regarding Summer Sonic 2009.

Hello Joshua,
…we are planning on to visit Summer Sonic …to see Linkin Park & Placebo. My question relates to the line-up: Is it really true that the festival ends at about ten pm? It's quite strange for me as a concert here (Hungary) usually starts at 10pm and lasts till, let's say 2 am.

In direct answer to the question, yes the event does last until only about 10pm. It helps ensure that everyone can get home safely and on time. I believe the closing time is particularly in consideration of the fact that Japanese public transportation typically closes down at around midnight each day.

To help answer any other general questions about the event, I’m going to relate using my personal experience at Summer Sonic in Osaka in the past.

Arriving
The event locations open around 10am and performances start at around noon most days in both Osaka and Tokyo. Many of the event-goers come by train in the late morning. In Osaka there are free shuttle buses back and forth from the nearest train station. There is usually a short wait due to the number of people using them. The location of the Tokyo event is within close walking distance of a train station.

Events
The Japanese in general are very timely people when it comes to business. All of the events start pretty much on time. Most bands play for 30-60 minutes, and there is about a 30 minute set change time between performances on any of the given six stages.

Leaving
A number of people will start leaving around the time that the last act began, having already seen their favorite bands earlier in the day. There are definitely waiting lines to get out in Osaka, but it is quite efficient. The group I was with had no problem getting back to our downtown hotel well before the last trains ran.

Other notes:

• If there is a particular band you want to see up close, you will likely have to get to that stage at least by the previous performance to get a good position.
• The average Japanese person is shorter than the average American or European. You probably wouldn’t have much problem seeing over peoples heads when standing.
• During the day many people sit patiently at the main stage waiting for performers to come out, but there is the inevitable rush once the big names start playing.
• Be prepared for the weather, particularly the heat. Summers in Japan can get rather intense, especially in large crowds. If there is rain, things are likely to get wet and muddy.
• The official Summer Sonic website has a good list of other guidelines to remember written in English.  Be sure to read it carefully so you can have good time.