On September 13th, Spotify hosted the "Spotify Early Noise Night #12" event at Music Club JANUS in Shinsaibashi, Osaka. "Early Noise Night" is a venue for discerning music listeners to experience live performances by newcomers from Japan, a genre Spotify is promoting. It's held regularly in conjunction with the "Early Noise" playlist, and this year marked its 12th anniversary. This Osaka event, held for the first time in about a year, featured a diverse lineup of artists from diverse scenes and genres, including Kitri, Akiyama Kiiro, Maica_n, kiki vivi lily, Omoinotake, and THE CHARM PARK. The DJ who opened the doors was DAWA, owner of "FLAKE RECORDS," a record/CD shop located in Minamihorie, Osaka, that has earned a following among music lovers from around the world. After warming up the venue with a setlist centered on the latest indie music from Japan and abroad, FM802 radio DJs Komaki Doi and Takuya Takeuchi introduced the event. Then, responding to their invitation, the first act of the evening was the sister piano duet and vocal unit Kitri. Ohashi Trio recognized their talent, leading them to make their major label debut on the legendary BETTER DAYS label, known for releasing Ryuichi Sakamoto's debut album. The subtly lit grand piano and their matching outfits complemented the venue's red curtains perfectly. Yui Sakuma's first starring role in the film "Hidden Bitch" was a hit. The set list captivated the audience with "Sayonara, Namidame," the theme song for "My Love Story!", songs from their latest album "Secondo," and songs from their indie days. The duo played piano duets and Hina played guitar, creating a fresh pop sound.










The third act of the day was Maica_n, a singer-songwriter raised in Tokushima. Despite his young age, having just turned 19 the day after the event and having only just begun college this spring, he's already garnering attention from all quarters, having performed alongside artists like Masayoshi Yamazaki and Char. He kicked off the set with "Himitsu," a song also featured on the "Early Noise" playlist, and immediately filled the venue with a breezy sound reminiscent of the 60s and 70s rock and pop he grew up listening to thanks to his father. His boyish appearance and occasional childish expressions belied his commanding vocals and the rock-solid performance of his backing band, creating an undeniable sense of stability. He closed the show with the light-hearted dance number "Dance with me." He left the stage with the words, "Thank you very much. See you again."





The event is entering the second half. Kiki Vivi Lily, who made her name with the album "Jasmine" by Tusiki x Sweet William and attracted much attention this year with her full-length album "vivid," featuring stellar musicians like WONK members and Keiichi Tomita, took to the stage. This was her first live performance in Osaka, and she quickly introduced herself, saying, "I want you to listen to me as much as possible today, so I'll just tell you what's necessary," before launching into a series of urban yet chill tracks. Backed by a trio consisting of Kohei Ando (aka MELRAW) and Hayate Kanno of Muremen, who also appear on the album, she delivered a peaceful sound that veered between hip-hop and R&B. The audience was able to fully appreciate the charm of her distinctive vocals.









The final act of "Early Noise Night #12" will be American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist THE CHARM. PARK. Continuing the lingering echoes of Omoinotake's passionate live performance, they created an exquisitely laid-back feel with their organic sound. They brought the long-running event to a climax with a selection of songs rich in scene description, including "Ordinary," the commercial song for the "G-SHOCK & BABY-G Pair Movie," "Don't Stop," which sparked a huge call-and-response, and "Imperfection," in which they declared, "I'll push my voice to the limit," and showed off their soulful singing. Despite being comprised only of guitar and drums, their performance never bored the audience. It was truly a stage worthy of the phrase "a fitting conclusion."




Once again, "Spotify Early Noise Night" offered a festival-like lineup spanning genres and scenes. It's clear that the effort is intended to provide listeners/audiences with new discoveries beyond their usual artists. Keep an eye on Spotify's "Early Noise" program, which includes both playlists and events.


Photo by Izumi Matsumoto @mini12du