How can I try and find a place to perform?

Hi there,

In my last 3 visits to Japan, I have attempted to try and find a place to perform (vocals guitar, american covers) I am a semi-professional singer and would love to check off a bucket list item to sing in Japan.

Unfortunately, I don't have time to stay in one area and build up relationships with venues. I was hoping someone might know of a place or contact I could contact that might be able to help me as the struggle is real with my last few failed attempts.

Singing in any capacity with the exception of a karaoke bar :P would be a dream come true.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

What kind of venues, what size of audience, any tickets you plan to sell, will you do your own publicity... there are a lot of questions that come to mind. The first thing that comes to mind is that you will need some kind of visa - probably entertainer - if you want to get paid for the performance.

Hi AK,

Thanks for your reply.

I think most of your questions were addressed in my original post i.e

sing in ANY capacity! I don't care about venue, number in audience, I don't want money. I just want to find a place I can sing a half set / or set (20 / 45mins). I also mentioned the type of music I sing, U.S mainstream rock / pop covers and a couple of originals too.

Hi there,

Well, "U.S mainstream rock / pop covers" doesn't really expand my imagination beyond karaoke bars, and you haven't mentioned about how you're going to get the visa.

But you say you've come here 3 times already. Which venues did you visit back then to listen to people play? Have you asked those venues? Can you at least name a song of one of those covers you do?

Basically, you need to send some sound data to the venue to see if they let you do a showcase or not. Otherwise, there are several joints where anyone is free to join sessions by paying a small fee. The kind of music they play depends on the venue, and so does the quality of the musicians.

Uco,

What do you and AK mean by VISA? I don't need a visa to sing in a bar / club?

As per my original post, it is just a bucket list item that I'd like to do...unpaid.

I don't know which clubs do this sort of stuff i.e the clubs you mentioned that do a joint, jam thing, hence why I posted to see if anyone knew of specific venues.

Im in a matchbox 20 tribute show in australia for your reference. I didnt visit any venues on my 3 trips as I don't know where any are that do my type of music (i know it would not be very popular at all), but i'm sure there must be one or two places where locals like this type of music.

can't find anything on the net or via these forums. i hope that clarifies things a bit more :)

cheers

Since you said you wanted to perform and that you were semi professional, I assumed you might be thinking of performing for money :)

As AK wrote, we never had a way to know that you had no intention of playing for money. For one thing, it's very uncommon for an establishment to let anyone play half or full sets for free.

Also, you say you play "U.S mainstream" which is a type of music that "would not be very popular at all". Very interesting. Well, there are not only one or two but dozens of places per big city where semi-professionals play live music for an audience. If only we knew what it is that you play or even would like to listen to.

Anyway, here is a list of venues in Tokyo where they have session days.
http://musicrowd.net/blog/livehouse/53

Uco,

Exactly, you had no idea, but wrongly assumed I did want to get paid, even though I did mention I would love to sing in ANY capacity, except a karaoke bar. I just corrected you both.

You also seem a little confused still about not knowing what type of music I sing / listen? to, after I specifically wrote the exact band I cover songs for? i.e Matchbox 20 (FYI - Matchbox 20 has played on 2 separate tours in JAPAN to sold out stadiums. Rob Thomas the singer is the co-writer and singer of the 2nd most played song of all time; SMOOTH featuring Santana)

I remember your posts from other questions. I don't remember the content, but do remember they were quite abbrasive. I understand you, like many others, are very generous in giving their time to help / respond to others, but I would suggest it may serve you well to either adjust your approach to your answers or not respond at all.

Thank you kindly for the link you provided.

All the very best.

I'm terribly sorry. I won't happen again.

Just my observation, but the only abrasiveness I see on this thread isn�ft coming from Uco.

Aussie Ronnie seems like japanguide's own version of the "Next! lady"
https://i.redd.it/bmojp48j6t401.jpg