SXSW Asia’s Japan Nite has become a staple of the music festival in Austin. In the past, festival-goers have been able to access acts like Petty Booka and Ellegarden, and this year is no different as a wide variety of Japanese talent invades our city. The 50 Kaitens (pronounced Go Jyu Kaitenzu) will put forth their brand of cheeky garage-punk rock, with maximum comic entertainment promised. Their self titled record boasts song-titles like “Thank You for RAMONES”, as well as a cover of the Bay City Rollers’ “Saturday Night”; however, their press release states, “The 50 Kaitenz are not comedians. They are rock-o-medians!”

If that isn’t your cup of tea, Asakusa Jinta, a self-proclaimed Asianica Hard March Band, combines punk and rockabilly with brass and horns to evoke plenty of nostalgia and good times. And then there is HY, who gained prominence after a series of street performances, and a joint-live concert with Linkin Park. (But we won’t hold it against them.) Their powerful shows tend to sell out arenas in Japan, and why should we miss out? Other bands performing include Go!Go!7188, Oreska Band, Pistol Valve, and The Emeralds.

[SXSW Asia]
[Benten Label]

Japan Nite
Friday, March 16th
Elysium
Doors at 9pm

Poster Art courtesy of Benten.