{{Short description|Annual music event in North America}} {{for|the institution in Japan|National Institute of Technology and Evaluation}} {{Infobox music festival |music_festival_name=Japan Nite |image=Japan Nite 2008 poster-250.jpg |caption=Japan Nite 2008 promotional poster featuring the tour's signature female mascot |genre = Rock music, Punk rock, Pop music, Jazz, Electronic music |years_active=1996–present |website={{facebook|JapanNite}} }}
'''Japan Nite''' is an annual music event in North America which began in 1996, featuring Japanese rock, pop, and alternative music artists. Originally centered on South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, the event expanded in later years to include multi-city tours of the United States, and has often been the first US performance for the participating artists.
== History == Japan Nite was conceived by Hiroshi Asada, former manager of Pizzicato Five, and Audrey Kimura, the founder of the independent Japanese label Benten.
Asada organized a showcase called Psycho Night (a play on the Japanese word ''saiko'', for "awesome") at the 1992 New Music Seminar in New York City featuring only Japanese acts, including Pizzicato Five.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McClure|first=Steve|date=1997-11-29|title=Pizzicato Five moves U.S. management to Japan|page=48|work=Billboard}}</ref> Asada was approached by representatives from SXSW who invited him to create a similar showcase in Austin, since there was not a strong presence of Asian music at the festival at the time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=SXSW's Japan Nite celebrates 20 lively years|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2015/03/24/music/sxsws-japan-nite-celebrates-20-lively-years/|last=Michel|first=Patrick St|date=2015-03-24|website=The Japan Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ＳＸＳＷの本質はインディーズ精神にあり アジア代表 麻田浩氏に聞く|url=https://eco-pro.com/side/entertainment/214.html|access-date=2020-06-27|website=サイド E|language=ja}}</ref>
Kimura brought her band Lolita No.18 to perform at the first Japan Nite in 1996, the first Japanese band to ever play SXSW.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite 2011 at The Viper Room: Presenting 5 Japanese Bands You Should Hear Right Now|url=https://www.laweekly.com/japan-nite-2011-at-the-viper-room-presenting-5-japanese-bands-you-should-hear-right-now/|last=Ohanesian|first=Liz|date=2011-03-28|website=LA Weekly|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref>
In 2008, the all-girl rock band Scandal toured the U.S. as part of the Japan Nite tour, the band's first tour outside of Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-07-30|title=Interview with SCANDAL|url=https://www.jame-world.com/en/article/22775-interview-with-scandal.html|access-date=2020-09-27|website=JaME}}</ref>
In 2011, Japan Nite's performances at SXSW benefitted the Japanese Red Cross's recovery efforts for the Great East Japan Earthquake.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SXSW Recap: Japan Nite Raises Money for Earthquake Relief|url=https://www.laweekly.com/sxsw-recap-japan-nite-raises-money-for-earthquake-relief/|last=Babayan|first=Siran|date=2011-03-21|website=LA Weekly|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-09}}</ref> In 2013, Japan Nite's tour extended to Canada for the first time with a performance at Canadian Music Week.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McKenna|first=Shaun|date=2013-03-28|title=Japanese acts play music ambassadors at Canadian Music Week|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2013/03/28/music/japanese-acts-play-music-ambassadors-at-canadian-music-week/|access-date=2020-05-11|website=The Japan Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2016, X Japan leader Yoshiki made a surprise guest appearance at Japan Nite's SXSW performance in Austin on the same night as the festival's premiere of the documentary film ''We Are X''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SXSW Music: Japan Nite|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/sxsw/2016-03-19/sxsw-music-japan-nite/|website=www.austinchronicle.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-12|date=March 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Yoshiki Makes Surprise Appearance For Japan Nite Showcase At SXSW 2016 -|url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2016/03/19/news/yoshiki-makes-surprise-appearance-for-japan-nite-showcase-at-sxsw-2016/|date=2016-03-19|website=mxdwn Music|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref>
In 2020, the Japan Nite tour was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=As COVID-19 cripples live music, hopeful promoters look ahead|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/03/25/music/covid-19-live-music/|last=Michel|first=Patrick|date=2020-03-25|website=The Japan Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref>
== Reception == Japan Nite's reputation among music journalists has been anchored in its eclectic showcase of unusual artists.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite celebrates 20 years at SXSW|url=https://www.austin360.com/ENTERTAINMENT/20161012/Japan-Nite-celebrates-20-years-at-SXSW|access-date=2020-05-09|website=Austin 360|language=en}}</ref> ''The Austin Chronicle'' said "Japan Nite usually means getting your mind blown"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bertin|first=Michael|date=March 16, 2012|title=Japan Nite|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2012-03-16/japan-nite/|access-date=2020-05-09|website=www.austinchronicle.com|language=en-US}}</ref> and ''LA Weekly'' characterized the tour as "bringing an eclectic mix of alternative-minded Japanese bands".<ref name=":1" />
== Participating artists == "It used to be that most of the artists at Japan Nite were major label bands," Asada said. "The music business people thought that one show at SXSW would be enough to make a deal out of, but it isn’t so easy." Lack of participation from major labels became a major factor in the tour's programming, and Japan Nite's lineup shifted away from the mainstream in later years, featuring primarily alternative music acts. "I go for the weird bands,” Asada said. "If we could deal with major labels, we could set that up, but they just focus on the Japanese market now."<ref name=":0" />
=== Lineup === {| class="wikitable" !Year !Artist !Cities |- |1996 |Lolita No.18, Pugs |Austin (SXSW) |- |1997 |Husking Bee, Cocco, Pugs, The Mad Capsule Markets |Austin (SXSW) |- |1998 |Tengoku Jack, The Kokkeshies, ONTJ, Balbora, Cocco |Austin (SXSW) |- |1999 |eX-Girl, Missile Girl Scoot, Nicotine, Number Girl |Austin (SXSW) |- |2000 |Mummy the Peepshow, Dr. Strangelove, Number Girl, Spoozys, Lolita No.18, Original Love |Austin (SXSW) |- |2001 |Love Psychedelico, Bleach03, Heart Bazaar, Playgues, The Jerry Lee Phantom, Dr. Strangelove |Austin (SXSW) |- |2002 |Bonkin'Clapper, The Soulsberry, Understatements, Foe, Nananine, Fantasy's Core, Petty Booka, The Jerry Lee Phantom, The Salinger, Bleach03 |Austin (SXSW) |- |2003 |Condor44, Core Of Soul, Invisibleman's Deathbed, Minor League, Papaya Paranoia, Petty Booka |Austin (SXSW) |- |2004 |Kishidan, Fuzzy Control, Zanzo, The Emeralds, Response, Romz Records Crew, TsuShiMaMiRe, Kokeshi Doll, Noodles, Petty Booka, Bleach03 |Austin (SXSW) |- |2005 |Titan Go King's, I-Dep, The Emeralds, Noodles, The Pillows, The Hot Shots, Suns Owl, Zanzo, Petty Booka, Bonnie Pink |Austin (SXSW), Chicago, New York, Canton, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, San Francisco<ref>{{Cite web|title=JPN Girls Nite US tour 2005|url=http://www.sister.co.jp/GirlsUStour2005/|website=www.sister.co.jp|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref> |- |2006 |Vasallo Crab 75, The Rodeo Carburettor, PE'Z, Ellegarden, TsuShiMaMiRe, The Emeralds |Austin (SXSW), San Antonio, New York, Cambridge, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite US TOUR 2006|url=http://www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp/JapanNite2006/tourdate.html|website=www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp|access-date=2020-05-09}}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> |- |2007 |HY, The Emeralds, The 50 Kaitenz, Go!Go!7188, Pistol Valve, Oreskaband |Austin (SXSW), New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite US TOUR 2007|url=http://www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp/JapanNite2007/tourdate.html|website=www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp|access-date=2020-05-09}}{{Dead link|date=October 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |- |2008 |Detroit7, Avengers in Sci-Fi, Ketchup Mania, Petty Booka, Quartz-head 02, Sodopp, Scandal |Austin (SXSW), New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite US Tour 2008|url=http://www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp/JapanNite2008/tourdate.html|website=www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp|access-date=2020-05-09|archive-date=2020-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612101047/http://www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp/JapanNite2008/tourdate.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |2009 |FLiP, Dirty Old Men, Honey Sac, Sparta Locals, Grapevine, Detroit7, Stereopony, SpecialThanks, The Emeralds, SA, Asakusa Jinta, Quaff |Austin (SXSW), New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite US Tour 2009|url=http://www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp/JapanNite2009/tourdate.html|website=www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp|access-date=2020-05-09|archive-date=2020-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612104443/http://www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp/JapanNite2009/tourdate.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |2010 |Chatmonchy, Okamoto's, Red Bacteria Vacuum, Dolly, Omodaka, JinnyOops!, Riddim Saunter |Austin (SXSW), New York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite US Tour 2010|url=http://www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp/JapanNite2010/tourdate.html|website=www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp|access-date=2020-05-09|archive-date=2020-06-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619022828/http://www.sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp/JapanNite2010/tourdate.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |2011 |Mo'some Tonebender, Lolita No.18, Hystoic Vein, Zukunashi, White White Sisters, Oh Sunshine |Austin (SXSW), New York, Chicago, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite US Tour 2011|url=http://sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp/JapanNite2011/|website=sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp|access-date=2020-05-09}}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> |- |2012 |Saito Johnny, Nokies!, Kao=S, ZZZ's, Vampillia, The Rubies, Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass |Austin (SXSW), Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite US Tour 2012|url=http://sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp/JapanNite2012/|website=sxsw-asia.sakura.ne.jp|access-date=2020-05-09}}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> |- |2013 |Kao=S, Charan-Po-Rantan, Jake Stone Garage, Chihiro Yamazaki+Route 14 Band, Pirates Canoe, Four Minutes Til Midnight, Josy |Austin (SXSW), Chicago, Columbus, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite 2013|url=http://jrockrevolution.com/japan-nite-2013/|date=2013-03-21|website=JRock Revolution|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref> |- |2014 |Happy, Mothercoat, Mayu Wakisaka, Jungles (R.B.V.), Starmarie, Sentimental City Romance |Austin (SXSW), Athens (GA), Chicago, Columbus, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite 2014|url=http://jrockrevolution.com/japan-nite-2014/|date=2014-03-05|website=JRock Revolution|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref> |- |2015 |moumoon, TsuShiMaMiRe, Pirates Canoe, The Fin., Quorum, Samurai Dynamites, Mahoshojoninaritai |Austin (SXSW), Athens (GA), Chicago, Columbus, New York, Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite 2015, TsuShiMaMire, QUORUM, The fin., Zarigani$, BO-PEEP, Samurai Dynamites|url=http://www.thelmagazine.com/event/japan-nite-2015-tsushimamire-quorum-the-fin-zarigani-bo-peep-samurai-dynamites-2/|website=The L Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=2020-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629221926/https://www.thelmagazine.com/event/japan-nite-2015-tsushimamire-quorum-the-fin-zarigani-bo-peep-samurai-dynamites-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |2016 |Ed Woo, Pannacotta, The Fin., Tempalay, Rei, Jungles (R.B.V.), Reatmo, Alexandros |Austin (SXSW), New York, Baltimore, Chicago, Long Beach, San Francisco<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite returns to SXSW 2016 with a stunning lineup plus Preview Show and US Tour!|url=https://www.helloasia.com.au/news/japan-nite-returns-to-sxsw-2016-with-a-stunning-lineup-plus-preview-show-and-us-tour/|date=2016-03-03|website=Hello Asia!|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref> |- |2017 |Chai, Srv.Vinci, Walkings, Anglogix, HanatoChiruran, RiRi |Austin (SXSW), New York, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles<ref>{{Cite web|title=japanese punk band chai are redefining kawaii|url=https://i-d.co/article/japanese-punk-band-chai-are-redefining-kawaii/|last=Fulton|first=Nick|date=2018-09-10|website=i-D|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref> |- |2018 |Domico, Attractions, Mika Kanda, Rude-α, Prankroom, Anna Takeuchi |Austin (SXSW), New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco<ref>{{Cite web|title=ドミコ、"SXSW Japan Nite 2018"出演 6大都市を回るUSツアーも開催 {{!}} Spincoaster (スピンコースター)|url=https://spincoaster.com/news/domico-appear-on-sxsw-japan-nite-2018-and-us-tour|date=2018-01-11|website=Spincoaster|language=ja|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref> |- |2019 |Furutori, Asterism, Stereogirl, Regallily, The Perfect Me, Ex-Girl |Austin (SXSW)<ref>{{Cite web|title=ASTERISM, eX-GIRL, Otoboke Beaver among top Japanese indie acts at SXSW 2019|url=https://j-generation.com/2019/02/asterism-ex-girl-otoboke-beaver-among-top-japanese-indie-acts-at-sxsw-2019/|date=2019-02-21|website=J-Generation|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref> |- |2020* (cancelled) |Uchikubi-Gokumondokokai, Kyusonekokami, Tri4th, The Tomboys |*all venues cancelled due to COVID-19<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Nite 2020|url=https://www.facebook.com/JapanNite/posts/10157933518210890|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-09}}</ref> |- |2021* (cancelled) |(no musical acts announced) |(no venues announced) |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{facebook|JapanNite}}
Category:Music festivals in the United States