Fukuoka Now Recommends
Sunset Live 2009
Sep 4th, 5th, & 6th
Summer’s Climax Approaches
Now in it’s 17th year, Kyushu’s most popular outdoor music festival, Sunset Live, is just around the corner. What began as a party in the parking lot of the former Sunset Cafe has now become a must-go event for music lovers enjoyed by over 15,000 people in three days. Over the years, dozens of bands representing various genres have performed on three stages, including some of Japan’s most popular acts such as Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Ego-Wrappin’, Tokyo Incidents, Kishidan, and Tomoyuki Tanaka (Fantastic Plastic Machine). Don’t worry if you don’t know the names – you’ll catch the vibe!
Kyushu Style
Despite the festival’s growth and huge scale, Sunset Live has retained it’s originality, friendliness and warmth. It’s not a Fuji Rock clone; Sunset Live is the ORIGINAL predating Fuji by years. Commercialism is contained, and responsible environmentalism is practiced and championed.
By the Sea, By the Mountains
Held on a natural crescent-shaped beach in Keya, just one hour from Tenjin, a day here is like a day spent overseas. To one side, low and lush mountains. To the other, a calm bay ideal for swimming. Bands appear on three stages. The biggest acts appear on the Palm Stage, more alternative music on the Beach Stage, and acoustic acts on the Sunset Stage. Each area sports colorful booths selling refreshments and tasty foods prepared by some of Fukuoka’s hippest restaurants and bars. For chill-out time, take a walk on the beach, cool off in the sea, or catch some shade inside the umi-no-ie beach huts. In addition to live music, other entertainment such as trampolines, BMX performances, and festival fashions will keep you amused. New this year is a shady green zone, a skateboard ramp, and the Magic Market Caravan Tour with its crew of artists and fashions. Finally, there will be free foot baths and hammocks.
Sunset 2009 Line-up
Over 60 Japanese and International Artists on Three Stages!
9/4 (Fri) Gilles Peterson (UK)
Internationally renowned “musical tastemaker” DJ & record label owner Gilles is always on the edge – and now his first Sunset Live. Not to be missed!
9/5 (Sat) Masaki Ueda with Sly & Robbie
Kyoto-born, R&B singer popular in South East Asia teams up with reggae and dub legendary rhythm section Sly & Robbie
9/4 (Fri) Emi Meyer (USA)
Kyoto-born, Jazz singer songwriter with sweet voice and soul…
9/5 (Sat)
Kenji Suzuki & Gota Yashiki (Japan/UK)
Former guitarist of Simply Red in a new collaboration
9/5 (Sat) Gontiti (Japan)
Instrumental acoustic duo try poised to mellow out & chill the crowd
9/5 (Sat) Soil & “Pimp” Sessions (Japan)
Tokyo-based, internationally acclaimed Jazz-funk-soul sextet
9/6 (Sun)
Ego Wrappin’ and the Gossip of Jaxx (Japan)
Showa-era Jazz & Pop duo return as festival favorites
9/6 (Sun) Tommy Guerrero (USA)
Pro skateboarder from the 80’s, alternative musician – great live!
Food & Drink
Over 45 restaurants and bars serve a huge variety of festival foods in colorful stalls inside the “Nagisa Shokudo” area. Find almost anything there, including Jamaican jerk chicken, Thai curry, yakitori (free range chicken), nasi goreng, beef & pork satay, noodles, beer, and cocktails.
Environmentally Conscious
Sunset Live’s organizers have been involved in and led beach cleaning activities since the festival’s inception. Besides enjoying the music and the party, organizers hope festival-goers will experience the natural world, and remember the importance of protecting the environment for future generations. A “4R” policy will be implemented and recycle processing equipment will be on site.
1. Refuse: Minimize use of non-biodegradable materials
2. Reduce: Choose natural materials where possible
3. Reuse: Wash, sterilize, and reuse plates
4. Recycle: Twelve categories of rubbish separation
Umi-no-ie (Beach Huts)
Unlimited-use coin locker ¥500/day. Rest space inside beach huts ¥500, 9:00~17:00, reservation required.
Overnight stay (incl. blanket and mosquito net) ¥2,200, reservation required.
Shirahama-ya 092-328-2354
Genkai 092-328-2414
Iso-no-ie 092-328-1967
