Gyu-No Fes Road to Tochigi!!! Tochigi-ken he no Michi Dai Kick-Off〜Mankai! Haru no Gyu-No Idol Matsuri〜! Photo Report
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“Gyu-No Fes Road to Tochigi!!! Tochigi-ken he no Michi Dai Kick-Off〜Mankai! Haru no Gyu-No Idol Matsuri〜!”, the largest idol event in the history of extreme entertainer/farmer/idol event promoter Gyuzo hosting events to promote his home prefecture of Tochigi, was an explosion of excitement when it took over Shin-Kiba Studio Coast on April 10, 2016.
Because there were 37 artists/groups performing on 2 stages, and because we foolishly thought it would be a good idea to try and write something about all of them due to the overwhelming amount of great pictures by photographers Kenichi Inagaki, mametaro, and nochipun, this report has taken much longer than usual. As a result, several of the groups mentioned have undergone some changes in the months that followed. Despite numerous delays, we thought it would be a waste for this report to go unpublished, especially with Gyu-No Fes in Utsunomiya taking place on October 29-30, 2016.
Lesson learned: Do not try to write about everyone at a music festival.
Taking the stage in a grey suit and sunglasses, Gyuzo welcomed the audience to the event and thanked them for supporting Tochigi. Known for his laissez-faire attitude in regards to idol events, he simply informed them that whatever is usually allowed at the lives of whoever was on stage would be allowed during their performances. He jokingly asked, “Would you guys crowd surf during lyrical school (the first performer)?”, before moving to the smaller Utsunomiya Gyoza stage in the lobby.
lyrical school – Shin Shoga (Main) Stage
Just as they had done during the previous Gyu-No Fes at nearby 1st Ring, lyrical school were up first. They got heads nodding and hands waving right away with “FRESH!!!” and “Ribbon wo Kyutto”.
Riling up the “heads” (fans) into a “lyrical school” chant as they ran around on the spacious stage, lyrical school seemed to be even more dynamic and energetic than usual, perhaps reflected with a slightly speeded up rendition of 2015’s summer song “Wonderground”. Splashing through their recently released major label debut single “RUN and RUN”, the first since the addition of former Rhymeberry member hime, lyrical school had the main hall of Shin-Kiba Studio Coast jumping as they closed out their set with a throwback to their days as tengal6 with “photograph”.
01 FRESH!!!
02 Ribbon wo Kyutto
03 PARADE
04 Wonderground
05 RUN and RUN
06 photograph
Koi Suru BEAT – Utsunomiya Gyoza (Sub) Stage
One of the many impressive groups returning from February’s Gyu-No Fes at nearby Shin-Kiba 1st Ring, Koi Suru BEAT were the “top batter” for the Utsunomiya Gyoza sub stage. While it was a relief to see that Mamiko Kido had not yet left the group, unfortunate news came on June 16th when it was announced that she, Amu Hojo, and Ayumi Shiba had all withdrawn under undisclosed circumstances effective immediately. With the assurance that new members were being sought, hopefully Koi Suru BEAT will be coming back soon.
01 Mystic days
02 Vanilla Sky
03 Koikoikoi
04 Donuts no Ana no Toko
Let’s PocoPoco – Utsunomiya Gyoza (Sub) Stage
Yurumerumo!’s kouhai group Let’s PocoPoco drew quite a crowd with their conventional idol sounds and fresh-faced looks. While they still have quite a ways to go in their journey on the “road of idol”, isn’t part of the excitement of loving idols in being there to watch them develop and grow? It should be interesting to see what effect the addition of Chibo, who graduated from Yurumerumo! on July 10th (and changed her name to Chino Chitose) and new member Rio Kotomi will have as they move forward the release of their first mini album on August 10th.
01 Pocotoro
02 Seisei Magomago
03 Kimi to Sora-toberarirurero
04 Tomoyo Pocopoco
Death Rabbits – Utsunomiya Gyoza (Sub) Stage
Death Rabbits, another repeat performer at Gyu-No Fes, having rocked Shin-Kiba 1st Ring and Studio Alta, brought their high energy antics to the sub stage, buoyed by the zealous support of their faithful flock of fans. With the summery “Usagi Stream 2” and “Omatsuri JAPAN!! Kokuhaku Night” bookending fan favorites “Nande?” and “Koi Suru Kisetsu”, it was just a small sample of the heat that they would bring during their 2-day live at Shinjuku ReNY on June 4th and 5th.
01 Usagi Stream 2
02 Nande?
03 Koi Suru Kisetsu
04 Omatsuri JAPAN!! Kokuhaku Night
Petit PASSPO☆ – Shin Shoga (Main) Stage
Supporters (fans) came running when Petit PASSPO☆ took ascended to the main stage, jumping along to the infectiously catchy “Samurai Girl” and rocking from side to side with arms linked to the soccer-themed “Yamato Nadeshiko JAPAN”.
Rounding the bases with “Yamato Nadeshiko JAPAN”, Petit PASSPO☆ finally came up for air after splashing through “Zenryoku Swimmer”, checking off another accomplishment as they made their way to their first one-man live at Harajuku Astro Hall on May 28th.
01 Samurai Girl
02 Yamato Nadeshiko JAPAN
03 Nekketsu Positive Revolution
04 Zenryoku Swimmer
Maneki Kecha – Shin Shoga (Main) Stage
As one of the big breakthrough groups of 2016 with their major label debut double A-side single “Kimiwazurai/Mosozakura” on April 26th and their ties to Tochigi via members Mayuka Fujisaki and Rin Miyauchi, Maneki Kecha was an obvious pick for the main stage of the biggest Gyu-No Fes to date.
While Maneki Kecha and their senpai group drop have a reputation for their cute looks, unique fashion sense, and penchant for attracting wild otaku, there was a definite sense of them having matured immensely in a short period of time and that’s not a joke.
Girls q/b – Utsunomiya Gyoza (Sub) Stage
Girls q/b made their way to Tokyo all the way from their home base of Nasushiobara, Tochigi, the northernmost city in the entire Kanto region and displayed a variety of sounds and styles with their miko sleeves fluttering as they danced. From the retro rock of “JUMP!!” and Shibuya-kei of “Night Express” and electro pop of “Suki to Ienakute”, they were a pleasant surprise that proves that quality idols are everywhere in Japan if you just take the time to seek them out.
01 JUMP!!
02 Night Express
03 Suki to Ienakute
04 Fly High
sora tob sakana – Utsunomiya Gyoza (Sub) Stage
The fresh-faced sora tob sakana has been catching the attention of idol fans and music fans alike with their angelic looks, eclectic sound, and extensive performance schedule since their debut in 2014. Best of all, their music is available for preview on their SoundCloud!
01 Yozora no Zenbu
02 Mahou no Kotoba
03 Mabushii
04 Koukoku no Machi
05 Crouching Start
Hacchake-tai from PASSPO☆ – Shin Shoga (Main) Stage
Hacchake-tai from PASSPO☆ kept the party going at the main stage with their playful and wild mix of antics and cardboard art. Leading the audience through a series of “Hacchake exercises”, the atmosphere of a sports festival swept in briefly before turning into a raucous celebration.
Faint⋆Star – Utsunomiya Gyoza (Sub) Stage
One of the groups with the most international experience in the lineup and ties to Tochigi via former Tomato n’Pine member HINA, Faint⋆Star shined brightly as they got the crowd at the sub stage dancing to their cool blend of electronic dance music.
01 DESTRUCTION
02 Sly
03 Hoozuki
04 Ms. Question
05 Never Ever
Tochiotome 25 – Shin Shoga (Main) Stage
Tochiotome 25 made the most of their time on the main stage by packing 8 songs into their setlist, giving their fans and newcomers alike a smorgasbord of sound overflowing with the merits of Tochigi.
01 Tochiotome 25 no Theme
02 Yu (short)
03 Ichigo Hakase (short)
04 Ichigo Kinenbi (short)
05 Kyun Kyun Love (short)
06 Ichigo Parfait (short)
07 Wagyu Fire! (short)
08 GYO-ZA Party (short)
Maison book girl – Utsunomiya Gyoza (Sub) Stage
Welcomed by loud clapping, Maison book girl floated into “bathroom”. Suppose if I were to pick up just one of their characteristics, it would be the change of rhythm. This song is not an exception. The frequent use of it may sound complicated but it is actually easy to listen to. Kenta Sakurai, the producer of them, maintains an exquisite balance.
Followed by “bathroom”, they rushed into “snow irony” and ”remove” in succession. During “snow irony”, the audience waved hands in front and back of heads in a rhythmical manner, which looked very beautiful with a sense of supreme unity. They closed the curtain with two new songs “blue light” and “lost AGE”.
During the MC, Megumi Koshoji complained to Gyuzo (even though he was not present) about Maison book girl being assigned them to the sub stage. Her discontent was justified by the huge number of people that had assembled to see them.
01 bath room
02 snow irony
03 remove
04 blue light
05 lost AGE
words by ykmk
Stereo Tokyo – Shin Shoga (Main) Stage
Stereo Tokyo has recently been one of the most controversial idol groups in Japan. The manager announced that the group will disband only if the next single were to sell over 10,000 copies. The strange announcement confused not only their fans but also the members. The concert hall was packed with Party People (fans of Stereo Tokyo) and balloons were flying over the audience. Now the party begins.
Drawing many people’s attention, DJ Nanako Miura played the record that most of idol fans have heard at least once. As soon as the introduction of “nerve” filled the hall, the audience suddenly heated up. The scene reminded me of the last concert of BiS at Yokohama Arena. The audience seemed that they have already reached the highest point. Yet, “Endless Dokidoki mode” brought the audience to a huge shout of “Party People”. It was the moment that Shin-Kiba STUDIO COAST became a club.
After having come this far, nothing could calm the Party People down. During the hook in “anthem”, the people danced as if they were at Ultra Music Festival and threw balloons, national flags, soft cyalumes, and even frisbees. What the agency aims for is not clear but it was proved that Stereo Tokyo is worth continuing its party.
words by ykmk
Iketeru Hearts – Utsunomiya Gyoza (Sub) Stage
One of the breakthrough idol groups of the past year, Iketeru Hearts had the sub stage packed to overflowing. Tochigi-born member Nijika was beside herself with excitement at the opportunity to represent her home prefecture.
01 Triangle Wave
02 Happy End
03 Sorairo Days
04 Soukoku no Spica
05 Let’s stand up!
Aoyama☆Saint Hachamecha High School – Shin Shoga (Main) Stage
Watarasebashi 43 – Utsunomiya Gyoza (Sub) Stage
Watarasebashi 43, the group from Ashikaga, Tochigi that takes their name from Chisato Moritaka’s famous song, got things going with an extended skit by two of their tiniest members before lighting up the audience at the Utsunomiya Gyoza Stage with a mix of spunky and upbeat songs. With the older members joining in after the first song, the excitement kept growing as they provided a balanced attack of idol power from the north.
Watarasebashi 43 Official site: http://watarasebashi.com/
Avandoned – Utsunomiya Gyoza (Sub) Stage
