Photo: JNTO
Magical musical tour
To most people north of Kyushu, Fukuoka is a cultural backwater with little more to offer other than a good line in noodles and fishy dishes.
Yet in recent years, Fukuoka has been responsible for some of the biggest selling musical acts Japan has produced. From Ayumi Hamasaki to Shina Ringo, it's easy to see why some have been moved to call Fukuoka, "the Liverpool of Japan."
Now more than ever, the city's live houses are bursting with up-and-coming talent, all eager to extol the virtues of their hometown. The music scene is based around Oyafuko Dori, or "Delinquents' Street" as it pleasingly translates. On a nightly basis, a handful of venues play host to upwards of 200 local bands and musicians, performing music that takes in everything from folk to hip hop.
The legendary Showa live house (Fukuoka's equivalent to The Cavern) still does brisk business, as does The Voodoo Lounge, Dreamboat, The Darkroom and Early Believers, which hosts aninternational live event known as The Basement on the last Tuesday of every month.
Yet in recent years, Fukuoka has been responsible for some of the biggest selling musical acts Japan has produced. From Ayumi Hamasaki to Shina Ringo, it's easy to see why some have been moved to call Fukuoka, "the Liverpool of Japan."
Now more than ever, the city's live houses are bursting with up-and-coming talent, all eager to extol the virtues of their hometown. The music scene is based around Oyafuko Dori, or "Delinquents' Street" as it pleasingly translates. On a nightly basis, a handful of venues play host to upwards of 200 local bands and musicians, performing music that takes in everything from folk to hip hop.
The legendary Showa live house (Fukuoka's equivalent to The Cavern) still does brisk business, as does The Voodoo Lounge, Dreamboat, The Darkroom and Early Believers, which hosts aninternational live event known as The Basement on the last Tuesday of every month.
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