Ok, so, I may end up in Japan from July 24th until August 5th. I'm pretty sure I'm going, sure enough to be buying the plane tickets very soon, the only sad part is I have to sell most of my collection in order to be able to go. But in the end, it's worth it to see the girls in person!
I plan to be there for the 2013 Tokyo Idol Festival, as well as attend a H!P concert on August 3rd. On August 4th is Momoiro Clover Z's Summer Dive concert which is at their biggest hall yet so I'm hoping I have a shot at ticket. As long as I can really get together a lot of money, it should be fine as there are always buy it now tickets on Yahoo Auctions Japan. So I'm adding that concert to my plans :D
Because of this trip, I really ask you all one favor. I have been trying to get you guys to use my CDJapan links if buying something, because I'd get CDJapan points and could buy more CDs. Which was cool. However, I have set it up to work for my Japan trip so instead of being paid in CDJapan points I am paid through paypal! So I ask more than ever, if you plan on buying something through CDJapan, think of me and try and get in contact with me on twitter (DaydreamerFly) or H!O, or facebook, or something, because I will quickly give you an affiliate link. It will cost you absolutely NOTHING extra, but it will mean I will get some money towards my trip, which means less of my collection I have to sell.
And thank you so much to those of you who have bought through these links before already ;____; <3
And now, onto talking about the Tokyo Idol Festival!
The Toyko Idol Festival is a huge event with LOADS of idol groups performing. Last year, there were 111 acts! This event brings in a couple slightly bigger groups but for the most part, focuses on indie groups, local groups, and just generally some really great non-mainstream groups.
This year the event will be held in Odaiba on July 27th and 28th. (And I sure as heck plan to be there!)
So far, 7 groups have been announced. Idoling!!!, AeLL., Sakura Gakuin, THE Possible, Tokyo Girls' Style, Negicco, and Vanilla Beans. I'm pretty pumped as I ADORE AeLL., and really really like Tokyo Girls' Style and THE Possible. And lately I've been curious about Idoling!!! and Sakura Gakuin and could see myself liking them. They give enjoyable performances, at the very least, so it should be great ^^ I don't really know the other 2 groups very well, but I know Negicco has some really strong vocals based on the song of theirs on my ipod, and I've heard their names around a lot, so I trust it will be a great show :)
Now, I just want to talk a bit about the acts I'd personally like to see there and a little bit of why! (In no particular order.) This may get a bit long, so if you don't care what idol groups I want to see, just scroll on past, honestly xD But I ask you read the end, as there is a pretty cool idol release coming out that I talk about and I think it's worth some attention.
Also, if you are ever looking for some new music/groups, I suggest at least searching up some of the groups I name, because they are GREAT <3
Afilia Saga East
A group I never have really fully followed, but find charming regardless and quite like several of their songs. A lot of their followers seem to be pretty hardcore and they are a bunch of cute girls with good songs. I'd simply like to see them perform!
Baby Raids
Super talented group that I just do not see enough of. Awesome, addicting music and girls who give energetic performances with pretty good dancing, and surprisingly nice vocals. I really like everything I've seen/heard from this group, and could see them being a favorite of mine if I could get some more access to them. They are exactly the type of group I think should be there.
Caramel☆Ribbon
Very cute girls, and I was watching a livestream where they were included back in January and I remember being surprised at how well the vocals sounded live, as I expected them to be squeaky and generic-sounding. Though Caramel☆Ribbon wasn't anything like the total opposite of most idol groups, they had a really nice kind o retro sound and did well live.
Cheeky Parade
Such a good group. Got interested in them when their indies single, cheeky Dreamer, was being sold at events. (Enough so to make my first non-H!P purchase to get it off YAJ.) This group is talented, crazy, and FUN. Seriously, watching them perform gets me excited! They are so energetic and I feel like being there in person must be unbelievable, you must just feel that excitement and energy. You can always tell they are really enjoying themselves, and I love this. Their songs are also great, and I'll honestly be shocked if they aren't there this year.
Dancing Dolls
My last post was about this group and if you read that you know I love this group. A lot. Absolutely awesome vocals, and arguably the best dancers among idols right now. They give awesome performances and always do their best. They have really awesome, catchy music- every last song. I can't possibly express how much I want to see this group there. (Especially because while I'm in Japan I desperately want to be able to see them perform, and have no idea if they'll hold any events while I'm there.) This group is full of so much talent, they deserve more recognition.
Dorothy Little Happy
This is one of the groups I kinda expect to come, but nonetheless must mention. Good songs, dancing, vocals, and a group I personally really like and they seem to usually get a good crowd reaction as well. Some of there recent songs have been really nice, so I'd love to hear them performed here.
E-Girls
Not technically an idol group so normally I wouldn't list them, but they surprised me being listed last year, so I would love if that were to happen again. Their songs are fantastic and they just released a new album with loads of great songs just waiting to be performed. The vocalists have seriously awesome vocals, and all the girls can REALLY dance. I mean...wow. Great choreography, too. The group is just so fun to watch and a pleasure to listen to, honestly.
Fairies
Like dancing dolls, I desperately want to see this group. Tied as my current second favorite idol group, I definitely want to see them while I'm in Japan. I feel like they are also in a good spot as far as popularity to perform here. They sell well (singles usually sell about 20k) but definitely aren't over-popular. I feel they'd bring a nice crowd and they are always absolutely flawless live and bring a different feel than a lot of idol groups. I remember being surprised they weren't on the list last year, and have a bad feeling they may not be again this year. But I'm hoping with all my heart.
GEM:
The newest idol group, GEM isn't technically final until June but gosh are they talented. There are some crazy great vocals in this group. (I'm looking at you, Maaya!) Everyone who doesn't know this group needs to fix that, honestly, so I am really hoping they are at this event. There two songs so far are too good, and they are pretty good at singing them live, even with the dances they do. This group is the best new group in a while if you ask me, and I think there is a pretty good chance they appear, so here's to hoping!
Hime Kyun Fruits Can
I honestly know too little about this group, despite having several songs of theirs on my ipod. I guess it comes down to I think their songs are really nice and I just would really like to see more of them.
iDOL Street
Although I've mentioned individual idol groups underneath the idol street label, last year "idol street" was listed, which I assume meant the streetsei, their trainee members. Their trainee members are super cute and talented and idol street is pretty much just 100% perfect, so more idol street is always good. (There are also 7 original songs among the streetsei, one of which, Kitto For You, is one of the best songs I've heard in a while. Absolutely perfect.)
i☆Ris
i☆Ris is a pretty new group- their second single releases next month- but they are seriously great. The vocals in this group are really awesome and surprisingly mature. Their up and coming single is really good, and all the girls are super adorable. I actually really expect a lot from this group and plan on keeping a very close eye on them. I would love to see them live at something like this.
Juice=Juice
Hello!Project is really trying to market Juice=Juice as an indies group. They decided not to sell their second single online and in regular stores in order to keep it more indie. So, maybe since they aren't a typical H!P group, they may appear in this event? I really hope so. It'd be great for the group and H!P. The girls are very talented and have a unique sound. (Also, SKE ended up appearing last year, to many people's surprise, so Juice=Juice definitely wouldn't be that crazy.)
LinQ
A large group of really ute girls. This group didn't grab me at first, but upon a second look semi-recently, they seemed really interesting. Good music, total cuties, and half the members are really young while the other half is much older, and really mature and sexy. It's pretty interesting! It's a different concept as it doesn't seem to be a random thing that happened, but a plan division in the group. Yet they do really well together! I think this is really coo, and makes them appeal to a lot of different people. They seem to perform well and there are 29 members and I think lots of girls on one stage is always fun to watch, so I hope they appear!
Lucky Colors
This group really caught my eye like crazy on a livestream in January. Loved them! Very pretty girls (all apparently models) and nice enough vocals, cool songs, and one girl with crazy personality and another with one of the prettiest smiles I'd ever seen. They left a really good first impression. However, they were 5 members when I watched this, and the results of my googling lead me to believe they are only three members now?? That's really too bad, but if they are still performing, I still really hope to see them here.
Mana Ogawa
I don't know if there is any chance of her performing, and I think probably not, but hey, I can dream, right? Ogamana is so so talented and has such great songs. She is my favorite idol soloist ever, so I'd kill to hear her. I have been really upset she's stopped releasing music, however, she seems to still perform at events and such, so I'm gonna hope with everything I got!
Palet
Just looked into them recently because some of the girls were candidates for being in PASSPO☆. I expected a similar sound, but it's actually very different. However, I loved them all the same. Good vocals, seriously cute girls, and the music is really great. I downloaded all their songs instantly xD I find myself really falling for the member Fujimoto Yui. *_* <3
Party Rockets
This group has to be there. Talented and interesting with a super unique sound. Their music really surprised me but I have to say I'm totally hooked. They go for a more rock-ish sound than other idol groups, and the two songs on their most recent single MIRAIE were just perfect. They really shake things up and would be a really great, different sound to throw in the middle of all the bubblegum pop groups. :P
PASSPO☆
To my understanding, PASSPO☆ has been there every year? With good reason, I suppose. They don't have a single bad song, and their most recent album is AWESOME. I'm especially hooked on their songs Pretty Lie and Tap my Toe. These girls are all really pretty, really talented, have a cool theme, and sure as heck know how to give a performance! When I watched the Yubi Matsuri DVD, I had decided in advance which acts would likely give my favorite performances. And though I was right for the most part, PASSPO☆ sort of destroyed this. They were phenomenal- arguably the best performers there.
predia
An older idol group, all 18+, with one member member being 26. It's a nice thing to see in comparison to all these idol groups that seem to be getting younger and younger. Though I personally love seeing young idols grow, I think it's important that an adult group with an adult image is out there. And these girls are definitely that! They have cool songs with a super-sexy look. A must have at TIF, if you ask me ;D
Prizmmy☆
This group has grown so much since their start already, and they are still a pretty new group. (First single released in March of 2012.) They are all very young (11-13) but have so much talent for their age. A really nice sound and vocals, and awesome dancers (if you can't tell, being a dancer myself, idols who dance well are a big bias of mine :P) I really like Prizmmy, though, and all their songs are pretty good so I hope to see them perform at TIF.
Sea☆A
I don't have very high expectations of this group appearing, but it'd be awesome if they did. THe girls are super cute and all anime nerds haha. There songs are really cute and sweet and for whatever reason I have quite the soft spot for this group, so I'd love a chance to see them.
Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku
A fun, crazy, out-there kind of group. This group can be very strange, but are honestly super-awesome. Several of their members can do the perfect high-and-squeaky idol baby voice and be cute as can be, then suddenly come in with these super-powerful vocals. (A nice example of this is their member Hirota Aika) These girls are a blast to watch perform, and though they can leave a weird first impression, they can also become pretty addicting! <3
StylipS
An enjoyable group of cute girls with good music. Not super stand-out, but great nonetheless. However, a bit unsure if they could appear at TIF, as they just lost two members and are searching for two replacements now. I suppose it depends when they get these members and how fast they learn their stuff! I'm sad to see the group change, but I'm confident they'll still be great so I hope they can make it to TIF.
SUPER☆GiRLS
SUPER☆GiRLS have a pretty generic sound for the most part, but some really great vocalists and their songs are still really sweet and enjoyable. (And they went outside of their usual sound in their most recent album, and it's too good.) The girls give a really fun performance, which I noticed in the Yubi Matsuri DVD. They really pulled me in a TON more after seeing how they perform on stage. They really have an awesome stage-presence. They are growing in popularity for sure, but I think there is a pretty good chance they may be announced for TIF, and if so I'll be absolutely ecstatic.
Up Up Girls
Love Up Up Girls <3 Good songs, good performers who have been training a while and love what they do. I expect to see them as they were there last year and seem to be at just about every idol event lately. xD (As they should be, tbh.)
In case you all can't tell, I've been getting into a lot of different idol groups lately ;D So I'm pretty dang pumped for the Tokyo Idol Festival, especially since it seems I will BE THERE IN PERSON!!! :D
The last thing I want to talk about is a really cool idol release I discovered recently. It's called "Japan Idol File" and is a boxset of 5 CDs, with 64 songs in total, all by "local" idol groups and just not really mainstream groups. There are several I haven't even heard of D: And several others I know to be great but can never find CDs of, so this is really great. Here is a picture of the item:
And here is the tracklist:
Disc 1
RYUTist – Raririreru (ラリリレル)
R☆M – Lovin’ You
Dorothy Little Happy – Triangle Square (トライアングルスクエア)
Techpri – Chocolate☆Destiny (チョコレート☆デスティニー)
Michinoku Sendai Ori☆Himetai – Sakura no Hana ga Saku Goro (桜の花が咲く頃)
Negicco – Shokuiku Ondo (食育音頭)
Fruity – Happy Smile
Whip☆Girls – Arigatou (ありがとう。)
Why@Doll – Yumemiru Tsubasa (ユメミツバサ)
Splash – Winter Chance
B♭ (B-Flat) – No:ID
Angel Generation – Sakura Girl☆ (Sakuraガール☆)
Disc 2
Tochiotome25 – Ichigo Kinenbi (いちご記念日)
Shizukaze & Kizuna – Doki Doki Panic (ドキドキパニック) (I Rock Version)
KGY40Jr. – Cosplayer
Akagidan -AKG- – Shikkara Shite yo -Dame Otoko Shikarinzu- (しっかりしてよ ―ダメ男シカリンズ―)
Barbie Lips – Happy de Ume Tsukusu Calendar (ハッピで埋めつくすカレンダー)
T!P – Zutto Isshoni ne (ずっと一緒ね)
H&A. – Shunkan I Love You (瞬間 I Love You)
Miracle – Miracle Maker (ミラクルメーカー)
dela – Limit of Love
We Love – Senkou Action (閃光アクション)
Idol Kyoushitsu – Makeruna Dreamer (負けるなDreamer)
Otome☆Corporation – Zukkyun☆Oto Melody♪ (ずっきゅん☆おとめろでぃ♪)
Apple Gakuen Ouen-bu – Ikou! Let’s Go! (行こう！Let’s Go!)
Disc 3
Izukoneko – nostalgie el
Especia – Knight Rider (ナイトライダー)
Osaka BB Wave – Shining Parade
Osaka Show Gangs – Special Island
Caramel☆Ribbon – Nijiiro (虹色)
KOBerrieS♪ – Ryuusei☆Transistor (流星☆トランジスタ)
Csli – Love Train (ラブトレイン)
Sketch – Green & Peace
JuRias – Chance
Mon Soleil 415 – Come Back Yanagase (カムバックYanagase)
Tenkafubu Gifu Hime Gundan – Romantic Hime Magic (Romantic姫Magic)
Ruchiru – Daisuki Da yo (大好きだよ)
JK21 – Footman
Mary Angel – Like an Angel
Ponbashi wktk Mates – Chika Idol Nante Yobasenai!! (地下アイドルなんて呼ばせない！！)
Disc 4
nanoCUNE – Hare Ruya! (晴れルヤ！)
S-Qty – S-Qtimes!!
Seikou Joshi – Uruwashi no Joshi Jimuin
Hime Kyun Fruit Can – Loop & Loop
Hmj Hime tsu Musume 5 – Shuriken Shu Shu Shu (手裏剣シュシュシュ)
Kimitomo Candy – Negai Drop (願いドロップ)
SakuLove – Love Phone
Saku Mai – Tenteko Mind (てんてこマインド)
S★Kip – Shining Grace
baby dolls – Kami Hikouki ~Todoke Watashi no Kimochi ♡~ (かみひこうき～届け!わたしの気持ち♡～)
Nep She☆Stars – Let’s!! Party Time☆
Marry Doll – Yes! Sonzai Shoumei! (Yes! 存在証明！)
Disc 5
LinQ – Calorie Nante (カロリーなんて)
Lucky Color’s – J.J ~Lucky Smile~ (J・J～ラッキーSmile～)
Trick8f – Brightness
Rev. from DVL – Love ~Arigatou~
Chimo – Seishun Survivor (青春サバイバー)
Seishun Gakuen – Sha・la・la・la・LA
Otome no Junjou – Karen (カレン)
Raise Chou Chou – Dream Girls
Spatio – Kiss You
Blaze – Fairy Tale
Yamaguchi Kassei Gakuen – Run!!
S★uthern Cross – Chest! ~Genki no Shiroshi~ (チェスト!～ゲンキのしるし～)
RYUTist – Raririreru (ラリリレル)
R☆M – Lovin’ You
Dorothy Little Happy – Triangle Square (トライアングルスクエア)
Techpri – Chocolate☆Destiny (チョコレート☆デスティニー)
Michinoku Sendai Ori☆Himetai – Sakura no Hana ga Saku Goro (桜の花が咲く頃)
Negicco – Shokuiku Ondo (食育音頭)
Fruity – Happy Smile
Whip☆Girls – Arigatou (ありがとう。)
Why@Doll – Yumemiru Tsubasa (ユメミツバサ)
Splash – Winter Chance
B♭ (B-Flat) – No:ID
Angel Generation – Sakura Girl☆ (Sakuraガール☆)
Disc 2
Tochiotome25 – Ichigo Kinenbi (いちご記念日)
Shizukaze & Kizuna – Doki Doki Panic (ドキドキパニック) (I Rock Version)
KGY40Jr. – Cosplayer
Akagidan -AKG- – Shikkara Shite yo -Dame Otoko Shikarinzu- (しっかりしてよ ―ダメ男シカリンズ―)
Barbie Lips – Happy de Ume Tsukusu Calendar (ハッピで埋めつくすカレンダー)
T!P – Zutto Isshoni ne (ずっと一緒ね)
H&A. – Shunkan I Love You (瞬間 I Love You)
Miracle – Miracle Maker (ミラクルメーカー)
dela – Limit of Love
We Love – Senkou Action (閃光アクション)
Idol Kyoushitsu – Makeruna Dreamer (負けるなDreamer)
Otome☆Corporation – Zukkyun☆Oto Melody♪ (ずっきゅん☆おとめろでぃ♪)
Apple Gakuen Ouen-bu – Ikou! Let’s Go! (行こう！Let’s Go!)
Disc 3
Izukoneko – nostalgie el
Especia – Knight Rider (ナイトライダー)
Osaka BB Wave – Shining Parade
Osaka Show Gangs – Special Island
Caramel☆Ribbon – Nijiiro (虹色)
KOBerrieS♪ – Ryuusei☆Transistor (流星☆トランジスタ)
Csli – Love Train (ラブトレイン)
Sketch – Green & Peace
JuRias – Chance
Mon Soleil 415 – Come Back Yanagase (カムバックYanagase)
Tenkafubu Gifu Hime Gundan – Romantic Hime Magic (Romantic姫Magic)
Ruchiru – Daisuki Da yo (大好きだよ)
JK21 – Footman
Mary Angel – Like an Angel
Ponbashi wktk Mates – Chika Idol Nante Yobasenai!! (地下アイドルなんて呼ばせない！！)
Disc 4
nanoCUNE – Hare Ruya! (晴れルヤ！)
S-Qty – S-Qtimes!!
Seikou Joshi – Uruwashi no Joshi Jimuin
Hime Kyun Fruit Can – Loop & Loop
Hmj Hime tsu Musume 5 – Shuriken Shu Shu Shu (手裏剣シュシュシュ)
Kimitomo Candy – Negai Drop (願いドロップ)
SakuLove – Love Phone
Saku Mai – Tenteko Mind (てんてこマインド)
S★Kip – Shining Grace
baby dolls – Kami Hikouki ~Todoke Watashi no Kimochi ♡~ (かみひこうき～届け!わたしの気持ち♡～)
Nep She☆Stars – Let’s!! Party Time☆
Marry Doll – Yes! Sonzai Shoumei! (Yes! 存在証明！)
Disc 5
LinQ – Calorie Nante (カロリーなんて)
Lucky Color’s – J.J ~Lucky Smile~ (J・J～ラッキーSmile～)
Trick8f – Brightness
Rev. from DVL – Love ~Arigatou~
Chimo – Seishun Survivor (青春サバイバー)
Seishun Gakuen – Sha・la・la・la・LA
Otome no Junjou – Karen (カレン)
Raise Chou Chou – Dream Girls
Spatio – Kiss You
Blaze – Fairy Tale
Yamaguchi Kassei Gakuen – Run!!
S★uthern Cross – Chest! ~Genki no Shiroshi~ (チェスト!～ゲンキのしるし～)
This is seriously an AWESOME release and a nice way to grab some songs by some lesser-known groups we love, as well as discover some awesome groups we never even knew about. And- get this- it's crazy cheap for what it comes with! This only costs 2587 yen!
It's such a cool release and such a deal, I seriously recommend this to everyone. It releases on May 1st, so now is a great time to grab it ;D It is on CDJapan! Here is a link to it:
And now, a few questions I'd really like answers to from those of you willing to comment:
☆ What are your Top 3 non-mainstream idol groups?
☆ What's the most 'indie' idol group you like?
And lastly, I'm wondering if anyone knows if Toyko Idol Festival looks into idols themselves and invites them, or if agencies and groups submit something or something and TIF picks who they want?
Please answer i you have any idea!
Thank you so much for reading!!! <3
