Summersonic 2009 (Sun)

The final day of Summersonic 2009 at Tokyo (Makuhari, Chiba) has interesting mixture of R&B artists, indie rock bands and reunited Limp Bizkit. And let’s not forget ultra interesting band, Gogol Bordello. It was tough choosing which bands to review and go see for Sunday, but here’s my guide of who I would see for August 9th.

	The Veronicas - Untouched Album: Hook Me Up Aussie twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso (now 24) make up the pop rock group, The Veronicas (I guess The Origliassos was not catchy enough). I have to admit that they do come up with catchy pop songs. With not much else going on at 11:30am, why not catch them at the Marine stage.
	Mute Math - Spotlight Album: Armistice Is it MuteMath or MUTEMATH or Mute Math? Either way, this New Orleans band always come up with one of the artistic, memorable videos. Their 2006 hit, “Typical” had reverse video, and this track, “Spotlight” (also can be found on the Twilight Soundtrack) has them playing in back of the van. Their new album, Armistice will be coming out in mid August. Check them out at the Marine stage following The Veronicas.
	Iglu & Hartly - Violent And Young Album: And Then Boom Iglu & Hartly got some recognition earlier this year from the song, “In This City” which had MGMT meets Sublime type of sound. This Californian band would be a perfect match for the Beach stage. They got early press coverage (and album release) in the UK. NME magazine labeled them as one of the “Top twenty bands that are making America cool again.”
	N.A.S.A. - Whachadoin? /ft. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner Album: The Spirit Of Apollo When American DJ, Squeak E. Clean and Brazilian DJ Zegon met, they formed NASA (stands for North America South America). Their debut album, The Spirit of Apollo has Brazilian beats with lots of guest rappers featured as vocalists. It definitely has a global feel, similar to Major Lazer’s album. This track sounds like it could be on The Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. Check them out at the Dance stage.
	Keane - The Lovers Are Losing Album: Perfect Symmetry British band, Keane went 9x platinum for their debut album, Hopes and Fears, which contained hits like “Everybody’s Changing” and “Somewhere Only We Know.” Since then they haven’t made a huge dent, but with two more albums released since their debut, they will be performing at the Marine stage. I may catch end of their show.
	Razorlight - Wire To Wire Album: Slipway Fires I first saw this British band at Summersonic 04 when the single, “Stumble And Fall” was popular. I wasn’t aware that they had released two more albums since then. “Wire to Wire” is the single from their latest album released in end of 2008. I’ll probably catch the first half hour of their show at the Marine stage.
	Aloha From Hell - No More Days To Waste Album: No More Days To Waste Watch out Avril Lavigne. At least in Germany (and possibly in Japan) she may have some competition. Aloha From Hell is lead by a 16 year old blonde girl, Vivi (who not only looks like Avril but sounds like her). They won Newcomer Band Contest in 2007, which got them signed to a major label. They are supposedly the “next big thing” so if that is true, it would be col to check them out on a smaller Island stage.
	Sonic Youth - Antenna Album: The Eternal I’m probably the only person that thinks Sonic Youth’s latest album, The Eternal looks a lot like Garbage’s “Beautiful Garbage” album. Regardless, this marks their 16th album release, their first on the new label, Matador Records. I never got into this band, but I would like to catch them for a few songs at the Sonic stage.
	Ne-Yo - Miss Independent Album: Year Of The Gentleman Ne-Yo released a duet song with Japanese popstar, Utada, in late 2007, which didn’t generate as much buzz as I had predicted. Ne-Yo was the headline act at Springroove 2008 (R&B festival held annually in the spring). I’m not a huge R&B fan, so after a few songs, I will probably head out of the Marine stage.
	Gogol Bordello - Ultimate Album: Super Taranta! I have been wanting to see them live for the longest time. They are known to put on such an entertaining show that even Madonna has asked them to perform along side her at Live Earth concert. All of their songs are so unique and dramatic, they should not be missed. They definitely deserve the closing position on the Beach stage, but it’s unfortunately that there are so many competition during that time slot.
	Limp Bizkit - Eat You Alive Album: Results May Vary All the original members of Limp Bizkit are back for the reunion. This marks the first time in 8 years that Wes Borland, Fred Durst and others have performed together on the same stage. They are supposedly going to work on a new album together as well after the tour. I haven’t really cared for them since their 2000 release, Chocolate Starfish And the Hotdog Flavored Water but I have to admit that I would like to see them live before they decide to go on another hiatus.
	The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, Pt. 1 Album: Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Summersonic once again forces people to make touch decision for the final act. With Gogol Bordello, Limp Bizkit, Beyonce and The Flaming Lips, you really can’t lose, but it’s a shame you can’t check out all of them. The Flaming Lips have been known to put on crazy shows, and that is definitely worth seeing. They are the final act on the Sonic stage.
	Beyonce - Halo Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce I probably wouldn’t catch all of her show, but considering that she is the final act on the final day of the 10th anniversary Summersonic, I’m expecting lots of fireworks and explosions on the stage. Would there be a surprise guest (likely her sister, Solange, also performing earlier on the same day)? Would she perform any hits from her Destiny’s Child days? I guess you just have to be there to get all those questions answered.