Well, we did Music Picnic 2005 yesterday, and I think it was a great success! I guess about 3,500 people showed up, so that was nice and a bit more than I expected (which is always a happy thing!) We played a good set, with a little bit of a different set list, mostly older songs, which was sort of unusual, but I think it worked well. I had a good time watching some of the newer Spice bands that I hadn’t seen before (like Heaven’s Hemp), and the guest band Soul’d Out was good as well; and, of course, High and Mighty Color and Orange Range always put on a great show. So it was a lot of good bands.

They had a nice area backstage so we could keep cool, which was much appreciated (especially compared to Miyako Island Rock Festival, where you couldn’t really hang around after you played); and the entire event staff was very cool and super helpful (you don’t always get that, you know, so it really makes it a better experience when you do!)

One cool and different thing was that Yasu (our singer), got up with the band after us, Duty Free Shopp + Kakumakushaka, and did some guest vocals on one song. I always like guest members and whatnot, I think it’s cool for the band and the crowd because it’s usually fresh and brings up the energy level. Maybe one day I’ll be good enough to get asked to guest play with someone, that would be cool.

Another thing that was strange/cool was that B’z, a major Japanese band, was playing a two date show at the convention center right beside where Music Picnic was, so there were people all over the place. Also, some of our friends were working the crew for B’z, and they came by the after party to say what’s up, which was nice.

I guess the coolest thing about Music Picnic is that next year’s plan is for it to be a Music Picnic tour, with some dates in mainland Japan as well. I don’t know the details yet, of course, and it’s all subject to change, of course, but it’s exciting nonetheless. Spice is pretty good about following through on plans, and I think everyone felt strong about the Music Picnic event, so I hope it will happen!

Anyway, if you made it out - thanks, and if not, I hope you can make it out next time we play!