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Deep Dives on Live Music in Japan

Band profiles, venue guides, scene reports, and practical advice from 15 years inside Japan's metal, punk, and hardcore underground.

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Apr 27, 2026By Matt Ketchum

Antiknock at 40: How Shinjuku's Punk Fortress Survived

Shinjuku Antiknock has been running underground punk and hardcore shows since 1986. Forty years in Kabukicho — through urban redevelopment, disco demolitions, and everything Japan's economy and entertainment culture could throw at it.

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The Unwritten Rules of Tokyo Metal Shows
Mar 30, 2026By Matt Ketchum

The Unwritten Rules of Tokyo Metal Shows

Essential etiquette and cultural insights for navigating Tokyo's underground metal scene like a local, from pit behavior to door staff interactions.

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