The SonarSound Tokyo show must go on

Barcelona (ACN).- The organisers of SonarSound Tokyo confirmed that the electronic music festival will go on despite the current problems in the country. The organisers took the decision in the hope that it will help Japan and its people overcome the problems arising from the tsunami and the subsequent nuclear accidents. “We wanted to contribute to the recovery of normal life in Japan’s capital”, explained Enric Palau, Sonar’s co-director. SonarSound Tokyo is the showcase of Barcelona’s electronic and advanced music festival, the Sonar Festival, which is held every year in mid-June. In addition, a twin festival is also organised in Galicia at the same time. Sonar has several showcases in London, Chicago and Tokyo. SonarSound Tokyo will be held for the fourth time and will take place on the second and third of April. It will bring together about 30 artists from Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Canada and the United States. In addition, the organisers announced that 25% of the money made at the box office of the Barcelona and the Galicia festivals will be donated to Japan’s Red Cross.

As confirmed many months ago, the SonarSound Tokyo will take place on the second and third of April. This is the official and final decision, despite what has happened in Japan in the last 12 days. After talking with local “partners and friends”, participating artists and sponsors, together with Beatnik –Japan’s main partner–, the Sonar organisers decided to go ahead and continue with the festival, explained Palau. Keeping the dates of the festival pays tribute to the victims and gives Japan a small boost, stressing the close relationship Barcelona’s music festival has with the Asian country. In the 18 year history of the festival, 80 Japanese artists have performed. SonarSound Tokyo first took place in 2002. However, if circumstances change “and could affect the safety and the regular development of the event”, the decision could be “reconsidered”.