Just across the street from Shindaita Station, tucked beneath a swim school, is Live House Fever – the go-to venue for Tokyo’s rising indie acts since 2009. Founded by Hitoshi Nishimura, former manager of the legendary Shelter in Shimokitazawa, Fever feels more like a cultural commons than a conventional club. The space opens into a roomy entrance hall that connects to PoPo, a cozy café and gallery, and Pootle, a Vietnamese-inspired fried chicken joint.
The venue itself is a 300-capacity black box – maybe 350 if you really pack it in. With a low stage and a slightly sloped floor, the room offers a solid view of the performance from just about anywhere. Though it’s a cornerstone of Tokyo’s indie music scene, Fever has also hosted bigger names like MJ Lenderman, toe, Galileo Galilei, Foxing and many more. (Fun fact: toe’s guitarist and vocalist Hirokazu Yamazaki designed the venue’s logo.)
Fever keeps things eclectic with a no-genre booking policy, so there’s truly something for everyone. And don’t skip the bar in the main room – it’s stocked with dangerously cheap drinks and American chips like Lays and Fritos. Come early, stay late – Fever is where Tokyo’s music heads come together.