Rocks Tokyo

The self-proclaimed 'hottest rock festival of Tokyo' [sic] got off to a good start last year, drawing a total of 30,000 people during two days of music at a park jutting right out into Tokyo Bay. Once again, the bill this year consists solely of domestic acts, and is as low on surprises as you'd expect for an event organised by a former editor-in-chief of Rockin' On Japan. In the veteran corner, you can expect the likes of reformed '80s guitar band Unicorn, Devo-style arch popsters Polysics, punk hero Ken Yokoyama and rap-rockers Dragon Ash. However, they're outnumbered by the comparatively fresh faces, including Sakanaction, Shinsei Kamattechan and Nico Touches the Walls. Chances are you'll be able to watch all of these bands again at Rock in Japan festival come the summer, but let's not get too picky about these things, mmm?