Rock music against nukes

December 18, 2012

'Music doesn't need nuclear power': Rock guitarist excited about 'solar concert'

Taiji Sato (Mainichi)

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/features/news/20121218p2a00m0na003000c.html

"We don't need nuclear energy to play good music" claimed 45-year-old rock guitarist, Taiji Sato, organizer of the forthcoming "The Solar Budokan" concert. Sato spoke to the Mainichi Shimbun in an interview about his motivation behind the Dec. 20 event, during which all necessary power will be generated entirely by renewable energy.

Inspired by The Beatles, Sato started playing electric guitar when he was a junior high school student. He formed a band in college and has devoted himself to rock music ever since. Sato's wild guitar technique has attracted young crowds. Just as he was thinking of taking his skills to the big stage, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck in March 2011. Since then, he has held concerts in Tokyo's Shimokitazawa to support disaster recovery.

The concert will run on renewable energy: instruments will use batteries charged by solar power, stage lights will be fueled by biodiesel, and speakers and other power on stage will be provided indirectly by solar energy through the purchase of renewable energy certificates.

Japanese big-time musicians such as Tamio Okuda, Koji Kikkawa and Fumiya Fujii are all willing to act as warm up artists for the concert. Even legendary Japanese singer Tokiko Kato offered to help. "It will be a concert for all ages and genders," says Sato, as he expresses his excitement.

On Dec. 16, the same date as the general election, Sato joined an anti-nuclear power event at Hibiya Park in downtown Tokyo. Sato and his supporters believe in the power of music that doesn't require nuclear energy.