Are you obsessed with Harajuku culture? An anime-fixated otaku? An admirer of classic enka music or J-pop? Or perhaps, you simply like munching on takoyaki? For 10 days in the month of May – whichever Nippon-loving camp you reside in – you’ll be bowing in delight with the arrival of the Super Japan arts and culture festival at The Esplanade. Featuring 25 ticketed shows and over 60 free programmes and fringe events, this prestigious affair marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan. And to show us just how much they love Singapore, Japan’s sending down one of their most prolific cultural ambassadors – heads up, she’s a wild one.
Sugar, spice, and everything kawaii – introducing the return of one phenom who’s bringing back a show of Powerpuff proportions. Modern-day princess of J-pop music, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is one starlet who’s effortlessly ushered the colourful world of J-pop back into the global spotlight – no nonchalant feat considering the continuous renaissance of K-pop. Affectionately known by some as the Lady Gaga of Japan, Kyary lives up to the eccentric reputation with outlandish costumes, animated live shows, and infectiously bubbly tunes that sound like the love-children of robots from outer space and magical, technicolour anime ninjas. Hai, this is the bizarre microverse of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
Officially the “Kawaii Ambassador of Harajuku” – no seriously, she was even crowned by the mayor of Shibuya – Kyary embodies the essence of Tokyo-styled cuteness with her flashy outfits and appearance that look ripped out of a fantasy manga novel. Her musical repertoire is just as kaleidoscopic; boasting four albums, all produced by J-pop electronic whiz, Yasutaka Nakata (Perfume, Capsule), Kyary’s compositions are cartoonish yet edgy, festooned with candy-coated effects, EDM-teasing beats and sugary, high-pitched vocals. And it doesn’t matter if you don’t know any Japanese; just recite lyrics like “Pon Pon Pon” and “Da Da Da Da Invader” and you’ll be ready to join in this whacked-out spectacle on 13 May!
Aside from Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, the Super Japan festival will also feature other Rising Sun artistes, including theatrical post-rockers Mouse On The Keys, and the Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra. On the cultural end, you can also immserse yourself in deep-seeded Japanese traditions through shamisen sessions by Hiromitsu Agatsuma, shadow puppet shows by Silhouette Theater Tsunobue, and performances from enka, kimono, and taiko drum troupes. And of course, there’s gonna be lots of oishii Japanese street food too – happy tums all around!
Super Japan – Japanese Festival of Arts, 13-22 May, Esplanade – Theatres On The Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981, p. 6828 8377. For more information on event timings and tickets, visit the official website.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 5th Anniversary World Tour, 13 May, 8pm. Tickets will be available from 19 February, priced at $88 and $118.