Last Thursday, R. and I went to see The Mystery Jets.

We’ve seen them maybe two or three times now. I like them; they have good rhythms, nice hooks, and are pretty clean. They aren’t one of my favorite bands, but they are good and I enjoy listening to their stuff.

Of course, they are another band that appeals to the Japanese young woman demographic, so the place was packed with young women with the random guy. I was really surprised because right next to me was a really young-looking high school girl still in her school uniform. I didn’t think that people that young would be allowed because the place does serve alcohol, but I guess maybe that isn’t as important in Japan as it is in the US.

I enjoyed this concert a lot. It wasn’t as crowded as these things usually are – still was pressed up against all sorts of people, but it wasn’t super crazy hot, just hot. I’m glad R. got me out of my work routine to go out to the show.

I should note that at Fuji Rock last year R. and I randomly bumped into the lead singer and his father hanging out somewhere (at the strange robot art sculpture place) and they were both really nice when R. chatted them up and asked for their autographs.

Then tonight R. and I went to see The Kooks. The Kooks are another band that I like, but they aren’t really up on my favorite list. They have a few songs I really like though, among them “Seaside”. They’re another young good-looking UK band and they had even more women at this show than the Mystery Jets. I had a tougher time at this concert because it was super packed, and I was just crushed. It was super hot and people were going nuts so elbows and arms were flying everywhere. Times like that I would really prefer to be back in the back and enjoying the show with a nice cold drink, but R. just loves to be up in the mix dancing like a maniac. I totally understand that though, if Bishop Allen, We Are Scientists, Say Hi, or any of my other favorites came back to Tokyo I would totally be up there dancing my head off. No question. It is just a bit tougher to enjoy it when I don’t really know the band well. 🙂

Anyway, one of the things that is really great about R. is how she gets me out doing new things, and I especially love her enthusiasm and appreciation of good music.