[Event Report] I Went to the Tokyo Performance of Richie Hawtin's Audiovisual Show CLOSE

I went to the Japanese performance of Richie Hawtin's solo project CLOSE, presented by MIRAI TOKYO, at Toyosu PIT on October 27, 2018.

*Richie explains CLOSE in detail in the video below.
It is a project that adds even more improvisation and creativity to Richie's usual sets.

Lineup

Here is the lineup.
Another highlight was ALVA NOTO, who played before Richie.

*ALVA has also collaborated with none other than Ryuichi Sakamoto.

The Venue: Team Smile Toyosu PIT

The venue was Toyosu PIT, within walking distance of Toyosu Station or Shin-Toyosu Station.
teamLab Planets was running nearby with an enormous queue, so the location was easy to find, haha.

A Show Combining Audio and Visuals on a Truly High Level

These are only excerpts, but please watch the videos.

Electronic sounds were manipulated improvisationally, and the visuals responded to them.
As they layered over one another, you could experience the very moment art was born. That was what being in that space felt like.

I ended up filming only ALVA NOTE and Richie Hawtin, but opening DJs ISHIJIMA and AALKO also created a wonderful atmosphere.

ALVA NOTE

Richie Hawtin

Techno Is Not Legacy Dance Music

Personally, it has been 20 years since I first heard techno.

Experiencing Richie Hawtin's CLOSE made me realize that techno is never merely legacy dance music: it continually responds to the times and the atmosphere, providing fresh stimulation.

Richie is a king of techno, but he never stops challenging himself, whether by adopting computer-based DJing earlier than anyone else or redefining the DJ mixer.

When I have played techno for people who rarely listen to it, some have told me they find it boring or that it all sounds the same.

I would like those people, just once in their lives, to spend a reasonable amount of money and “experience” techno of the very highest quality, beyond the ordinary.

It is the polar opposite of pop music, but its breath, atmosphere, vibrations, waves, and more energize you as if responding to the DJ mixer itself. It will surely be an exquisite experience.