Creativeman Seeks New Bands

Japanese concert promoter Creativeman Productions and major label Toshiba EMI have announced a collaboration to find and nurture new bands that will take advantage of the annual Summer Sonic rock festival, which Creativeman organizes.

Called “Stairway to Summer Sonic,” the program will allow unsigned Japanese artists to audition for the festival, which this year will be held in Osaka and Tokyo on the weekend of August 12.

The headliners this year include Metallica, Linkin Park, Daft Punk, and Massive Attack.

Bands are encouraged to send recordings to the selection committee, which is made up of Summer Sonic staff and a division of the EMI Artists Dept. called Great Hunting.

They will hold live auditions and then choose the best bands to play at the festival.

In addition, Reservoir Records, a boutique label under the Toshiba EMI umbrella whose roster includes Belle & Sebastian and Babyshambles, will sign the bands to a contract and help them record an album that will be released on the label.

Furthermore, Creativeman will use the bands as opening acts for major foreign artists it brings to Japan on tour.

– Philip Brasor