The 4th SonarSound Tokyo is maintaining its schedule and hopes both to contribute to the recovery of normal life in the Japanese capital, and to pay tribute to the victims of the recent catastrophe.

Sonar will be donating 25% of the money from tickets sold for Sonar Barcelona and Sonar Galicia between 23 March and 1 April to the Japanese Red Cross.

Since we heard the first news about the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in north-eastern Japan on Friday, 11 March, at Sonar we have been in permanent contact with our Japanese partners and friends to ascertain the true extent of the situation as it has developed.

Today Sonar, in agreement with Beatnik, its Japanese partner, has decided to go ahead with SonarSound Tokyo. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will make an immediate announcement should the circumstances change. We sincerely thank you for your support and once again wish to pass on our deepest sympathy to all of those who have suffered or been affected by these tragic events.

The close links between Sonar and Japan since the festival's early days have been vital in the decisions involved in managing the event at this delicate point in time. SonarSound Tokyo is a Japanese festival and in view of the country's efforts and desire to restore normality to life in Tokyo, Sonar feels that it should make a contribution by maintaining its scheduled dates.

On the basis that the festival should make a positive contribution for victims of the catastrophe, Sonar will be donating 25% of the money from tickets sold for Sonar Barcelona and Sonar Galicia between 23 March and 1 April to the Japanese Red Cross. We have also determined that profits from SonarSound Tokyo will be donated and that we will be collecting donations from artists, venue, suppliers and guests.

Sonar's relationship with Japan
In the words of Enric Palau, co-director of Sonar: Sonar's relationship with Japan, its culture and artists has been very fruitful since the very beginning of the festival. Over its 18-year history, Sonar has featured more than 80 Japanese artists, and since 2002 our relationship with the country has been even closer as a result of SonarSound Tokyo. But perhaps the most important thing in this relationship between Sonar and Japan is the strong links of friendship that we have established with many artists. That is why we are deeply concerned about the tragedy that the country is experiencing and we would like to express our sincere good wishes and solidarity with the Japanese artistic community and to all the country's citizens who have been affected by the tragedy, and we would also like to express our admiration and respect for the Japanese people's strength of character and courage in the face of this terrible situation.


SonarSound Tokyo 2011

SonarSound Tokyo 2011 will take place in ageHa-Studio Coast on 2 and 3 April, as initially scheduled, with a line-up of the highest level which features several of the most important artists on the international scene and strong contingent of Japanese musicians.

The performances by international artists include shows by American post-rock group Battles, Flying Lotus (a maestro of instrumental hip-hop) and Kode 9 and will also present some of the most important Japanese artists working today, such as the well-known names of Ryoji Ikeda and DJ Krush, as well as Y. Sunahara, Takagi Masakatsu, Rovo, Azzsssx, DJ Baku, Altz, Sabi, dot i/o, Daisuke Tanabe and Open Reel Ensemble, and the latter two will also be present in the line-up of Sonar 2011 in Barcelona, between 16 and 18 June.

SonarSound Tokyo is organised in collaboration with Red Bull Music Academy, which will stage its line-up in the smaller space at ageHa-Studio Coast.

Pls find more information of SonarSound Tokyo here.