Wikipedia

Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall

The Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall (Japanese: 日比谷野外音楽堂, Hepburn: Hibiya Yagai Ongakudō) is an outdoor theater in Hibiya Park, Tokyo, Japan.[2] There are actually two concert halls - the smaller was erected during the Meiji era, and the larger was first built in the Taishō era. The larger venue is colloquially abbreviated to "Yaon" (野音).[1][3]

Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall
Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall on a rainy day in 2023
Map
AddressTokyo
Japan
LocationHibiya Park
Coordinates35°40′20″N 139°45′15″E / 35.67236°N 139.75403°E / 35.67236; 139.75403
Capacity3,053 (Large Hall)[1]
1,075 (Small Hall)
Construction
OpenedJuly 1923 (1923-07)
Renovated1983
Website
Official website

Notable events

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The smaller music hall collapsed during the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, but was rebuilt.[citation needed]

The large music hall was first built in July 1923.[1][4] Initially, it was also used for other types of entertainment, such as boxing matches.[1] It was closed in 1943 due to the Pacific War,[citation needed] but rebuilt in August 1954.[4] Between 1982 and August 1983 it was completely rebuilt again.[4]

The Tokyo Shimbun referred to a September 22, 1969 concert at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall sponsored by guitarist Shigeru Naromo as the first full-scale rock event in Japan.[5] On April 13, 1975, during the final concert of the band Carol led by Eikichi Yazawa, a firecracker explosion following the last song caused the stage to catch fire and burn down.[1]

On April 19, 1987, three people were trampled to death as the audience rushed to the stage at the beginning of a concert by Laughin' Nose.[5][6] On September 20, 1987, Show-Ya held the first Naon no Yaon music festival at the venue. They held it annually for five years until 1991 and revived it for a one-off in 2008.[7] In 2013, Naon no Yaon was fully resurrected in conjunction with the 90th anniversary of Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall and has been held annually since.[8]

Elephant Kashimashi first performed at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in 1990, and it has become a tradition with them performing at the venue every year since.[9]

In 2018, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu hosted a concert commemorating the venue's 95th anniversary.[10] Beginning in April and set to continue until November, around 40 performances are scheduled to be held at the venue in 2023 in celebration of its 100th anniversary.[1]

The Tokyo government decided to rebuild Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in 2021. Plans include constructing a roof over the stage and the front row seats, and enhancing the backstage area as performers have complained the preparation and waiting areas are cramped and difficult to use.[1] Demolition of the existing hall is set to begin in or after fiscal 2024.[1]

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  •  
    The smaller venue c. 1909.
  •  
    The rebuilt smaller venue in 2012.
  •  
    The Japan Coast Guard band performing at the small hall in July 2009.
  •  
    The larger venue, c. 1926 – c. 1930.
  •  
    The rebuilt larger venue in 2019.
  •  
    Matenrou Opera performing at the large hall in November 2015.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "'Holy Land' Hibiya Park music hall to be rebuilt bigger and better". The Japan Times. 2023-06-29. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  2. ^ "Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall". Time Out Tokyo. Archived from the original on 2019-12-23. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  3. ^ "4/29開催「NAONのYAON」イベントレポート掲載！". Universal Music (in Japanese). 2015-04-30. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  4. ^ a b c "日比谷野音が90周年、伝説のイベント再び". Toyo Keizai (in Japanese). 2013-01-21. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  5. ^ a b "伝説生んだ日比谷野音、100年の節目に再整備へ 樹木伐採の懸念も…「歴史ある緑を後世に」". Tokyo Shimbun (in Japanese). 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  6. ^ "LAUGHIN' NOSE". Arabaki Rock Fest.16 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
  7. ^ "日本のガールズ・ロックを象徴するイベント「NAONのYAON」". Kayopops (in Japanese). WOWOW. 2021-06-15. Archived from the original on 2021-11-12. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  8. ^ "復活「NAONのYAON」にSHOW-YA、杏子、中川翔子ら". Natalie (in Japanese). 2013-02-07. Archived from the original on 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  9. ^ "エレファントカシマシ、中秋の名月が差す野音で新アルバム『RAINBOW』発表". Real Sound (in Japanese). 2015-09-28. Archived from the original on 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
  10. ^ "Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Hosts Concert With CHAI & Ken Hirai, Announces New Album". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
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