Event report: Heavy Metal Night – a DJ event in Roppongi
Marty Friedman appeared as a special guest at a heavy metal DJ event in Roppongi.
Heavy Metal Night – 80s HM/HR DJ Event Vol. 20 at Maharaja, Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan on 6th January 2024
Yes, heavy metal disco is a thing. At least here in Japan. It’s great fun too. It is a rather peculiar cultural phenomenon built around a community of fiercely loyal and dedicated metalheads. On this early Saturday night at a Roppongi night club, the metal DJs, Japanese chaps with impeccable taste in music, were joined on stage by people lip-syncing and playing air guitar while dressed up as the likes of Dave Mustaine, Alice Cooper, Dee Snider and Michael Monroe. Additionally, three ladies in fancy costumes danced on stage and we got treated to a special guest appearance by real-world guitar wizard Marty Friedman.
During Marty’s half-hour guest appearance on stage (as part of a four-hour event), the DJ played an excellent and fun selection of melodic 80s metal songs by bands such as Poison, Pretty Boy Floyd, Faster Pussycat, EZO, Motley Crue, Kix, Teeze and Raven. Marty seemed to enjoy himself as he dug the music, danced around with the girls and even played a bit of air guitar. There and then he connected with the metalheads in attendance. We are all just a bunch of people who love heavy metal. Marty is a guitar maestro, but he is also excellent at connecting with his fans. I got the impression that this kind of laidback event appearance where he didn’t have actually to play the guitar, suited him well. His fans loved seeing this fun side of Marty.
As has always been the case with the concerts that promoter UPP-tone puts on, this heavy metal disco was put together with love. Husband-and-wife team Yasukazu Takahashi and Hiromi Sugou and their colleagues live for heavy metal, metal they bleed. Tokyo’s metalheads are grateful for their service. For those about to rock, we salute you!
HEAVY METAL NIGHT HM/HR DJイベント！ あの伝説が再び蘇る！ 新宿ツバキハウスヘヴィメタルナイト完全再現！ | Facebook
