My solo music festival experience: A day at the Metropolitan Rock Festival

September 5, 2024

TOKYO – On a weekend in May, I went to the Metropolitan Rock Festival — also known as Metrock — at Wakasu Park in Koto Ward, Tokyo. There were three stages and 20 acts, including solo artists and bands, with each playing for 30 to 60 minutes from mid-morning to just before 9 p.m. A one-day ticket for the festival cost ¥13,000, including tax.

Since I did not know many of the participating artists, I listened to their songs on the eve of the festival to familiarize myself with them. So I felt a little sleep-deprived by the time I got to the festival.

First, I looked at all the people around me. Some people stayed near the largest stage all day long, while others moved around between the three stages. There were many people standing near the front, wildly shaking their heads and bodies, while others sat on the lawn at the back and ate something while listening to the live performances.

There were many families and groups of friends, but I found some people who were apparently alone. Hisashi Okawa, a company employee from Mitaka, Tokyo, was one of the festivalgoers who came by themselves. “Here, I feel free to yell really loud, unlike usual situations. Also, the breeze makes me feel relaxed and being here relieves my stress. I like the sense of togetherness I feel at the festival,” he said delightedly.

A 27-year-old male company employee from Nagoya was sitting down and listening to one of the performances. He talked about how he liked going to music festivals solo, saying, “Since I’m here by myself, I don’t have to worry about when to listen to whom and when to eat. When my favorite artist plays, I go to the front and yell as loud as I can.”

The crowded food area. PHOTO: THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN

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