Tokyo’s concert scene searches for its next act

Tokyo’s live music industry is starting to turn inward — and it may not turn back. 

Last week, concert promoter Creativeman announced J-pop artist Ado as the final headliner for this year’s Summer Sonic festival. She joins American rock act The Strokes and compatriots L’Arc-en-Ciel for the event’s 25th anniversary being held Aug. 14-16. For the first time in Summer Sonic’s history, a majority of the headliners will be domestic.

Creativeman founder Naoki Shimizu elaborated on the decision in a note written in Japanese accompanying the announcement. He revealed Ado was partially a backup choice after plans to book “a rapper whose name starts with A” fell through following a shooting incident outside pop star Rihanna’s home in early March — suggesting her husband, A$AP Rocky, had been slated to appear.