Eye in the sky
Given his mercurial nature as a musician and human specimen, it's nearly impossible to predict what Boredoms/Vooredoms front man Eye Yamatsuka will "perform" for his Planet Groove set at the Red Marquee Friday night. But he will have just returned from a very unusual cruise that should prove inspiring for an artist of his peculiar temperament.
From July 20 to 23, the Boredoms, along with Gang Gang Dance, Goma, and bunch of DJs, will be on board a rented Russian ferry boat for what is being called "The Lucy in the Sky With Diamond Ring Tour." On July 22, the Saros 136 solar eclipse will take place, and the Boredoms mean to be performing as it unfolds. Apparently, the moon will cover the sun for six minutes and 39 seconds, which is pretty long, and the "umbra" of the eclipse will move over a path that lies between China and the Southern Pacific. The best viewing point will be somewhere off the southern coast of Japan, and the organizers (appropriately called Tokara The Sun & Moon Festival) plan to be right there when it happens. If it's cloudy, expect a gnashing of teeth that can be heard as far north as Sendai.
But this ain't just some hippie pile-on. It'll cost you ¥168,000, but that includes organic food (natch), a bed, and even an area where the kids can hang out if you actually have the wherewithal to bring your kids. My guess is that anyone with the financial wherewithal to make the trip can do anything he/she wants.
-Phil
