Saturday 23 July 2016

TIF 2016 Mini Survival Guide

Vienolossi at TIF2015, Photo from JPNews KR

Tokyo Idol Festival 2016 is just around the corner, idol fans all over Japan and even the world will converge to this major annual (some even say sacred) event. In just a week, Odaiba will be transformed into a massive idoru showcase with both mainstream and underground idols performing at different stages.

After reading fellow idoru comrade Henry's blogspot, I felt inspired to write up my own survival guide. Here are some of the pointers you can take note when attending TIF!

Take note all these pointers are taken from my own firsthand experience. Unless TIF adopts new rules, I think these will be adequate.





1) You Can Actually Watch Performances for Free!

 Yes, you heard that's right. "For Free!" Though this applies to outdoor stages. The perks of having a pass is having front row access and to enter indoor venues. However, if you are one of those people who just chanced upon TIF, you can watch shows afar and enjoy their performances. Previously for example the Hot Stage (2015 was outdoors, now moved indoors for this edition), Festival Stage (Outside Diver City near Gundam Statue) and the Smile Garden (field just beside the Miraikan). However, because of this, you might not see mainstream or popular idols like AKB48 or SUPERGIRLS gracing the stage.

Nijicon performance at Festival Stage during TIF 2015


Some performances can be shown live on TV and streamed online too. From my experience, torrents of performances sometimes go up at the end of the day! Talk about efficiency! Furthermore, you dont need a ticket to enter the merchandise and greeting area too. Though you'll be subjected to checks due to previous fan attacks on idorus.

 2) Sunblock and Water are Your Best Friend
Scene on top the Sky Stage. Photo from Tokyo Girls Update.

 Its summer, that equates to hot scorching sun! If you are from those countries that doesnt have an actual summer season, the extremely harsh weather will be quite a shock. I had the luck of attending TIF during one of the worst summers of the decade (TIF 2015). Apply loads of sunblock and drink lots of water. Have adequate shielding and loose clothing to protect yourself from the scorching sun. Vending machines will be sold out almost immediately at TIF but they do periodically restock every odd hour. And be prepared for long queues at 7-11. Shopping centres like Diver City and Venus Fort - Palette Town are nearby, you can purchase water from the vendings or supermarkets.

Perhaps Kakigori made by Nemo makes its return?


3) Prepare And Have A Backup Plan

 As of writing, TIF has just released its timetable. Part of first day will look like this:





With massive number of performers and stages, its inevitable that your planning would be disrupted. Take note that at certain stages, you'll be required to wait before entry (i.e. Doll Factory, Sky Stage). Its best you have a list of main performers that you want to see, then enter the stage early even if its not your idols performing. Who knows you might uncover some gems? Like I did when I waited for Afilia Saga and witnessed lyrical school for the very first time. Sometimes due to waiting time, you might miss your idol performance. This is true if they perform before big mainstream ones like  XXX48 family and IDOLSTREET groups.

Map for TIF2016


The stages are not exactly close to each other. The furthest stage is the Dream Stage and there's an additional 'Ship Stage', something new for this TIF. Also buppans and greetings have seperate timings and it might clash with other idol performances. Have a Plan B to avoid disappointment


 4) Check Social Media for Updates
2015 Idol booths at Greeting Area

Some idols dont have a slot at the greeting area thus they do 2-shots and handshakes at their booths. Some will announce timing of their buppans after their performance onstage. Others will post updates on twitter/website. Social media helped me alot time during Rev.from DVL's buppan. I got to know of a group shot opportunity from their main website and twitter, just a day before event!

2014 group shot with the legendary Kanna

Its great to mingle around and make wota friends as some will provided up to date info. I am glad to have some idol fans most notably the lyrical school 'heads' else I wont be able to get a 2-shot opportunity last year. Most of them are a friendly bunch and would be glad to promote their idols to us 'gaijins'.


Example of twitter updates: This one is from Shiomaru from Aoyama St Mecha High

5) Research. Or Do What The Romans Do
Screengrab of POP (Now called GANG PARADE) on Sky Stage.

 Sometimes you saw a group that captured your interest but you just dont know how to cheer. Fret not! Just observe how their fans does it. Usually, fans of the group will converge in the middle. Also, if you have targeted a group who you wanted to see, be sure to look through their live videos. A friend of mine got a shock when he went for idol group 'drop' and was caught in a mosh pit. Experience shouldnt be traumatic and just go with the flow.

6) Observe the Rules

 Last year's TIF has some pretty tough rules. Such as no lifting and crowdsurfing. Breaking these rules will either get you evicted out of the venue or to the most extreme, get the idol group taken off from the festival. The most famous one was with the group BISH. That notorious video of their Smile Garden performance cant be found, but from this short video snippet, you can observe the crowd getting a wee bit energetic and boisterous. Because of that they and POP got removed from TIF2015 Day 2 lineup.

7) Lower Your Expectations
Bustling scene outside TIF2015

 After lots of positive pointers, comes this: Expectations. With a massive amount of idols vying for all the available stages, dont expect most performances lasting more than 3 songs. That coupled with the fact they have a emcee introduction slot and preparation time before going onstage, performance time will be cut even drastically. In fact, its no surprises that you have idols perform just only 1 song! Some idols will do a short version of their songs so they can slot more throughout their timeslot. Some stages are lengthier than others (i.e. Hot Stage), some fans find it more worth it to attend those, while the other stages are for the less established ones. Personally, I prefer to go Hot Stage for groups that I have a liking for (i.e lyrical school) the other stages for those idols I've yet to see live.

Afilia Saga single cheki, you can get them at TIF!

So there you have it. Hopefully these can help you out to your first foray into TIF and make your experience a truly memorable one. On side note, you can find idols that were not invited walking around the venue giving out flyers of their groups. You can even sneak in a free 2-shot with them! That being said, the best is to go there and experience the atmosphere that is TIF~
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