News

Harajuku Autumn Ball

• 16th Aug 2010

Date: Tuesday 24th August
Event: Harajuku! Autumn Ball 2010
Venue: Proud, Camden. The Horse Hospital, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AH
Phone No. 020 7482 3867
Door Time: 7pm – 2am
Price: £5 advance / flyers
Bookings: link / 08444 771 000 / mail

HARAJUKU! returns by popular demand when Criminal Records presents the Harajuku! Autumn Ball at Proud Gallery, Camden on Tuesday 24th August. As the latest installment of London’s most notorious Japanese themed club night, the event features eight different themed rooms, celebrating Japanese wonders like Geishas, Lolita’s, Comics, Gaming, Origami, Karaoke, Manga, Art and a mix of Live Bands, Indie Music and JPOP.

Harajuku! fashion is all about celebrating a love of Japan, being creative and mixing together different styles and influences, and has proved to be incredibly popular internationally. The fashion element is also a potent theme with the event fast becoming a key stop for a number of the freshest London designers. Party goers mix together different styles and influences and the competition for the best dressed character is fierce. Some characters dress up as idols from Anime Movies while others focus on the looks of Gothica or Lolita.

The event has already gained a reputation with gaming communities as a great place to meet, socialise and play. At the new location, Harajuku! will be an even better experience as the night will benefit from its own Gaming Zone. Camden gamers will be able to choose from the large variety of PS3 and Wii games to play on the large screen including Xbox Rock Band, or bring their own handheld consoles to play in their own private area.

Manga aficionados will also have their own zone in one of themed ex-horse hospital stables, with screenings of Manga and Anime all night. Other themed zones include the BYODJ, featuring a bring your own MP3 player listening party, to share the best recommendations of Jpop with others and get new tips. This is not to mention the Karaoke Zone where attendees can party in true Japanese style!

There are various co promoters and Japanese event organisers involved including the DS Lite Group for handheld gaming, Teracotta Film who will be playing clips from their latest film 'Big Tits Zombie' in 3D as well as providing prizes for the Best Dresser Cosplayer! There are also London groups such as London Alternative and the Harajuku and Cosplay group involved.

Event Page: link
More Event Info: link
Tickets: link
Facebook Invite: link

LIVE PERFORMANCES

THE KUT, are the show headliners. An all female dark indie rock band, who have been making waves in the UK and beyond, The Kut have already been reviewed as “the best all female band the UK has ever produced”. Currently in the studio recording their debut album, 'Lies My Mother Told Me' for release late this year, expect sultry vocals, kick ass guitar solos, strong songs and powerful melodies. Rave reviews all round make The Kut a must see band in 2010. link

M-TIGERS TAEKWONDO PERFORMANCE
Expect a spectacular performance of Martial Arts at its best, from London’s favourite multi-arts fighting group.
link

CAPELLE a hard rocking combo who came to prominence at the O2 Undiscovered competition. Combining over-driven '60s inspired Rock with tinges of Electro and Hip Hop, Capelle master a unique sound that will get melodists and headbangers all united in one big party.
link

IRAQ, a female fronted indie pop band, with hints of Morrisey and charming 80's swagger.
link

MATANIU, an 8-piece experimental combo which showcases an amazing variety of sounds and influences that create the perfect backing for the unique songwriting and amazing vocal abilities of singing goddess Mataniu.
link

FUZZ VALENTINE,a three piece fuzz-infected indie band from London, who combine boyish wonder with skittish pop music. Their single 'Far' received extensive airplay on London's Xfm. Get ready for a treat!
link

Plus Indie, Beats and Jpop from Criminal Records DJs.

THE STORY SO FAR
Sunlight swept across the city that afternoon. The streets were decorated with flamboyant characters and powerful imagery. characters who were happy and curious, daring and confident. coloured hair and painted faces, anime, lolita and cybergoth. some cute, some bold, tailored and precise, these high fashion icons lit the streets and the air was empowered by freedom, self expression and celebration. and so was born a new chapter in the tale.

Back in london there was panic. the city was phased with concrete and gloom. smoke bellowed from the chimneys whilst crowds of office works gathered outside the internet cafes in the rain. cogs turning in the machine, their sorrowful faces were the same that stare upward from their newspapers on the tube. Politicians stared out of the windows in despair and suddenly it was clear to see that the sand in the hour glass was running low.

It was time to begin. To escape….. It was time to return to Harajuku!