INDEX
Shibuya PARCO’s 50th Anniversary DJ Party: A Resounding Success
Celeina: Returning to your connection with PARCO, I heard that in 2023, you held a DJ party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Shibuya PARCO. I understand it was a large-scale event that utilized the entire venue. What was it like?
Obukuro: I DJed with Rintaro Sekizuka, who runs the Vinyl Delivery Service, which ships Japanese records to London, using the ComMunE space on the 10th floor of PARCO. It was overwhelming with so many people, but it felt amazing to play such loud music right in the heart of the city. Plus, ComMunE has a semi-outdoor setup, which added to the sense of freedom and made it a really enjoyable experience.
Celeina： ComMunE has a unique atmosphere. When planning the party there, what aspects did you prioritize?
Obukuro: There were many live events happening on other floors of ComMunE, so I could feel the festive atmosphere from the PARCO staff. I played my DJ set in that same spirit. Also, I mainly used records for the DJ set. I think young people don’t have many opportunities to listen to records, and it’s rare to experience them at high volume. That’s why I wanted to create an experience where people could truly feel the power of records at full volume.
Celeina： I’ve never experienced the sound of records at such high volume myself.
Obukuro: There’s something about records that digital DJing can’t replicate. The physical kick of the drum hits your chest, and you can feel the sound with your body. Once you experience that, it changes the way you listen to music.
Celeina： I’ll definitely be at the next event. You’re currently based in London, but are there any cultural venues or influential spaces there similar to PARCO?
Obukuro: PARCO is so unique that I can’t think of any commercial facility that compares. PARCO has culture at its core, with a foundation built around spreading that culture. You don’t get that kind of environment in shopping malls. On the other hand, I feel that some select shops and independent stores in the city have a similar vibe.
Takano: Once again, I appreciate PARCO.
