- There could have been no better advertisement for the Japanese electronic music scene than the week following Labyrinth 2011. Seeing Function, AKA Dave Sumner, play a club show brought my personal seven day techno bonanza full circle. Packed into Unit, locals threw themselves around the dance floor like maniacs. I now understand why Japan has been a favourite of electronic music artists for such a long time: The crowd is responsive, respectful and crazy. They're also some of the least pretentious people you could hope for at a club gig—egos were most definitely checked at the door.
Of course, it takes an artist like Function to build and mould an atmosphere like this. He cut a lone, isolated figure on the stage over the course of six relentless hours, and not once did he appear vulnerable. Equipped with a TR-909, he indulged in classics like Blake Baxter's "When a Thought Becomes You" and DJ Rolando's "Knights of the Jaguar," permitting excited revellers a little respite in between heavy, brutal and beautiful techno.
After spending a week in Tokyo, there is no doubt in my mind that the city's electronic music underground is not only alive, but thriving. Function's gig was but one amazing example that I was able to see. And by the time Sumner thanked his audience just after 7 AM, the club was still packed with sweaty dancers begging for an encore. Perhaps even the bloke having a sleep against the front barrier was dreaming of another couple of hours.