Dream Power John Lennon Super Live

"So this is Christmas, and what have you done?" Well, if you’re a Lennon, you’ve probably been pretty busy. Come December 8th, young Sean will have wound down the Japan-leg of his world tour, and may well be at a loose end. He’s not on the official list of performers at this year’s Dream Power John Lennon Super Live, but his mum is, and the timing seems "coincidental" enough to suggest a possible duet on one of Dad’s old classics.

Or maybe not. He’s not one to stand in the shadows, is our Sean, and the only time he’s ever really taken the stage with one of the family was to support his mother’s much-heralded (and very much forward thinking) 1995 album, Rising. Still, given the nature of the cause, the possibilities are there.

Yoko’s Dream Power John Lennon Super Live is a regular fixture on the Tokyo live scene. Held annually on the anniversary of Lennon’s death (December 8th), the charity event is now in its 7th year. So far, funds raised have gone towards the completion of 65 schools in 18 countries across Asia and Africa (and if that’s not incentive enough to come jam with Mom, Sean, then we don’t know what is). If the event’s name strikes you as somewhat clumsy, Ms. Ono explains, "By each one of us having a dream, and by putting them together, those dreams, however small, will become a force capable of changing the world." Heck, it’s not the right time of year for cynicism… 3 cheers for Yuletide spirit, and 3 cheers for Mrs Ono-Lennon, Japanzine‘s favorite Obaa-Chan!

Having released two successful albums this year, Yoko will be headlining the event herself, with backup from an eclectic menagerie of J-pop artists, past and present. Whether Lennon would’ve approved of the likes of Chara or Kimura Kaera mauling his saintly produce is anyone’s guess, but with Kururi, Bonnie Pink and Love Psychedelico in the house, things could get interesting. At least the last two have a proven track record when it comes to handling English lyrics.

Until now, the event has taken place at the ever-so-unromantic Saitama Super Arena, an enormodome that also houses the world’s premier John Lennon memorial museum, the location of which baffles Beatles enthusiasts to this day. This year, however, the event has upped sticks and relocated to the Budokan, a venue that has – with a little help from Lennon and his friends – become synonymous with rock concerts. Tickets can be bought from the usual outlets for ¥8,500 a pop, and the event kicks off at 6pm sharp. Oh, and if you happen to bump into Sean anywhere en route, give him a nudge and let him know what’s what, eh? There’s a good boy. 

Now click here to read the exclusive Japanzine interview with Yoko Ono from earlier this year.