The biggest shock to Tokyo of late was the closure of premier venue Liquid which had been running for the last nine years of so.The ending of an era of this venue is most probably due to the wanning appeal of drum’n’bass in Japan as this spot was the most important place in the whole of Japan to hear this musical genre but also a host of underground music over one of the best sound systems in Japan.The Shinijiku venue closed its doors finally after a rammed 2 day NYE party apty entitled ''The Last Dance'' which had hard techno DJ, Fumiya Tanaka with DJ Takkyu Ishino(from Denki Groove) spinning late into the first day of 2004.

New Years Eve's parties in Japan appeared not to be the usual foreign visitor affair that has occured in the last few years but for the second year running the mighty Brooklyn born Danny Tenaglia flew in from New York to grace the decks for a mammoth all music encompassing set at Ageha for NYE with tickets priced at around 50 quid !! Germany's Sven Vath & Canada’s Ritchie Hawtin also flew in to spin new years eve at Womb which over the last two years of opening has consistently proved its value for Tokyo. A massive event at the popular Eibu Garden Hall in Tokyo also introduced 2004 to a packed audience in the company of 4Hero, Pepe Braddock & United Future Organisation.

Foreign visitors which graced these shores of late include Carl Cox, DJ Rolando,Smith & Mighty. Meanwhile, Timmy Regisford with Joe Clausell and Blaze flew in from the USA to some live shows and DJing with Josh Milan on vocals at Yellow. Progessive House appears to be more popular than ever with home grown talent going head to head with recent visitors like Judge Jules ,Steve Lawler & Tim Deluxe.Other names of interest will spin in the month of January include Louie Vega,Theo Parish, Jazzy Jeff, Parks & Wilson, The 45 King, live band 2 Banks Of Four on tour with Gilles Peterson and the only drum & bass act for a while from overseas....Total Science. Maurice Fulton also spin here in January supported by Leaf recording artist Riow Arai with a gig at Yellow.

In February, Da Lata & Ursula Rucker both play in Tokyo and Kraftwerk are in town with a live performance at Shibuya Ax. French group Air start off a national tour with their first gig in the unusual venue of La Foret Museum in Roppongi.

On a jazz tip, Elvin Jones is here whilst Charlie Hayden & Kenny Baron played at Blue Note Tokyo 7th -10th of January.