V-ROCK Festival 2011: Most Feel-Good Performance

All photographs courtesy of V-ROCK FESTIVAL '11.

Most Feel-Good Perfomance: SOPHIA

First of all, even though they were more mature than most of the bands at V-ROCK-FESTIVAL ’11 by at least a decade, SOPHIA have this undeniable adorable quality about them. It’s something about older men smiling like children while stalking the stage in animal print shorts above the knee paired with old-man socks. But the award is undoubtedly a musical one.

SOPHIA’s songs are definitely among the realm of rock’n’roll, but they have a friendliness to them most associated with pop. These songs will make you smile and relax so much you won’t want to ruin the moment by opening your mouth and hum along instead. “Machi” was the feel-good highlight of the whole event, hands waving throughout the huge arena, and the powerful vocals of the live performance only enhanced the experience.

Runner-Up: DaizyStripper

DaizyStripper happen to be responsible for one of the most feel-good songs known to visual kei in the year 2011, and it appeared in this set. “Sunday Driver” will have you humming, singing, and dancing along whether you want to or not, and by the time vocalist Yu-Giri is done instructing you in the gestures, you will want to dance.

By far the sparkliest band, DaizyStripper, with their eye-catching costumes and upbeat songs, have a way of disarming even the most prejudiced viewer. Their pop numbers are sweet and touching and their heavy numbers are powerful yet somehow still “feel-good.” You may be dizzy from slamming your brain around inside your skull as you frantically try to keep up with the crazy headbanging pace, but you’ll be grinning all the same.