How to Find Band Members in Gunma — Complete Guide to the Music Scene in Takasaki, Maebashi, and Kiryu

Gunma is my mother's hometown

Gunma is my mother's hometown. However, my mother's family home was in the mountains, a place far removed from band activities and music scenes. When I visited as a child several times, my memories are of green mountains, rivers, and quiet settlements.

That's precisely why I was excited to research "Gunma's music scene." I wanted to know what kind of musical atmosphere flows through my mother's hometown.

I researched, and I was amazed.

Takasaki was the "sacred ground of rock."

BOØWY, BUCK-TICK, back number — three bands that left their names in Japanese rock history were born from this city. Local media calls these three groups "Gunma's 3B," showing how deeply Takasaki and Gunma are connected to Japan's rock scene.

I never knew my mother's hometown had such a rich musical foundation. While writing this article, I felt a joyful surprise. I hope this article will be helpful to you if you're looking for band members in Gunma.

5 Ways to Find Band Members in Gunma

1. Use Member Recruitment Sites

First, I'd recommend trying Membo's member recruitment page. You can search for musicians active in Gunma by filtering through genre, area, and instrument. With 8-language support, you can also connect with foreign musicians living in Gunma. Maebashi and Takasaki have relatively large foreign resident populations, giving you opportunities to meet musicians from abroad.

For a detailed comparison of member recruitment sites and how to use them, see 5 Common Traits of People Who Can't Find Band Members and How to Fix It.

2. Attend Live Houses

Going to live houses in Takasaki and Maebashi to watch performing bands and chat with members of other bands is the most natural way to make connections. Gunma's band scene has a strong "tight-knit community" feel. If you keep showing up, you'll naturally be approached.

3. Participate in Jam Session Events

Regular jam session events are held, such as Club JAMMERS' blues session (first Friday of every month) and Kiryu VAROCK's open mic (second Friday of every month), where walk-ins are welcome. The emphasis is on participation rather than skill level, and newcomers are welcomed. How to Get Started with Jam Sessions is also worth reading.

4. Check Practice Studio Bulletin Boards

Local studios like Dustbowl Takasaki often have handwritten member recruitment flyers posted. It's also effective to tell studio staff that you're looking for members. How to Choose a Practice Studio is worth reading too.

5. Participate in Music Store Events

Music stores like Shimamura Gakki Keyaki Walk Maebashi regularly host workshops and jam sessions. They function as places where people who play the same instrument can meet, and can also be used for finding band members.

6 Selected Live Houses in Takasaki — The Heart of "Rock's Sacred Ground"

1. Takasaki TRUST55

An established live house founded in 1985. This legendary venue was frequented by bandmates from the BOØWY era during their youth, and accepts performers of all genres from acoustic sets to bands. The atmosphere created by its history of over 40 years cannot be found elsewhere.

2. Club JAMMERS

With a capacity of about 300, this is one of the largest live houses in the Kanto region. It's the core of Takasaki's music scene, handling everything from large events to independent band booking shows. A regular blues session is held every first Friday night, where guitarists, keyboardists, and bassists gather. Walk-ins are welcome, making it easy for newcomers to participate.

3. GUNMA SUNBURST

A live house and studio complex opened in 2008. In addition to live performances, it has equipment for recording. The environment naturally leads to "let's record together with the artist we just performed with," deepening connections between members.

4. the Groove TAKASAKI

A new space that opened in autumn 2022. Its intimate setting of 15-20 people puts performers and audience members extremely close together. Regular Open Mic Parties are held, attracting genre-less musicians beyond the traditional band framework. They also run their own label "Groove Records," where connections made here sometimes lead directly to releases.

5. Takasaki REFUGE

A live house located on the 6th floor of "Dustbowl Takasaki," one of the largest music complex facilities in the Kanto region. The green room features a large screen and bar counter, designed so that performing bands can spend time in the same space through to the after-party. Since the practice studio is in the same building, you can "rehearse and go straight to the main performance."

6. SLOW TIME cafe

A cafe and live space with an art bookshop, founded in 2006. It's a cultural hub in Takasaki celebrating its 20th anniversary in June 2026. Well-known artists like Hatakeyama Miyuki and Takano Hiroshi have performed here. The venue tends to attract singer-songwriters, folk, and jazz musicians rather than rock, making it a good place to meet musicians from different genres.

2 Selected Live Houses in Maebashi

7. Maebashi DYVER

The core live house in Maebashi's music scene. With a capacity of 200, it's the largest in Maebashi, and booking shows centered on indie band multi-band events are scheduled throughout the year. It's easily accessible from Takasaki and is a place where bandmates from all over Gunma gather.

8. Maebashi Accuracy

A live house and rehearsal studio complex opened in 2002. In addition to the main 150-person capacity performance hall, there's a small hall "D Studio" for about 30 people, allowing flexible accommodation of small performances and rehearsals. Since the studio is in the same facility, patterns like "we hit it off while sharing a studio for rehearsal" are more likely to occur.

Live House in Kiryu Area

9. Kiryu VAROCK

Kiryu's oldest live house, founded in 1983 and entering its 43rd year. In its unique basement-level atmosphere, genre-less events from rock and metal to DJ performances and comedy take place. The "VAROCK Night" every second Friday is open mic style, with a welcoming atmosphere for first-time performers. Its convenient 3-minute walk from Kiryu Station is also attractive—getting there by train is precious in Gunma.

Practice Studios in Gunma

Dustbowl Takasaki

A 6-story music salon, one of the largest in the Kanto region. It features 7 studios with member pricing at 1,500 yen/hour and 1,900 yen/hour for non-members. Individual practice starts at 500 yen, making it easy to use regularly. Free parking for 4 cars is a thoughtful touch in car-dependent Gunma. Takasaki REFUGE is located on the 6th floor of the same building, allowing you to complete everything from rehearsal to live performance in one place.

Shimamura Gakki Keyaki Walk Maebashi

Two rehearsal studios are on-site. Pricing is 1,210-1,760 yen/hour with high convenience in a commercial facility. Being able to buy strings or picks while renting a studio is a small convenience that adds up. If you tell shop staff you're looking for members, information may come your way.

Gunma vs Tokyo Studio Pricing Comparison

Just looking at studio costs, Gunma is 30-50% cheaper than Tokyo. Some bandmates from Tokyo have relocated to Gunma, and this cost difference makes that decision quite rational. For detailed cost information, see The Real Costs of Band Activities.

Jam Session Information in Gunma

Jam sessions are one of the shortest routes to finding members. If you bring your instrument and jump in, you might get asked "let's play together again" on the same day. For detailed participation methods, see How to Get Started with Jam Sessions.

Artists from Gunma — "Gunma's 3B" and Japanese Rock History

The biggest reason Gunma is called "the sacred ground of rock" lies in the following three bands. Local media affectionately calls them "Gunma's 3B."

Regarding BOØWY, three members—Kyo Himuro, Hotei Tomoyasu, and Matsui Tsunematsu—are from Takasaki City (drummer Makoto Takahashi is from Fukushima Prefecture). Formed in Takasaki in 1981, they transformed Japan's rock scene after moving to Tokyo. More than 38 years after their breakup, they remain charismatic, and Takasaki City has officially created a "Dear BOØWY" page as a point of local pride.

BUCK-TICK is a purely Gunma band with all members from the prefecture. Atsushi Sakurai from Fujioka City, Toshiro Imai, Hidehiko Hoshino, Toyoshi Higuchi from Takasaki City, and Toru Yagami formed the band in 1984 as classmates from Fujioka High School. They remained active for nearly 40 years until Atsushi Sakurai's sudden death in 2023.

back number's Iyori Shimizu is from Ota City, and Kazuya Kojima and Hisashi Kurihara are from Isesaki City. "Christmas Song" remains extremely popular, even appearing on Spotify's 2024 year-end chart.

Beyond these three, there are many other artists from Gunma.

Gunma's music scene has a sense of pride in producing rock stars from the local area. Starting a band in Takasaki is also about touching this DNA.

GFEST — Gunma Prefecture-Approved Music Festival

GFEST (Gunma Festival), held annually since 2023, is a full-fledged music festival with the full support of Gunma Prefecture and organized by Space Shower Entertainment. The venue is G-Message Gunma in Takasaki City.

GFEST.2026 is scheduled to be held on October 10-11, 2026, as a 2-day event. There are slots where local bands can perform, and musicians gather from all over during the festival period. Stories like "we formed a band with members we met at the festival" actually happen here.

Member Recruitment Service Comparison

If you're also considering foreign members, How Foreign People in Japan Find Band Members is also worth reading. With Membo, you can connect with members who have profiles in 8 languages including English, Chinese, and Korean.

How to Write Member Recruitment Posts for Gunma

The biggest point to keep in mind when recruiting members in Gunma is "transportation." Without well-developed public transportation, whether members have a car or not greatly affects your activity range.

Writing that lowers transportation barriers, keeping in mind Gunma's "car society," makes it easier to get applications. Simply stating "accessible by train" can also open possibilities with member candidates from the Tokyo area. The Reality of Drummer Shortage and How to Find One is also useful to read for instrument-specific search methods.

Overall Band Activity Costs in Gunma

With studio costs 30-50% cheaper than Tokyo, Gunma significantly reduces band activity running costs. However, keep in mind that more frequent car use adds gas and parking costs. For detailed monthly cost breakdown, see The Real Costs of Band Activities.

For information on live house performance fees, see How to Perform at a Live House — From Booking to Quota Fees. Small to medium-sized Gunma venues typically set relatively low quotas.

Cross-Prefecture Collaboration Options

Leveraging Gunma's location adjacent to the Kanto region and neighboring prefectures is also an effective strategy.

How to Find Band Members in Saitama is also helpful for connections with Saitama's band scene. It's about 30 minutes from Takasaki to Omiya by shinkansen, so "Gunma resident × active in Saitama" is quite realistic.

Once You've Found Members — First Studio Practice

Once you've assembled members, the first step is to get together in a studio and make music. Here are key points to keep in mind for your first practice.

For choosing initial cover songs, see How to Start a Cover Band or Complete Guide to Starting a Beginner Band. If you're unsure where to start, these articles are essential. Tips for Efficient Studio Practice is also helpful for how to progress with rehearsals.

If musical differences or direction conflicts arise, read How to Avoid Arguments Over Band Music Style. It explains 5 items you should confirm beforehand.

Impact of "Gunma's 3B" on the Music Scene

Gunma Prefecture, particularly Takasaki City, has continuously produced bands that transformed Japanese rock history. The three "Gunma's 3B" bands—BOØWY, BUCK-TICK, and back number—reached the top in different genres during different eras.

Band	Formed	Hometown	Achievements/Impact
BOØWY	1981	Takasaki City	Founded with Kyo Himuro (Takasaki) and Hotei Tomoyasu (Takasaki) at the center. Laid the foundation for rock band boom until disbanding in 1987. Pioneered bringing Japanese rock to the masses with hits like "B·BLUE" and "Marionette"
BUCK-TICK	1983	Fujioka City, Takasaki City	Formed by Fujioka High School classmates. Pioneer of visual kei with significant influence on subsequent bands. Continued for 40 years without member changes until Atsushi Sakurai's death in 2023
back number	2004	Ota City, Isesaki City	Founded by Iyori Shimizu (Ota City) in Isesaki. Became a representative band of the 2020s with national hits like "Suiheisen" and "Ai Love You." Multiple appearances on NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen

Why have so many great bands emerged from Gunma? One reason is Takasaki's musical environment. In a city of 370,000, over 9 live houses are densely packed, providing abundant opportunities for young bands to gain experience. Additionally, it's about 50 minutes from Takasaki to Tokyo by shinkansen. This distance—allowing local musicians to polish their skills while accessing Tokyo's scene—has fostered many musicians.

Because of this foundation, bands like G-FREAK FACTORY and FOMARE continue to broadcast from Gunma to the nation today. If you start a band in Gunma, you'll be stepping into this tradition.

Specific Procedures for Live House Performances and Session Participation

Participating in Gunma's live houses and sessions requires contacting each venue according to their specific methods. Below is a summary of the main venues' performance and participation methods.

Live House Performance (Booking) Procedure

Performances at Gunma's live houses typically follow this flow. For detailed procedures, also refer to "Booking Explained: Complete Guide to Live House Performance and Quotas".

1. Prepare recordings — Studio recordings or even smartphone recordings work. 3-4 songs are sufficient
2. Contact the venue via their official website or SNS — TRUST55 and GUNMA SUNBURST have web performance application forms. Club JAMMERS accepts applications via email or phone
3. Send recordings and profile — Include genre, activity history, band member composition, and preferred dates
4. Wait for booking manager's reply — Usually 1-2 weeks. Once you're confirmed for a multi-band event, ticket quota and day-of details will be provided

Gunma's live houses have lower quotas than Tokyo (typically 15-20 tickets at 1,500-2,000 yen each), making it easier to challenge your first live performance.

Session and Open Mic Participation Guide

Venue	Schedule	Genre	Fee Estimate	What to Bring	How to Register
Club JAMMERS (Takasaki)	First Friday of each month	Blues, Rock	1,500-2,000 yen (includes 1 drink)	Bring your instrument recommended (drums, amps provided)	Walk-ins OK. First-timers recommended to check SNS or call ahead
VAROCK (Kiryu)	Second Friday of each month	All Rock genres	1,000-1,500 yen	Bring your instrument (drum set provided)	Same-day participation possible. Confirm on official SNS before visiting
K-NOTE (Takasaki)	Every Sunday	Jazz, Pop	Around 2,000 yen (includes 1 drink)	Bring your instrument (piano provided)	Same-day participation possible. Many regulars, so arriving early and greeting people smoothly on first visit

Sessions are detailed in "How to Get Started with Jam Sessions", but Gunma's sessions, with fewer participants than Tokyo, often allow longer per-person performance times. Most venues have a welcoming atmosphere for beginners, so start by observing.

Gunma vs Tokyo vs Saitama — 3-Area Comparison

For those unsure whether to pursue band activities in Gunma, Tokyo, or Saitama, here's a comparison of the three areas across 7 categories.

Item	Gunma (Takasaki/Maebashi)	Saitama (Omiya)	Tokyo (Central)
Studio cost (1 hour)	1,500-2,500 yen	2,000-3,000 yen	2,500-4,000 yen
Live quota	15-20 tickets (1,500-2,000 yen)	20-25 tickets (1,800-2,500 yen)	20-30 tickets (2,000-3,000 yen)
Member candidates	Limited (few recruitment site registrations)	Moderate (includes Tokyo area candidates)	Most (gathered from nationwide)
Tokyo access	Takasaki→Tokyo shinkansen 50 min / local train 2 hrs	Omiya→Tokyo shinkansen 25 min / local train 30 min	—
Parking	Free to 500 yen common	Paid (500-1,000 yen)	Paid (1,000-2,000 yen), some venues without
Rent (1K average)	30,000-50,000 yen	50,000-70,000 yen	70,000-120,000 yen
Music festivals	GFEST (prefecture-approved), Takasaki Music Festival	VIVA LA ROCK	Multiple (SUMMER SONIC, etc.)

Gunma's greatest strengths are low costs and car society convenience. Studios come with parking facilities, making it easy to transport large equipment. Unlike Tokyo, you don't have to worry about the last train.

However, Gunma has fewer member candidates than Tokyo or Saitama. That's why using 8-language recruitment services like Membo to reach beyond Gunma to Tokyo and Saitama is crucial. It's only 30 minutes by shinkansen from Takasaki to Omiya, 50 to Tokyo. Rehearsing in Tokyo studios on weekends is entirely realistic.

For detailed comparison, also reference "How to Find Band Members in Saitama".

Member Recruitment Service Comparison — Which Works for Gunma?

Which recruitment service you use for finding band members in Gunma makes a big difference. Here are the 5 major services compared by ease of use in Gunma.

Service	Gunma Registrations	Multilingual Support	Area Filtering	Fee	Features
Membo	Limited (growing)	⭕ 8 languages	⭕ City/town + map	Free	Translate chat lets you find foreign members. Reach Gunma's foreign residents
OURSOUNDS	Moderate	✕	○ Prefecture	Free	Long-standing site. Gunma category available
with9	Limited-Moderate	✕	○ Prefecture	Free	Member recruitment specialist. Fewer Gunma posts
Band Member Recruitment BBS	Limited	✕	○ Prefecture	Free	Bulletin board format. Regional posts get lost quickly
Jimo-tei	Moderate	✕	⭕ City/town	Free	Community-focused but not band-specific. Mainly instrument sales

In areas like Gunma with limited recruitment posts, posting on multiple services simultaneously is the rule. Furthermore, Gunma has areas with many foreign residents, like near Subaru's plant in Ota City. Membo's 8-language support lets you reach foreign musicians unavailable on Japanese-only sites.

How to Write Recruitment Posts for Gunma

How you write recruitment posts significantly affects response rates. Here's a comparison of good and bad examples with Gunma-specific points.

Item	Good Example ✅	Bad Example ❌
Activity Area	"Studio practice around Takasaki Station. Also considering Tokyo live performances"	"Active in Gunma"
Practice Location	"Using Dustbowl Takasaki. Free parking so you can come by car"	"Studio to be discussed"
Access	"Walking distance from Takasaki Station. 50 min by shinkansen from Tokyo, so Tokyo residents welcome"	No mention
Genre	"Influenced by Gunma-based rock like BOØWY and BUCK-TICK. Original music focused"	"Rock-based"
Benefits	"Studio costs under 1,000 yen per person. Free parking. Practice without worrying about last train"	No mention

Gunma's biggest selling points are "low costs" and "car society freedom." Telling Tokyo residents specifically "50 minutes by shinkansen" and "free parking" allows recruitment beyond just Gunma. For detailed recruitment writing, "5 Common Traits of People Who Can't Find Band Members and Solutions" is helpful.

Summary — My Mother's Hometown Had a Sacred Ground of Music

I never expected my mother's hometown to have a music scene. It was hard to associate Gunma's music world with the mountain family home.

But now, I'm proud that Takasaki was once a rock sacred ground.

BOØWY, BUCK-TICK, back number — the fact that these three bands emerged from Gunma completely invalidates the excuse "we can't make it in the countryside." Place is not the issue. People and passion create music. That evidence is stacked up in Takasaki.

Your music can start in Gunma too. You can add your name to the 40-year history of Takasaki TRUST55.

First, try finding musicians active in Gunma from Membo's member recruitment page. With 8-language support, you can reach both Japanese and foreign residents in Gunma.

There are guides for other regions too:

• How to Find Band Members in Saitama (neighboring prefecture guide)
• Regional Band Member Search Methods (nationwide overview)
• 5 Common Traits of People Who Can't Find Band Members and Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you find band members in Gunma?

Yes, you can. Takasaki has over 9 live houses and jam sessions happen weekly. However, there are fewer candidates than Tokyo, so posting on multiple recruitment services like Membo and OURSOUNDS simultaneously and reaching Saitama and Tokyo candidates is important. With Takasaki to Omiya just 30 minutes by shinkansen, cross-prefectural band activity is quite realistic.

Which is better for band activities, Takasaki or Maebashi?

Takasaki dominates with more live houses (6+). It's where BOØWY and BUCK-TICK were formed, making it the ideal base for rock bands. Maebashi has DYVER and Accuracy and, with lower population density, enjoys easier studio booking. Since the cities are 30 minutes apart by car, using both strategically is best.

Is commuting from Gunma to Tokyo studios realistic?

Takasaki to Tokyo is about 50 minutes by shinkansen, 2 hours by local train. Monthly 1-2 rehearsals are definitely doable. The typical Gunma-based band style is individual practice locally with weekend Tokyo studio sessions. Shinkansen discounts bring round-trip costs to around 3,000 yen. See "How to Choose a Band Practice Studio" for details.

Is Takasaki really a rock sacred ground because of Gunma's 3B?

BOØWY (formed 1981), BUCK-TICK (1983), and back number (2004) have continuously produced nationwide bands for over 40 years. G-FREAK FACTORY and FOMARE are currently active too, and the prefecture-approved GFEST festival runs annually. Live house density and Tokyo access have continuously fostered talent.

What kind of festival is GFEST?

GFEST (G-Fest) is Gunma Prefecture-approved music festival organized with G-FREAK FACTORY at the center. It features both local Gunma bands and nationwide artists, symbolizing Gunma's music scene. For local bands, it's a major opportunity to perform on a large stage.