Next year, the rock band POLYSICS will celebrate their 25th anniversary.
They have been active not only in Japan but also overseas, and have captivated fans with their one and only sound. The first fan community “CLUB TOISU” since last year has been established at Fanicon.
It's easy to think that rock bands aren't familiar with the fan community, so what kind of thoughts do you have
Did they launch “CLUB TOISU”?
We asked members Hiroyuki Hayashi and Mr. Fumi about the circumstances leading up to establishment and their impressions of actual use.
――What led to the establishment of the fan community “CLUB TOISU”?
Hayashi Hiroyuki: At first, honestly, “Let's do it!” It wasn't like that, was it?
Fumi: I wasn't sure if POLYSICS fans were interested in fan clubs. Rock bands don't have many fan clubs, and I thought the fans might be confused. However, in the midst of not being able to perform live due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted a place where I could communicate more with fans, so I decided to try it out.
Hiroyuki Hayashi: Rather than nothing moving here and now, I felt like I was going to try it. I called the musicians around me and said, “Isn't that okay?” Being told that was also a big deal.
――The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was huge, wasn't it?
Hiroyuki Hayashi: Yes. Up until now, I've been working on the trend of making sound sources and going on tours... so I was extremely worried that I wouldn't be able to do that. I was also overwhelmed by the atmosphere and felt depressed, and I was also worried that the fans would leave more and more due to not being able to perform live.
So, it was great to be able to work through Fanicon, and at least I was able to connect with fans here.
Fumi: If it weren't for Fanicon, “would it be better to force them to do a live concert?” You might think that, but thanks to Fanicon, I think I was able to switch my mind and communicate with fans in a different way.
――What kind of impression did you get from actually communicating with fans at Fanicon?
Fumi: I thought it would be possible to have more intense communication than social media such as Twitter and Instagram. The fans are also relaxed, and there is a sense of relief.
Hiroyuki Hayashi: I'm not the type to feel free to post on SNS, so it makes me nervous. But with Fanicon, you can post something as useless as Twitter in the old days.
Fumi: Since it was established, private ones have been released to Fanicon. I want to properly differentiate myself from Twitter, Instagram, etc.
――Are there any Fanicon features you particularly like?
Hiroyuki Hayashi: Maybe it's streaming after all.
Fumi: I haven't done a broadcast until now, so I think it's best to do it in a private atmosphere.
Hayashi Hiroyuki: In particular, member Yano doesn't appear very well, and they only post on Fanicon, so I thought it would be good for core fans (laughs)
Fumi: “I can watch Yano's live stream!” I mean. Super rare content (lol)
-- (Laughter) It is said that it hasn't been distributed until now, but did you feel any hurdles when streaming on Fanicon?
Hiroyuki Hayashi: At first, I was really prepared! I was practicing broadcasting for members.
Fumi: I was so nervous.
Hiroyuki Hayashi: I wonder if I have to do a project like “Wasabi Sushi Roulette” (laughs). But when I actually tried it, I realized that it's important to have fun casually talking to the fans and getting the conversation derailed by one thought from the fan.
――If you're using Fanicon, are there any points that aren't enough in terms of functionality?
Hayashi Hiroyuki: I feel lonely after streaming alone (laughs)
Fumi: It would be nice if each member could participate from a different location and collaborate on the broadcast.
Hiroyuki Hayashi: The other day, after writing a song with Fumi, the two of them shared it, but after all, the two of them had a different excitement than usual, so I'd like to do a collaborative broadcast.
――Please let me know if there is anything you think was particularly good about playing Fanicon.
Hiroyuki Hayashi: Until now, we've never communicated with fans in this way. We just talked a little bit at the event, so Faniocn is so fresh and fun.
Fumi: “How was that song that was performed live the other day?” Having a conversation like that with a fan is interesting, isn't it?
Hiroyuki Hayashi: I've had quite a few stories about “I like POLYSICS music!”
Fumi: I'm happy.
Hiroyuki Hayashi: Until now, it's been “let's make more interesting things out of our various drawers”
I was just thinking about it, but when I play Fanicon, I also notice the feeling within myself that “I want to entertain and make the people around me even more happy.”
That was fed back into songwriting, and I don't think I would have noticed until I did Fanicon.
――I'd like to hear about any activities you'd like to do using Fanicon in the future.
Hiroyuki Hayashi: I plan to continue my activities at Fanicon even if I resume touring. I think it would be nice if we could suggest a different way for the fan community than during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fumi: Yes. It would be nice if it could be linked well with the tour.
――Next year is also the 25th anniversary of the milestone year. Are there any activities planned?
Hiroyuki Hayashi: The 25th anniversary concert on March 4th is the opening day of the 25th anniversary year, so I'd like to have fun with the fans for 1 year from there. I wasn't able to go to rural areas either, so it would be nice if I could go during the 25th anniversary year.
Of course, I'm also making new songs, and I want to keep busy and have fun, including myself.
――Finally, please leave a message for “CLUB TOISU” members.
Hiroyuki Hayashi: POLYSICS is confident about entertaining, so I want them to continue to trust that!
Fumi: Thank you for your continued support!
――Thank you very much for today.
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If you want to deepen interaction with fans and want to make running a fan club easier than it is now, then Fanicon is useful.