Drawing as big a crowd as I’ve seen to Mokudo-tei, Good Luck Heiwa brought their paired down melodies to the small stage in the forest. Meandering songs using only a piano, drums, and an occasional whistle, the duo’s upbeat but quiet and meandering music could easily stand in for a Charlie Brown theme song, or perhaps likened to a hidden instrumental track from Sufjan Stevens’ “Illinois”. The bands setup sometimes includes horns and additional instruments for support, but for their outing at Mokudo-tei, they chose a more paired down vibe, one that went perfectly well with the sunlight filtering down through the trees.

Fans perched on tree trunks or sitting along the boardwalk snapped their fingers along, tapping their toes on the forest floor. The mood was decidedly chilled out and even during stage banter, then band spoke softly and quietly. The light and playful piano driven songs gave fans a chance to slow their afternoon down and gaze into the treetops, Good Luck Heiwa soundtracking the natural beauty around them.