‘Boom’ is perhaps the best word to describe the unforgettable, high energy performance of Accordion/singer sister duo- Charan-Po-Rantan. They brought their infectious mix of gypsy, balkan and vaudeville styled music to the aptly named ‘Gypsy Avalon’ stage Friday night here at Fuji Rock Fest.

But the stages were not always so extravagant and well attended as last nights’ for this eclectic and talented duo. Accordian player Koharu used to be a fixture on Tokyo’s busking circuit, belting out her tunes for passer by’s and at popular tourist spots around the city. Although doing quite well with busking, Koharu eventually realized that there was a larger demand for unique covers and popular songs spun in their own unique ‘Charan-Po-Rantan’ fashion.

The duo’s decision to head in a more mainstream direction has resulted in opportunities they could have only dreamed of back in their street-performing days. With their music now appearing in countless movies, commercials and TV shows, their shift in style has resulted in a new found success while still maintaining their signature flair.

And that flair was on full display last night, with the duo’s full band backing them up for nearly an hour performance. With Momo on vocals and her older sister Koharu on accordion, the duo led their full band through a number of high flying musical numbers. With the animated personality and musical prowess to match,
the energy rarely let up throughout the set and kept the audience craving an even deeper glimpse into the whimsical and wonderful world of Charan-Po-Rantan.