Fuji Rock Festival 2010
June 19, 2010
Naeba, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, July 29-August 1
Fuji Forever
This month Japan will set out to prove that it can stage Asia’s best music event
Despite its isolated position on the world map, Japan has always had a remarkable ability to attract the finer things in life. There isn’t a French wine you can’t try, a designer label you can’t try on or a band you can’t rock out to.
Fuji Rock Festival (no longer located at Mount Fuji for typhoon reasons) has provided expectant masses from around the region with more rock over the years that you can shake your thumb and little finger at.
Orderly queues, edible food, litter-free, smiley beer attendants and clean toilets are standard practice – living up to its reputation as the “Glastonbury of Asia”.
A few hours’ schlep from Tokyo lands you at Naeba Ski Resort – home for a weekend for scores of the best live acts in the world.
Its remoteness is part of the attraction and the Alpine setting is a stunning backdrop for a musical showcase on a grand scale. That bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pixies, Coldplay and Oasis have graced its main stage is not bad for a place on the other side of the world.
Event pointman Johnnie Fingers (of Boomtown Rats fame), knows all about Fuji’s seclusion. He once had to cover a taxi fare from a band that had racked up tens of thousands of yen from Niigata airport. Rock bands, eh?
While the focus of the music is unmistakably guitar, vocals and drum-driven, there is also All Night Fuji that targets electronic-noise lovers. This year, AIR, LCD Soundsystem and Massive Attack are some of the more mainstream names to excite audiences interested in different sounds.
Here is a selection of other acts expected to rock Fuji this year…
Atoms for Peace
For years, Fuji revellers have been desperate to secure the services of Radiohead. This year, Thom Yorke does make it but with a new band that didn’t even have an official name until February.
Comprising the Chili Peppers’ Flea on bass, Radiohead’s producer Nigel Godrich (guitar and keyboards) and Joey Waronker on drums, this could be the start of a new supergroup. Without an album in the shops, check them out at Coachella on Youtube. I’m getting giddy just thinking about the prospect.
Them Crooked Vultures
Speaking of supergroups, how does a collaboration between John Paul Jones, Josh Homme and Dave Grohl grab you? The heady combination of Led Zepplin, Queen’s of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters/Nirvana hit the circuit for the first time last year on the back of their debut eponymous album.
As their name suggests, the musical overtones are fairly dark and there is more than a suggestion of that distinctive Stone Age sound. But I for one can’t wait to see them light up the Green Stage.
Old Fogies Collection
It wouldn’t be a rock festival without a few tried-and-tested wrinkly-rockers. This year there’s Roxy Music and John Fogerty. Although Frank Zappa’s been dead for quite some time, his son Dweezil pays tribute to his Dad on Friday at the Orange Court. And of course, there’s Ian Brown – is he old enough to qualify yet?
Best of the Rest
Returning to Fuji this year are Ash, Muse, Kula Shaker, John Butler Trio, !!!, The Cribs and Belle & Sebastian. There’ also MGMT and Scissor Sisters if they tickle your fancy. See you there I hope!
Text by James Moore, Photography by Kevin Utting
