how fuji rocked

A rock festival these days just ain't the same without an abundance of Chuck Taylors.


Fuji Rock was possibly one of the best organized festivals I have ever attended.

Upon entering the site everyone was handed a plastic bag in which to put their trash. All smokers carried their own personal portable ashtrays and the recycling receptacles were amazing, they even had people working at the bins to make sure items were thrown into the appropriate places.

The crowd was great, I was up front for 2 of the 4 shows I attended and I didn’t get crushed. The only time people started getting a little bit rowdy was during Broken Social Scene’s encore song? A small yet very civilized mosh formed in front of me, I think one person may have crowd surfed. Broken Social Scene were the only band I saw get an encore! It was my first time seeing them live and they played a really great set. All the Canadians gathered at the front for a little taste of home.

The highlight of the day was a band called Rhinoceros from France. They’re AC/DC meets Daft Punk/Chemical Brothers. Everyone was dancing up a storm for their set, I’m now a fan! Check them out if you get a chance. www.rinocerose.com.

I tried to watch the Raconteurs but I had to leave after the first two songs. It felt like I was watching a band who had rehearsed maybe a handful of times before playing this massive festival. I had never seen Jack White before so I thought I’d give his music a whirl but this project was really disappointing. Matt and I decided to go check out Buffalo Daughter instead which was rather interesting. I needed to be on hallucinogens for these guys, their average song was about 20mins long. Good times.

Another highlight was the Happy Mondays set!! They were in fine form. The sound was amazing and many happy gaijin jumped up and down at the front. They ended their set with 24hr party people which was very appropriate.

After the live entertainment died down Matt and I got some food at the international food fair and tried to find somewhere a little quiet time before Bez’s 4am dj set. It was really cold outside. We didn’t bring any warm clothes so the only solution was to warm up to these candles for a while and just keep dancing.

Bez’s set was like going to any Britpop night in good ol Toronto. He played Primal Scream, Oasis, Kasabian, Charlatans, Gorillaz, and many other great hits. Happy Monday members were dancing on the stage as the crowd went wild and Bez did his little signature hop dance. It was a terrific way to end the festival! An intimate gathering with the Mondays in a festival tent on a ski resort in Japan.

This isn't Bez as you may have guessed but Bez was whispering in this guys ear what he wanted to hear next.

Any disappointments? As usual it’s always tough having to endure portopoties at any big event but squat toilets are definitely heaps better. Here’s a shot of the men’s room…

I’d definitely attend this festival again if given the chance. Next time I’d get some camping gear and go for all three days.

Listening to rinôçérôse