FUJIROCK EXPRESS '13 ENG Ver. » 7/27 SAT

A Man of Many … Um, Talents

Shawn Despres — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:04:01 +0000

We mentioned earlier how although the new Busker Stop had some scheduled performances from the likes of one-man blues band Benjamin Tehoval and Kenji Jammer (who is better known as Simply Red’s Kenji Suzuki), the stage was also open to anyone at the fest who had a talent they wanted to share.

On Saturday, I came across this gentleman sharing his skills for a few dozen spectators. After inflating a balloon with his nose, he then stretched a rubber glove over his head and proceeded to also blow it up with his schnoz. As he made it bigger and bigger, more folks rushed over to grab pictures. When the rubber glove eventually exploded, he received lots of applause and laughter from the crowd. He even made a few tips too!

MTV / Gan-Ban area

Ben Olah — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 10:49:53 +0000

Everywhere you go in Fuji Rock, people are having a good time but each stage or performance space seems to exude its own special aura which envelops the audience. It could be that the variations in the vibe of each area is reciprocal and doesn’t just come from the music and the decorative atmosphere of the particular area but the interaction between the people enjoying the music and the artists performing it. A succinct illustration of this is the MTV / Gan-Ban area which is tucked away on the left side at the back of the main food square near the Red Marquee. It may be small but the DJ tent, T-shirt booth and a stage for artists who have played at Fuji Rock to meet their fans is always buzzing with positive energy. This is also where you can get the coolest T-shirts at the festival, with this year’s best for sure being the MTV / Beavis and Butthead / Gan-Ban shirt (so cool in fact that the singer from Killswitch Engage wore one while his band performed on the White Stage).

DJ SCRATCHY

shoji — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 02:46:06 +0000

MITSUME

mana — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 02:44:53 +0000

Mitsume have slowly been emerging from Tokyo’s crowded indie-rock scene, drawing larger crowds in their hometown and getting more prominent placement at music stores across the country. Their midnight set at Rookie A Go-Go confirmed their rising status. They drew a nice-sized number of fans, before they even started. Mitsume is far from a flashy band, but rather an outfit that rewards with patience. They build simple guitar loops accented by the occasional offbeat sound (like the synth splashes on “Utsuro”), and the vocals often seem like just another rhythmic element to their songs. It would be easy to dismiss what Mitsume do as “pleasant,” but focus in and you could hear a lot more interesting ideas bubbling just beneath the surface.

YOUR SONG IS GOOD

sakaue — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 02:37:47 +0000

THE HOT 8 BRASS BAND

mana — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 02:29:04 +0000

These guys could well have been the hardest working band at this years festival. I was fortunate enough to see them do this performance at the Palace of Wonder as well as play the following night at Naeba Shokudo and both times they put in 110%. Not only that but also played a third show on an even bigger stage, the Field of Heaven, earlier in the day on Sunday. For a standing around strumming on guitars or a DJ spinning records, 3 shows in three days may be impressive but this team of brass and percussion musicians who started out in New Orleans in 1995 make their music with sweat and burning power. Although most of their songs have no lyrics, the message behind their music is extremely serious and they have worked actively to aid survivors of hurricane Katrina as well as raise awareness about the need to reduce violence in society. Perhaps it is the hardship they have endured that makes their songs overflow with passion for the memory of the 4 members of the band who have died since its inception (three of whom passed away at the hands of violence on the streets of New Orleans).

WILKO JOHNSON

sakaue — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 02:20:55 +0000

The hottest ticket in town last night was Wilko Johnson as he had a line that easily spanned the length of the entire Palace of Wonder. It was a fitting tribute to a man who has done so much for music that festivalgoers would line up so early for yet another show.

The bad news was that only about one third of the audience was able to enter the venue but the good news is that he is playing once again on the Green Stage so absolutely no one will go away without seeing Wilko.

Tonight there was no absence of energy from the overhead lighting rigs to the pumped up crowd waiting for Wilko’s signature duck walk and machine gun guitar attack. He was flanked by long time bassist and a drummer who held a perfect beat. The show was off the charts with energy with even the bartender getting on top the bar for a better view. Occasionally a break was ordered for the benefit of those in front who were getting squished, as Wilko told everyone to please take one step back. This was repeated many times during the night!

No one left the show while Wilko was onstage and many more will undoubtedly greet him on the Green Stage this afternoon.

DR.IHARA (CLUB SKA)

mana — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 02:18:18 +0000

ADAM DEITCH DJ SET

shoji — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 02:17:03 +0000

RAPHAEL SEBBAG

kim — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 02:15:44 +0000