It’s been a long wait for Kemuri fans. 6 years since they broke up, the same number of years since they were last on a Fuji Rock stage. Though the the ska punk unit got back together just in time for Air Jam last year, judging by the audience’s reaction it seemed like they had reunited exclusively for the FRF’13 crowd. That, and vocalist Fumio Ito shouting “the best memories we have are from Fuji Rock!” sounds like solid evidence to me.

Known for their motto PMA (Positive Mental Attitude), Kemuri practically ooze joy and enthusiasm. As do their fans.
As a foreigner researching a local band, even if your language skills are up to snuff and you’ve researched them until you go crosseyed, the truth of the matter is that you don’t know a band’s soul until you see them live. You can perhaps judge how they’ve affected the music industry as a whole terms of sales and stylistic impression, but not what matters—but how they’ve affected people’s hearts. By this standard, Kemuri may well be one of the greatest bands to ever grace Fuji Rock Festival.

While the measurement of reaction and interaction may hold true for any band, it felt particularly poignant while watching Kemuri play for a FRF audience after a 6 year hiatus. Since 2007 a lot of their fans have gotten married, had babies (including the members themselves), and in other ways “grown up”. But their love for Kemuri’s ska punk and positive vibes stays strong.

How strong?

During sound check, at every trace sound of a brass instrument, the crowd roared and clapped.

There was dancing, moshing and two-step, with no sign of stopping. Even those exhausted and/or drunk enough to flop down on the ground still waved their hands and bobbed their heads to the beat.

Just past halfway into Kemuri’s set, the crowd couldn’t hold back their enthusiasm any longer. People started careening over the railings to get into the central mosh pit area, security guards notwithstanding. Those that couldn’t make it over crowdsurfed into the back, only to crawl back to the fence for another shot at the sweaty death trap. To see more of that, click here.

Drinks, towels and other personal belongings went flying unreservedly throughout.

Babies and young kids were right in the midst of it, jostling around in their parents’ arms as they rocked out to new tracks and old memories.

No one (with my range of view) left until the last song finished. No mean feat at a fest with dozens of shows starting up shortly after or ongoing.

Not one person stood still, not one person wasn’t smiling.

It’s both humbling and disappointing to be a part of an experience like that. It’s almost like peering into a very personal exchange, where emotions are raw, heavy and unconditional. Disappointing, because this was the first show of the 3 days and you can only wonder if anything that comes after will move you even half as much.

2 and a half days to go though, and given that this is Fuji Rock, the odds are looking good.