Kemuri’s brand of ska is irrepressibly up beat and that’s why the Fuji Rock crowd loves them so much. In my notes for the show, I wrote down PDA instead of PMA (Kemuri’s short-hand for Positive Mental Attitude), but I think that slip up was actually more accurate as there was very much a sense of affectionate good feeling between the crowd and the band.

All this comes from the music, of course. “New Generation” had everyone wailing along to the sing-along sections, and working up a joyful sweat two-stepping in the sunshine. Other songs like “Ozora” had a rockier edge to them, and there was even a bit of down-tempo dub adding a groovier cool-down mid-way through the set.

“Fuji Rock is great whether it rains or shines,” Fumio addressed the crowd before starting the next song, “but I think you guys prefer the sunshine, eh?” He then instigated a massive, whole-crowd circle pit embracing the sound tent and far out into the depths of the White Stage boondocks while the band covered a Less Than Jake number. He then ordered everyone to speed things up and do it again for the Kemuri number that followed. While they all ran about the place, Fumio looked out over the crowd with a look on his face like it was the best thing he had ever seen.

The band finished off with “Sunny Side Up” a silly, cheerful song which demands much dancing and waving of hands, and which also required the participation of people from back-stage to partake in an ska-style choo-choo-train. It was impossible to walk away from that without a smile plastered across your face.
Kemuri – uplifting therapy for your jaded festival soul.

The followup is a frenzy of dancing, the crowd going crazy for the next three minutes. The band’s audience interaction is great, trying various Japanese phrases to great reception. Their genuine passion and energy rubs off onto and feeds off the crowd’s energy in a vicious circle. The sound delves into reggae and funk too, just to add more spice to their repertoire. There’s even enough energy going around to see their lead singer crowd surf, the first time I’ve seen that happen at the smaller Palace stage.

The intimate setting suits them perfectly and the closeness to the crowd only enhances the show. Eventually the show has to end but it does so to loud cheers. The sweat and smiles on not only the crowd’s faces but also the band’s was a testament to the sheer frenzy of joyful dancing they had inspired. These guys have a number of shows left (5:30pm Cafe de Paris today and 11am White Stage on Sunday). If you’re in the mood for dancing, get to these shows!