FUJIROCK EXPRESS '19

MOREFUNAREA REPORT7/29 – (AFTER)

Best of the Fest: Laura

  • Best of the Fest: Laura

Photo by MITCH IKEDA Text by Laura Cooper

Posted on 2019.8.2 02:03

A Tough But Rewarding Weekend

I was looking for a mix of the familiar, the prosaic and the out-there at this year’s festival and I think I got a good go at finding it.

1. The Cure

I’ve been a fan of The Cure for 26 years since coming across them on “Beavis and Butthead” one night, and this was the first time I’ve seen them live. I was having a bit of an emotional moment during their first few songs of the set, but settled down and sang along for the vast majority. I’m still intrigued to know exactly why that bass was so high in the mix, but I can forgive some idiosyncrasies.

REPORT

2. Janelle Monáe

A wonderfully slick and well-executed set from this protege of His Great Purpleness Prince and a Queen in her own right. The highlight of my Friday.

REPORT

3. King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard

Bonkers. I spent much of the set squealing with delight. Loved it.

REPORT

4. Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Full disclosure: I picked covering this band based on their name and the mention of “prog”. I really had no idea what I was walking into and I’m so glad I got to come in without expectations in order to be wowed and converted. Lovely stuff.

REPORT

5. Fujirockers

Fujirockers are a bloody-minded lot. Unbowed by rain, mud, wet shoes, wet everything, I was really impressed by the crowds who turned up to see bands in spite of the inclement weather and who soldiered through the weekend. Let’s see if next year’s August slot brings any changes to the weather and the potential for trench foot.

TAGS
7/29 – (AFTER)ALL AREA