This amazing band out of Brooklyn read like an east-coast version of “The Internet” on paper, but its not fair to limit them to that. With a funky sound all-their-own, each member let their personality shine forth. Exuding energy and having way more fun than anyone under the packed Red Marquee tent, all the members (frontman Elbee Thrie in particular) seemed like they were having the times of their lives performing on stage. Their chemistry as a band and ability to connect with the crowd so effortlessly pushed their appeal higher than I could have expected.

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2. JAMES BLAKE

My second time to see James Blake at Fuji Rock (previously appeared on the Green Stage in 2016) and my fourth time to see him play live overall, I knew what to expect going in. Working in some newer material from his most recent album (Andre3000-guested brooding hip-hop track “Where’s the Catch” was a high point), he mostly stuck with tried and true songs from previous albums. This is not to say the set was short on chills. James Blake always knows how to inject maximum atmosphere with the bare minimum ingredients and while no big surprises were busted out, the James Blake formula proved to be just what we all needed.

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3. YAEJI

Brooklyn based Yaeji didn’t need more than a bank of samplers and her quiet but confident voice to command a crowd. Incorporating pulsing beats and talk-rapping in a mixture of English and Korean, her sound is at once simple and complex. Though the Red Marquee was entirely too packed to get an up-close view of the stage, even those stranded outside in the rain at the back of the tent could feel the energy loud and clear. Here’s to hoping she will visit Tokyo again soon, and next time perhaps in a more intimate venue.

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4. GEZAN

Transforming into a different animal minute-by-minute but still managing to hold on to their own distinct identity as a band, Gezan completely rocked the White Stage on Saturday morning. Digeridoos and drum machines, quick-fire surprise guests including a rapper and a trombone soloist, and Gezan’s versatility to be both intimidating and endearing made this performance completely unpredictable and insanely fun.

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5. TORO Y MOI

Perhaps the act I was most anticipating this year, Toro y Moi deftly delivered a groovy set of electronic funk with the smoothest of swagger. This was the set early on that really got the Fuji Rock 2019 party going.

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There’s a lot on the line for Rookie A Go-Go performers, potentially the necessary exposure to land a record deal or even better yet a slot on one of the smaller festival stages next year. To decide who was merely good and those that were outstanding is a democratic process via the voting box off to the side of the stage.

Morinaga Akimi and his band were such challengers. Musically, he hedges his bet by playing a variety of popular musical genres, unlike other Rookie performers who tend to power pop and punk. From his website, he is a self-proclaimed “Latin-American-pop-singer-songwriter” who absorbs various genres of music such as Bossa Nova, reggae, Japanese New Music (70~80s Pops), idol, and adult contemporary.

It’s truly a broad spectrum but if you are a competent guitarist who has a thorough understanding of music, performing boundary crossing songs is possible. On a rainy Saturday night, much of the crowd might have preferred to be indoors, and indeed, only the hardcore were out for this performance. Who could blame them as the only shelter from the storm was onstage with the many members of the Il Paradiso providing a wonderful backing for Morinaga Akimi. We hope better weather next time will make his performance more enjoyable as he is truly deserving of yet another chance to win over newcomers to his music.