MISIA is one of Japan’s all-time best-selling music artists with thirteens albums under her belt. With a career that launched in the late 90s and a five-octave vocal range, she may as well be Japan’s very own Mariah Carey.

Her music is generally rooted in R&B, but for this year’s set – her second appearance at Fuji Rock (first being in 2018) – she started off in a unique way that could only be done in a domestic artist-based year like 2021.

After an epic movie-like opening tune, the stage quieted down as MISIA entered, wearing various hues of blue with white leather boots. She then humbly, yet powerfully, sang Japan’s national anthem, “Kimigayo”. The audience was in awe. Those crossing by the Green Stage stopped their footsteps to take in the momentous occurrence. There was a sense of positive national pride and unity.

With “Kimigayo” and every song that followed, MISIA’s powerful voice echoed through the valleys of Naeba, capturing the attention of her entire surroundings. The R&B singer also had a brass trio and two dancers on stage with her. Her style – both in fashion and performance – gave way for nostalgia of the early 00s.

During a piano ballad, MISIA sang Nat King Cole’s “Smile” which transitioned into “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” all singing with a beautiful glow on her face.

As rain started to drip down halfway through her set, everyone in the audience began putting on their rain gear in unison, but with no desire to leave the open field to miss the remainder of her set. In that moment, MISIA herself looked like the rain queen with her baby blue attire.

Her two dancers came back on stage, this time wearing peach pink satin outfits (after wearing an all-denim outfit first) and picked up the pace with some truly groovy 70s dance moves. Her trumpet players and trombone player each played solos before MISIA began singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli.

Rainbow colored lights kept pouring from stage while MISIA bowed over and over again in gratitude. In the midst of her soft-spoken speech, she had one outburst, cursing the pandemic. We all feel you, MISIA. But we are lucky to all be able to share the moment together.

Lastly, MISIA ended her set with “Uta wa Utaou” meaning “let’s sing songs,” a positive message to keep on keeping on. She too, hopes to see everyone again and wishes to keep playing at Fuji Rock until she’s an old lady.