Ironically, Sunny Day Service’s set started amidst mild rain showers in the early evening. Even more ironically, the first song, “Ai ni Ochitara” begins by talking about a clear sunny day.

Regardless of the weather outside, fans of Sunny Day Service got to enjoy the band from the comforts of the covered Red Marquee stage.

Sunny Day Service has had to turn a few leaves in their time. The band first formed in 1992 but disbanded once in 2000. The trio reunited in 2008, having ten more years together. During those years, they played at Fuji Rock four times. With this fifth appearance, the band turned another leaf. That is because this is the first time the band has played at the festival since a member has changed.

Just shortly after the band last played at Fuji Rock in 2017, drummer Harushige Maruyama passed away. It wasn’t until last year, in 2020, that the band welcomed their new drummer, Mikio Daikuhara.

Despite not playing many shows in the past year (like so many other bands), the collective energy between the new trio was evident throughout their indie rock set at the Red Marquee.

Throughout the 50-minute set, the band played their classic hits such as “Haru no Kaze” and “Setsuna”. Just as they began their set with a hit off their famous 1996 album titled “Tokyo,” they ended this year’s set with another hit from the same album, “Seishunkyosokyoku” leaving the crowd with big nostalgic smiles on their faces.