A festival just isn’t a festival without a little bit of reggae in the mix, and fortunately for all Mitsukaze & Green Massive were on hand at the Field of Heaven on Saturday to provide a healthy portion of just that.

A stripped down affair compared to some previous incarnations, the combination of twin guitars, drums, bass and percussion were more than enough to handle the task at hand. They enthusiastically delivered the vibes with seasoned proficiency.

Despite a forecast calling for rain, the sun was shining high in the sky when these Fuji Rock vets took to the stage and dropped Midori no Sedai on the waiting crowd. Through the power of a simple, bluesy little down-tempo reggae jam, almost instantly the weight of the worries and concerns we’ve all been carrying seemed to lighten a bit. The folks standing swayed to the beat, and those in lounge chairs taking an afternoon rest looked visibly more relaxed than they had been.

From there the band took a more up-tempo, ska-driven tack with Ware Kaihou, further pulling in the attention of the crowd. No skanking, but more people started moving in the hot summer sun. Mukui no Uta saw the band get loose, employing a lot of echoing dub effects on a song set in a pleasant minor key, demonstrating to all that this band can handle a wide range of styles within the overall genre. For the remainder of the set they continued to change things up and keep things fresh with a mixture of ska, rocksteady and reggae flavors.

While they may not be a Green Stage headlining band, Mitsukaze & Green Massive were exactly what they were supposed to be. While often shoe-boxed as simply reggae, they also have a sound that sets them apart from mere reggae copycats. Seeing them was an engaging, invigorating and thoroughly pleasant experience, a perfect recharge for the midpoint of the weekend.