Orange Range attracted an unbelievably large crowd at the Green Stage for their 1pm show on Saturday. The 5-member Japanese rock band from Okinawa has been producing music since 2001; their loyal following truly proves their success and impact they have made on the Japanese music culture.

A lot of nostalgia was evident throughout the audience, with a large crowd overflowing the pit, to hundreds dancing all the way in the back woods.

They opened their set with “Hana” garnering immediate response from the crowd as they continued to gather in dozens every second. By their third song, “Locolotion” many were standing out of their chairs to move to the beat and hip-bump with their besties who remember their music as kids or young adults.

They even unveiled their new single, “Kiri Saite Fuu” which proves how their long two-decade history doesn’t hinder them from continuing to make music. Members continued to make note of how amazed and grateful it is to play at Fuji Rock – no other than Green Stage – and for so many people showing up in support.

Midway through the set, the mood shifted from party to influential as they talked about Okinawa’s history. This year is a “turning point year” for the southernmost island of Japan, as it marks 50 years since the war and U.S. occupation ended, which are historical events that deeply affected the locals. “[As Okinawans] We’re the last generation to hear the war stories of Okinawa from our grandparents, and we want to pass those stories and messages down to the next generation,” they said, before they played “Ryukyu Wind” with lyrics that inspire said messages.

The band went on to play their funky song, “Sushi Tabetai” about eating sushi, loving Japan, and sometimes cheating on the national food with pizza. Perhaps there’s a hidden message there? But whatever it may be, it rallied the crowd as many raised their hand to show their love for the country (in a light-hearted way). By this time the crowd couldn’t stop waving their arms in the air and some, even rolling on the ground out of excitement — truly a crowd pleasing set!

By “Shanghai Honey,” one of their most famous songs, everyone waved their towels in the air (many having actual towels, some waving air towels) and the crowd looked like one colorful and succinct wind.

Again, Orange Range thanked their fans, and fans truly thanked them back in one of the best “blast from the past” sets of this year yet.