Perhaps the sole reason why I came to Fuji Rock this year, Syd (otherwise known as Syd the Kid) graced Red Marquee with her calm-and-collected swagger, and overall love for what she does and the crowds she sings for. She has previously performed at Fuji Rock back in 2016 with her former band The Internet. This year, Syd had her debut as a solo artist on the Fuji Stage.

For me personally, The Internet’s ‘Hive Mind’ album will always hold a special place in my heart. I used to play the album top to bottom on repeat in my college apartment while I studied, lazed around, did the usual every-day-college-life routine. I once even had one of those ‘The Internet – Hold On (1 Hour Loop)’ YouTube videos going on in the background because I genuinely was obsessed with that song, still am.

I got to Red Marquee about 15 minutes before Syd came on and secured a good spot close to the front, with just enough breathing room to vibe and let myself dance comfortably.

She came on to ‘Insecurities’, a song from her first solo debut album ‘Fin’, and the crowd instantly was in a trance. She was wearing the new Sacai ‘Sade T-Shirt’ and some track pants, which reflected her overall stylish yet down-to-earth nature. She stated her gratitude and love for Japan, and expressed how she felt extremely lucky to be in Japan admits all of chaos of the world and borders tightening up.

To everyone’s satisfaction she kicked off her second song with a The Internet classic, ‘Special Affair’. This one really got the crowd rocking. I think for a lot of us, even though The Internet’s time wasn’t that long ago, their music feels somewhat nostalgic. Despite the band not being together anymore and members flourishing in their solo careers, a lot of us still listen to The Internet on a regular basis. It’s the kind of music that makes you feel really good.

As she went through her setlist, she moved from song to song so smoothly, with mini inserts of her talking and giving background into why or who she wrote certain songs about. Just about 3 months ago, Syd released her second solo album ‘Broken Hearts Club’, which, as she contends ‘is based on a true story’. From the new album, Syd performed ‘Tie The Knot’, ‘Out Loud’, ‘Missing Out’ and ‘CYBAH’ featuring Lucky Daye but she sang both parts, gracefully.

To my excitement, she performed several The Internet songs throughout her set including ‘Hold On’ and ‘Girl’ to which the crowd was singing every single lyric at the top of their lungs. She even did a cover of her good friend, KAYTRANADA’s ‘You’re The One’.

I found myself in the crowd singing every song back-to-back, sometimes with eyes closed, in utter bliss. It was one of those concert experiences that makes your heart go all warm and fuzzy. Around me, I saw lovers embracing, friends holding hands, dancing together and singing the words together. Syd makes music for this very reason, and you could see the biggest smile on her face as she did it and witnessed the love in the crowd.

Syd’s performance is one for the books for me, but I can’t say I expected anything less.

【SETLIST】
INSECURITIES
SPECIAL AFFAIR (The Internet song)
TIE THE KNOT
YOU’RE THE ONE (KAYTRANADA cover)
GOT HER OWN
FAST CAR
RIGHT TRACK
SMILE MORE
BODY
HOLD ON (The Internet song)
CYBAH
OUT LOUD
MISSING OUT
GIRL (The Internet song)