The stage at the Red Marquee was decorated in sunflowers as the backdrop emitted warm hues of yellow and orange and read the name in bold: Arlo Parks. The crowd welcomed Arlo Parks with open arms and with excitement, they applauded her entrance.

British singer-songwriter Arlo Parks released her debut studio album Collapsed in Sunbeams in January of 2021. Only over a year has passed since her debut and her songs have already been positively received by audiences across an ocean. Some of her top hits Eugene, Caroline, and Cola made it to tonight’s setlist.

Throughout her set, Arlo reiterates how grateful she is to finally be in Japan and how much of a dream it is to be able to perform on a stage at Fuji Rock. It is a refreshing experience to watch an artist on stage enjoy themselves just as much as an audience. She and the crowd exchanged a joyful energy throughout the entirety of the set. As Arlo swayed and danced along to her songs, we as the audience did the same.

“I need you to sing the chorus as loudly as possible!” she says prior to her performance of Caroline. “My next song is Hope and this is the message I would like everyone to take away tonight”, she exclaims towards the end of the show. She introduces and envelopes her songs with care, which reminds us that each piece of art has a backstory worth celebrating. With intricate guitar solos, dancing, and all the good feelings, it was truly a joy to witness Arlo Parks’ poetry in motion tonight at the Red Marquee stage.