In no particular order, here are my highlights of the weekend.

1- Vampire Weekend

I have been a die hard fan of this band since high school, and seeing them live was truly a teenage dream come true!

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2- Tom Misch
After this incredible performance, I can safely say that I am Tom Misch fan for life.

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3- Bonobo
Hearing “Kerala” performed live… no words. Incredible.

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4- Arlo Parks
An hour of pure joy.

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Hopes for Next Year:

I would absolutely love to see the return of alt-j to the Fuji Rock stage. I would also like to see refillable water stations!

Two versions of PUNPEE collided when a look alike dressed in the same gear as his 2017 White Stage set appeared before the real-life PUNPEE, making for an eye-catching visualization of the past and present.

PUNPEE is a well-loved Tokyo based multi talented DJ, rapper, and sound engineer with an extensive list of albums, EPs and singles under his belt. He is no stranger to the Fuji Rock festival, performing here a number of times on numerous stages. This time he performed memorable tracks such as “Time Machine ni Notte” (タイムマシンにのって), “BUDDY” with BIM, and finished strong with “Oldies”.

“It took 14 years to get here”, says PUNPEE, as he overlooked an impressively large crowd on the field of the Green Stage. The audience’s joy was evident as there were smiles all around and an infectious energy felt across a distance. Throughout his performance he shared heartfelt snippets of his life and conveyed immense gratitude for his journey so far.

In the backdrop, the crowd was treated to animated short films featuring PUNPEE himself, tailored to the tracks at play. With the help of special guests, 5lack, ZEEBRA, and BIM, in a span of one hour, we were treated to years worth of his work. It was an eclectic and thoughtful celebration of how far he has come, and with a new collaborative EP on the way, it looks like PUNPEE is really just getting started.

With neon green hair and a black corset, she walked onto the Green Stage at 9:10 pm on Sunday night, warmly welcomed by a sea of excited fans. As an audience member watching her perform for the very first time, I quickly came to understand her impact on the music scene as the ground quite literally shook beneath my feet at the beginning of her set. Pyrotechnics were widely used throughout her performance, with flames of fire making for an impressive and unexpected introduction.

She opened with her song, “Nightmare”, a track that recounts struggle, yet reinstills a power back in the narratives of womanhood. Behind her, video clips of past Women’s Marches could be seen with signs reading “Abortion is healthcare”. “I know the world isn’t what we thought it would be,” she says, “but we’re still going to have a good time, right?”. When something needs to be said, Halsey does so with an edge and a voice capable of reverberating across a distance.

The setlist featured a well balanced choice of tracks across her many albums such as “Without Me”,“Colors”, and “You should be sad”, and included a bombshell cover of the 80s comeback hit, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” by Kate Bush. “To do this festival is my dream, so thank you for making that dream come alive tonight”, she excitedly mentions mid performance. Her passion and gratitude could be felt across the field, and the show concluded in power and a whole lot of confetti.

Unfortunately for fans of the band, their keyboardist could not make the performance due to testing positive for covid, but nonetheless he chimed in to say hi via call at the beginning of the set. A true sign of the times!

Shota Takagi (高木祥太), the band’s vocalist and bassist led the band in style in a flowy white top. Their instrumental set felt like an intimate jam session between good friends, and with strong bass lines and a talented saxophone player aboard, it made for a great opportunity for newer fans to get a feel for their music.

To make up for a missing member, they welcomed a few guests to the stage. The singer sarasa joined them to perform Kasa ga Nai (傘がない) along with a collaboration with TENDRE, later in the set. Although missing a crucial member to their group, they managed to pull off a fun, groovy, and refreshing performance for devoted fans and new. Sometimes in unexpected circumstances, one must improvise. I would say that Breimen did so in style.

Between the Gypsy Avalon and Field of Heaven stages there is Primal, which offers poutine, pulled pork and yes, Cuban sandwiches. The perfect combination of roast pork, ham, cheese, pickles and mustard pressed on a roll is just what the doctor ordered if you are getting a bit peckish.

Don’t miss your chance to have one this year. Or two. And don’t forget the fries!

Vocalist Shukei Tamaoki and guitarist Seijun Kato are based in Tokyo, and the band says that they usually play shows in kissatens (Showa era Japanese cafes). This type of set is new for them, with this being their first time performing at a festival.

Much of their tracks are an ode to their upbringings in Hachijo-jima, an island located in the Phillipine Sea. Tucked in their lyrics are numerous references to the Japanese summers: shrines, cicadas, and watermelons are some of the many. Fittingly, during their performance, the birds were chirping, the sky was blue, and the mountains beautifully surrounded the Pyramid Garden.

The band opened their set with their song, Haru (春) and kept the summer vibes going with their songs Natsu ga Kitara (夏が来たら) and Natsu no Owari (夏の終わり). They finished their set with their song Baiku wo Tobashite (バイクを飛ばして).

If you are keen to relive your favorite Japanese summers or revisit the old corners of your hometown, this band will surely help you get there.

But worry not! There are charging booths right outside of the main entrance into the festival. Both a Nanaco Card-specific booth and a Suica charging booth that is also an ATM (provided by Seven Bank) are available at this station. Since there is only one ATM machine for the whole festival, lines may get long so be sure to go early.

Opening hours: 11:00AM – 8:00PM
Number of ATMs/Top up machine: 1
Number of Nanaco Card machine: 2

Fuji Rock sells their own branded set of ear muffs that come in three colors: pink, blue, and yellow. For ¥2,500, these comfortable ear muffs also come with branded bags to keep them safe in. They are sold at the merchandise tent so get a set for your kids – it’s not too late today, or for events in the future!