Route 17 Rock n’ Roll Orchestra, named for the Main Street winding through Naeba, is basically a revolving frontman supergroup led by drummer Ikehata Jyunji, and it wouldn’t be Fujirock without them.
Singers like Tortoise Matsumoto from Ulfuls, Glim Spanky, Toshi-low from Brahman, members of Finnish group Us and of course Masafumi Gotoh of Asian Kung-Fu Generation brought some solid chillout festival vibes with their early Friday afternoon set.
Opening with Motörhead’s Ace of Spades and The Clash’s I Fought the Law, Route 17 was off to a strong and crowd pleasing start. Perfect music to take a rest and tap your toes to.
Glim Spanky channeled Grace Slick and brought a veteran’s voice and confidence to her part of the set, bringing a wonderful Woodstock-y vibe to the field.
Us brought some swampy folk rock vibes only a bar band with a harmonica can bring. They may be Finnish, but they sure seemed pure Americana up there.
Gotoh-san looked like a was having a blast on stage during the beginning of his set, blazing through The Who’s My Generation before switching gears and heading into a stirring Japanese rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine, all the while holding up a placard plainly stating ‘Our Generation Must End the War’. It wouldn’t be a throwback festival performance without a little bit of political activism.
Tortoise Matsumoto brought some pure Motown funk to the stage with some Otis Redding, and won the heated competition for best dressed on stage with his shining red sport coat and sky blue tie over a tan shirt and tastefully printed trousers. Showy but classy.
They ended the set by bringing all the guest singers out to close the show, and seeing so many legendary musicians on one stage was a sight to be seen. Each with their own strengths and vibes. Always an interesting mix with Route 17 Rock n’ Roll Orchestra!