From Tokyo to Fuji Rock to Ulaanbaatar, every crowd is different for Roth Bart Baron
When the power cut out during Roth Bart Baron's debut Fuji Rock performance last month, its members knew exactly how to improvise. The indie rock band often closes concerts by unplugging its gear to play "Aluminum," so the members can easily switch off the amps ...
One of Japan's oldest large-scale rock festivals celebrated 20 years of operation this July. Here's a curated collection of the fun that was had in the mountains of Niigata. [View the story "Fuji Rock Festival 2016" on Storify]
Babymetal, Beck and Boredoms bring strong sets to Fuji Rock's 20th birthday bash
"This is Fuji Rock No. 20," said Beck Hansen, lounging against the drum kit at the end of his hit-laden Saturday night set at this year's Fuji Rock Festival. "Twenty years goes in the blink of an eye, so I think we need to ...
Fuji Rock Festival celebrates 20 years
Who doesn't love an anniversary? For couples it's about rekindling moments of first love, for many nations it's about marking a significant moment in history. Anniversaries are, for the most part, true celebrations. "I hate anniversaries," says Masahiro Hidaka, the president of Smash Japan and ...
Babymetal is having a really good year
In the run-up to Fuji Rock Festival, the event's digital team will post video messages on YouTube from performers that are slated to play at the three-day gathering in the mountains of Niigata Prefecture. They tend to get, on average, around 1,000 views. This ...
With more than 220 acts at Fuji Rock, planning your schedule in advance is crucial
There will be 223 acts performing at this year's Fuji Rock Festival. Planning out your schedule in advance is recommended, traveling to and from the stages can eat up precious time. Here's the route that I'm considering. Friday Three of the last four Fuji Rocks have ...
Slot Machine plans to show Fuji fans how Thailand rocks
Thailand has been a destination for Asian artists looking to expand their markets. From J-rock to K-pop, fans in Bangkok have been able to listen to their fill. Rock band Slot Machine wants this to be a two-way conversation and the members say they'll ...
Bo Ningen: 'We're Japanese, but a London band'
Though seasoned music festival veterans overseas, the four members of British rock band Bo Ningen had never been to a Japanese event until Fuji Rock in 2013. "It was really fun compared to festivals in other countries," says singer and bassist Taigen Kawabe. "It's clean, ...
Fuji Rock's green thumb is here for good
Anyone who makes the trek out to the mountains of Naeba for the annual Fuji Rock Festival will tell you two things, apart from that they had a great time: It rains, and it's clean for an event of such enormous scale. But it's ...
The British trip that helped inspire Fuji Rock Festival founder Masahiro Hidaka
If Fuji Rock Festival could be embodied in one person, Masahiro Hidaka is the perfect choice. When the man who founded the country's premier outdoor music gathering meets up with The Japan Times, he is wearing a Pogues T-shirt and taking drags off a ...
In search of Japan's essential summer festivals
With July just around the corner, Japan is gearing up for another sultry summer. Since the sizzling-hot days only last until early September, people make the most of the season by getting outside — that includes going to film festivals, art and fashion events ...
SEALDs leader's invite to Fuji Rock sparks online debate
A controversy has broken out on social media after the name of a high-profile youth activist appeared last week on the list of artists attending this year's Fuji Rock Festival. The unexpected name: Aki Okuda, a leader of the Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy-s, ...
