Culture Jan 10, 2021
How COVID-19 has changed live events in Japan
by Philip Brasor
While some live events have resumed, the arrival of artists and participants from overseas still may be a ways off.
Music | Sound Off Mar 20, 2020
Fuji Rock keeps calm and carries on despite coronavirus fears
by James Hadfield
You can’t fault the organizers of Fuji Rock Festival for failing to predict how thoroughly the COVID-19 outbreak would engulf the planet when they released a solemn announcement in late January, titled “Festival Crisis.” Granted, those were earlier, simpler times. But it still felt a ...
Music Mar 17, 2020
Tame Impala and The Strokes set to headline Fuji Rock 2020
by Jordan Allen
With the festival set to the be held in late August, all eyes will be on whether the COVID-19 situation improves before then.
Music Jul 16, 2019
George Porter Jr.: The man bringing the funk to Fuji Rock
by William Archambeault
If the Beatles are Liverpool's fab four, The Meters are New Orleans' funky four. During the 1960s and '70s, bassist George Porter Jr., drummer Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, keyboardist Arthur "Art" Neville, and guitarist Leo Nocentelli created music that is still recognized globally as some of ...
Music Jun 20, 2019
Japan's summer festivals plan for a final party before Olympic fever hits
by James Hadfield
As Yo La Tengo once sang, "summer's what you make it," and that's especially true in Japan this year. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics are likely to throw a major wrench (or should that be hammer?) in the works for next summer's festival ...
Music Feb 8, 2019
Chemical Brothers, The Cure and Sia among first batch of acts for Fuji Rock Festival '19
by Jordan Allen
Also appearing on the bill are Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, James Blake, Mitski and Janelle Monae, with many more still to be announced.
Music | Sound Off Jun 8, 2017
Tilt toward domestic acts risks watering down uniqueness of Japan's big music fests
by Patrick St. Michel
Japan's 2017 summer music festival landscape has mostly settled into place. The Fuji Rock Festival, after an upbeat 20th anniversary last year, kicked up excitement thanks to a top-heavy bill headlined by Gorillaz, Aphex Twin and Bjork, along with the promise of more left-field ...
Music Jul 17, 2016
Slot Machine plans to show Fuji fans how Thailand rocks
by Patrick St. Michel
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 ...
Culture | Japan Pulse Jul 24, 2015
Fuji Rock bound? Make sure you survive in style
by Yuki Hayashi
A few items that will help you stay dry and happy during Fuji Rock Festival's unpredictable weather.
Music Jul 23, 2015
Noel Gallagher brings his High Flying Birds back to Fuji Rock and where the 'mania' began
by Shaun Curran
It doesn't take much to set Noel Gallagher off. We are sat in a backstage portacabin at London's peculiarly ragbag Clapham Calling festival, and I've just mentioned to the former Oasis songwriter that "Chasing Yesterday," the second solo album under his High Flying Birds ...
Culture Jun 18, 2015
A festival for every weekend of your summer
by Patrick St. Michel
Festivals (matsuri) of all kinds are a staple of Japanese culture and summer is the premier season to experience them. In recent years, the country has seen a bit of a boom in cultural festivals, to the point that it's possible to book every ...
Music Jul 29, 2014
Two weddings and a 'Funeral' at Fuji
by Mike Sunda
It's hard to know what the organizers at Fuji Rock Festival were thinking when they decided to have Jack Johnson headline the main stage on the event's last day. Not the infectious cheer and endearingly kitsch theatricality of The Flaming Lips, who performed directly ...