Tag - fuji-rock

 
 

FUJI ROCK

Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jul 26, 2018
Kendrick Lamar and the politics of Japanese PR
The news of Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar returning to Fuji Rock, one of Japan's most celebrated music festivals, was met with excitement from hip-hop fans here as soon as it was announced in February. To leverage the hype ahead of the festival, Universal Music Japan launched a politically tinged campaign earlier this month that has inspired mixed responses.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 25, 2018
Fuji Rock sees a slow pivot to a more Japanese lineup
When Fuji Rock Festival started in late 1990s, the principal attractions were invariably imported. Although the event also featured plenty of Japanese bands, even in the early years, it was Westerners that exerted the biggest draw — from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters to Bjork, Aphex Twin and The Prodigy.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 9, 2018
Fuji Rock takes a turn toward hip-hop in first lineup announcement that includes Kendrick Lamar and N.E.R.D.
Grammy award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar and hip-hop group N.E.R.D. were among the acts announced Friday morning to appear at this year's Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Aug 10, 2017
Fuji Rock's closing act was a load of trash
By all accounts, this year's Fuji Rock Festival was a success. Punters of all ages and demographics enjoyed the laid-back vibe at the three-day music spectacular — give or take the constant rain — and most social media posts about the event focused on good times. Not everyone was happy, though.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 1, 2017
Fuji Rock Festival: It may not make sense on paper, but the end results are glorious
This year's Fuji Rock Festival was a damp and turbulent affair, albeit only in the most literal sense. Whatever the formula is for convincing people to blow their entire summer vacation budget on a few days in the Japan Alps — much of which will likely be spent lining up for the toilet, getting drenched in thunderstorms and searching for a stall selling beer that isn't Heineken — this year's festival appears to have cracked it.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 27, 2017
Quruli has noticed a change in the way young people listen to music
Many musicians will admit to having a special affection for Fuji Rock Festival, which unfurls at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture this weekend. Few, however, have a history as tightly intertwined with the event as Quruli, the affable guitar-rock outfit from Kyoto.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 26, 2017
Figuring out who to watch at this year's Fuji Rock Festival
The 2017 edition of Fuji Rock Festival boasts one of the more eclectic lineups the long-running gathering has had in recent years. The headliners tell the tale: Cartoon rockers Gorillaz share the same font size as electronic pop star Bjork and dance music weirdo Aphex Twin. Dig deeper and you'll find everything from big-stage EDM to Japanese "group sounds" legends. To help you navigate three days up in Naeba, here are some of The Japan Times' music writers' insights into this year's Fuji Rock.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 26, 2017
Be prepared before you head out for a weekend of music
With Fuji Rock happening this weekend, it's time to start making sure you've got everything you need to make the festival an unadulterated success. Here's a list of essential items you should consider trying to squeeze into your bags:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Jun 8, 2017
Tilt toward domestic acts risks watering down uniqueness of Japan's big music fests
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 fare down in the smaller font. Summer Sonic, meanwhile, has placed Calvin Harris and Foo Fighters up front, followed by an array of Western acts.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Dec 30, 2016
The top entertainment stories of 2016
The Japan Times newsroom selected these culture stories as the most important of 2016.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 2, 2016
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.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 31, 2016
The fun we had at Fuji Rock 2016
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.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 29, 2016
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 just take a moment here to appreciate ... take this in."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 23, 2016
20th Fuji Rock kicks off with a bang
Day one of Fuji Rock Festival 2016 is finished. The weather was great, and so were the two main acts on the Green Stage, Sigur Ros and James Blake. Beck and Wilco play tonight and it looks like clear skies again. Follow the Japan Times’ live blog at jtfuji.tumblr.com and on Instagram, and read about the history of Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 21, 2016
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.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 17, 2016
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 fact has held true for this year's batch of clips, which find domestic staples such as Denki Groove (1,923 views) and non-Japanese headliners such as Sigur Ros (548 views) wishing the festival all the best on its 20th anniversary.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 17, 2016
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.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 17, 2016
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 begin it this year by being the first Thai band to play a major stage at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 10, 2016
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.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 10, 2016
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 not completely sterile.

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