I’ve been to festivals all over the world for the past 15 years, from Glastonbury to a farm festival in the middle of nowhere in the Czech Republic; from Rock in Japan to Musink in LA. But I have never been or seen anything quite like Fuji Rock.

I could not quite work out if it was a family friendly hippy festival or full blown rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza, with of course, the all night disco (triceratops included). The festival goers were mainly dressed for a hiking trip, even in the blazing heat of Friday & Saturday (I casually strolled around in flip flops and a shorts) and when it rained on Sunday, everyone had their plastic ponchos out (you guessed it, flip flops and shorts!) . Everybody also seemed to be armed with a chair, some kind of picnic rug and a spot at the green stage from 10am. It was all just so organised, calm and very friendly. Within 10 minutes of walking through the food area on the Thursday night I had made friends with Japanese, Australians, English etc and asked to be a translator for the HMV bar (in exchange for some free beer, obviously).

Friday started off slow, I wanted to take in the whole festival so made my way from the entrance to the cafe des paris tent, no one told me it would take about an hour with a detour through a boarded walkway inhabited by thousands of rabbit cutouts wearing “boys don’t cry” underwear. I finally managed to get out of the forest and make my way into a clearing, there a stone circle with a drumming free for all, more rabbits in underwear and a giant teepee awaited me. Sat down with a jerk chicken pitta and a beer to watch Big Willie’s Burlesque Fuji Revue.

Stoned Circle & Orange Stage:

After a relax I got back on my feet, passed the Orange Stage to get a glimpse of Steve Nieve playing some Elvis Costello classics. The day continued at quite a relaxing pace, enjoying sets from Bombay Bicycle Club followed by Foster The People, both excellent in their own ways and finally made my way over to the White stage to be blown away by Basement Jaxx, opening with banger “Good Luck” and continuing to smash through their set with electrifying ferocity!

Foster The People:

Basement Jaxx:

This is where I encountered my first problem of Fuji Rock, with just one walk way from the White Stage back to the campsite, that passes through the Green Stage, what should have been less than a 15 minute walk took about an hour. No problem though, the people on the walk back where all the same kind of friendly, plus there were enough beer stops on the way. Finally back to the main area, I got my first experience of the infamous Crystal Palace and danced away till the early hours of the morning.

Saturday began as Friday had finished, an energy fuelled set by Japanese rockers The Starbems, followed by a completely packed Green Stage to see Ulfuls. From front to back every person in the crowd sang along to every song. Japanese rockstars at their best! As they finished I realised so had I, found myself a chair to have a little sleep in, and woke up just in time for Travis. I had not listened to Travis for a good few years, so when Fran Healy walked out in a Panama hat and full on grey beard I was slightly worried I’d teleported to another stage, but no, they were good with a nice mix of old and new.

As much as I had wanted to go exploring again, I decided it was best to just stay put and I was not disappointed, next band on were The Cro-Magnons, Japanese punk straight out of the 70s. Sadly they finished and Damon Albarn started, an hour long drone with the only highlight being when Japanese rapper AKLO making a guest appearance on Clint Eastwood. Arcade Fire closed up the Green Stage with a great performance, costume changes, skeletons, life size bobble head men and a human mirror ball all included.

The Cro-Magnons:

Damon Albarn:

Arcade Fire:

My Saturday was not complete however, as I made my way over to the Red Marquee for the set of the festival, The Bloody Beetroots killed it in every way possible; electro, punk, dance, house, whatever they are they were undeniable. Of course there was one more trip to the Crystal Palace before bed.

Sunday, the rain came but was still another day of good music, good food, good people. Ozomatli’s Latin Hip Hop got the day off to a good start, rain? what rain? followed by bits of sets from Ogre You Asshole (mainly because of the awesome name) and OKGO, both not bad. With a few hours to kill I went on another walk taking in the hidden elements of the festival, the hammock forest for a quick rest, followed by checking out some of the stalls. From the “are you ready to be a parent” stall to learn how to play really obscure African instruments and volunteering to sort out the recycling. All the stalls were so welcoming, and were more than happy to sit and chat with me about their lives, I could have easily spent the rest of the night in the hidden commune but decided to make my way back to the Red Marquee for a cool set by SBTRKT followed by a very comprehensive performance by 17 year old Lorde, for a young girl she had a lot of stage presence was just a shame about her oddly static keyboard player and drummer. With a choice between Jack Johnson or Outkast, I headed straight to the white stage for hip hopping, body popping, jaw dropping finale. Outkast were so fresh and so very clean!

Lorde:

Outkast:

Fuji Rock was closing but there was still time to get in one last party at Mr Scruff followed by a sampling of all the closing food stalls. Until finally, I had run out of steam and at 5am I slowly made my way to the bus, to the station, to my real bed at home!

Fuji Rock is an experience, and I now understand why people from all over the world travel to Japan, just to attend the festival. Roll on next year, I can’t wait.

Fuji Rock Top 5 Acts:
The Bloody Beetroots
Ulfuls
The Cro-Magnons
Basement Jaxx
Arcade Fire