Why Did You Come To Fuji Rock? -Visitor Interviews at Fuji Rock Festival'24-【３】

This is a SPICE original project “Why did YOU go to Fuji Rock?” that investigates the appeal of Asia's largest outdoor music festival, Fuji Rock Festival, from various viewpoints about how Fuji Rock is seen in their eyes by conducting interviews with visitors from overseas. We interviewed at Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture from July 26 to July 28 in 2024.

“Fuji Rock Festival '24” featured headliners The Killers, Kraftwerk, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, and more than 200 artists from Japan and overseas. A total of 96,000 people attended the event for 4 days from the eve of the festival. According to the organisers, the number of inbound visitors in 2024 was 10% of the total witch is the same as the previous year.

This article introduces the fascination of “Fuji Rock” as reflected by 15 groups of overseas music fans.

■ Lili and Delise from USA

Lili, 38, and Delise, 55, both from the Washington DC area, participated in Fuji Rock for the first time. The two of friends, who had moved to Kanazawa for a year, answered the interview in both Japanese and English.

Lili saw Man with a Mission and 10 FEET just before being caught by us. “They were great! I really enjoyed them." She looked very satisfied." On the other hand, Delise told that “I saw Glass Beams. I'm excited to see No Name, Sampha, King Krule and The Yussef Dayes Experience."

When asked what she liked about Fuji Rock, Lili immediately answered "Everything." She's been to other festivals too. “I went to Riot Fest in Chicago, in US on business.” When I asked her about the difference between Fuji Rock and Riot Fest, she said, "This one is bigger. There are many families in Fuji Rock. It's so nice! Great! But there's no family at Riot Fest." They said that they would definitely like to come to Fuji Rock again.

 

■ Simon and Max from USA

Simon, 32, and Max, 33, from New York joined Fuji Rock for the first time as a one-day camp. Max explained why he chose Fuji Rock. "To get an experience of Japan with the music festival. You get to experience what a culture is like and meet some people." They also had an experience of trouble on the way to the site, " We missed our train stop, but that was our fault. We went too far, but it was an easy trip." Simon said with a smile.

The artists they planned to see were Eyedress, No Name and Kraftwerk. When I asked them about Fuji Rock, they said they go to a lot of music festivals in their home countries. "Beautiful location, people are respectful of each other's space and everything. Everything is smooth. It's all organized and nice. I feel good energy."

They go to many music festivals in the US, and their impression of Fuji Rock was “It's a beautiful location and people are very respectful of their space and everything. Everything was really easy to get in. It's all organized and nice, and yeah, good energy.”

 

■ Hiyon and Donghyun from South Korea

Hiyon and Donghyun came to Japan from South Korea to participate in Fuji Rock for the first time. The lovers recognized Fuji Rock about 10 years ago. “I really wanted to come here! But you know, the long corona time.” About the journey to the site, Donghyun said, “All the infrastructure is in place now. Nowadays, English pages are available for buying tickets and the infrastructure is good, so it's very comfortable. Even foreigners can easily use Shinkansen, shuttle buses and camping.”

Hiyon 's answer about the artist she wanted to see was, " I just like festivals. My favourite artist may not be there, but I came because I love festivals.” Donghyun said, “For me The Killers. They were kind of wonder artist. Because you know Killers haven't come to Korea long time. And even for Japan. Their concerts have been canceled so many times. But now they came to Fuji that was so wonderful and miracle! And Awich. She was very...shocking. Aww... it was fantastic. I also went to Dead Pop Festival in Kawasaki last month and I saw her for first time. She's very nice.” He said passionately. The two often go to other festivals as well. Regarding the enchantment of Fuji Rock, Donghyun said the following. “Comparing to Fuji and other festivals is more meaningful and more significant difference because Fuji takes a place in very large ski resort even in very deep forest in Japan. It cannot be seen in any festival in the world, nor can it be replaced by any other festival. This kind of forest and environmental vibe is essential, quintessential of the Fuji Rock for me.”

 

■ Sanna from Finland and Rob from UK

Sana, 45, from Finland, and Rob, 39, from England, joined Fuji Rock for the second time since 2019 from Hong Kong, where they currently live. Rob said that many music fans from Hong Kong come to Fuji Rock.

The artists Sana wanted to see was “I guess The killers for me. I've seen them many times before. The last dinner party they were really good. Just very energetic, like girl power.” Rob mentioned that “I also really like a lot of the funk music on the Field of Heaven so Ghost-Note was brilliant and I'm very much looking forward to Celebration of The Meters today. The Yussef Dayes Experience is also very good.”

The pair camped last time, but it was hard because it was flooded by the typhoon. "It was crazy. This time is very lucky!" said Rob. Because of that experience, they stayed at a hostel called I camp instead of a camp this time.

What they want Fuji Rock to do is, “Water. It would be good if there were more like water supplies facilities because water is very important. Today is not so hot, but yesterday day before very hot.” She had no other request than a supply of water; “I think Fuji Rock is very well organized. There's a lot of little hidden treasures as you walk from stage to stage, that's fantastic. And of course, there's something for all ages to see.” She sounds like she's having fun. Rob said, “I think the location is obviously the most important thing. It's so unique and so beautiful here. That's what makes it very special. But I also think it is more organized than many festivals in Europe and in Asia we've been to. I think, Fuji Rock is one of the most organized and efficient festivals.

 

■ Sienna, Whitney, Maddox and Nathan from USA

Sienna, 44, Whitney, 16, Maddox, 13, and Nathan, 42, came to Japan from Tennessee for a 2 week holiday. This was the first time they have participated in Fuji Rock, and they had been staying at Angel Grandia Echigo Nakazato. Three of the group of seven family and friends were separated, so four family members gave answers.

The reason why she chose Fuji Rock was “When we travel, we like to see music. My daughter found Fuji Rock would be during the time that we planned to be here and so we made it one of our stocks.” The artists they wanted to see was Whitney said, “I think you guys caught Rufus Wainwright. But we really want to see Noel Gallagher and Turnstile.” Then Sienna said, “Turnstile definitely.” And Nathan explained that they were big Turnstile fans.

The all of family members said that “Fuji Rock is cleaner.” Sienna continued to mention that “We do have a few music festivals in Memphis. Beale Street music festival and Mempho music festival. Both ones that we really like but they're smaller. And his bands usually play at those.” Then it was found that the father was a member of Dead Soldiers from Memphis, Tennessee.

Nathan said, “We like to play those festivals whenever we can, but we like to visit them. I think, even more. We've been to festivals all over. This one is definitely cleaner. I think there's art and more interactive stuff going on. More nature. I think the setting here in the valley is really... really wonderful. It feels simultaneously fun and modern, but also sacred. Definitely, you know, a nice bookend to our visit to your country.”

 

Interview and text by Yuko 'Dora' Soutome

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