Why Did You Come To Fuji Rock? -Visitor Interviews at Fuji Rock Festival'24-【１】

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.

 

■ Andy from Sweden

“Fuji Rock is one of my top five favourites in Japan. It is natural for me to come here every year.” said Andy, 46, from Sweden. He is an extremely veteran Fuji RockER, who has participated in Fuji Rock for the 19th time, is wearing a shop uniform that feels nostalgic given by a friend.

Participated in Rising Sun Rock Festival in 2004 and Fuji Rock in 2005. At first, he repeatedly came to Japan to go to those festivals from England where he was living, but he moved to Japan after a while.

His memories of his first time at Fuji Rock in 2005 was, “Primal Scream, Bobby was so cool. I knew them but wasn't a fan of them, but their performance was amazing and I loved it. Bobby's former band, The Jesus and Mary Chain is playing this year, right? I really want to see them!” Other acts he wanted to see were Denki Groove and Sugiurumn.

What he strongly requested for Fuji Rock was the revival of the late-night party “All Night Fuji” that had been held in the past. “One day my friend asked me, ‘Have you been to All Night Fuji?’ But I didn't know about it so I kept going to Red Marquee at nights for the first 2 years. Then I went there. It was really amazing, so much fun! Come back!'' He also said, “Takkyu Ishino and Sugiurumn should play every year every day. Also, I would like to see Depeche Mode at the green stage.''

 

■ Lina from Bulgaria and Bill from USA

Lina, 35, and Bill, 43, attending their second and fourth Fuji Rock, respectively. The lovers, who live in Tokyo, joined Fuji Rock after being invited by friends.

“Fuji Rock is a very popular event among the foreign community in Tokyo, so a lot of my friends come here every year and last year was my first time. “Lina said. Then Bill was off to say, “I started going with them in 2018. Yeah, so two years before COVID and then two years after.”

Who they wanted to see was, “The Killers is the big one. But we just love the event too. There's all different types of venues and places. And you can just eat and drink and talk to friends and then see some good music as well.” Bill, who has also participated in Summer sonic said, “I think Summer sonic is fun but it's more like also I go if there's bands I like. With Fuji Rock, I like to come as long as there's like one or two bands I know I'm happy because it is a fun atmosphere so like she doesn't know anyone here this year, she just knows maybe one song by The Killers but she was still happy coming because it's fun to be here.” Lina agreed. “Yeah, it's an event rather than a concert.”

What they wanted from Fuji Rock was, “They had a magician last year. That was very fun. And they used to have a small stage here. I liked that too. They could kind of move it back to more what it used to be before COVID.” He pointed out the difference between before and after the pandemic. “And the Sake bar.” Lina added. “I think there's plenty of drinks and food options. I'm happy.”

 

 

■ Yijin and Kelly from Taiwan

Yijin and Kelly came to Japan from Taiwan for Fuji Rock. The two 27-year-olds often go to music festivals in Taiwan, and this was their first time participating in Fuji Rock.

“Fuji Rock is very famous so that's why we are here. We've known it for a long time. Impressions of their first Fuji Rock were, “It's pretty chill. We were sleeping there. Oh, food is generally pretty good. The portion is a little bit small but the quality is really good.”

As for the way to the site, “Taipei to Narita. We took the Shinkansen from Ueno to here. I think it was pretty smooth travel. Carrying a lot of stuff for camping was difficult because they were too heavy. It's a pretty interesting experience.” Kelly smiled bitterly. They also brought their tents from Taiwan and mentioned that “Mostly the music festivals are held near the city in Taiwan. And people stay in hotels.”

Yijin wanted to see toe, Kelly wanted Yussef Dayes. They also want to go to the festival held in Kyoto someday.

 

■ Gao Yuanyi and Ivy cao from China

Ivy Cao, 21, from Chongqing, China, attended Fuji Rock for the second time after last year. 23year-old Gao Yuanyi participated for the first time. The purpose of their 15day trip were Fuji Rock and other art festivals.

Yuanyi explained how she got to know Fuji Rock was, “She recommended to me. I also knew that a band called No Party For Cao Dong performed last year. I always keep an eye on any kinds of music festival. Fuji Rock is kind of really well known all around the world, especially China.” In addition, “There is a Chinese social media WeChat room, and there is a large group of about 1,500 Fuji Rock fans as a personal organization” That is the episode that surprised me the most in this interview.

Ivy cao told what the difference between Fuji Rock and festivals in China is, “I think I will not go to any music festivals in China if there's no band that I like. But for Fuji Rock, even if I don't really know quite a lot, the food is special, feelings of chill, nature…” Yuanyi continues, “The environment, the atmosphere that all the fun gives us. Because in China, in the music Festival, there's often only have one stage and there's one square on the ground. And people just go on that square and see that one stage for one or two or three days and that seems to be a little bit boring. Fuji Rock seems to be like a carnival instead of a music festival so the experience is very multi-layered, I think.

 

■ Lavonne, Ian, and Leo from Taiwan

Rabone, 30, Ian, 32, and Leo, 32, who came from Taiwan, were a group of friends and all participated in Fuji Rock for the first time. The trio had just seen 10-FEET said enthusiastically that "I'm so excited! Live show is better than everything." When I asked him which artist he was looking forward to, he immediately replied, " We want to see Kraftwerk and Quruli."

When asked about their first impressions of Fuji Rock, they all said in unison, "Amazing!". Leo said, "we know the people is, there are a lot of people here and it's crowded. But we don't feel uncomfortable. That's pretty nice. And toilet is very good, better than my imagination." "Oh yes, it's really really nice. Here is more planned than Taiwanese one.” Lavonne answered. And she shared her feeling towards the Kids land in Fuji Rock. "I really like this area is for kids. Family can come here. I saw many children there enjoy the music. It's really nice too. I think it's a good education for your little kids.

 

Interview and text by Yuko 'Dora' Soutome