Fujirockers: The official Fuji Rock Festival blog

The French rockabilly trio Mustang opened the festivities at the Red Marquee for the pre-fest party. Rain was pouring down outside, thus guaranteeing that the shed would be packed. Normally, the first act of the pre-fest blowout is in essence the first act of the weekend, and the punters who’ve shown up early are itching to get this party started. Safe to say, even Kate Smith would probably prompt an ovation, but Mustang was a canny choice. Jean Felzine’s super twangy hollow bodied Gibson and his Francophone take on every American gulpy vocalist, from Elvis to Orbison to Holly, carries with it so many pre-associations that people knew what they liked even before they heard it. The response was more intense than it probably deserved to be. Though Felzine had obviously practiced his sneer and refused to reveal what he felt about the circumstances, the crowd’s huge reaction to every bent note and hiccupy aside showed on his face, even if his perfect hair never betrayed a thing. More…

The surprise artists playing the Red Marquee tonight have been announced:

Hanafusa
Mustang
Beardyman
Narashirato
Cast Ordar
Cubismo Grafico 5

They start at 8 pm with Koichi Hanafusa welcoming all to the party – and then we rock!

Wondering what Massive Attack`s stage show is going to look like at FRF on Saturday night? Check out this photo report from their gig in Taipei last night by Steven Vigar. Looks like a whole lotta light show, and a whole lotta vibe. Here`s how Mr. Vigar described the show: More…

I admit I was feeling rather dismal knowing I’d have to be stepping out into this after four hours cozy and dry on a bus. It’s kind of demoralizing really. But I can affirm that once you get out into it it’s not so bad. It’s all about anchoring and expectations. And anyway, it’s invigorating.

All I’m trying to say is, don’t forget your rain gear.

Our Japanese sister site has just gone live this afternoon. This is where you will see all the pics of the bands from the professional photographers as it happens, so don’t overlook this place even if you can’t read Japanese. The navigation is pretty easy to work out, so give it a shot. The search engine should work with English names, and the stages are all listed for the most part in English. We will be using the odd photo from there, but go there for full photographic coverage!

Fujirockexpress 2010 Japanese site More…

It’s a game everyone can play, at Fuji or any festival. Or any concert really. Last year Jack White’s riff for Seven Nation Army popped up in sets by beatboxer Afra, Weezer, and Basement Jaxx. I had heard it previously in the year at Rodrigo y Gabriella in Tokyo, and in Fatboy Slim’s set in 2005 (in the amazing Bring The Noise mashup). I’ve also heard that it’s sung practically nonstop in every beer hall across Germany.

I will sound like a broken record to my colleagues here, but if you haven’t heard it, my claims are simple (and ever so humble): 7 Nation is the last great guitar riff of the classic rock era, is the only classic rock riff of the 00’s, and could very well be the last classic rock riff ever.

I concede that it’s current moment may be played out, as I can’t say as I’ve spotted it around much this year. I bet it would have popped up in the World Cup if not for those confounding vuvuzelas. (There’s a story for you: Did The Vuvuzela kill 7 Nation?) If I do hear it, you can bet I’ll be posting it here. And if you hear one that none of us catch, post us a note in the comments here.

Cheers!

and:

BUUUUMM, BUM BUM BUM BUM BUUMMMM, BUUUUMMMMM

-Kern

My esteemed brothers-in-rock have offered some very fine pieces of advice in the posts below this one.  Here’s a few more pointers to add to the list.

More…

Well the others have summed it up pretty succinctly, I think. Not much more to say, other than don’t listen to anyone on what you should like.

But we don’t go for the music. Nope. If it were the music we went to see, then we’d shell out like the rest of you do. Then we could actually relax and enjoy said music. I remember a few years beck, our esteemed leader commented that he was having a near perfect weekend, catching up with old friends, and if only the bands would shut the fuck up and give them some peace it would have been truly perfect! More…

If the meteorologists are right, we’re in for a wet one:

Keep your eye on things here.

I loved Phil’s idea to watch the band rated lowest on Pitchfork. It reminded me of my very first editor and the first time he asked me to write a movie review. It went roughly like this:

Him: (Handing me a videotape in a plan white case): “Can you knock out a review of this tonight?”

Me: “Sorry, I’ve got no time to watch it tonight.”

Him: “I asked you to review it, not watch it.”

Me: “I don’t even know what it’s about.”

Him: “It says on the box, it’s called ‘Lionheart’. It’s either about Richard the Lionheart or some brave geezer. Just say the acting was wooden, the plot predictable and make a pun about bravery. And give it one star. People like reviews that slag something off.”

So I did. And that piece of advice stuck with me, along with his lessons about how to doctor pictures to match what you wrote or believe. And in the spirit of enjoying the bad reviews, here are the acts I’m excited about, complete with their best (worst) review on Amazon: More…