shamblesEvery festival has certain acts whose popularity and acclaim are foregone conclusions, but here at Fujirock.com we enjoy forecasting the dark horses that go on to be fest highlights. It’s one of my favorite parts of the pre-fest prep: predicting the surprise hits, the acts that no one knows upon arrival but no one forgets after they blow off the roof in front of a throng of first-time viewers. So here, I’d like to start the predictions with one of my own: introducing British beatbox badass Beardyman.


I know, I know. BeardyWHO? Not a superstar, right? But you don’t have to be on the cover of NME to be a showstopper. Once I saw this clip I knew this guy will tear it up. Just watch this guy onstage. Or in the kitchen. Or hell, even in the supermarket. Then perhaps you might see why I think – wait – why I KNOW that he is going to KILL at Fuji.

Listen to this recent radio clip, and keep in mind that even though he uses sequencers and other mixing equipment like a DJ, almost every one of those sounds originate in his MOUTH.

According to this interview, this two-time National Beatboxing Champion has a very, very busy 2010: a new album, a podcast series, a collaboration with an orchestra (!) and a herculean tour that drops him in festivals across Europe, Japan and North America.

What other bands will people be talking about this year. Drop’em in the comments below.

More Beardyman clips here