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Masafumi Goto
Fuji Rock sometimes takes the credit for the enormous success of Asian Kung-Fu Generation, who went from the Rookie A Go Go stage in 2004 to Budokan in a little more than a year’s time. Actually, the Yokohama quartet was already buzz-worthy when they played Rookie, and later that summer even appeared at Summer Sonic. Nevertheless, they’ve been almost annual visitors to the festival and this year were slotted into the tricky opening position on Sunday at the Green Stage.
It’s difficult to receive the kind of overnight success Ajikan has without being jaded, and I almost didn’t notice they had started playing when they opened their set with a quiet, reflective song that seemed sort of wimpy, especially given lead singer Masafumi Goto’s bespectacled grad student demeanor. I had just come from the Red Marquee, where Good For Nothing, a hardcore pop punk ensemble, had cleared my sinuses with a rip-roaring set. These guys are buzz-worthy at the moment and are still young and hungry, but the attitude is backed up with chops and a real talent for songs. Would they be the next Ajikan?
As their senpais’ set progressed, however, I realized I misjudged their priorities. Though Ajikan still play the punk they started out with, they’ve expanded into pretty much every species of hard rock, and their stabs at straight pop are convincing, too. Actually, I was the jaded one, as I should have realized when I saw what a huge crowd the group attracted on traditionally hung-over Sunday morning. As the set progressed, the energy level increased and eventually there wasn’t an empty spot in the field. I was definitely converted. I guess I’ll have to learn the songs now.
photo: Koya
