Toots

Toots

A new set of artists has just been announced for the festival, but the elephant remains nervously in the middle of the room. Who will fill the all-important Saturday night headlining slot? Ticket-wise, Saturday is the most important day, since it often determines how many people actually decide to make a weekend out of the festival, rather than just a one-day affair. It’s no secret that the organizers have always tried to book a huge star for Saturday night, and we’ve heard in the past of efforts to get some people who don’t normally make it to Japan that often. Usually these efforts are unsuccessful because, well, these stars have reasons not to come all the way to Japan at the height of the festival season, most of them logistical. Reasons for the slot remaining empty this late are numerous but the obvious ones are: holding out for a big star who has made positive noises but has yet to commit; commitment from a star who may not have as much drawing power as the organizers would like; failure to secure someone major after months of negotiation.

The thing is, it’s obviously important that Fuji Rock make money, but if no big artist is available it’s not as much as a big deal as it sounds. Dedicated Fujirockers are going to go anyway, and rather than book a second-tier act that has played the fest countless times before just to fill that slot and risk derisive snickers from hater quarters, why not go with your strengths? Use a little imagination. For instance, the Specials are already booked for Saturday, and though I imagine they’ll play the White Stage, they could easily rock the Green Stage. They’re one of the most reliable live acts in the history of rock, and they can hold a huge audience. I saw them several years ago at Summer Sonic and I found them amazing, having never seen them before. Also, Toots and the Maytals are also scheduled for Saturday. What a combination that would be: Toots and the Specials. The point is that the failure to get a big act, if that’s the case, can actually be an opportunity. And it’s not like making lemonade out of lemons. It’s more like making margaritas out of tequila: take something good and make it better.