In this music column series, we ask music and film personality Leila Okuhama, who hosts festivals and music shows around the world, about artists to watch this month.
With the proliferation of streaming services, we now live in an age where we can keep up with music trends both domestically and internationally in real time. Which artists are currently trending on Spotify's top charts (most played songs) and viral charts (songs currently trending on social media)? This time, we look back on Fuji Rock Festival '19.
This year's Fuji Rock Festival '19 was held for three days from July 26th to 28th at Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture. Including the pre-party, a whopping 130,000 people attended. This year, tickets for the weekday Friday event sold out about a month in advance, and the venues were filled with excitement throughout the entire festival.
Fuji Rock is an event where you have to deal with the weather, and this year, due to the effects of Typhoon No. 6, it rained from the first day onwards. The rain got much heavier on the second day, and even with rain gear, there were times when it was difficult to even stand. (Honestly, out of the past 10 Fuji Rock festivals I've attended, this one was probably the most difficult.)
Still, this year I was able to witness some incredible performances that really hit me in the heart and there were some unforgettable scenes, so here are three acts that truly symbolize this year's Fuji!
First up was Janelle Monáe, who appeared on the Green Stage on Day 1.
Her long-awaited first visit to Japan and Fuji Rock was arguably the biggest attraction of the year, and even before the event began, many people were excited to see Janelle. "I absolutely have to see her this year!" I was, of course, one of them.
Even though I thought I was mentally prepared, when she took to the stage in her leotard, red knee-high boots, military-style jacket and hat, I couldn't help but let out a cry, and her divine beauty and star quality were so great that loud sighs could be heard throughout the venue.
At the end of "Primetime," the guitarist (who, incidentally, is Maceo Parker's nephew) played Prince's Purple Rain, a nod to the roots that shaped her.
During her several MC performances, she spoke powerfully about living your own life without fear of being different, the beauty of self-love, and the need to fight against the powers that oppress the rights of women, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, working-class people, and immigrants around the world. I really connected with her beliefs and was deeply moved.
While she packed that message into her performance, she entertained us to the very end, so a heartfelt round of applause awaits. By the way, my favourite song is "Pynk", which she sang while appearing in pants shaped like the female genitalia, a familiar sight in the music video. This is my personal favourite act of the year, and I was energised by this ultimate opinion leader who combines strength, cuteness and humour.
Mitski, who headlined the Red Marquee that same day, also delivered a powerful and moving performance.
With the band announcing that they would be taking an indefinite hiatus from live performances in September, a tent-like atmosphere of sadness and tension hung over the tent, as if this might be their last performance in Japan. The tables and chairs set up on stage along with the band's equipment emanated an eerie presence.
She appeared from the side of the stage wearing a plain white T-shirt, black leggings that went above the knee, and black knee pads on both legs. She walked slowly towards the table in the center and began to sing quietly, and the Mitsuki world suddenly appeared.
Mitsuki Set List
With the proliferation of streaming services, we now live in an age where we can keep up with music trends both domestically and internationally in real time. Which artists are currently trending on Spotify's top charts (most played songs) and viral charts (songs currently trending on social media)? This time, we look back on Fuji Rock Festival '19.
Leila Okuhama's Music Recommendations Vol. 4
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This year's Fuji Rock Festival '19 was held for three days from July 26th to 28th at Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture. Including the pre-party, a whopping 130,000 people attended. This year, tickets for the weekday Friday event sold out about a month in advance, and the venues were filled with excitement throughout the entire festival.
Fuji Rock is an event where you have to deal with the weather, and this year, due to the effects of Typhoon No. 6, it rained from the first day onwards. The rain got much heavier on the second day, and even with rain gear, there were times when it was difficult to even stand. (Honestly, out of the past 10 Fuji Rock festivals I've attended, this one was probably the most difficult.)
Still, this year I was able to witness some incredible performances that really hit me in the heart and there were some unforgettable scenes, so here are three acts that truly symbolize this year's Fuji!
First up was Janelle Monáe, who appeared on the Green Stage on Day 1.
Her long-awaited first visit to Japan and Fuji Rock was arguably the biggest attraction of the year, and even before the event began, many people were excited to see Janelle. "I absolutely have to see her this year!" I was, of course, one of them.
Even though I thought I was mentally prepared, when she took to the stage in her leotard, red knee-high boots, military-style jacket and hat, I couldn't help but let out a cry, and her divine beauty and star quality were so great that loud sighs could be heard throughout the venue.
At the end of "Primetime," the guitarist (who, incidentally, is Maceo Parker's nephew) played Prince's Purple Rain, a nod to the roots that shaped her.
During her several MC performances, she spoke powerfully about living your own life without fear of being different, the beauty of self-love, and the need to fight against the powers that oppress the rights of women, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, working-class people, and immigrants around the world. I really connected with her beliefs and was deeply moved.
While she packed that message into her performance, she entertained us to the very end, so a heartfelt round of applause awaits. By the way, my favourite song is "Pynk", which she sang while appearing in pants shaped like the female genitalia, a familiar sight in the music video. This is my personal favourite act of the year, and I was energised by this ultimate opinion leader who combines strength, cuteness and humour.
Mitski, who headlined the Red Marquee that same day, also delivered a powerful and moving performance.
With the band announcing that they would be taking an indefinite hiatus from live performances in September, a tent-like atmosphere of sadness and tension hung over the tent, as if this might be their last performance in Japan. The tables and chairs set up on stage along with the band's equipment emanated an eerie presence.
She appeared from the side of the stage wearing a plain white T-shirt, black leggings that went above the knee, and black knee pads on both legs. She walked slowly towards the table in the center and began to sing quietly, and the Mitsuki world suddenly appeared.
Mitsuki Set List
Although based in New York, she was born and raised to half-American and half-Japanese parents, so her MC performances in Japan are in Japanese. The MC spoke of their gratitude to the Fuji Rockers who had been living in tents in the rain, easing the tension of the live show a little.
This farewell was so sad that I'm sure I wasn't the only one who saw them off with the hope that they would take back their words and come back at any time.
SIA's performance at this year's Fuji Rock also made an incredible impact.
SIA, who has not performed much live this year even on a global scale, appeared as the headliner on the second day. Despite the unprecedented downpour, the Green Stage was almost full with spectators who did not want to miss this rare performance.
She appeared on the simple stage with her trademark blonde and black bob hair, a white dress, a white ribbon and a white microphone, and then, as if emerging from the hem of the dress, appeared her alter ego, dancer Maddie Ziegler, who had the same hairstyle as SIA.
View this post on Instagram????SIA JULY 27 SAT - GREEN STAGE .Photo by Masanori Naruse @mnp.hoto #sia #fujirockfestival
At that point, I couldn't contain my excitement at the theatrical story unfolding before my eyes.
SIA herself never appeared in the foreground while singing on stage; only the dancers physically expressed the story, but it was thrilling to realize that all of them were alter egos infused with SIA's will, and that everything they expressed was the work of SIA, the Staley Teller.
A screen beside the stage constantly projected a stage-like image (I noticed a number of things while watching carefully, and I'll refrain from making any explicit statements here, as it would be rude to do so). At the end of the encore, a backstage flash revealed some of the secrets, and SIA's own face was briefly visible (!), which was a charming touch.
All in all, it was a truly magnificent performance. I was overwhelmed by her singing voice, thrilled by the thoroughness of her worldview, and even more so by the universality of her songs.
SIA Set List
I think the theatrical approach is packed with important messages, so next time I'd love to see her perform at a large indoor venue.
Due to the Tokyo Olympics, next year's Fuji Rock Festival will be held on August 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, which is different from usual dates. I was a little disappointed that we'll have to wait a little longer until the next event, but let's keep this excitement in our hearts and work hard until next year's event! And thank you for your energy again this year, Fuji Rock!
The Viral Chart, updated daily, lets you find out the hottest songs on social media around the world! Be sure to check it out.
【Profile】
Okuhama Leila
Music and film personality. Currently active as an MC for film stage greetings and music programs. She currently writes for the new releases column in the women's magazine "GINZA." Her hobby is attending music festivals overseas.
[Inquiries]
www.spotify.com
Okuhama Leila
Music and film personality. Currently active as an MC for film stage greetings and music programs. She currently writes for the new releases column in the women's magazine "GINZA." Her hobby is attending music festivals overseas.
[Inquiries]
www.spotify.com
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