By Michael Lara
Tokyo, Japan

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"Get on up…Get on up…Get on up…Take it much higher." JAPAN'S "Adolescent Sex" (1978) is one song that quintessentially encapsulates the boundless spirit of FUJI ROCK with its relentless 96-hour schedule from Thursday morning until Monday morning.

Embarking on its 17th year, high in the mountains of Niigata on the grounds of Naeba Prince Hotel Ski Resort, SMASH has assembled an outstanding collection of artists and vendors to provide a feast for all senses for the dedicated masses soon to be in attendance at this unique international commune. Naturally, it's that time of year to plan accordingly, if this destination is charted.

Despite a rough outing in 2011 due to the enormously destructive Great Tohoku Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown, which scared many away, 2012's fare truly showed this phoenix rising out of its ashes. In short, things definitely got back on track.

Seizing the momentum from 2012's great resurrection, SMASH has aggressively booked for 2013, landing BJORK, then NIN and THE CURE to anchor this extended global family gathering.

One thing for sure that I can say from experiencing all FRF since 2000, you best be ready for anything and everything regarding the weather, the people you meet, artist performances, foods and drinks offered, as well as people's passions naturally surfacing either subtlety or dramatically. Rest assured, come Sunday night or if you have the stamina to make Monday morning's final gathering spot, known as Palace Of Wonder, you will have felt that you lived a year in just a few days due to the festival's addictive-reality, fueled by the non-stop candy provided for all your senses.

Besides the already mentioned headliners, this international oasis will have nearly all of the musical genres you could possibly want or imagine, minus country and classical perhaps. Simply put, there will be no shortage of opportunities to travel the globe within these grounds, over countless stages and different revelations about yourself, others and life.

Massive in scope, rest assured you are going to get some good exercise from all elements, so make sure you're duly prepared whether economically camping or having dependable lodging in a pension or hotel such as the Naeba Prince.

With so many rich experiences abounding, it's no surprise that loyalty for FRF is legendary and is due to the atmosphere, the bookings, the meticulous preparations, the services provided and to an enormous and attentive staff ready to ensure this cruise is smooth sailing for you and yours.

Additionally, as Tokyo prepares for the final battle with Istanbul for hosting the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, FUJI ROCK will definitely be an international platform to assist in Tokyo's bid. Attendance and participation is something inescapable on one's "to do" list if you cannot live without being immersed in diverse nature, music, film, art, food, drink, education and above all, people.

Just remember to be ready for ANY kind of weather, and I mean ANY kind, as well as some most exotic creatures in the dark and sunshine, so cover up and protect yourself accordingly. If opting to go the rugged way, the campground opens on Thursday 12 noon. Additionally, if able to make it up to Naeba that day, the main gates open for the kick-off party at 6pm. Thus, be sure to duly prepare to take what comes in stride on this spacious, international pitch and to do so all together now.

 

FUJI ROCK 2013
Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata. Japan
July 26th-28th, 2013

fujirockfestival.com
smash-jpn.com
smash-uk.com
For domestic purchase: smash-uk.com/frf13/ticket_japan.html
For international purchase: smash-uk.com/frf13/ticket_overseas.html

Friday July 26th Artists:

NIN (USA): nin.com
SKRILLEX (USA): skrillex.com
AGATA MORIO (JPN): agatamorio.com
CHAR (JPN): zicca.net
CJ RAMONE (USA): CJramone.com
DEATH GRIPS (USA): thirdwords.net
DJ SHADOW (USA): universal-music.co.jp/dj-shadow
DOHATSUTEN (JPN): dohatsuten.jp
EDDIE ROBERTS' WEST COAST SOUNDS (UK): roughneckmusic.net
FLYING LOTUS (UK): beatink.com/Labels/Warp-Records/Flying-Lotus
FUN. (USA): wmg.jp/artist/fun
GARY CLARK JR. (USA): wmg.jp/artist/garyclarkjr
THE GASLAMP KILLER (USA): beatink.com/Labels/Brainfeeder/Gaslamp-Killer
GENTLEMANS PISTOLS (UK): gentlemanspistols.com
KEMURI (JPN): kemuri.com
LOCAL NATIVES (USA): thelocalnatives.com
MY BLOODY VALENTINE (IRL): mybloodyvalentine.co.uk
OF MONSTERS AND MEN (ICL): ofmonstersandmen.com
PORTER ROBINSON (USA): porterrobinsonofficial.com
RON SEXSMITH (CAN): ronsexsmith.com
THE SEA AND CAKE (USA): thrilljockey.com/thrill/The-Sea-and-Cake
SOIL&PIMP "SESSIONS"(JPN): soilpimp.com
SPARKS (USA): allsparks.com
TAME IMPALA (AUS): tameimpala.com
TOWER OF POWER (USA): towerofpower.com
TURTLE ISLAND (JPN): turtleisland.jp
YELLOWCARD (USA): yellowcardrock.com

Saturday July 27th Artists:

BJORK (ICL): universal-music.co.jp/bjork
KARL HYDE (UK): beatink.com/Labels/Underworld/Karl-Hyde
JURASSIC 5 (USA): jurassic5.com
AIMEE MANN (USA): sonymusic.co.jp/Music/International/Arch/SR/aimeemann
THE BAWDIES (JPN): thebawdies.com
BOYS NOIZE (UK): beatink.com/Labels/Beat-Records/Boys-Noize
COHEED AND CAMBRIA (USA): coheedandcambria.com
DANIEL LANOIS (CAN): daniellanois.com
DARKSTAR (UK): beatink.com/Labels/Warp-Records/Darkstar
FEED ME (UK): feedme.uk.com
FERMIN MUGURUZA KONTRAKANTXA (ESP): muguruzafm.com
FOALS (UK): foals.co.uk
HURTS (UK): sonymusic.co.jp/hurts
JACK BEATS (DJ set) (UK): jackbeats.co.uk
KENDRICK LAMAR (USA): universal-music.co.jp/kendrick-lamar
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE (USA): jp.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/killswitch-engage
KYTE (UK): kyteband.co.uk
MAENO KENTA TO SOAPLANDERS (JPN): maenokenta.com
MANNISH BOYS (USA): jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Artist/A024169.html
MAYA JANE COLES (UK): mayajanecoles.com
MODESELEKTOR (GER): modeselektor.com
ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT (USA): rftc.com
SHUGO TOKUMARU (JPN): shugotokumaru.com
SUZANNE VEGA (USA): suzannevega.com
STERUSS (Selected by ROOKIE A GO GO) (JPN): myspace.com/steruss184045
TAMIO OKUDA (JPN): okudatamio.jp
TOM ODELL (UK): sonymusic.co.jp/Music/International/Arch/SR/tomodell
VERY BE CAREFUL (USA): verybecareful.com

Sunday July 28th Artists:

THE CURE (UK): thecure.com
VAMPIRE WEEKEND (USA): hostess.co.jp/xl/vampireweekend
The xx (UK): hostess.co.jp/xl/thexx
BASSEKOU KOUYATE & NGONI BA (MAL): bassekoukouyate.com
DAUGHTER (UK): hostess.co.jp/4ad/daughter
DIIV(USA): capturedtracks.com/artists/diiv-2
HAIM (USA): universal-music.co.jp/haim
HOT 8 BRASS BAND (USA): beatink.com/Labels/Tru-Thoughts/Hot8
A HUNDRED BIRDS (JPN): ahbproduction.com
JAZZANOVA (GER): p-vine.jp/artists/jazzanova
LETTUCE (USA): p-vine.jp/artists/lettuce
LITE (JPN): lite-web.com/approaches2
MITSUKAZE & GREEN MASSIVE (JPN): greenmassive.com
MULATOU ASTATKE (ETH): mulatu-steps-ahead.com
MUMFORD AND SONS (UK): pachinkorecords.com
PORTUGAL. THE MAN (USA): myspace.com/portugaltheman
SHEENA & THE ROKKETS (JPN): rokkets.com
TAHITI 80 (FRA): jvcmusic.co.jp/tahiti80
TAKKYU ISHINO (JPN): ink-net.jp
TOKIKO KATO AND THEATRE BROOK (JPN): myspace.com/theatrebrook
YO LAT TENGO (USA): hostess.co.jp/matador/yolatengo

 

All opinions expressed by Michael Lara are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of Stay Thirsty Media, Inc.