By Michael Lara
Tokyo, Japan

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"You say, I cannot get there from here, baby/Then I don't care where I'm goin'…Change, nothin' stays the same/Unchained, and ya hit the ground runnin'…." This VAN HALEN track is 32 years old, but such determined liberation and freedom of expression is exactly what SMASH provides each year in creating its FUJI ROCK sanctuary for a global gathering in the mountains of Niigata that also promotes the health of our environment and human rights.

In this year of 2013, the iconic Mt. Fuji has just been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, raising the bar for guides worldwide as well as encouraging those overseas to schedule their way to Japan. And similarly, many are now in the final stages of planning to make the trek to FUJI ROCK as it proudly resides alongside other international artistic global anchors such as GLASTONBURY, BONARROO, COACHELLA and BIG DAY OUT. In sum, these are the big five festivals that duly give you a much-needed head-check.

And with the highly anticipated 2020 Olympics bid finale fast approaching, to culminate with the IOC's vote on September 7th in Switzerland, things on this island are getting increasingly excited in anticipation of a favorable vote for Tokyo. But to savor the delights of the summer, most are focused on beach bars, numerous fireworks festivals and music festivals with FUJI ROCK leading the way on Thursday, July 25th and SUMMER SONIC soon following.

For FUJI ROCK, Thursday night is the lift-off to the pre-fest opening party. While difficult to make for most in Japan, it's a must if you can. Not only do you get fireworks, you gain the best spots for camping. If Friday or after is your landing, just talk to those already there to get your grounding. And if you can make it for the whole stretch, make sure you are at either the Crystal Palace or Palace of Wonder come early Monday morning.

Masa Hidaka, the President of SMASH, is one who has always made sure that his FUJI ROCK is a global gathering, combining legendary artists like NIN, BJORK, TAKKYU ISHINO, JURASSIC 5, SPARKS, YO LA TENGO, KEMURI, GARTH HUDSON, DJ SHADOW, BRAHMAN, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, LAMA, KARL HYDE and THE CURE alongside those finding fame within the last 10 years or who are coming up or under the radar such as The XX, DIIV, FERMIN MUGURUZA, MUMFORD & SONS, VERY BE CAREFUL, DEATH GRIPS, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, FLYING LOTUS, TAME IMPALA, LOCAL NATIVES, GARY CLARK, JR., SKRILLEX, SAVAGES, PORTER ROBINSON, MODESELEKTOR,  BOYS NOIZE , FOALS and more.

Hit the ground running over these festive days and be ready for rain, sun, heat, wind, mud and bugs. Nothing stays the same up there!

 

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

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

Friday July 26th Artists:

NIN (USA): www.nin.com
BRAHMAN (JPN): http://www.brahman-tc.com/
SKRILLEX (USA): http://skrillex.com//
AGATA MORIO (JPN): www.agatamorio.com
CHAR (JPN): www.zicca.net
CJ RAMONE (USA): www.CJramone.com
DEATH GRIPS (USA) http://thirdwords.net//
DJ SHADOW (USA): http://www.universal-music.co.jp/dj-shadow
DOHATSUTEN (JPN): http://dohatsuten.jp
EDDIE ROBERTS' WEST COAST SOUNDS (USA): www.roughneckmusic.net
FLYING LOTUS (UK): http://www.beatink.com/Labels/Warp-Records/Flying-Lotus/BRC-350/
FUN. (USA): http://wmg.jp/artist/fun/
GARY CLARK JR. (USA): http://wmg.jp/artist/garyclarkjr
GASLAMP KILLER (USA): http://www.beatink.com/Labels/Brainfeeder/Gaslamp-Killer/BRC-351/
GENTLEMANS PISTOLS (UK): http://gentlemanspistols.com
KEMURI (JPN): http://kemuri.com/
LOCAL NATIVES (USA): http://www.thelocalnatives.com
MY BLOODY VALENTINE (IRL): http://www.mybloodyvalentine.co.uk
OF MONSTERS AND MEN (ICL): http://www.ofmonstersandmen.com
PORTER ROBINSON (USA): http://porterrobinsonofficial.com
RON SEXSMITH (CAN): http://www.ronsexsmith.com
THE SEA AND CAKE (USA): http://www.thrilljockey.com/thrill/The-Sea-and-Cake/#.UY8ZHtNp7fY
SOIL&PIMP "SESSIONS"(JPN): http://www.soilpimp.com
SPARKS (USA): http://www.allsparks.com
TAME IMPALA (AUS): http://www.tameimpala.com
TOWER OF POWER (USA): http://www.towerofpower.com
TURTLE ISLAND (JPN): http://turtleisland.jp
YELLOWCARD (USA): http://yellowcardrock.com

Saturday July 27th Artists:

BJORK (ICL): http://www.universal-music.co.jp/bjork/
KARL HYDE (ENG): http://www.beatink.com/Labels/Underworld/Karl-Hyde/BRC-366/
JURASSIC 5 (USA): http://jurassic5.com
AIMEE MANN (USA):
 http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/International/Arch/SR/aimeemann/
THE BAWDIES (JPN): http://thebawdies.com
BOYS NOIZE (GER): http://www.beatink.com/Labels/Beat-Records/Boys-Noize/BRC-352/
COHEED AND CAMBRIA: (USA) http://www.coheedandcambria.com
DANIEL LANOIS (CAN): http://www.daniellanois.com/
DARKSTAR (ENG): http://www.beatink.com/Labels/Warp-Records/Darkstar/BRC-360/
FEED ME (UK): http://feedme.uk.com
FERMIN MUGURUZA KONTRAKANTXA (ESP): http://www.muguruzafm.com/
FOALS (UK): www.foals.co.uk
GARTH HUDSON (CAN): http://www.garthhudson.com/
HURTS (ENG): http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/hurts/
JACK BEATS (ENG): http://www.jackbeats.co.uk/
JULIO BASHMORE (UK): http://juliobashmore.com
KENDRICK LAMAR (USA): http://www.universal-music.co.jp/kendrick-lamar/
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE (USA): http://jp.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/killswitch-engage
KYTE (ENG): http://kyteband.co.uk/
LAMA (JPN): http://www.lama.jp/
MAENO KENTA TO SOAPLANDERS (JPN): http://maenokenta.com/
MANNISH BOYS (USA): http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Artist/A024169.html
MAYA JANE COLES (UK/JPN): http://www.mayajanecoles.com/
MODESELECTOR (GER): http://www.modeselektor.com/
PRISCILLA AHN (USA): http://www.emimusic.jp/intl/priscilla/
RYUKYUDISKO (JPN): https://soundcloud.com/ryukyudisko
ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT (USA): http://www.rftc.com/
SHUGO TOKUMARU (JPN): http://www.shugotokumaru.com/
SKINNY LISTER (UK): https://soundcloud.com/skinnylister
SUZANNE VEGA (USA): http://www.suzannevega.com/
STERUSS (Selected by ROOKIE A GO GO) –(JPN)
http://www.myspace.com/steruss184045
TAMIO OKUDA (JPN): http://okudatamio.jp
TOM ODELL (UK): http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/International/Arch/SR/tomodell/
VERY BE CAREFUL (USA): https://www.facebook.com/verybecareful

Sunday July 28th Artists:

THE CURE (ENG): http://www.thecure.com
VAMPIRE WEEKEND (USA): http://www.hostess.co.jp/xl/vampireweekend/
The xx (ENG): http://hostess.co.jp/xl/thexx/
BASSEKOU KOUYATE & NGONI BA (MALI): http://bassekoukouyate.com/
DAUGHTER (ENG): http://hostess.co.jp/4ad/daughter/
DIIV (USA): http://capturedtracks.com/artists/diiv-2/
HAIM (USA): http://www.universal-music.co.jp/haim
HOT 8 BRASS BAND (USA): http://www.beatink.com/Labels/Tru-Thoughts/Hot8/BRC-357/
A HUNDRED BIRDS (JPN): http://ahbproduction.com/
JAZZONOVA (JPN): http://p-vine.jp/artists/jazzanova/
LETTUCE (USA): http://p-vine.jp/artists/lettuce/
LITE (JPN): http://lite-web.com/approaches2/
MITSUKAZE & GREEN MASSIVE (JPN): http://greenmassive.com/
MULATOU ASTATKE (ETH): http://www.mulatu-steps-ahead.com/
MUMFORD AND SONS (ENG): http://www.pachinkorecords.com/           
PORTUGAL. THE MAN (USA): http://www.myspace.com/portugaltheman/
SAVAGES (UK): http://www.hostess.co.jp/matador/savages/
SHEENA & THE ROKKETS (JPN): http://rokkets.com
TAHITI 80 (FRA): http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/tahiti80/
TAKKYU ISHINO (JPN): http://www.ink-net.jp/
TOKIKO KATO AND THEATRE BROOK (JPN): http://www.myspace.com/theatrebrook/
YO LA TENGO (USA): http://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.