• 25 years with the rocking rebel – Shogo Komiyama

    Founder of Radical Music Network. (Photo by Kosuke Kobayashi)

    Shogo Komiyama has been bringing “rebel music” from Latin America, Europe, and Asia to Japan for 25 years with his Radical Music Network. He believes music and politics are inseparable, and though the road has been difficult, he wouldn’t do it any other way.

    ─ What made you first come to Japan?

    After completing an agricultural program abroad, I moved to Costa Rica and did a rave party in Argentina. Later I  got a job at a Japanese food company with offices in Tokyo and Okinawa. It was going pretty well. But I just couldn’t get away from music.

    When I decided to make a living from music, my partner in the venture abandoned me after six months. He hung up on me, and all my savings were gone. I even went into debt and had to start from scratch again. But, looking back, I think it was a test. If I didn’t do it at the time, I wouldn’t be who I am today READ MORE

  • 25th party

    Radical Music Network Special 25th Anniversary!

    25th party

    A preview party for Fuji Rock performers

     

    This year’s Radical Music Network’s  25th anniversary will be a big fiesta party in the heart of Shibuya  with a lot of Rebel Music (Cumbia, Mestizo, Reggae, Ska, Latin, Garage, Punk, etc).

    The lineup includes many special guests from overseas, many confirmed to appear at Fuji Rock Festival including: Fermin Muguruza (Basque Country), South Carnival (South Korea), Discos Fantastico! (Peru), Bellboy (South Korea), Satria Ramadhan (Indonesia).

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  • Another Stunning Year, Another Stunning Asagiri Jam!

    DAY ONE

    A whole year is always a long time to wait for the next year’s Fuji Rock. Just remember if you are starting to feel the booty shakes of withdrawal symptoms as the summer comes to a close, there is always big Fuji’s undersung sibling, Asagiri Jam!

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  • The Spirit of the Festival: Glastonbury’s Community Vibe and Its Future Inspiration for Fuji Rock

    Crowd gathers for a workout class. Photo credit: Keiko Hirakawa

    Crowd gathers for a workout class. Photo credit: Keiko Hirakawa

    Attending Glastonbury this year was a fantastic experience. As someone who usually covers Fuji Rock, it was amazing to see the festival that inspired it all. The sense of community at Glastonbury is something special, and it’s quite different from Fuji Rock. Here’s a peek into the unique vibe that makes Glastonbury stand out.

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  • Green Initiatives: A Comparison Between Glastonbury and Fuji Rock

    The aftermath of Glastonbury's main stages at 3am each night.

    The aftermath of Glastonbury’s main stages at 3am each night.

    When it comes to sustainability, two of the world’s most iconic music festivals, Glastonbury and Fuji Rock, offer some intriguing contrasts and lessons for each other. Both festivals have made strides in reducing their environmental impact, but each has unique approaches shaped by their cultural and logistical contexts.

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  • Glastopedia: Interview with Creator Ben Smith

    1-Glastopedia

    Glastopedia, an extensive and unofficial online compendium dedicated to one of the world’s most famous music festivals, Glastonbury Festival, offers a treasure trove of information on every aspect of the festival. From its history and timeline to detailed data on performers, venues, campsites, crew, and vendors, Glastopedia expands far beyond the capabilities of the festival’s official website and app to date.

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  • Big Willie’s Burlesque is Back!

    The return of the Palace of Wonder would not be complete without Big Willie’s Burlesque: a quartet of musicians backed up by two lovely dancers, Carolina Cerisola and Alyssa Marquez. The group regularly perform in Hollywood and have been mainstays at Fuji Rock since 2004. We’re thrilled to catch up with the man they call Big Willy (Willie McNeill) and get his impressions on two decades of Fuji rocking!
    The musicians in Big Willie's Burlesque

    The musicians in Big Willie’s Burlesque

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  • Meet Barrington DeVaughn Hendricks, AKA JPEGMAFIA

    Barrington DeVaughn Hendricks, better known as rapper and producer JPEGMAFIA, has been making movements around the world with performances at Gov Ball in Queens (New York, U.S.A), Splendor on the Grass in Byron Bay, (Australia) and the long awaited Fuji Rock coming up this month.
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  • Madbunny: Enduring Symbol of Fuji Rock

    Happy Bunny Couple

    Happy Bunny Couple

    For Fuji Rock veterans, these playful, brightly colored bunnies are synonymous with the best festival moments such as a stroll along the boardwalk or the carefree feeling of listening to great music with a group of friends. The story of how these bunnies found their way to Naeba and later, in the middle of the iconic yellow towel freely distributed by Tower Records is well worth a quick read.

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  • How To Do Fuji Rock Sustainably

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    As we’re approaching the one month countdown to Fuji Rock, the excitement is growing day by day. Good music, good food, good company, all whilst basking in the beautiful scenery of Naeba, what could be better than that? While we all slowly start to prepare for the festival, let’s take into account some ways we can make this years experience more sustainable.
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