As of this week, we have revealed around a mere third of the artists for this year's FRF line-up. Time to start thinking. I have to tell you, Taisho still has a few secrets up his sleeve (ie. big artists for the line-up). To be honest with you, I think it's more important than who will be on stage that music-lovin', nature-lovin' and human-lovin' folks gather out of all around the world, enjoy and bless our lives. I don't think I'm the only one who thinks that the feelings are the most important things about FRF. I hope you understand that at least everyone working for FRF every year to provide people with a miracle moment feels the same, which means FujiRock's magic is more important than money. I'm happy to say that these kinds of people come to FRF. The author of this experience report, Masao, seems to be one of them, as well. Thank you.
We're still accepting, so please e-mail ORG-master. The word count should total no more than 400-1000 characters in Japanese, or 180-450 words in English. Please title your e-mail "FRF report".
Reported by ORG-master and translated by ORG-yuko with a help of ORG-jason (April 20, 2002)
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The artist line-up has finally been announced. I've been going to FRF since 1997, and of course, I will go again this year. I was able to get the roll-over ticket. Hurray!
FRF is a very special place for me in this crazy world we live in.
For example, now in Japan, even if you have a normal life, you will hear musical garbage all the time. However, there are people out there who like this garbage - they even call those gabage makers "artists". It's so stupid.
I feel this situation in not only in music. Movies, fashion and lifestyles are also affected by these so-called "artists". But since there weren't many people who agree with me, I had no idea where I should put my pent-up anger.
FRF, however, is a place where these "silent minority" can get together.
It was 1999, Underworld played "Born Slippy", more than ten thousand people waved their hands under a sky full of shooting stars. The audience was respectful to each other, yet dancing hard to the great music and incredible performance. Because of this experience, I cried out of sheer joy - the first time for me during a performance of any kind.
I saw the vision of Taisho Hidaka, who said "I want to have a festival in Japan." I also saw the determination of an audience whose mind was completely open to enjoy music and have a good time. Don't forget the will-power of the artists who tried their best to meet our expectations. I could see the result of vision, determination and pure will-power at FRF. − I think I cried because I found out that there are still a few people out there in this crazy world who have the same feelings as I do.
(Well, I got depressed again when I saw a newspaper with the headline after FRF '99:"Glay's concert draws 200 thousand people!")
Anyway, I wrote a lot, but I just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to FRF this year again. Let's have fun in Naeba, Fuji rockers!
letter from masao (March 30, 2002)
