First up are, of course, the headliners.

These three acts represent both authenticity and surprise. MASSIVE ATTACK and The xx were frequently mentioned by fans in advance, and with their shared characteristics of nocturnal and immersive dance music, they are sure to set the mood for this year's Fuji Rock. Massive Attack returns to Fuji Rock for the first time in 16 years since headlining in 2010, while The xx is a band that has grown alongside Fuji Rock, performing at the Red Marquee (2010), White Stage (2013), and Green Stage (2017), finally reaching the headliner spot on their fourth appearance. 2026 marks a long-awaited restart for Massive Attack, and The xx are scheduled to release their first new album in nine years! It's perfect timing for them to appear together. The xx, in particular, will be reuniting after each member reached different extremes in their solo careers, creating a completely new band dynamic that you'll be able to witness firsthand.

Then there's KHRUANGBIN, who will surely be welcomed with surprise as a headliner. After all, their last Fuji appearance was their debut in 2019 on the Field of Heaven stage. This time, they've shot straight to headliner status. However, we already know that these “sudden headliners” can work! Last year's Fred Again and Vulfpeck, both making their Japan debut and headlining for the first time, were huge successes. Moreover, Kruangbin's funky, psychedelic sound, rooted in instrumental music and mastering crossover, syncs perfectly with one of this year's Fuji themes, discussed later. Depending on the stage lineup, their performance should create significant chemistry with other acts throughout the festival.

So, moving forward, we'll introduce notable acts across five themes. The first theme we'll highlight is “Alternative Today”. While the lineup features a mix of old and new alternative rock and pop artists, this year stands out for its vivid sense of contemporaneity—it's packed with the absolute must-see top runners of the 2020s. Leading the charge, of course, is TURNSTILE. This marks their return to Fuji Rock after just two years, a short span indeed. In that time, they won the Grammy for “Best Rock Album.” In an era dominated by pop, a hardcore band carving out a place in the mainstream was undoubtedly a powerful counterpunch against rock's growing niche status. Turnstile truly stands at the epicenter of contemporary alternative music, and Fuji Rockers know better than anyone just how incredible their stage presence is.

MITSKI is leading the current alternative scene as a singer-songwriter. While her breakthrough hasn't quite resonated in Japan yet, an unexpected TikTok hit has given her a boost. She has evolved into a hybrid presence that now appeals to listeners of Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift. Her last Japan tour was fantastic, but seven years on, the emotional range of her vocals must be something else entirely. And TOMORA's stage, pointing towards the “future” of alternative pop, will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of Fuji Rock 2026. This project by Tom Rowland of The Chemical Brothers and Aurora boldly expands the potential of both the UK dance legend and Norway's gifted singer, evident in the acid-punk “RING THE ALARM” where their ideas run wild. While Massive and The xx create a dark, minimal electronic mood, TOMORA's hyper, massive electronic sound could be the perfect spice.

The next theme I'd like to highlight for this year's Fuji Rock is something you might call “A Genre-Defying, Boundary-Breaking Feast of Technical Wizards.” The acts fitting this theme link back to the aforementioned Kruangbin. From the jazz-funk of veteran American band LETTUCE, to the jazz-hip hop crossover of Toronto's instrumental trio BADBADNOTGOOD, to the Afro-jazz of London's KOKOROKO... this year's lineup is packed with modern jazz acts—especially those turning it into a genre-defying rhythm laboratory—and incredibly skilled live bands whose strength lies in their instrumental prowess.
Particularly noteworthy is the London-based rising star YUUF. Having just signed with Ninja Tune last year, they too are an instrumental band. Their sound embodies London's multicultural coexistence, blending psychedelic and Afrobeat with surf reminiscent of Kula Kula, alongside flamenco and Latin music. It even evokes Italian film scores, healing sounds, and spiritualism. Looking back on this year, their work is highly likely to be discussed as a hidden gem.

The third theme is simply “Neo-Global Pop.” Transcending the boundaries of Japanese music, reaching from Asia to the world, and achieving global standards in R&B and pop while steadfastly preserving the Asian identity long considered the frontier of global pop—the debut performances at Fuji Rock by Fujii Kaze and XG, this new type of artist, will surely be remembered as a monumental milestone in Fuji Rock's 30-year history.
XG performed at last year's Coachella Festival, and Fujii Kaze is set to perform this year. They are artists who truly fly around the world, performing at festivals on a global cycle. Considering this, I think they are Japanese artists who are a perfect fit for Fuji Rock, which has always welcomed a multinational mix of both artists and audiences.

Now we'll move a bit faster through the introduction. The fourth theme could be called “Indie Pop Led by Women.” This year, numerous female artists and bands fronted by women will perform, led by the aforementioned MITSKI. Among them, acts like ARLO PARKS, JAPANESE BREAKFAST, THE BETHS, SNAIL MAIL, SORRY. Many of these acts will establish a strong indie presence at this year's Fuji Rock.

The fifth and final theme is “A Psychedelic World Map.” Since the 2020s, Fuji Rock has consciously steered itself toward becoming a more multicultural festival, including its lineup. This year is no exception, packed with notable acts like ALTIN GUN (Turkey & Netherlands), SON ROMPE PERA (Mexico), TINARIWEN (Tuareg), and more. What these three acts share is a psychedelic essence. Yet even within psychedelia, differing countries, cultures, customs, and backgrounds create entirely distinct sonic mandalas. The true thrill of Fuji Rock lies in experiencing these differences as if on a journey.