Its history began in 1999, the year FUJI ROCK moved to its current location in Niigata Pref.. At the time, it was called "Levi's NEW STAGE" and was established as a venue to provide performance opportunities for young ARTISTS and discover new talent. In that memorable first year, Quruli, who would later become a representative presence on the Japanese rock scene, performed. Looking back from today, it can be said that this event symbolized the potential that ROOKIE A GO-GO possesses.

Sambomaster , who overwhelmed audiences with their soulful live performances, appeared on stage in 2003. Their subsequent success led to the term "ROOKIE A GO-GO alumni" becoming more widely known.

As the 2010s began, its presence became even more established.
In 2010, HEY-SMITH , who would grow to become a representative presence in the Japanese ska-punk scene, performed, followed in 2011 by SiM , a loud rock band whose popularity is expanding both domestically and internationally. They left a strong impression on the night in Naeba.

In 2014, three acts who would go on to have a major impact on the Japanese music scene appeared in the same year: Creepy Nuts , a hip-hop unit that represents the current music scene; Yogee New Waves , who have become a symbol of the trend that followed city pop; and Suchmos , a band that rose to popularity overnight with their sophisticated groove.
This year will be a particularly noteworthy one in the history of ROOKIE A GO-GO, as they first appeared in Naeba as a band with the "future presence" and have since become a driving force in the music scene today.

In 2016, a succession of talented artists emerged who would go on to lead the scene, including Hitsuji Bungaku , who have become representative figures in the current alternative scene, and MONO NO AWARE , who have gained acclaim for their delicate sense of language and popness.

The following year saw the arrival of King Gnu , a now stadium-class act, CHAI , an all-girl band highly acclaimed overseas, and Otoboke Beaver, whose strong personalities have garnered worldwide attention. This year is also often spoken of as "the year we witnessed the stars of the future."

In recent years, new talents have emerged, including Kimijima Ohzora , who has gained a large following with her delicate expressiveness and overwhelming musicality; Suzuki Mikikos , who has attracted attention with her unique sense of language and earnest live performances; Suichu Spica , who is gaining support with their transparent sound and solid performance skills; and Baja, who embodies the punk impulse by fusing heavy riffs with electronic beats, proving that ROOKIE A GO-GO has always been running alongside the "next generation."

This year, the first lineup announcement includes artists who will be making a leap from the ROOKIE A ​​GO-GO stage to the main stage, including cero, who have been highly praised for their unique pop sensibility and urban sound, Hoon, who have attracted attention for their sensitive sound, KOTORI, who have made their presence felt in the domestic alternative scene, My Hair is Bad, who have gained support with their earnest lyrics and explosive live performances, SIX LOUNGE, who are gaining support with their solid rock sound, and Tempalay, who are attracting attention for their unique psychedelic pop that defies genre boundaries.

Another ROOKIE A GO-GO project

"Aim for the Main Stage!" is a voting project in which one ARTISTS who performed at ROOKIE A GO-GO will have the chance to perform on the main stage at FUJI ROCK the following year. This participatory project has been running since 2012, accepting votes from attendees and fans, and working together to select and support the ARTISTS who will move on to the next stage.
In the past, artists such as cero, MONO NO AWARE, CHAI, Kimijima Ohzora, and KOTORI have all performed on the main stage the following year, and last year kurayamisaka successfully secured the right to perform at RED MARQUEE. They have made their presence felt with their alternative sensibilities and narrative music.

Online voting now open! "Win the right to perform at FRF'26! Aiming for the main stage!"

Returning to FUJI ROCK is the true joy and greatest attraction of ROOKIE A GO-GO. It's the late-night live performances, which create an intimate and intense atmosphere that's different from the open atmosphere of the daytime, the closeness between audience and performer, and the emotional impact of a chance encounter with music. With the energy of a live music venue coexisting in the middle of nature, you can witness the moment when an unknown ARTISTS makes their first impression in front of a large crowd. And years later, the audience will be left with a memory that will make them say, "I saw that at ROOKIE."ROOKIE A GO-GO is a gateway to the future, and a place where you can witness the moment when a future headliner is born.

Now open! This year's ROOKIE A GO-GO band auditions