Naeba Ongaku Totsugekitai / GUEST Kenichi Asai: I wanted to grow up to be this mature - sophistication and presence

The live performance kicked off with a cover of Little Richard's famous song "GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY," instantly raising the energy level of the floor. The lively keyboard melodies and trumpet accents were so upbeat that even those not particularly familiar with oldies couldn't help but sway along. Tanny's powerful and exhilarating shouts as he performed classic rock hits like "Whole Lotta Rosie" and "Sympathy For The Devil" were exhilarating. Even listeners who might be put off by overly powerful music were captivated by the veteran Naeba Ongaku Totsugekitai. Everyone in the audience was smiling and grooving to the rhythm.
The moment the distorted guitar started to play, I was immediately struck by the powerful impact. It was when Yamaji took over as lead vocalist. "I Wanna Be Your Dog" was far more hard rock-oriented than The Stooges' original version, with an arrangement that was almost like heavy metal. Some audience members were headbanging repeatedly, and others were seen raising the devil horns above their heads.
Then, guest Kenichi Asai appeared. "I'm so happy to be invited back to FUJI ROCK after so long. Thank you," he said, before performing "Silvet," a song he created during his time with JUDE. The acoustic performance and Asai's vocals evoked images of a clear blue sky, and I listened to the song while thinking about how wonderful it would be to hear it in Naeba. Next, he performed two of BLANKEY JET CITY's famous songs, "Derringer" and "Gasoline no Yurekata." "Derringer" showcased Asai's unique wordplay and the sound of the upright bass, while "Gasoline no Yurekata" was also performed at FUJI ROCK in 2000. I had the opportunity to encounter many Blankey fans before the show started, and I was impressed by how the floor exploded with excitement for both songs. "Thank you everyone!!!" Without saying much, that one word alone overwhelmed the venue. He left the stage, showcasing the brilliance of a rock musician to the audience.

Incidentally, a "rock-paper-scissors tournament" was held this time, and the winner received a T-shirt signed by all the members and Kenichi Asai. Contrary to their hard-boiled appearance, the Naeba Ongaku Totsugekitai's playful and friendly atmosphere is also part of their charm.

Never Young Beach: Fan fireworks light up the pleasant beach.

Never Young Beach's first song, "Rarirarin," started off in a relaxed atmosphere. During the "Rarirarirarirarara~" part, the audience sang along, waving their hands. The mood became calmer with "Kimochi Ii Kaze ga Fuita n desu," which symbolizes the current season with its lyrics, "A gentle breeze blows softly before summer arrives." Abe (Vo/Gt), wearing a cap and varsity jacket, swayed and danced, hyping up the crowd and warming up the floor.
The band, playing their first live show of the year, seemed in high spirits throughout, occasionally unleashing explosive sounds from their triple guitars and happily responding to enthusiastic fans shouting for Abe Ai by saying it was "like fireworks." When the members joked that the flag adorned with the FUJI ROCK logo was like a flag from a fast car race (F1), laughter erupted from the audience, and the live show proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Wanting to perform a quieter song as well, they presented "Kokoro no Mama ni" (As My Heart Desires). This nostalgic song, reminiscent of Sunny Day Service, stood out among the tropical tracks, enveloping the audience in a tranquility like watching a calm night sea.

The show seemed to be ending with a pleasant groove as they performed popular songs like "Bright Future" and "Summer's Heartbeat" at the end...but in response to the persistent calls for an encore, they surprised the audience with a performance of "Let's Go Home," bringing the show to a close amidst warm applause.

DJ POKASKA (from Naeba): Cooling down the dance floor nicely

DJ POKASKA, known for his pioneering style that bridges the gap between experimental and dance music, used a rich array of synthesizer sounds to enhance the atmosphere before the show started, during transitions, and after the performance. He sometimes cooled down the dance floor, and at other times delivered electronic dance music perfect for dancing with a drink in hand, greatly exciting the audience.