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History - 2008

Fact file

Dates

July 25, 26, 27, 2008

Place

Naeba Skii Resort, Niigata

Figures

Audience

119,000 (cumulative)

Campers

15,000

Tents

7,500

What happened?

2008 was the 150th anniversary of The Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity and Commerce with collaborative events in both countries that carried 'UK-Japan' slogan. Fuji Rock Festival was one such event and featured more UK artists than usual, with the Green Stage on Friday devoted to UK artists and Saturday filled with just UK and Japanese bands.

My Bloody Valentine reunited after 17 years, and were a dream come true! The audience revelled in the band's beautiful and magnificent sound, as it echoed around the vast natural surroundings of Naeba. The weekend included first time appearances from the likes of Kasabian, Bloc Party and Travis. Bootsy Collins' tribute to the godfather of soul was also unforgettable.

On Saturday, the bar was raised again by a spectacular performance from Underworld, with giant tube lighting onstage and the release of hundreds of huge inflatable balls over the heads of the audience at the climax of their set. Gogol Bordello, whose Orange Court performance had been much talked about, excited the packed Palace Of Wonder audience with a second "late-night " gig. Their wild rocking live show left the audience reeling; such an intimate encounter with the band was one of the excitements of the year.

The Green Stage opened a refreshed and relaxed Sunday afternoon with Melee and Jason Mraz and the Festival's signature band The Music came back to perform another inspiring show. Unfortunately Kiyoshiro Imawano's appearance was cancelled but Primal Scream and The Birthday covered his absence and rocked the audience, followed by Asian Dub Foundation who closed the Green Stage with another energetic performance.

A new side show was added to the ever evolving list of stages - the Cabaret Fiesta, with a strong Mexican atmosphere, tequila and a Mariachi band, was found next to the Stoned Circle, which returned for its 2nd year.

The Fuji Rock Festival has always tried to tackle the issue of recycling resources used within the event. Bio Diesel Fuel (BDF), recycled from used cooking oil, has been used for powering the Avalon, Field Of Heaven, and Board Walk areas. A new plastic recycling project was introduced this year, and plastic bottles collected in 2007 were transformed into staff jackets and the original 'My Bottle' was made available in the Official Goods shop.

Also new was 'FUJIROCKERS - THE HISTORY OF THE FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL' the official documentary of the festival, released on July 23rd as a double disk DVD.

The film covers the 11 years of Fuji Rock from the start 1997 on Mount Fuji, to 2007 in Naeba. It features documentary footage, festival life enjoying music and nature, as well as live performances from 123 artists who have helped make the Fuji Rock legend. This unique festival documentary film, unlike any other in the world, has attracted widespread attention and proved to be an extraordinary hit.

Timetable 2008