Now this is a festival for those looking for a unique experience. Billed as the “perfect place to enjoy music, meet new people and open your mind,” the Fuji Rock Festival is the biggest open-air rock event in Japan. Martin gear has been a staple of past festivals and this year was no different with approximately 150 Martin fixtures employed on several stages across all three days of the festival. Lighting supply and technical support was by M-Tech Style Inc. with Martin gear supplied through Martin Professional Japan.

Held from July 29-31 at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata prefecture in northern Japan, this year marked the festival’s 9th anniversary. Located about 2.5 hours from Tokyo by bullet train, the Fuji Rock Festival started in 1997 as Japan’s first large open-air rock festival. A unique atmosphere and “independence, cooperation and respect for nature” are hallmarks of the event.

The site is divided into various areas, a total of 10 stages plus a stage at “scenery mountain” reachable by cable car. More than 150 performers from around the world and Japan performed for a three-day audience in excess of 100,000.

Green Stage
The main outdoor stage is the 30,000 capacity Green Stage where numerous legendary bands have performed in the past. This year, top names included Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Beck, Fat Boy Slim, New Order and many others. Production was big with large screens installed stage left and right and a MAC rig of 30 MAC 2000 Profiles, 30 MAC 2000 Wash, and 27 Atomic 3000 strobes (all with Atomic Colors) providing the light show excitement.

Field of Heaven
A ten minute walk from the White Stage is the Field of Heaven, an outdoor stage with a somewhat magical atmosphere. Surrounded by a forest soaked in color, a Native American tee-pee stands amid candle art and lighting, creating a mysterious and magical space after sunset. Here, 6 MAC 500 profile spots and 12 MAC 300 washlights supported artists like Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Rovo, Amp Fiddler and others.

Red Marquee
At the 5,000 capacity indoor Red Marquee stage, bands such as DJ Kentaro, The Coral, Mercury Rev and others performed, with dancing acts and DJ performances till dawn. Here, the MAC rig consisted of 10 MAC 600 and 10 MAC 300 washlights along with 10 MAC 500 profile spots.

Orange Court and White Stage
The Orange Court, a 5000 capacity outdoor stage featuring bands like Crazy Ken Band, Los Lobos and others, featured 4 MAC 500 profile spots and 12 MAC 300 washlights while ten Atomic strobes were utilized at another outdoor stage, the 10,000 capacity White Stage, located in a forest clearing surrounded by trees. Here top artists like Kiyoshirou Imawano, Sambo Masters and others performed.