20th Fuji Rock Recap

On July 3, YouTube and Softbank announced for the first time ever that this year’s Fuji Rock Festival would be available on livestream through Fuji Rock’s YouTube channel.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the annual Fuji Rock festival is Japan’s largest outdoor music event. Over 250 artists performed on a total of 15 stages at the Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture.

Thanks to YouTube’s investment in the Japanese music industry, this year’s festival had a global beat that reverberated live, world-wide.

In commemoration of its 20-year run dating back to the first festival at the base of Mt. Fuji in 1997, Fuji Rock released two official compilation albums and an anniversary memorial book.

When comparing the Fuji Rock Festival 20th Anniversary Collection CDs 1997-2006 and 2007-2016, you will notice straight away the quality of international guests Fuji Rock Festival has attracted to perform on its stages, as well as the diversity in mixed genres sharing the spotlight through the years.

Noticeable big names of rock and roll in the first decade are Beck and the Foo Fighters, whereas in the second decade, artists known for mellow vibes such as Jason Mraz, and electronic music duo JUSTICE are included in the track list.

YouTube’s investment in the Japanese music industry

Friday, July 27 marked an historical milestone for the Japanese music industry. Select festival performances were broadcast live on YouTube for the first time ever, through Fuji Rock Festival’s official YouTube channel. The global celebration continued for all three days of the festival.

The livestream broadcast featured international talent such as N.E.R.D, Post Malone and CHVRCHES, and showcased Japanese artists like MISIA, Sakanaction and Glim Spanky.