Fuji Rock Festival 2008

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday I experienced a side of Japan that many people miss. Thanks to Angie Gore and the guys at Superfly and Smash, I danced all weekend at Fuji Rock Festival at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata. There was music galore, food from around the world, camping in the mountains and elaborate props designed to mesmerize and wow.
The shinkansen, or bullet train, that took us to and from the festival:Me with my partner Fuji Rocker, Lindsey:I enjoyed lots of music: new(The Rascals from the UK) and old(Bootsy Collins' tribute to James Brown), local(Ben Folds, who currently resides in Nashville) and foreign(the gypsy funk band, Gogol Bordello, led by Ukrainian front man). Spoon was one of the first bands we saw this weekend:
The natural views of the mountains were amazing. Here's a shot from the Dragondola that carried us to Day Dreaming and Silent Breeze on the top of the mountain....total hippie party:
Colorful Fuji Rock people were lounging randomly throughout the festival but mostly in the river with the mechanical swimming shark:Artists working on a canvas while the band played across from them:
Roaming performers served as alternative entertainment. Ya girl wasn't playing:
A friend we made while packing up to go home: