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Needless to say, 2020 was a pretty horrible year for live music in Japan, shows big and small either had to make major alterations or just cancel altogether in order to help fight the spread of COVID-19. However, this situation can only continue for so long before the organizers reach a breaking point.
For example, after foregoing last year’s live event, this year the large-scale summer music event Fuji Rock Festival ’21 at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture declared that the show must go on, despite rapidly rising infection rates in the country.
Major headliners Radwimps and King Gnu, will appear in the three day festival along with an eclectic line-up of artists. Interestingly, scandal-ridden artist Cornelius has withdrawn and will also be replaced on guitar with the band Metafive, and yet previously scandal-ridden artist Pierre Taki will take the stage this year with Denki Groove.
One big name that organizers definitely do not want to appear, however, is COVID-19, so they’re taking a rather unique approach at prevention and will deliver a free antigen testing kit to any and all ticket holders who request one.
On Aug 6, emails reached people who had purchased tickets informing them how to order the test kits which will arrive by Aug 17, three days before Fuji Rock kicks off. In 2019 there were 130,000 audience members, but this year it was announced that admission was limited to allow for social distancing in the outdoor venue, so it’s not clear how many tests that would amount to.
▼ Space is one thing the Naeba venue has going for it.
Everyone is asked to test themselves prior to going to the event, and if a positive test is found then they should stay home and get a full refund for their ticket. Actually, even if a healthy ticket holder gets cold feet and just doesn’t want to go, Fuji Rock will also give them a full refund.
Negative tests aren’t required for entry, but temperatures will be taken at the gate and anyone over 37.5℃, regardless of the reason, will not be allowed in. A full list of rules and safeguards can be seen in Japanese, Chinese, and English on the official Fuji Rock Festival website.
Many who got their emails took to Twitter to express their appreciation to the organizers Smash for showing so much consideration and leeway to ticket holders in these uncertain times. However, some are still uneasy that it will all work out in the end.
“I hope everyone knows to take the test right before they go and not too early.”
“The results aren’t binding though, so I don’t think I’ll go this year. The risk still seems high.”
“They’ll give a refund even if you already got your wristband!”
“Fuji Rock is amazing. It doesn’t look like they’ll make much profit this year, but they seem to be doing their best.”
“I hope everyone knows Fuji Rock is taking these precautions, because it might otherwise seem like they’re just being reckless.”
“I’m impressed with how thoughtful the organizers are being.”
“I got an email offering a free antigen test. They are really serious about holding the event!”
“I applied for a test, but I still don’t know if I’m going to go or not.”
Time will tell if it’s effective, but it is an interesting tactic. Had Smash just requested everyone get tested, 99.9 percent would probably just assume they don’t need it and not bother. But when the test is sitting in the house, there is little excuse not to do it. On top of that, handing a positive result to oneself right before the show adds more gravity to the situation, making people less likely to attend in spite of it.
To sweeten the deal of staying home, Smash is also going to livestream some of the performances on the Fuji Rock Festival’s official YouTube channel. This means that even if you’re not in Japan you can check out the show from the safety and comfort of you own home.
There’s even time to make your own Fuji Rock Anywhere kit to enhance the home experience even more!
Source: J-Cast News, Fuji Rock Festival ’21
Read more stories from SoraNews24.
-- Japanese performance artist develops kit to let you experience a summer music festival anywhere
-- Think kids can’t enjoy a rock festival? Facilities at Fuji Rock Fest will make you think again!
-- What do Snoop Dogg, Avril Lavigne, and Kanye have in common? They’ve all canceled on Japan
- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2021/08/08/fuji-rock-festival-to-send-free-covid-19-test-kits-to-all-ticket-holders/
14 Comments
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dagon
Interestingly, scandal-ridden artist Cornelius has withdrawn and will also be replaced on guitar with the band Metafive, and yet previously scandal-ridden artist Pierre Taki will take the stage this year with Denki Groove.
Only in Japan is the sin of sadistically torturing children with disabilities (Cornelius) in any way equivalent with regular use of party drugs (Pierre Taki).
Space is one thing the Naeba venue has going for it.
The social aspect of live music is going to need more than social distancing to survive.
JMin
What happened to the 5,000 and 10,000 person limit on events? Or that was a special rule that was made up for the Olympics?
Really need to get some consistency with Japan's COVID policies otherwise no one feels obligated to take precautions.
Seijosoba
"The last Fuji Rock festival i remember that was actually rock festival was when there were Number Girl and Thee Michelle Gun Elephant. It was like 70s' Woodstock".
When was the last FujiRock you actually attended? It continues to be one of the world's top rock festival for fans and the artists themselves.
Also, what is 70's Woodstock supposed to mean? Woodstock itself was in 1969 while FujiRock never had a "Woodstock" vibe. FujiRock was modeled after the Glastonbury festival.
dagon
Dagon
If thats the case then why is one still headling shows, while the other’s been canceled? :)
The article is drawing a parallel, describing them as similarly scandal-ridden.
knittyelf
@Wakarimasen
Do you live in Japan??? Very few young people have been able to get a vaccine yet here.
Also, as others have pointed out, vaccinated people can still carry and give Covid to others. I got vaccinated during my trip to the US, but I’m still taking all precautions for my own sake and the sake of others.
knittyelf
@Zoroto
Antigen tests are used for diagnosing current infections. That’s what a lot of the clinics here use.
According to the CDC website: Antigen tests are immunoassays that detect the presence of a specific viral antigen, which implies current viral infection.
source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antigen-tests-guidelines.html
thepersoniamnow
Dagon
If thats the case then why is one still headling shows, while the other’s been canceled? :)
Tokyoite
So, exactly what was the point of the spectator ban for the Olympics?
BackpackingNepal
The last Fuji Rock festival i remember that was actually rock festival was when there were Number Girl and Thee Michelle Gun Elephant. It was like 70s' Woodstock.
Iron Lad
Glad to see Japan is getting back to normal.
Wakarimasen
Why not insist on vaccination?