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Highs & Lows

It's difficult to do. There's around 80 different performances of one sort or another every day here at FujiRock, and that's just what's on the flyer. In reality there are at least 20 or so more happenings that don't make the cut come printing time. Multiply that by three days, and you'll see what a punter is up against.

It's difficult to do. There's around 80 different performances of one sort or another every day here at FujiRock, and that's just what's on the flyer. In reality there are at least 20 or so more happenings that don't make the cut come printing time. Multiply that by three days, and you'll see what a punter is up against.

That's not to say they aren't worth stopping for. I've been here for four days now, and I can't tell you how many shows I've seen. But there's just no way you can possibly arrange your schedule top see every last thing you want. You're always faced with evil choices. How do you choose between Buffalo Daughter & Killing Joke? Which is the more astute choice, Snow Patrol or rinocerose? Dirty Pretty Things Vs Gnarles Barkley& It's not possible. Then you have the added conundrum: Some bands are great live, but not so good recorded, other acts vice versa. How do you make the choice? It takes an expert, and that I most definately am not.

So, what were the highs and lows? Well as far as I'm concerned, the only possible way you could have a low here at FujiRock is something you missed. As my fellow FujiRocker Shawn noted to me yesterday, "I'm going for quantity, not quality!" So what are your picks? What did you love? What are you shattered that you missed? For me, it goes a little like this:

Absolute pick of FujiRock 06 = Madness. These guys are long time idols of mine. I grew up listening to their terrific tunes after I bought a pirate copy opf one of their albums from a dodgy guy at my high school. This cassette hailed from Thailand, and the lyrics printed bore little to no resemblance to the actual thing. These guys showed Japan this weekend that they haven't lost a thing in their near 20 year hiatus.

Show I regret missing the most = Yeah Yeah Yeahs. A long time favorite, I've never managed to catch them live. Oh well, next time.

Shows I say I saw, but in actual fact I just walked through and am trying to convince myself I did actually see : The Strokes, Happy Mondays, The Hives,

Shows I really wanted to see, but never got to at all: Gnarles Barkley, Jet, Franz ferdinand, Blackalicious, Sonic Youth, denki Groove, Scissor Sisters, 2manydjs, Lucifer Fire Show, Isis, rinocerose, Broken Social Scene, Super Furry Animals, Killing Joke, Umphreys McGee, Don Coglionje, Double Famous, Kula Shaker, Johnny A (hello to Jerry) ayashige and so many more It's upsetting to think about.

Gems I found by accident: Flogging Molly, A Hundred Birds Orchestra, North Mississippi Allstars, Fire Tusk Pain Proof Circus, Fields, Buffalo Daughter, Transit Kings, Guitar Wolf, and so so many more.

So let us know, your FujiRock highlights, and the things you regret not seeing. Remember, there are no low points, because everything you saw was, no doubt, worth the trip. Please comment, let us know! We want to hear from you!


Report by Dom.