Outtakes

Fuji Rock beckons

Yes, live music fans, it's that time of the year when we cast our eyes eastwards and turn green with envy at the awesome acts being announced for the Fuji Rock Festival.

This year the festival in Japan is being held from July 24-26 at the picturesque Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata prefecture, and as always it's shaping up to be a phenomenal weekend regardless of whether you're into pop, rock, metal or electronica.

So far some of the biggest names in rock music have been confirmed, including Oasis and the Killers, and they'll be supported by equally impressive outfits including Weezer, Franz Ferdinand, Maximo Park and Fall Out Boy. Each year Fuji Rock also manages to showcase some classic acts from the past, and this year the festival will be presenting hardcore icons Bad Brains, grunge godfathers the Melvins and punk priestess Patti Smith.

Once the bands have finished playing late each night the attention turns to the dance arenas, and festival-goers who still have enough energy will this year be treated to an A-list of electronic stars including Peaches, Basement Jaxx, Diplo, Crookers, Simian Mobile Disco and Royksopp.