UA, Beyond Passion.

UA:For example, the Green Stage at Fuji Rock is kind of like the halls of the earth already.

UA:There is the sky, the mountains, the people of course, and the wonderful stage. So I feel happier than indoors. I also like the balance of singing and natural phenomena such as birds flying, sunsets, and rain.

UA:That kind of thing was also really taught to me at Fuji Rock.

UA:My first time was in 1999, and that was at the Green Stage, but I was still very scared. I was so scared. I was like, "Skapara came out before me, and then Boredoms came out, and then I came out next. I was like, "Excuse me! I was so tense. Then, a dragonfly stopped on the microphone.

UA:Yes, I did. Also, 1999 was the year that Phish did a night set for all three nights, so I stayed for all three nights and was at the Field of Heaven the whole time. Although I did not follow the musicality of the music, I was able to experience the essence of the music there. I was with my best friend at the time, and I pointed my finger at the night sky and said, "Hey, that's Scorpius," and a shooting star flew into the sky. The other people found it and got really excited, and Phish got excited too, seeing the audience's reaction. I was so moved by that. I've forgotten the temperature and all that, but that experience made all the difference to me after that.

UA:It was crazy good. Also, I think the times were just right. Although there was an afterimage of the bubble economy, I think there was still an attitude at that time that people were willing to pay for good things, and on the other hand, I think there were also expressions that had nothing to do with competition or money. I am not saying that there are no such things today, but unless you look for them, you can't find them.

There is a word "fast food," and music like fast music has become mainstream. Avatars and AI are all the rage, so it can't be helped, but at my age, I don't think it's fair to say that it can't be helped.

UA:Two years ago, when I performed on the White Stage at Fuji Rock with AJICO, I was not used to it and there were a lot of rules, so I was really scared. The audience only responded with their eyes and applause, right? But once I got on stage and started singing, it was amazing. Even the people standing in line for the restrooms were looking at me. I knew that I couldn't do this half-heartedly anymore, and I was able to sing every word with so much feeling, and it made me grow as a person.

I heard the phrase "the age of the wind," and I thought at that time that people became very conscious of things that were invisible to the eye because of covid. I realized firsthand that people were trying to feel various things because they were restricted from expressing themselves. That is when I realized how great music is, and I was very grateful to be able to be a human being on stage.

UA:It is a complete gift to be in the Field of Heaven with this band.

UA:Even if I stay at the Naeba Prince Hotel, I get kind of buzzed and can't sleep much. So I will probably go in on the day of the event. Also, I like to dress up on stage, and I decide my outfit according to the wave of the moment, so it takes me a lot of time. But I'm planning to go listen to the show after my performance is over.

UA:I would like to see what kind of stage it will be. Of course, I would like to see LIZZO and others.

UA:I trust the band members a lot, and I feel that they are getting used to us and playing with us in a good way, so all we have to do is to answer them on the stage of Field of Heaven, a stage where we are definitely in good spirits. I think we just have to give what we can give to the people who are there and have gathered. So I just have to take care of myself.