[LIVE REPORT] fade at FUSE THE SOUL 2013, Tokyo
FUSE THE SOUL 2013
Shinjuku BLAZE
28 September 2013
Last Saturday, I travelled to Tokyo to see fade perform at FUSE THE SOUL 2013, Shinjuku BLAZE.
This live was one of the biggest that I had attended so far: 2 DJs, 7 bands, 5 fashion brands and many, many models within 7.5 hours!
From 3:30PM, Shinjuku BLAZE was roaring with non-stop music and fashion events. Every few performances, there was a catwalk event, where models would showcase designs under various themes ranging from ‘kawaii’ to ‘BLACK’.
I recommend you check out FUSE THE SOUL 2013’s Facebook page - the staff took some amazing photos!
The event’s ‘ROCK X FASHION FUSION’ theme gave a unique twist on the live culture. Lots of people cosplayed for the event; there were a few people who cosplayed as the members from HEAD PHONES PRESIDENT. Seeing various bands come together, each showcasing their unique approaches to music really opened my eyes to the numerous interpretations of the rock genre. The inclusion of the fashion events enabled me to understand the extent to which rock inspires fashion and vice verca, and how this fusion enables the creation of a unique lifestyle.
Everyone involved in this event, the artists, models, event organisers and staff, did an amazing job with capturing the essence of strength and empowerment in music and design. I hope that HEAD PHONES PRESIDENT consider hosting similar events in the future.
Of course, it goes without saying that fade was the highlight of my night!
Before fade....
I arrived at Shinjuku BLAZE around 30 minutes before the doors were due to open. Just as I reached the venue, I saw fade’s managers, Ricky-san and Miyagawa-san exit the venue with Rui, Nori and 5°. No matter how many times this happens I still freeze in shock, ahahaha.
Despite arriving early, there was already a significant crowd gathering outside the venue. Amidst the crowd, I managed to find Emiko from the fade Japan Street Team, who introduced me to a number of Tokyo fade fans, all lovely ladies! :)
After confirming our tickets, we entered Shinjuku BLAZE. By contrast to Taiyou to Tora (Kobe City), and Shinsaibashi CLUB DROP (Osaka) (reports to come!), Shinjuku BLAZE is huge! Big spotlights were suspended above the stage, while barriers surrounded the catwalk. In front of the lights sat a projector screen, which detailed the bands and fashion brands that would be showcased throughout the evening.
Throughout the first couple of hours of the live, I divided my time between listening to the bands and chatting with fade fans at the bar.
One time when I went out, I spotted 5° sitting at the Mariposa desk (situated between the bar and the doors leading to the live) getting a glitter rose painted on his upper left arm.
Source: 5°'s blogpost
After the artist finished her work, and 5° got up to leave, I managed to catch his eye and wish him good luck for the live. 5° grinned and nodded ‘thanks’ before heading backstage.
While outside, I also bought a special FUSE THE SOUL 2013 t-shirt. I really liked the design and it also had all the band names on the back. Little did I know that this purchase would hold much more significance later on in the night…
fade!
fade came onstage around 7:00PM, after the second fashion show. As soon as the fashion show ended, a number of fans and I made our way to the front of the stage so that we could get a clear view of everyone on stage. Given the number of people at the venue, it was surprisingly easy to secure a sport near the front of the stage. I think that when it comes to wanting to see your favourite band, fans are very understanding and will happily let you stand in their place for the duration of the set.
1. Born Ready
‘Born Ready’ seems to be a popular opening song - and I can see why! With its upbeat tempo, it really got the crowd on their feet and clapping to the beat.
The energy and passion that radiates from each of the guys, not just during the first song, but the whole set, is nothing short of incredible. fade never fails to disappoint.
2. ユレノナカ(‘Yure no naka’) / 3. Cross Road / 4. My Way
I love all of these songs, but I must admit that ‘Cross Road’ is by far becoming one of my favourite songs. The tune is catchy, and the lyrics are quite profound. It's about courage, about perseverance, 'seeing the light at the end of the tunnel', so to speak. I think Bernie’s post on Fade World Group sums it up nicely!
Before performing this song, Jon raised his hand and asked in Japanese if anyone knew the meaning of ‘Cross Road’. After discussions with friends and the guys at previous lives I raised my hand. I was surprised when Jon noticed me and pointed me out in the crowd, ahahaha XD
MC
At this stage of the set, Jon gave the three announcements, which are detailed here.
In summary:
1. ‘Cross Road’ and ‘My Way’ will be released as digital singles on iTunes in December
2. ‘fade family’ event to be held on 15 November in Tokyo
3. DAMAGE LIVER TOUR 2013 - Tokyo (13/12), Nagoya (20/12), & Osaka (23/12)
SO. MUCH. AWESOMENESS. ALL. AT. ONCE!!!!! The whole venue was cheering, but I’m certain that the first couple of rows (full of fade fans, of course!) were going absolutely insane xD
The DAMAGE LIVER TOUR in particular………will be massive! xD
5. Close To You (Eng)
A fun and easy song to sing along to! The group of us in front of the stage were so hyper from the announcements that we were all jumping around to the beat. It was so much fun xD
During ‘Close To You’, Jon, in true model fashion made his way down the runway to get a bit closer to fans standing directly in front of. Kansei and Nori soon followed, encouraging people to clap their hands to the beat.
6. Kings of Dawn
I can’t believe that I had the opportunity to hear this song live. I know I say that about many songs, but there’s a raw-ness to this piece which is so incredibly moving, I couldn’t help but cry. Damn it fade!!! You guys make cry at every single live, ahahaha xD
And thus concluded fade’s set for the night!
Source: fade_tokyo's Facebook page
Despite the number of people at the venue, I was surprised at how reserved the crowd was at times. Where there were breaks between songs, the crowd was silent…I was really surprised! During the Kobe and Osaka lives, people would spend a couple of minutes calling out to the members. The fans would create a kind of impromptu competition of whose name would be called out the loudest, ahahahaha. That happened a little bit here (I remember calling out Kansei’s name), but it was by far not to the same extent as lives in the Kansai region. I guess it’s just a different atmosphere, different crowd.
After fade...
…we were all completely exhausted. To pep ourselves up, we all decided to have a few drinks, take a few photos and wonder in an out of the venue to see the remaining bands perform.
While fade was my main incentive for going to FUSE THE SOUL, I was also particularly impressed with Ulma Sound Junction, exist trace and HEAD PHONES PRESIDENT.
Later on during the evening, the girls and I bumped into Kansei, who was ordering a couple of drinks at the bar. We all spoke with him for a bit about the live, and numerous other topics. I think Kansei was really enjoying himself because, at one point, one girl asked him, ‘You have a girlfriend, right?’ to which he replied in Japanese and English with a grin, ‘All of you [my fans] are my girlfriends!’ It was hilarious…Kansei, please never change! xD
After the final song for the night, all the bands came on stage with Anza from HEAD PHONES PRESIDENT giving the MC. Anza started talking in Japanese about a lottery. If you bought a FUSE THE SOUL tshirt, you were automatically entered into a lottery to win one of two or three boards which contained autographs from all the artists that performed that night. When I bought my shirt, I received a number. However, at the time I didn’t think too much about it. I mean, what were the chances of winning something like that anyway?
Anza directed a member from one of the bands to draw the first number. After the first winner received their board, Anza asked Jon to draw the second number.
Jon called out the number, and I glanced at my piece of paper.
WHAT.
No…surely he must have called out a different number…I probably heard wr- WHAT???!
I froze. Realisation hit.
I won.
I was petrified. Anza was asking the winner to come up to the front of the runway, but I couldn’t bring myself to move forward because I was shaking so much. The girls ended up half dragging me to the runway where Anza asked my name (which I could barely articulate) before writing my name on the board and handing it to me.
Out of all the people who bought tshirts that night, I honestly couldn’t believe that I was one of the winners. And what were the chances that it would be Jon who’d call out my number? xD As I took the board I saw Jon grin and wave at me, and I could only manage a small smile and wave in return.
What a night.
Afterwards, we all waited outside to see the guys off. I spoke with Ricky-san for a bit about the live and I wouldn’t stop blabbing to him about how moved I was by ‘Kings of Dawn’, ahahahaha. A bit later, we saw Nori and Kansei, who were helping Miyagawa-san and Ricky-san pack up the equipment. As everyone was quite busy at the time, we briefly conveyed our thanks before giving them space to finish their packing.
When Jon came out a bit later, Emiko and I quickly approached him to convey our thanks. As we approached, Jon grinned congratulated me on winning the lottery and we both exclaimed about the chances of him reading my number from the draw. After chatting for a bit longer, Emiko and I went back to the group, while the guys left.
After the guys left, we ended up going to a bar for a few drinks. After many drinks and much laughing, we all headed back home around 2AM.
I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to attend FUSE THE SOUL 2013. It’s a night I’ll never forget! :) THANK YOU HEAD PHONES PRESIDENT! THANK YOU FADE!!! :)