Concert Report: X Japan Live in New York City - Roseland Ballroom - October 10th, 2010
Okay so here is my way overdue X Japan concert report. It's...pretty long. And it comes with videos and pictures (KIM, CAT, I STILL NEED YOURS!) So please enjoy everything! 8;D
Also, I wrote this in really simple English because my Japanese friends wanted to read it too. So please don't criticize my lack of flowery language and big words - I did it for a reason.
I went to see X Japan in New York City with my friends Cathy, Beth, Kim, and Cathy’s mother. Cathy and Beth are twins. All five of us love X Japan! Cathy dressed up as Pata from March 2008 Reunion Concert. Beth dressed up at Heath from March 2008 Reunion Concert. I dressed up as Toshi from March 2008 Reunion concert.
We got into line at 2:30PM. The doors opened at 7:00PM. We had to wait a long time. We got to meet new friends while waiting in line. Some Japanese fans also came to the concert. Cathy took a picture of Yoshiki and hide cosplayers from Japan. Some Japanese fans took pictures with us because they were happy to see American fans in costumes! One girl really loved Pata and took Cathy away! It was nice to meet them and take pictures with them!
Some fans had gifts for Toshi. October 10th is Toshi’s birthday and today was the last stop on their North American tour. One American fan had a cake made and brought it to give to the band. Japanese fans made signs to hold up at intermission and American fans handed out glitter. You see, Yoshiki had a plan for Toshi’s birthday. He would go off stage at the end of “Kurenai” and bring out a birthday cake. Then he would count to 3 and the audience was to hold up the signs, and throw glitter, and sing “Happy Birthday” to Toshi.
The wait was very long. At around 6:00PM, X Japan concert staff came out with boxes of pizza. “These are from Yoshiki! Please eat the pizza!” they said. Wow! Yoshiki ordered 200 pizzas for all of us waiting in line. But we couldn’t eat them all…there were many left over pizzas…
Finally we could go inside the venue! Cathy, Beth, and their mother went up close to the stage, on the left side. They wanted to watch Pata and Heath the most. Kim and I sat on seats against left wall. We could see the whole band very clearly. But we did not have to stand or push against other people. I hate pushing at concerts - it makes me angry. So I wanted to spend the concert peacefully.
There was an opening band. Their name is Vampires Everywhere! They are a metal rock band. I don’t think they sound very good live. It sounded like loud noise and I couldn’t understand the singer’s screaming. But I watched a music video on Youtube later, and found they sound pretty good! So please check out their music videos!
Vampires Everywhere started to play at 8:00PM and finished at 8:30PM. Then the staff set up the equipment for X Japan. X Japan came on stage at 9:00PM.
This is the set list:
Opening music: Without You, Longing, Forever Love, Say Anything
Intro music: Opera? Classical? Violet UK? I don’t know…
1. Jade
2. Rusty Nail English version
3. Silent Jealousy English version
4. Drain
5. Sugizo violin solo - he played “The Star Spangled Banner” - it is America’s national anthem!
6. Yoshiki on piano and Sugizo on violin duet - they played the intro to “Kurenai”
7. Kurenai English version - after this song was intermission and all members, except Pata, changed costumes.
8. Born to be Free
9. I.V.
10. X - it was in Japanese! I was so happy! I really like Japanese versions best - I don’t know the English lyrics yet and I am American!
Encore
1. Endless Rain in Japanese
2. Art of Life
Ending songs: Acoustic Forever Love with vocal track
Now I will tell you some notes I made about each song.
During the intro, Yoshiki stood on top of his drums. There was a wind machine so his hair and coat blew about him. He looked very pretty and dramatic.
During Silent Jealousy and Kurenai, Toshi stood behind Yoshiki’s drums a lot. <3 Toshi also sprayed fans with water from his water bottle!
After Kurenai, Yoshiki left the drums to get the cake. But the staff put the cake out too close to the stage, so Toshi saw a little of it. Maybe he found out Yoshiki’s plan?
Toshi: Where’s Yoshiki? Yoshiki? *tries to follow Yoshiki off stage*
Yoshiki: OKAY! 1…2…3!! *comes back to stage, pushing cake on cart to center stage*
The whole audience sang “Happy Birthday” to Toshi. We held up signs and threw glitter too! Yoshiki handed Toshi some roses and a Hello Kitty doll.
Yoshiki: It’s like a 100 pound cake!
Toshi: *tries to eat it now*
Yoshiki: No! You have to sing now! You can have it later! *pushes cake offstage*
Toshi looked sad to see the cake go. But Yoshiki took a picture of Toshi with the audience. Yoshiki also played “Happy Birthday” on piano for Toshi and Sugizo played “Happy Birthday” on guitar for Toshi. Toshi smiled a lot - he looked really happy that everyone wished him a happy birthday and that he got so many presents!
Toshi also had an MC. I don’t remember much of it…it is like his usual MC but in English. I think he read from a script, because he spoke while always looking down at his feet. But that’s okay. He was still energetic. He liked to say “Let’s rock the fuck out!!”
During Born to be Free, Toshi sprayed the fans with water bottles again. Maybe he thinks the fans looked too hot! He also jumped up and down to the music - I like it when Toshi moves a lot. It means he is into the music like us! Then he started shouting.
Toshi: On drums!
Fans: YOSHIKI!
Toshi: On drums!
Fans: YOSHIKI!
Toshi: I can't fucking hear you! On drums!
Fans: YOSHIKI!
Toshi: ALRIGHT! YOSHIKIIIIII!
Then Yoshiki did a bit of a drum solo. As he played, there were a lot of bright lights. They hurt my eyes! They were too bright for me! Oh, before I forget, during some songs, they had cool laser displays. I could not see the display screen behind Yoshiki from my seat, but I could see the laser lights! They were pretty and had a cool effect.
During I.V., Toshi did another MC.
Toshi: Let me hear your voices ok? SCREAM! SCREAM!
He got the audience to sing the chorus. He yelled something else but I could not understand him. Yoshiki hit the gong too!
Toshi: Are you ready to rock?! Are you ready to rock?! Are you ready to rock?!
During X, there were six columns of fog blowing straight up in front of Yoshiki’s drum set! Toshi sprayed the fans with his water bottles again. Toshi also got up behind the drums and sang to Yoshiki. Then he stood on top of the drums while Yoshiki played! It looked dangerous! Did he go crazy?! He nearly fell over onto Yoshiki! But to us…it looked like maybe they would kiss?
Yoshiki also stage dived into the audience - we thought maybe he would fall to the floor! While Yoshiki was gone, Toshi got behind the drums and played them. He likes to do that I think! When Yoshiki came back, Toshi left the drums and shouted “WE LOVE YOU!”
Of course, the whole time we were chanting “We are…X! You are…X!” Sugizo shook his hips too and again, Toshi sprayed the fans with his water bottles!
At the end of the song, the six columns of fog came back!
Then Toshi did an MC.
Toshi: New York! You guys rock! おまえがさいこうだ！See you again! New York! Bye bye!
Then the band left the stage. Yoshiki threw some water bottles and his drumsticks to the audience.
We waited for them to do an encore. Then they came back, in new costumes!
Yoshiki: *wearing a kimono, and sits down at the piano and plays some music*
Toshi: *comes out with camera and records the audience and takes some pictures*
Yoshiki: *comes to Toshi and takes camera, telling him to sit so he can take a picture of Toshi with the audience.*
Then Yoshiki had an MC.
Yoshiki: Thank you for making our dreams come true. *looks at Toshi* We first met when we were 4 years old. We went to the same kindergarten and elementary schools. And when we were in the first grade, we decided to be rock stars. When we were 15, we wanted to be famous and play in America. *stops talking and cries* And since then a lot of things happened. As you know hide’s not around and we wish he was here. Someday we said we want to go to America. We’re playing with hide now and we will always play with hide. X Japan will keep going! Let’s keep fucking going! We are…X! We’re gonna fucking rock the world!*hands microphone to Toshi*
Toshi: Dreams can come true if you work hard and keep going. Let’s fulfill our dreams together!!
It was a very emotional MC. Yoshiki cried very hard so Toshi went to comfort him. He gave Yoshiki a hug but Yoshiki was quick to hug him very close. I am sure it is because they are both very happy to see their dreams come true but are also sad they cannot share it with hide. I think hide would be very proud and happy.
During Endless Rain, Pata touched his face and hair a lot. He didn’t play his guitar. Maybe he was emotional too?
But Heath rolled his eyes and sighed. Maybe it’s boring to play Endless Rain for a long time? XD
Toshi sat next to Yoshiki while Yoshiki played piano. They shared the bench together while Toshi sang.
Then Sugizo left the stage. Heath and Pata left too. Toshi and Yoshiki left the stage last.
Sugizo came back to play the violin.
We were surprised that they played Art of Life! The band changed costumes again. Yoshiki played the piano part first. At one point, he was playing while sitting on the floor! Then he got up and moved to the drums. Heath played the bass very crazily!
After Art of Life, they all came back on stage. Heath, Sugizo, and Toshi took pictures of the audience. Many fans threw presents on the stage, like flowers and giant stuffed bears! Yoshiki caught one and then threw it at Toshi. Toshi fell over because the bear was so heavy!
Heath and Yoshiki and Toshi all sprayed the audience with their water bottles! But Pata sat down to drink some alcohol.
Some fans threw a huge birthday bouquet and banner onto the stage for Toshi. Yoshiki handed him the flowers, and put the banner on him like a cape. It looked like a towel or a blanket. It had hearts or roses, and the message: Happy Birthday Toshi! In Japanese.
The band took pictures with the audience while crossing their arms.
Finally, they held hands and jumped like they do at the end of all their concerts.
But! They decided to pour their water bottles on the fans again! And Yoshiki started shouting “We are…!” The audience really likes that chant. Toshi shouted it too!
At last, they wave goodbye and leave the stage.
After the concert, I showed my friends my notes and asked for anything I missed. They mentioned that Yoshiki threw a water bottle at Toshi from his drum set. But somehow Toshi knew it was coming, and ducked out of the way! He wasn’t even looking behind him! Toshi and Yoshiki also poured water on each other - the stage must be very hot! Toshi also had glitter in his hair. My friends also said that Sugizo liked to make faces at the audience - like he wanted us to look at him!
Maybe no one else cares, but Heath had four different costumes, while the other members only had three. Pata only had one! I think Sugizo might have only had one too but I am not sure…I could not see him very often.
So that is my report! I am sorry it is so long but I wrote it for all X Japan fans all over the world. So please enjoy it! I also have pictures and videos from the concert! Please look at them! Thank you for reading!
------
The birthday signs that the Japanese fans handed out to us.
The fan-made cake, and the person who had it made and was carrying it around!
We sat here FOREVER.
Cat posing for a picture with the overly enthusiastic Pata fangirl. XD
Yoshiki on piano!
DA BAND.
Toshi being sexy.
Yoshiki on piano and Sugizo on violin.
Toshi's other jacket - I kind of want it for my own. It's very...fluffy looking. And Heath's there too!
Yoshiki presenting the birthday cake to Toshi, who looks very happy to get a huge cake.
And of course Pata, standing in front of the cool drum set!
Video Download Links:
Jade: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SN5UT0MA
Rusty Nail: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0MF9ISSA
Silent Jealousy: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PQOJPXU9
Links to better pictures and other reviews:
http://s696.photobucket.com/albums/vv329/lemonedartstudio/X%20JAPAN%20NYC%20NY%202010/
http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/10/11/x-japan-throws-massive-party-in-nys-roseland-ballroom-910/
http://themusic.fm/2010.10.12/live-review-x-japan-at-roseland-ballroom
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/53622/219115/0
http://blog.ningin.com/2010/10/11/x-japan-leaves-new-york-city-screaming-for-more/
http://www.shortandsweetnyc.com/2010/10/x-japan-roseland-ballroom-101010/
Also, I wrote this in really simple English because my Japanese friends wanted to read it too. So please don't criticize my lack of flowery language and big words - I did it for a reason.
I went to see X Japan in New York City with my friends Cathy, Beth, Kim, and Cathy’s mother. Cathy and Beth are twins. All five of us love X Japan! Cathy dressed up as Pata from March 2008 Reunion Concert. Beth dressed up at Heath from March 2008 Reunion Concert. I dressed up as Toshi from March 2008 Reunion concert.
We got into line at 2:30PM. The doors opened at 7:00PM. We had to wait a long time. We got to meet new friends while waiting in line. Some Japanese fans also came to the concert. Cathy took a picture of Yoshiki and hide cosplayers from Japan. Some Japanese fans took pictures with us because they were happy to see American fans in costumes! One girl really loved Pata and took Cathy away! It was nice to meet them and take pictures with them!
Some fans had gifts for Toshi. October 10th is Toshi’s birthday and today was the last stop on their North American tour. One American fan had a cake made and brought it to give to the band. Japanese fans made signs to hold up at intermission and American fans handed out glitter. You see, Yoshiki had a plan for Toshi’s birthday. He would go off stage at the end of “Kurenai” and bring out a birthday cake. Then he would count to 3 and the audience was to hold up the signs, and throw glitter, and sing “Happy Birthday” to Toshi.
The wait was very long. At around 6:00PM, X Japan concert staff came out with boxes of pizza. “These are from Yoshiki! Please eat the pizza!” they said. Wow! Yoshiki ordered 200 pizzas for all of us waiting in line. But we couldn’t eat them all…there were many left over pizzas…
Finally we could go inside the venue! Cathy, Beth, and their mother went up close to the stage, on the left side. They wanted to watch Pata and Heath the most. Kim and I sat on seats against left wall. We could see the whole band very clearly. But we did not have to stand or push against other people. I hate pushing at concerts - it makes me angry. So I wanted to spend the concert peacefully.
There was an opening band. Their name is Vampires Everywhere! They are a metal rock band. I don’t think they sound very good live. It sounded like loud noise and I couldn’t understand the singer’s screaming. But I watched a music video on Youtube later, and found they sound pretty good! So please check out their music videos!
Vampires Everywhere started to play at 8:00PM and finished at 8:30PM. Then the staff set up the equipment for X Japan. X Japan came on stage at 9:00PM.
This is the set list:
Opening music: Without You, Longing, Forever Love, Say Anything
Intro music: Opera? Classical? Violet UK? I don’t know…
1. Jade
2. Rusty Nail English version
3. Silent Jealousy English version
4. Drain
5. Sugizo violin solo - he played “The Star Spangled Banner” - it is America’s national anthem!
6. Yoshiki on piano and Sugizo on violin duet - they played the intro to “Kurenai”
7. Kurenai English version - after this song was intermission and all members, except Pata, changed costumes.
8. Born to be Free
9. I.V.
10. X - it was in Japanese! I was so happy! I really like Japanese versions best - I don’t know the English lyrics yet and I am American!
Encore
1. Endless Rain in Japanese
2. Art of Life
Ending songs: Acoustic Forever Love with vocal track
Now I will tell you some notes I made about each song.
During the intro, Yoshiki stood on top of his drums. There was a wind machine so his hair and coat blew about him. He looked very pretty and dramatic.
During Silent Jealousy and Kurenai, Toshi stood behind Yoshiki’s drums a lot. <3 Toshi also sprayed fans with water from his water bottle!
After Kurenai, Yoshiki left the drums to get the cake. But the staff put the cake out too close to the stage, so Toshi saw a little of it. Maybe he found out Yoshiki’s plan?
Toshi: Where’s Yoshiki? Yoshiki? *tries to follow Yoshiki off stage*
Yoshiki: OKAY! 1…2…3!! *comes back to stage, pushing cake on cart to center stage*
The whole audience sang “Happy Birthday” to Toshi. We held up signs and threw glitter too! Yoshiki handed Toshi some roses and a Hello Kitty doll.
Yoshiki: It’s like a 100 pound cake!
Toshi: *tries to eat it now*
Yoshiki: No! You have to sing now! You can have it later! *pushes cake offstage*
Toshi looked sad to see the cake go. But Yoshiki took a picture of Toshi with the audience. Yoshiki also played “Happy Birthday” on piano for Toshi and Sugizo played “Happy Birthday” on guitar for Toshi. Toshi smiled a lot - he looked really happy that everyone wished him a happy birthday and that he got so many presents!
Toshi also had an MC. I don’t remember much of it…it is like his usual MC but in English. I think he read from a script, because he spoke while always looking down at his feet. But that’s okay. He was still energetic. He liked to say “Let’s rock the fuck out!!”
During Born to be Free, Toshi sprayed the fans with water bottles again. Maybe he thinks the fans looked too hot! He also jumped up and down to the music - I like it when Toshi moves a lot. It means he is into the music like us! Then he started shouting.
Toshi: On drums!
Fans: YOSHIKI!
Toshi: On drums!
Fans: YOSHIKI!
Toshi: I can't fucking hear you! On drums!
Fans: YOSHIKI!
Toshi: ALRIGHT! YOSHIKIIIIII!
Then Yoshiki did a bit of a drum solo. As he played, there were a lot of bright lights. They hurt my eyes! They were too bright for me! Oh, before I forget, during some songs, they had cool laser displays. I could not see the display screen behind Yoshiki from my seat, but I could see the laser lights! They were pretty and had a cool effect.
During I.V., Toshi did another MC.
Toshi: Let me hear your voices ok? SCREAM! SCREAM!
He got the audience to sing the chorus. He yelled something else but I could not understand him. Yoshiki hit the gong too!
Toshi: Are you ready to rock?! Are you ready to rock?! Are you ready to rock?!
During X, there were six columns of fog blowing straight up in front of Yoshiki’s drum set! Toshi sprayed the fans with his water bottles again. Toshi also got up behind the drums and sang to Yoshiki. Then he stood on top of the drums while Yoshiki played! It looked dangerous! Did he go crazy?! He nearly fell over onto Yoshiki! But to us…it looked like maybe they would kiss?
Yoshiki also stage dived into the audience - we thought maybe he would fall to the floor! While Yoshiki was gone, Toshi got behind the drums and played them. He likes to do that I think! When Yoshiki came back, Toshi left the drums and shouted “WE LOVE YOU!”
Of course, the whole time we were chanting “We are…X! You are…X!” Sugizo shook his hips too and again, Toshi sprayed the fans with his water bottles!
At the end of the song, the six columns of fog came back!
Then Toshi did an MC.
Toshi: New York! You guys rock! おまえがさいこうだ！See you again! New York! Bye bye!
Then the band left the stage. Yoshiki threw some water bottles and his drumsticks to the audience.
We waited for them to do an encore. Then they came back, in new costumes!
Yoshiki: *wearing a kimono, and sits down at the piano and plays some music*
Toshi: *comes out with camera and records the audience and takes some pictures*
Yoshiki: *comes to Toshi and takes camera, telling him to sit so he can take a picture of Toshi with the audience.*
Then Yoshiki had an MC.
Yoshiki: Thank you for making our dreams come true. *looks at Toshi* We first met when we were 4 years old. We went to the same kindergarten and elementary schools. And when we were in the first grade, we decided to be rock stars. When we were 15, we wanted to be famous and play in America. *stops talking and cries* And since then a lot of things happened. As you know hide’s not around and we wish he was here. Someday we said we want to go to America. We’re playing with hide now and we will always play with hide. X Japan will keep going! Let’s keep fucking going! We are…X! We’re gonna fucking rock the world!*hands microphone to Toshi*
Toshi: Dreams can come true if you work hard and keep going. Let’s fulfill our dreams together!!
It was a very emotional MC. Yoshiki cried very hard so Toshi went to comfort him. He gave Yoshiki a hug but Yoshiki was quick to hug him very close. I am sure it is because they are both very happy to see their dreams come true but are also sad they cannot share it with hide. I think hide would be very proud and happy.
During Endless Rain, Pata touched his face and hair a lot. He didn’t play his guitar. Maybe he was emotional too?
But Heath rolled his eyes and sighed. Maybe it’s boring to play Endless Rain for a long time? XD
Toshi sat next to Yoshiki while Yoshiki played piano. They shared the bench together while Toshi sang.
Then Sugizo left the stage. Heath and Pata left too. Toshi and Yoshiki left the stage last.
Sugizo came back to play the violin.
We were surprised that they played Art of Life! The band changed costumes again. Yoshiki played the piano part first. At one point, he was playing while sitting on the floor! Then he got up and moved to the drums. Heath played the bass very crazily!
After Art of Life, they all came back on stage. Heath, Sugizo, and Toshi took pictures of the audience. Many fans threw presents on the stage, like flowers and giant stuffed bears! Yoshiki caught one and then threw it at Toshi. Toshi fell over because the bear was so heavy!
Heath and Yoshiki and Toshi all sprayed the audience with their water bottles! But Pata sat down to drink some alcohol.
Some fans threw a huge birthday bouquet and banner onto the stage for Toshi. Yoshiki handed him the flowers, and put the banner on him like a cape. It looked like a towel or a blanket. It had hearts or roses, and the message: Happy Birthday Toshi! In Japanese.
The band took pictures with the audience while crossing their arms.
Finally, they held hands and jumped like they do at the end of all their concerts.
But! They decided to pour their water bottles on the fans again! And Yoshiki started shouting “We are…!” The audience really likes that chant. Toshi shouted it too!
At last, they wave goodbye and leave the stage.
After the concert, I showed my friends my notes and asked for anything I missed. They mentioned that Yoshiki threw a water bottle at Toshi from his drum set. But somehow Toshi knew it was coming, and ducked out of the way! He wasn’t even looking behind him! Toshi and Yoshiki also poured water on each other - the stage must be very hot! Toshi also had glitter in his hair. My friends also said that Sugizo liked to make faces at the audience - like he wanted us to look at him!
Maybe no one else cares, but Heath had four different costumes, while the other members only had three. Pata only had one! I think Sugizo might have only had one too but I am not sure…I could not see him very often.
So that is my report! I am sorry it is so long but I wrote it for all X Japan fans all over the world. So please enjoy it! I also have pictures and videos from the concert! Please look at them! Thank you for reading!
------
The birthday signs that the Japanese fans handed out to us.
The fan-made cake, and the person who had it made and was carrying it around!
We sat here FOREVER.
Cat posing for a picture with the overly enthusiastic Pata fangirl. XD
Yoshiki on piano!
DA BAND.
Toshi being sexy.
Yoshiki on piano and Sugizo on violin.
Toshi's other jacket - I kind of want it for my own. It's very...fluffy looking. And Heath's there too!
Yoshiki presenting the birthday cake to Toshi, who looks very happy to get a huge cake.
And of course Pata, standing in front of the cool drum set!
Video Download Links:
Jade: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SN5UT0MA
Rusty Nail: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0MF9ISSA
Silent Jealousy: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PQOJPXU9
Links to better pictures and other reviews:
http://s696.photobucket.com/albums/vv329/lemonedartstudio/X%20JAPAN%20NYC%20NY%202010/
http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/10/11/x-japan-throws-massive-party-in-nys-roseland-ballroom-910/
http://themusic.fm/2010.10.12/live-review-x-japan-at-roseland-ballroom
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/53622/219115/0
http://blog.ningin.com/2010/10/11/x-japan-leaves-new-york-city-screaming-for-more/
http://www.shortandsweetnyc.com/2010/10/x-japan-roseland-ballroom-101010/