Happy Birthday to MYV
So tonight was Miyavi's birthday live; the concert was held in Ikebukuro, at this big hall that looked like a movie theater. My seat was row M, #5 - a great view, though a little far to the left of the hall for my taste, but beggars certainly can't be choosers.
I wasn't sure what to expect; I've seen quite a few lives so far, but each tour is different. Whatever I was expecting, however, this certainly wasn't it. First of all, it was hard to tell when the show actually started; the PA music went off, and this funky drum beat struck up behind the curtains - at first, I thought it was simply the drummer warming up, but after a few minutes I realized that, wait, this is a real little jam, not someone testing out his drumset.
The stage was hung with a translucent screen that seperated the band from the audience; and as the lights went down, the word `Individualism` was projected onto it, followed by a whole bunch of kanji that I couldn`t read, but have since translated; and in the background was a soft, melancholy accoustic guitar riff. The audience wasn`t quite sure how to react at first; usually Miyavi bursts onstage like he`s been shot out of a cannon, but he was nowhere to be seen. When he finally showed up, it was on a platform that rose out of the stage. He stood there jamming, and at the same time, a video of him was projected onto the screen; Miyavi layers, if you well. Needless to say, I ignored the video footage and kept my eye on the real thing. Usually, the second that he appears, the crowd erupts into screams; but this was so surreal and so enigmatic that no one moved, much less spoke. We simply watched in silence, taken aback at this new poised, calm, mature Miyavi.
The first five songs came in quick succession, and he didn`t speak a word between them - no `oresama dare da`s or the usual quicker-than-lightening banter that he shoots at us. The stage was set only for him - no drums, no band; just a small, circular platform with his drum machine and a couple of guitars. His percussion section changed from song to song; for one tune, the beat was done entirely by a wicked good tap dancer, and for another song, by a human beatbox. He also had this CRAZY little chick with dredlocks with him who`s a God with a bongo drum in her hands. The whole thing was very avant guard; and throughout the entire concert, he had a painter off to the side of the stage literally painting out his songs for him; visual music, if you will.
He played about five songs - including an amazingly toned down yet phenominal version of Are You Ready To Rock, then promptly disappeared for about ten minutes to change his clothes. An intermission. Miyavi? Intermission? Unheard of! Usually he goes for two hours straight, but tonight he was so calm and so mellow that it wasn`t as surprising as one might have thought.
He came back out in much more casual clothes - an unbuttoned white shirt and a funky hat, instead of his suit and hot pink scarf. About three songs into the second set, he was like `Why the hell are you all sitting down? Get on your feet!` He didn`t have to ask twice. From there, things became more upbeat, and more what I`m used to from a Miyavi live. He played mostly new songs; however, he broke up the set with an amazing rendition of my FAVORITE song, Fuminshou no nemurihime. We all clapped along and screamed at him, and the more energy we projected, the more lively he became; soon enough he was dancing around with his guitar, grinding his stool like a stripper and teasing his band as usual.
He only paused to talk to us towards the end of the show; thanking us all for coming out on his birthday, and telling us how he`d thought long and hard about how, and with who, to celebrate his 25th, and how he finally decided that there was no other way he`d rather spend it than with the KoMiyavi. He thanked us quite formally for coming, and told us to also pass on that thanks to those who weren`t able to attend the show tonight. Finally, he introduced his band members - a DJ, the Bongo Chick, the tap guy, a drummer and the human beatbox. They all jammed together for the last few songs.
Miyavi talks so damned fast onstage that it`s hard for even native speakers to catch everything that he says, so I can`t recount his talks word-for-word; however, he DID say something about going to America, to which everyone yelled `ganbate!!!`. I@ll try to catch more of the speech at tomorrow@s concert.
What an amazing show. What an amazing night. To be with MYV on his birthday was a truly special experience, one that I`ll cherish for the rest of my life.
But for now? I need some sleep. I`ve got this internet cafe booth for six hours, and I intend to make good use of it; for the next four days I`ll be at the concerts, and I need all the rest that I can get.
Live From Kudanshita, it`s Friday Morning.
Ashita, genki ni naare...
I wasn't sure what to expect; I've seen quite a few lives so far, but each tour is different. Whatever I was expecting, however, this certainly wasn't it. First of all, it was hard to tell when the show actually started; the PA music went off, and this funky drum beat struck up behind the curtains - at first, I thought it was simply the drummer warming up, but after a few minutes I realized that, wait, this is a real little jam, not someone testing out his drumset.
The stage was hung with a translucent screen that seperated the band from the audience; and as the lights went down, the word `Individualism` was projected onto it, followed by a whole bunch of kanji that I couldn`t read, but have since translated; and in the background was a soft, melancholy accoustic guitar riff. The audience wasn`t quite sure how to react at first; usually Miyavi bursts onstage like he`s been shot out of a cannon, but he was nowhere to be seen. When he finally showed up, it was on a platform that rose out of the stage. He stood there jamming, and at the same time, a video of him was projected onto the screen; Miyavi layers, if you well. Needless to say, I ignored the video footage and kept my eye on the real thing. Usually, the second that he appears, the crowd erupts into screams; but this was so surreal and so enigmatic that no one moved, much less spoke. We simply watched in silence, taken aback at this new poised, calm, mature Miyavi.
The first five songs came in quick succession, and he didn`t speak a word between them - no `oresama dare da`s or the usual quicker-than-lightening banter that he shoots at us. The stage was set only for him - no drums, no band; just a small, circular platform with his drum machine and a couple of guitars. His percussion section changed from song to song; for one tune, the beat was done entirely by a wicked good tap dancer, and for another song, by a human beatbox. He also had this CRAZY little chick with dredlocks with him who`s a God with a bongo drum in her hands. The whole thing was very avant guard; and throughout the entire concert, he had a painter off to the side of the stage literally painting out his songs for him; visual music, if you will.
He played about five songs - including an amazingly toned down yet phenominal version of Are You Ready To Rock, then promptly disappeared for about ten minutes to change his clothes. An intermission. Miyavi? Intermission? Unheard of! Usually he goes for two hours straight, but tonight he was so calm and so mellow that it wasn`t as surprising as one might have thought.
He came back out in much more casual clothes - an unbuttoned white shirt and a funky hat, instead of his suit and hot pink scarf. About three songs into the second set, he was like `Why the hell are you all sitting down? Get on your feet!` He didn`t have to ask twice. From there, things became more upbeat, and more what I`m used to from a Miyavi live. He played mostly new songs; however, he broke up the set with an amazing rendition of my FAVORITE song, Fuminshou no nemurihime. We all clapped along and screamed at him, and the more energy we projected, the more lively he became; soon enough he was dancing around with his guitar, grinding his stool like a stripper and teasing his band as usual.
He only paused to talk to us towards the end of the show; thanking us all for coming out on his birthday, and telling us how he`d thought long and hard about how, and with who, to celebrate his 25th, and how he finally decided that there was no other way he`d rather spend it than with the KoMiyavi. He thanked us quite formally for coming, and told us to also pass on that thanks to those who weren`t able to attend the show tonight. Finally, he introduced his band members - a DJ, the Bongo Chick, the tap guy, a drummer and the human beatbox. They all jammed together for the last few songs.
Miyavi talks so damned fast onstage that it`s hard for even native speakers to catch everything that he says, so I can`t recount his talks word-for-word; however, he DID say something about going to America, to which everyone yelled `ganbate!!!`. I@ll try to catch more of the speech at tomorrow@s concert.
What an amazing show. What an amazing night. To be with MYV on his birthday was a truly special experience, one that I`ll cherish for the rest of my life.
But for now? I need some sleep. I`ve got this internet cafe booth for six hours, and I intend to make good use of it; for the next four days I`ll be at the concerts, and I need all the rest that I can get.
Live From Kudanshita, it`s Friday Morning.
Ashita, genki ni naare...