Namie Amuro LIVEgenic in Hong Kong Experience
I’ll start by saying how universal music is. Namie is the kind of artist who doesn’t do MCs because she sucks at it (lol, how cute). But I was not worried. Her songs are enough communication from her to the fans. Whether you are Chinese, Japanese, American, European, Filipino, it doesn’t matter when you watch a Namie Amuro concert. She will get to you through music.
I started listening to Namie when I was 16… that was like 8 years ago, and this is partly because of Arashi. I won’t go into the gory details of how the five guys led me to her but definitely, you can see that my love for Namie has overtaken my love for Arashi.
Anyway, I’m actually here to talk about the most exciting moment I have in terms of my Amuraa life. That is meeting Namie Amuro and watching her concert live FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Preparations started as early as December 2015 (like buying airline tickets and booking hotels). I was so bummed out that there was a Citibank priority concert ticket booking so my chances to actually get front seats disappeared since I didn’t have that credit card. I was really willing to shell out money for this! Furthermore, the ticketing system would not allow you to choose your specific seats, just the seat section. After a few tries, I was lucky to get aisle seats. I felt that aisle seats are the best because I’m quite short and it would be a disadvantage if I’m on the ground.
I was originally planning on flying the night before the concert and leaving immediately but my mom told me that it was also the Holy Week and travel can be bloody and annoying (for someone who hated long lines, waiting, and crowds like me) so in the end, it became a full week of tour.
March 24, 2016 was a rainy day so we could not really do the garden tour as planned. We went to a temple but it was really a hassle. Namie's official Facebook page announced that there will be a "109 loves Namie" campaign in the HK branch of Shibuya 109. I just decided to go to Harbor City mall to see that exhibit. It was actually the same as the Japan exhibit except that the "Red Carpet" dress was not on display. It probably came in when Namie arrives but unfortunately, I was not able to return on the proceeding days to see the dress. The exhibit contains a Namie history of discographies and it really excited me. My mom was also surprised at how long my queen has been performing. You see stuff from the 90s up to the present. You see tween Namie up to the beautiful woman she is today.
The great thing is that they bought in the "Red Carpet" backdrop! In Japan, it allows the people to take photos a la Namie's single cover. It was an opportunity too great to miss! Thanks to my mom, she took my photo in front of the backdrop!
They also have a message board for Namie. I was not able to write at the oard but I filled up a message card with my own message. I wrote in English because I have to admit that my Japanese skills suck now and she might not even get it. So anyway, I wrote this message for her.
March 25, 2016 was announced as her arrival in Hong Kong. It was actually weird that they explicitly stated her flight number (umm, do they do this with Arashi?) to Hong Kong. So, being the weird creep that I am, I decided to meet her at the airport. That day was actually our Disneyland day but my mom was okay to come with me to the airport just to greet her. We would just go back to the park later on (thank you to the wonderful train system of Hong Kong!).
I was kinda lucky to be granted a place at the front (some greeters left when their companions arrived). But I already saw the group of fans waiting for her. FYI, her flight was late in its landing - from the ETA 2:15 PM, it became 2:35 PM (it’s very surprising for a JAL flight, actually). I also had a hunch that once her flight arrives, she would be the last to come down. So the wait continued. It was really nerve-wracking! My hands were sweaty even though it was 12 degrees Celsius. I was looking anxiously at the arrival screen and looking at every person in the crowd.
I finally saw her when I saw a group of JAL flight attendants ushering someone. Obviously, she’s the only VIP in that flight to have that treatment. I have a video showing her entry and I could hear myself squeak rather than shouting her name (I guess that’s how I really act when I see my idols). She was very simple in her very long white cardigan, black dress and black heels (actually, this kind of clothing has become my recent inspiration for the casual look). Her hair was down and her face was also down. This gives you an impression of how shy she is OR how uncomfortable she is with people shouting her name. I ran with the other fans to see her up-close. But based on a lot of people, Namie is really a simple and humble woman. She might wear those designer clothing in magazines but she isn’t really that flamboyant. I mean, the most flamboyant Namie you would ever see would be in a concert!
Amazingly, she’s not really that tall! Her long-legs and her boots really did the trick, I guess. She’s a very petite lady with a very small face, so pretty! Her skin is really actually dark (this is the one fact that I’ve always been trying to confirm because magazines photoshop her endlessly). I also wonder if her cheeks were naturally rosy or if that was the effect of blush-on because they have this “sun-kissed” effect on her face.
She was escorted out by the guards and I think that was the end of it (for me). The other fans chased her until the end, I think, but I just decided that it’s better to see her in her full glory than to see her look pissed off or uncomfortable with the crowd (I think she’s the generic introvert we all know). But then, I was so happy to see her that close! I know that my view in the concert would not be as close as that but hey! That was great!
Saturday, March 26, 2016, was the day. I decided to wear anything special for the top because I know that I will buy the official shirt and change into it in the concert. But I made it a point to wear a skirt because Namie Amuro is the main reason why I love skirts. I kinda feel frustrated that I did not bring my Divisoria flower crown because I did not expect that they would not sell the official flower crown. Another disappointment was that they did not sell the official pom-poms (I should have just made one from metallic paper!). Third frustration was that no boots fitted me so I was not able to buy a pair for this special day.
Anyway, I used the Airport Express to go to the concert since that was the only way that I know. I did not wait for the “discounted” counter to open because of course, I was that excited. I think I rode an almost empty train. Obviously, the people who were left after the airport station would be fans who would watch the concert at AWE. I think I arrived at the venue at 5 PM (the concert schedule was 8 PM).
I bought a shirt, a towel (this is NECESSARY), and later on, I went back to buy the plastic sling bag. I then roamed around to have a quick dinner, watched the “Namie-wotas” position their flowers and everything, watch some flash mob performers of “Birthday”, and observe some cosplayers (there’s a really cute kid wearing Namie’s green costume from Live Style). I noticed that there were a lot of Japanese in the venue, not just one or two fans, but whole families! I wonder if they were just based in Hong Kong or if they really went to Hong Kong because Namie tickets in Japan are near to impossible.
It was actually tiring to walk so I just decided to hang out by the entrance of the arena. It was really an organized event; they did not even need to restrain or to put ropes so that people would not look like mobs as they enter the arena. It was really amazing and organized!
I found that my seat was actually nearer than expected! Not that near but not that far either. Unfortunately, the person in front of me did not know the concept of “having people behind them” so in the end, my barbaric mode ensued and I walked towards the barrier and stayed there to watch Namie.
Don’t you worry, I abided by the Japanese rule of no recording. Besides, we have the DVD already, why the hell do I need to record? That will just spoil the experience.
To be quite honest, I could not remember a lot of details like what happened here or there. I think I would leave that to the DVD. But the feelings while listening to the songs, Namie’s wonderful smile, those prompts to the audience to sing with her, those were the things I remembered. I just remembered singing my heart out, squealing everytime I hear my favorite songs (I did not read the setlist beforehand). There was a fan who was dancing weirdly so I got a little braver and started swaying to the beat. I also said earlier that I got out of my seat and went towards the barrier. The people in my row were like zombies but when I went forward, I was surrounded by the more hardcore fans that gave me the courage to sing my heart out and to wave and clap or whatever. Oh, I also want to mention that she forgot the whole verse 2 of "Dr." so she started smiling and giggling throughout.
I was supposed to say that the blue dress section was my favorite. My favorite for this section was “Say the Word” of course! “B Who I Want 2 B” was also a great performance. But I also love the gold dress section. I love it when she sang “Get Myself Back” and “Red Carpet”. Anyway, I really love it when she walks to the catwalk because I could get an opportunity to see her nearer. I really tried to focus looking at Namie rather than the side screens but the whole show was a damn light show, I also could not resist looking at the LED backdrops (I love the collaboration part where they show the PVs). The DVD was not able to capture the really glittery glow of the hexagons in “Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!” and “Red Carpet” so it was an amazing view up close!
For the black dress section (the last part T_T), I think the crowd favorite was that part in “Every Woman” when the GENIC logo went up from underneath the stage. I was also waiting for that moment. I did not really like the song but I just couldn’t help but sing with Namie! She really has this ability to make you like songs that you really didn't like. There were some songs in her album that I did not like but when I watched her perform them, they become my favorites. Same with "Every Woman". This concert made me love that song. I mean, I could not help but sing, "This is, this is... for every woman!"
What else? Did I mention Namie’s smiles and waves? She’s so cute she can put the idol business to shame. There was also this part where she did the heart sign a la Taylor Swift. But Namie is cuter. XD
Of course, I really felt sad when “Fashionista” came up because that was the last song of the main set list. But while she was performing this song, strobe lights similar to the PV came out. It was like watching the PV live, even better! She’s still smoking and energetic even until this last song. I really loved it till the end of this performance.
Of course, we all waited for the encore. The Namie wota oji-san stood up and motioned us to shout "NAMIE!. It was a tiring chant, actually, but I still did that. I want Namie to hear that people were actually excited about her. That's a make-or-break on her next return!
I think, my most favorite part of the concert would be the encore. I saw Namie strip (lol) as she changed into her encore costume “Birthday” PV style. I was so excited to wave my towel! I noticed that the people beside me weren’t doing that but who cares? I really love that part. I’ve been waiting to do that ever since!
The party tapes came out and we all scavenged for them. In the Japanese concerts, they release a lot that could reach the back row but for this one, they only released few tapes so we really had to scavenge for extra. Also, we chased the large balloon that would pop to reveal smaller balloons. I got three, I popped one because I was waving it excitedly (I think a fan also laughed at that). I deflated the balloons that were left as a souvenir.
I mentioned before that I would probably cry when I see Namie. I did not cry. But the fact that my voice got hoarse and I could not speak as she was singing “Fight Together” was the equivalent of crying. I really enjoyed this song, especially when she was prompting us to sing “we fight together!”. Doki-doki, really!
After the concert, they removed the barriers and we scavenged for more tapes. Luckily, I got a lot because I’m such a “basurera”. I think I even had to compete with this Chinese dude who was also as enthusiastic when chasing after the tapes. I also gave away some to the people in the upper rows who caught my attention.
How will I conclude this post? I don’t really know. I really really really, 1 million times really enjoyed this concert. A guy behind me said something like “安室ちゃんすごいですね？楽しかった！安室ちゃんもう会いたいよ！ I really share the same sentiment as this guy. She’s really an amazing performer. Her charisma is really there, even though she’s not the most sociable celebrity there is. The concert has ended and I’m already planning the next concert where I’ll see her (and I will make sure I get seats nearer to her).
I think I went home with that smile plastered on my face from the train ride from AWE to Kowloon (this is a long standing train ride and my legs were practically numb due to standing in the cold for a long time). But what’s a little sacrifice compared to the “Namie experience”?
待ったね、安室ちゃん！まった 遊びな！
I started listening to Namie when I was 16… that was like 8 years ago, and this is partly because of Arashi. I won’t go into the gory details of how the five guys led me to her but definitely, you can see that my love for Namie has overtaken my love for Arashi.
Anyway, I’m actually here to talk about the most exciting moment I have in terms of my Amuraa life. That is meeting Namie Amuro and watching her concert live FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Preparations started as early as December 2015 (like buying airline tickets and booking hotels). I was so bummed out that there was a Citibank priority concert ticket booking so my chances to actually get front seats disappeared since I didn’t have that credit card. I was really willing to shell out money for this! Furthermore, the ticketing system would not allow you to choose your specific seats, just the seat section. After a few tries, I was lucky to get aisle seats. I felt that aisle seats are the best because I’m quite short and it would be a disadvantage if I’m on the ground.
I was originally planning on flying the night before the concert and leaving immediately but my mom told me that it was also the Holy Week and travel can be bloody and annoying (for someone who hated long lines, waiting, and crowds like me) so in the end, it became a full week of tour.
March 24, 2016 was a rainy day so we could not really do the garden tour as planned. We went to a temple but it was really a hassle. Namie's official Facebook page announced that there will be a "109 loves Namie" campaign in the HK branch of Shibuya 109. I just decided to go to Harbor City mall to see that exhibit. It was actually the same as the Japan exhibit except that the "Red Carpet" dress was not on display. It probably came in when Namie arrives but unfortunately, I was not able to return on the proceeding days to see the dress. The exhibit contains a Namie history of discographies and it really excited me. My mom was also surprised at how long my queen has been performing. You see stuff from the 90s up to the present. You see tween Namie up to the beautiful woman she is today.
The great thing is that they bought in the "Red Carpet" backdrop! In Japan, it allows the people to take photos a la Namie's single cover. It was an opportunity too great to miss! Thanks to my mom, she took my photo in front of the backdrop!
They also have a message board for Namie. I was not able to write at the oard but I filled up a message card with my own message. I wrote in English because I have to admit that my Japanese skills suck now and she might not even get it. So anyway, I wrote this message for her.
March 25, 2016 was announced as her arrival in Hong Kong. It was actually weird that they explicitly stated her flight number (umm, do they do this with Arashi?) to Hong Kong. So, being the weird creep that I am, I decided to meet her at the airport. That day was actually our Disneyland day but my mom was okay to come with me to the airport just to greet her. We would just go back to the park later on (thank you to the wonderful train system of Hong Kong!).
I was kinda lucky to be granted a place at the front (some greeters left when their companions arrived). But I already saw the group of fans waiting for her. FYI, her flight was late in its landing - from the ETA 2:15 PM, it became 2:35 PM (it’s very surprising for a JAL flight, actually). I also had a hunch that once her flight arrives, she would be the last to come down. So the wait continued. It was really nerve-wracking! My hands were sweaty even though it was 12 degrees Celsius. I was looking anxiously at the arrival screen and looking at every person in the crowd.
I finally saw her when I saw a group of JAL flight attendants ushering someone. Obviously, she’s the only VIP in that flight to have that treatment. I have a video showing her entry and I could hear myself squeak rather than shouting her name (I guess that’s how I really act when I see my idols). She was very simple in her very long white cardigan, black dress and black heels (actually, this kind of clothing has become my recent inspiration for the casual look). Her hair was down and her face was also down. This gives you an impression of how shy she is OR how uncomfortable she is with people shouting her name. I ran with the other fans to see her up-close. But based on a lot of people, Namie is really a simple and humble woman. She might wear those designer clothing in magazines but she isn’t really that flamboyant. I mean, the most flamboyant Namie you would ever see would be in a concert!
Amazingly, she’s not really that tall! Her long-legs and her boots really did the trick, I guess. She’s a very petite lady with a very small face, so pretty! Her skin is really actually dark (this is the one fact that I’ve always been trying to confirm because magazines photoshop her endlessly). I also wonder if her cheeks were naturally rosy or if that was the effect of blush-on because they have this “sun-kissed” effect on her face.
She was escorted out by the guards and I think that was the end of it (for me). The other fans chased her until the end, I think, but I just decided that it’s better to see her in her full glory than to see her look pissed off or uncomfortable with the crowd (I think she’s the generic introvert we all know). But then, I was so happy to see her that close! I know that my view in the concert would not be as close as that but hey! That was great!
Saturday, March 26, 2016, was the day. I decided to wear anything special for the top because I know that I will buy the official shirt and change into it in the concert. But I made it a point to wear a skirt because Namie Amuro is the main reason why I love skirts. I kinda feel frustrated that I did not bring my Divisoria flower crown because I did not expect that they would not sell the official flower crown. Another disappointment was that they did not sell the official pom-poms (I should have just made one from metallic paper!). Third frustration was that no boots fitted me so I was not able to buy a pair for this special day.
Anyway, I used the Airport Express to go to the concert since that was the only way that I know. I did not wait for the “discounted” counter to open because of course, I was that excited. I think I rode an almost empty train. Obviously, the people who were left after the airport station would be fans who would watch the concert at AWE. I think I arrived at the venue at 5 PM (the concert schedule was 8 PM).
I bought a shirt, a towel (this is NECESSARY), and later on, I went back to buy the plastic sling bag. I then roamed around to have a quick dinner, watched the “Namie-wotas” position their flowers and everything, watch some flash mob performers of “Birthday”, and observe some cosplayers (there’s a really cute kid wearing Namie’s green costume from Live Style). I noticed that there were a lot of Japanese in the venue, not just one or two fans, but whole families! I wonder if they were just based in Hong Kong or if they really went to Hong Kong because Namie tickets in Japan are near to impossible.
It was actually tiring to walk so I just decided to hang out by the entrance of the arena. It was really an organized event; they did not even need to restrain or to put ropes so that people would not look like mobs as they enter the arena. It was really amazing and organized!
I found that my seat was actually nearer than expected! Not that near but not that far either. Unfortunately, the person in front of me did not know the concept of “having people behind them” so in the end, my barbaric mode ensued and I walked towards the barrier and stayed there to watch Namie.
Don’t you worry, I abided by the Japanese rule of no recording. Besides, we have the DVD already, why the hell do I need to record? That will just spoil the experience.
To be quite honest, I could not remember a lot of details like what happened here or there. I think I would leave that to the DVD. But the feelings while listening to the songs, Namie’s wonderful smile, those prompts to the audience to sing with her, those were the things I remembered. I just remembered singing my heart out, squealing everytime I hear my favorite songs (I did not read the setlist beforehand). There was a fan who was dancing weirdly so I got a little braver and started swaying to the beat. I also said earlier that I got out of my seat and went towards the barrier. The people in my row were like zombies but when I went forward, I was surrounded by the more hardcore fans that gave me the courage to sing my heart out and to wave and clap or whatever. Oh, I also want to mention that she forgot the whole verse 2 of "Dr." so she started smiling and giggling throughout.
I was supposed to say that the blue dress section was my favorite. My favorite for this section was “Say the Word” of course! “B Who I Want 2 B” was also a great performance. But I also love the gold dress section. I love it when she sang “Get Myself Back” and “Red Carpet”. Anyway, I really love it when she walks to the catwalk because I could get an opportunity to see her nearer. I really tried to focus looking at Namie rather than the side screens but the whole show was a damn light show, I also could not resist looking at the LED backdrops (I love the collaboration part where they show the PVs). The DVD was not able to capture the really glittery glow of the hexagons in “Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!” and “Red Carpet” so it was an amazing view up close!
For the black dress section (the last part T_T), I think the crowd favorite was that part in “Every Woman” when the GENIC logo went up from underneath the stage. I was also waiting for that moment. I did not really like the song but I just couldn’t help but sing with Namie! She really has this ability to make you like songs that you really didn't like. There were some songs in her album that I did not like but when I watched her perform them, they become my favorites. Same with "Every Woman". This concert made me love that song. I mean, I could not help but sing, "This is, this is... for every woman!"
What else? Did I mention Namie’s smiles and waves? She’s so cute she can put the idol business to shame. There was also this part where she did the heart sign a la Taylor Swift. But Namie is cuter. XD
Of course, I really felt sad when “Fashionista” came up because that was the last song of the main set list. But while she was performing this song, strobe lights similar to the PV came out. It was like watching the PV live, even better! She’s still smoking and energetic even until this last song. I really loved it till the end of this performance.
Of course, we all waited for the encore. The Namie wota oji-san stood up and motioned us to shout "NAMIE!. It was a tiring chant, actually, but I still did that. I want Namie to hear that people were actually excited about her. That's a make-or-break on her next return!
I think, my most favorite part of the concert would be the encore. I saw Namie strip (lol) as she changed into her encore costume “Birthday” PV style. I was so excited to wave my towel! I noticed that the people beside me weren’t doing that but who cares? I really love that part. I’ve been waiting to do that ever since!
The party tapes came out and we all scavenged for them. In the Japanese concerts, they release a lot that could reach the back row but for this one, they only released few tapes so we really had to scavenge for extra. Also, we chased the large balloon that would pop to reveal smaller balloons. I got three, I popped one because I was waving it excitedly (I think a fan also laughed at that). I deflated the balloons that were left as a souvenir.
I mentioned before that I would probably cry when I see Namie. I did not cry. But the fact that my voice got hoarse and I could not speak as she was singing “Fight Together” was the equivalent of crying. I really enjoyed this song, especially when she was prompting us to sing “we fight together!”. Doki-doki, really!
After the concert, they removed the barriers and we scavenged for more tapes. Luckily, I got a lot because I’m such a “basurera”. I think I even had to compete with this Chinese dude who was also as enthusiastic when chasing after the tapes. I also gave away some to the people in the upper rows who caught my attention.
How will I conclude this post? I don’t really know. I really really really, 1 million times really enjoyed this concert. A guy behind me said something like “安室ちゃんすごいですね？楽しかった！安室ちゃんもう会いたいよ！ I really share the same sentiment as this guy. She’s really an amazing performer. Her charisma is really there, even though she’s not the most sociable celebrity there is. The concert has ended and I’m already planning the next concert where I’ll see her (and I will make sure I get seats nearer to her).
I think I went home with that smile plastered on my face from the train ride from AWE to Kowloon (this is a long standing train ride and my legs were practically numb due to standing in the cold for a long time). But what’s a little sacrifice compared to the “Namie experience”?
待ったね、安室ちゃん！まった 遊びな！