Which 5 concerts would you like to be included in FIVE LIVE ARCHIVES 3?
Greetings L'Arc fans,
Firstly, I would like to say L'A HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2014 marks the start of 23rd anniversary of L'Arc~en~Ciel (can't believe it's been almost 3 years since 20th L'Anniversary LIVE!) and also the release of their first (ridiculously priced) Blu-ray box set "L'Aive Blu-ray BOX" (out on 26 February 2014), containing 18 Blu-ray discs and 31 CDs. Ki/oon are getting greedy these days, it started with LIVE TWENITY (a compilation of old lives and 1 new song - what a bargain!), then all those different editions of WORLD TOUR 2012 THE FINAL each with a bonus CD, now a Blu-ray box set with an insane price tag.
I remember seeing them for the first time in 2008 in Paris. It truly was a unforgettable experience, L'Arc fans are truly an amazing group of people! The next time would be 4 years later in London in 2012 - a smaller venue but still filled with passionate fans. Of course, the Paris live has been released on DVD so I am hoping for the London gig next.
Judging by previous FIVE LIVE ARCHIVES releases, here are my predictions for the next live box set in 2016. As usual, they will ignore sakura era concerts and only focus on recent ones. Personally, I would love to see them release a FIVE LIVE ARCHIVES 0 with old concerts such as Sense of time '94, The other side of heavenly '95, Kiss me deadly heavenly '96, BIG CITY NIGHTS ROUND AROUND '96, TOUR '96~'97 Carnival of True. I have noticed that they usually release at least 2 lives from the same tour. For example:
- SMILE TOUR 2004 ~Zenkokuhen~ / LIVE IN U.S.A (the USA gig comprised mainly of SMILE tracks)
- 1999 GRAND CROSS CONCLUSION / 1999 GRAND CROSS TOUR in Tokyo Big Sight Special Stage (FLA 1) / 1999 GRAND CROSS TOUR in Osaka Cosmo Square (FLA 2)
- AWAKE TOUR 2005 / AWAKE TOUR 2005 Zenyasai "Konya Kiseki ga Okiru!?" (FLA 2)
- ASIALIVE 2005 / ASIALIVE 2005 in Shanghai (FLA 1)
- Are you ready? 2007 Mata HEART ni Hi o Tsukeru! in OKINAWA / Are you ready? 2007 Mata HEART ni Hi o Tsukeru! in Fuji-Q Highland (FLA 2)
- LIVE IN PARIS / TOUR 2008 L'7 ~Trans ASIA via PARIS~ / TOUR 2008 L'7 ~Trans ASIA via PARIS~ in Kyocera Dome Osaka (FLA 2)
Based on these facts, I have compiled 5 lives that may very likely appear in FIVE LIVE ARCHIVES 3.
Disc 1: 2008.02.07 - TOUR 2007-2008 THEATER OF KISS (国立代々木第一体育館)
Since THEATER OF KISS had only 1 DVD release in 2008, it would make sense to release another home video from this tour. The date I chose is rather special because it is the only date where P'UNK performed Dune 2008 in the tour and instead of fate, Shinjitsu to Genjitsu was the track that replaced it. It's also my birthday (February 7), although that's not really related lol
1. THE BLACK ROSE
2. SEVENTH HEAVEN
3. L'Arc~en~Ciel PARADE 2007-2008
4. SHINE
5. spiral
6. DAYBREAK'S BELL
7. ALONE EN LA VIDA
8. 砂時計
9. 海辺
10. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
11. DRINK IT DOWN
12. REVELATION
13. Pretty Girl
14. Link
15. Feeling Fine 2007 (P'UNK~EN~CIEL)
16. Dune 2008 (P'UNK~EN~CIEL)
17. 真実と幻想と
18. READY STEADY GO
19. Shout at the Devil
20. 雪の足跡
21. Hurry Xmas
Disc 2 - 2011.01.01 - 20th L'Anniversary Starting Live "L'A HAPPY NEW YEAR!" (幕張メッセ国際展示場 9-11)
Well, this was a no-brainer - a LE'CIEL exclusive concert. It was a concert that was ahem... "streamed live" on Ustream but instead of a camera focusing on the band, it was basically showing a guy with glasses (one of the audience members who was the unfortunate target of this live stream) and other fans with the band's music in the background. Eventually, they decided to actually show the stage with hyde's MC and the last track BLESS, before the stream got cut unexpectedly and all fans weeped heavily at the company's incompetence in streaming decent footage of 1 song. I'm so happy returned after last appearing in 1997. Also interesting is the fact that Anata is the opening track.
1. あなた
2. NEO UNIVERSE
3. Driver's High
4. NEXUS 4
5. winter fall
6. flower
7. 叙情詩
8. 花葬
9. I'm so happy
10. HONEY
11. Killing Me
12. SEVENTH HEAVEN
13. STAY AWAY
14. READY STEADY GO
15. trick
16. REVELATION
17. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
18. New World
19. Link
20. BLESS
Disc 3 - 2011.12.04 - 20th L'Anniversary TOUR (京セラドーム大阪)
Ever wondered why they released that LIVE TWENITY DVD instead of this concert? Honestly, I think they could have released both this live and the DVD compilation. Well, they must be saving it for the next box set. This is the final date of the 20th L'Anniversary TOUR. X X X was included on LIVE TWENITY. This concert was also shown in cinemas across Asia in December (yes, the same month as this live) for a limited time. Essentially, the tour comprised of the tracks from both days of the 20th L'Anniversary Live mixed with a couple with rare songs such as Fare Well, Anemone, an acoustic version of Kasou (which alternated with Anemone), and Hurry Xmas. New songs from 2011 include GOOD LUCK MY WAY as well as X X X and CHASE which were both revealed on this tour. A unique part of this tour is that a live orchestra on stage accompanied songs such as Anemone and X X X. Indie tracks (Dune, As if in a dream) also make a triumphant (but short) return in a concert tour. The last time concert tours featured Indie tracks was in '96~'97 Carnival of True (Floods of tears, Entichers) and SMILE TOUR 2004 (Yokan).
1. Fare Well
2. Caress of Venus
3. GOOD LUCK MY WAY
4. HEAVEN'S DRIVE
5. flower
6. DRINK IT DOWN
7. Dune
8. ガラス玉
9. forbidden lover
10. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
11. REVELATION
12. SEVENTH HEAVEN
13. Driver's High
14. STAY AWAY
15. READY STEADY GO
16. Anemone
17. X X X
18. CHASE
19. Hurry Xmas
20. Link
21. 虹
Disc 4 - 2012.05.02 - WORLD TOUR 2012 (Jakarta)
Footage of this live, along with London and New York was aired on Japanese TV. The New York one (Madison Square Garden) has obviously been released. So why did I choose Jakarta over London? If you've ever heard the Jakarta fans singing along, you'll know why (the bonus Jakarta CD in the World Tour 2012 FINAL DVD). These guys are damn loud, crazy and they sure know the lyrics to every song. I believe the band said that they would release this on DVD in the near future when interviewed in Jakarta. This seems to be a good opportunity (heck, probably their only chance) to release this concert on home video. Differences from the New York concert: Hitomi no Juunin instead of Joujoshi and the Fourth Avenue Cafe instead of winter fall.
1. いばらの涙
2. CHASE -English version-
3. GOOD LUCK MY WAY
4. HONEY
5. DRINK IT DOWN
6. REVELATION
7. 瞳の住人
8. X X X -English version-
9. fate
10. forbidden lover
11. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
12. SEVENTH HEAVEN
13. Driver's High
14. STAY AWAY
15. READY STEADY GO
16. あなた
17. the Fourth Avenue Cafe
18. Link
19. 虹
Disc 5 - 2012.05.12 - 20th L'Anniversary WORLD TOUR 2012 THE FINAL (横浜 日産スタジアム)
I honestly don't know if they'll pick this one. They could very well go the lazy route and release Day 1 of the Kokuritsu live which aired on Japanese TV in full (but with MC's and Link cut) and is essentially ready for release at any time. But there a couple of reasons why this concert is possible. It's their first concert in Japan after travelling around the world. The setlist is mostly comprised of tracks from their 2012 album BUTTERFLY - many of these tracks were not performed on the last two extravagant Kokuritsu lives (Bye Bye, wild flower, shade of season, Mirai Sekai, NEXUS 4, BLESS). Since the album BUTTERFLY did not have an actual album tour itself, this is the closest thing with 10 of the 11 tracks in this live, with only SHINE missing (Bye Bye and SHINE alternated for different days). Oh yeah, there's also a B-side called metropolis. I'm hopeful that this gets released, it would have been nice if there was a legit album tour even if it was a few dates but I guess this is what happens when you release an album before a World Tour and hyde not giving a fack about L'Arc anymore, instead focusing on VAMPS.
1. いばらの涙
2. CHASE
3. GOOD LUCK MY WAY
4. HONEY
5. Bye Bye
6. wild flower
7. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
8. metropolis
9. REVELATION
10. SEVENTH HEAVEN
11. Driver's High
12. DRINK IT DOWN
13. shade of season
14. STAY AWAY
15. READY STEADY GO
16. 未来世界
17. 瞳の住人
18. X X X
19. NEXUS 4
20. Link
21. BLESS
Firstly, I would like to say L'A HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2014 marks the start of 23rd anniversary of L'Arc~en~Ciel (can't believe it's been almost 3 years since 20th L'Anniversary LIVE!) and also the release of their first (ridiculously priced) Blu-ray box set "L'Aive Blu-ray BOX" (out on 26 February 2014), containing 18 Blu-ray discs and 31 CDs. Ki/oon are getting greedy these days, it started with LIVE TWENITY (a compilation of old lives and 1 new song - what a bargain!), then all those different editions of WORLD TOUR 2012 THE FINAL each with a bonus CD, now a Blu-ray box set with an insane price tag.
I remember seeing them for the first time in 2008 in Paris. It truly was a unforgettable experience, L'Arc fans are truly an amazing group of people! The next time would be 4 years later in London in 2012 - a smaller venue but still filled with passionate fans. Of course, the Paris live has been released on DVD so I am hoping for the London gig next.
Judging by previous FIVE LIVE ARCHIVES releases, here are my predictions for the next live box set in 2016. As usual, they will ignore sakura era concerts and only focus on recent ones. Personally, I would love to see them release a FIVE LIVE ARCHIVES 0 with old concerts such as Sense of time '94, The other side of heavenly '95, Kiss me deadly heavenly '96, BIG CITY NIGHTS ROUND AROUND '96, TOUR '96~'97 Carnival of True. I have noticed that they usually release at least 2 lives from the same tour. For example:
- SMILE TOUR 2004 ~Zenkokuhen~ / LIVE IN U.S.A (the USA gig comprised mainly of SMILE tracks)
- 1999 GRAND CROSS CONCLUSION / 1999 GRAND CROSS TOUR in Tokyo Big Sight Special Stage (FLA 1) / 1999 GRAND CROSS TOUR in Osaka Cosmo Square (FLA 2)
- AWAKE TOUR 2005 / AWAKE TOUR 2005 Zenyasai "Konya Kiseki ga Okiru!?" (FLA 2)
- ASIALIVE 2005 / ASIALIVE 2005 in Shanghai (FLA 1)
- Are you ready? 2007 Mata HEART ni Hi o Tsukeru! in OKINAWA / Are you ready? 2007 Mata HEART ni Hi o Tsukeru! in Fuji-Q Highland (FLA 2)
- LIVE IN PARIS / TOUR 2008 L'7 ~Trans ASIA via PARIS~ / TOUR 2008 L'7 ~Trans ASIA via PARIS~ in Kyocera Dome Osaka (FLA 2)
Based on these facts, I have compiled 5 lives that may very likely appear in FIVE LIVE ARCHIVES 3.
Disc 1: 2008.02.07 - TOUR 2007-2008 THEATER OF KISS (国立代々木第一体育館)
Since THEATER OF KISS had only 1 DVD release in 2008, it would make sense to release another home video from this tour. The date I chose is rather special because it is the only date where P'UNK performed Dune 2008 in the tour and instead of fate, Shinjitsu to Genjitsu was the track that replaced it. It's also my birthday (February 7), although that's not really related lol
1. THE BLACK ROSE
2. SEVENTH HEAVEN
3. L'Arc~en~Ciel PARADE 2007-2008
4. SHINE
5. spiral
6. DAYBREAK'S BELL
7. ALONE EN LA VIDA
8. 砂時計
9. 海辺
10. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
11. DRINK IT DOWN
12. REVELATION
13. Pretty Girl
14. Link
15. Feeling Fine 2007 (P'UNK~EN~CIEL)
16. Dune 2008 (P'UNK~EN~CIEL)
17. 真実と幻想と
18. READY STEADY GO
19. Shout at the Devil
20. 雪の足跡
21. Hurry Xmas
Disc 2 - 2011.01.01 - 20th L'Anniversary Starting Live "L'A HAPPY NEW YEAR!" (幕張メッセ国際展示場 9-11)
Well, this was a no-brainer - a LE'CIEL exclusive concert. It was a concert that was ahem... "streamed live" on Ustream but instead of a camera focusing on the band, it was basically showing a guy with glasses (one of the audience members who was the unfortunate target of this live stream) and other fans with the band's music in the background. Eventually, they decided to actually show the stage with hyde's MC and the last track BLESS, before the stream got cut unexpectedly and all fans weeped heavily at the company's incompetence in streaming decent footage of 1 song. I'm so happy returned after last appearing in 1997. Also interesting is the fact that Anata is the opening track.
1. あなた
2. NEO UNIVERSE
3. Driver's High
4. NEXUS 4
5. winter fall
6. flower
7. 叙情詩
8. 花葬
9. I'm so happy
10. HONEY
11. Killing Me
12. SEVENTH HEAVEN
13. STAY AWAY
14. READY STEADY GO
15. trick
16. REVELATION
17. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
18. New World
19. Link
20. BLESS
Disc 3 - 2011.12.04 - 20th L'Anniversary TOUR (京セラドーム大阪)
Ever wondered why they released that LIVE TWENITY DVD instead of this concert? Honestly, I think they could have released both this live and the DVD compilation. Well, they must be saving it for the next box set. This is the final date of the 20th L'Anniversary TOUR. X X X was included on LIVE TWENITY. This concert was also shown in cinemas across Asia in December (yes, the same month as this live) for a limited time. Essentially, the tour comprised of the tracks from both days of the 20th L'Anniversary Live mixed with a couple with rare songs such as Fare Well, Anemone, an acoustic version of Kasou (which alternated with Anemone), and Hurry Xmas. New songs from 2011 include GOOD LUCK MY WAY as well as X X X and CHASE which were both revealed on this tour. A unique part of this tour is that a live orchestra on stage accompanied songs such as Anemone and X X X. Indie tracks (Dune, As if in a dream) also make a triumphant (but short) return in a concert tour. The last time concert tours featured Indie tracks was in '96~'97 Carnival of True (Floods of tears, Entichers) and SMILE TOUR 2004 (Yokan).
1. Fare Well
2. Caress of Venus
3. GOOD LUCK MY WAY
4. HEAVEN'S DRIVE
5. flower
6. DRINK IT DOWN
7. Dune
8. ガラス玉
9. forbidden lover
10. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
11. REVELATION
12. SEVENTH HEAVEN
13. Driver's High
14. STAY AWAY
15. READY STEADY GO
16. Anemone
17. X X X
18. CHASE
19. Hurry Xmas
20. Link
21. 虹
Disc 4 - 2012.05.02 - WORLD TOUR 2012 (Jakarta)
Footage of this live, along with London and New York was aired on Japanese TV. The New York one (Madison Square Garden) has obviously been released. So why did I choose Jakarta over London? If you've ever heard the Jakarta fans singing along, you'll know why (the bonus Jakarta CD in the World Tour 2012 FINAL DVD). These guys are damn loud, crazy and they sure know the lyrics to every song. I believe the band said that they would release this on DVD in the near future when interviewed in Jakarta. This seems to be a good opportunity (heck, probably their only chance) to release this concert on home video. Differences from the New York concert: Hitomi no Juunin instead of Joujoshi and the Fourth Avenue Cafe instead of winter fall.
1. いばらの涙
2. CHASE -English version-
3. GOOD LUCK MY WAY
4. HONEY
5. DRINK IT DOWN
6. REVELATION
7. 瞳の住人
8. X X X -English version-
9. fate
10. forbidden lover
11. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
12. SEVENTH HEAVEN
13. Driver's High
14. STAY AWAY
15. READY STEADY GO
16. あなた
17. the Fourth Avenue Cafe
18. Link
19. 虹
Disc 5 - 2012.05.12 - 20th L'Anniversary WORLD TOUR 2012 THE FINAL (横浜 日産スタジアム)
I honestly don't know if they'll pick this one. They could very well go the lazy route and release Day 1 of the Kokuritsu live which aired on Japanese TV in full (but with MC's and Link cut) and is essentially ready for release at any time. But there a couple of reasons why this concert is possible. It's their first concert in Japan after travelling around the world. The setlist is mostly comprised of tracks from their 2012 album BUTTERFLY - many of these tracks were not performed on the last two extravagant Kokuritsu lives (Bye Bye, wild flower, shade of season, Mirai Sekai, NEXUS 4, BLESS). Since the album BUTTERFLY did not have an actual album tour itself, this is the closest thing with 10 of the 11 tracks in this live, with only SHINE missing (Bye Bye and SHINE alternated for different days). Oh yeah, there's also a B-side called metropolis. I'm hopeful that this gets released, it would have been nice if there was a legit album tour even if it was a few dates but I guess this is what happens when you release an album before a World Tour and hyde not giving a fack about L'Arc anymore, instead focusing on VAMPS.
1. いばらの涙
2. CHASE
3. GOOD LUCK MY WAY
4. HONEY
5. Bye Bye
6. wild flower
7. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
8. metropolis
9. REVELATION
10. SEVENTH HEAVEN
11. Driver's High
12. DRINK IT DOWN
13. shade of season
14. STAY AWAY
15. READY STEADY GO
16. 未来世界
17. 瞳の住人
18. X X X
19. NEXUS 4
20. Link
21. BLESS