#嵐の日 #アラフェス2020
(Note 06.07.2021: Wrote this on mobile post Arafes 2020. Then I hated the formatting so I didn't publish it, until now)
Writing on LJ again to talk about Arashi. Mild Arafes spoilers under the cut.
[Arafes 2020 ]At first, it was jarring. There were no screams, no "kyaaa~", no call&response. (If it was like that for me, how was it for Arashi?)
Part 1 was nostalgic - from opening with LSS (using the footage at the 2008 Kokuritsu concert as background hit me with a lot of feels), to the shuffled opening greetings, to the solos (I expected Jun to strip but Sho was a surprise. And NIJI, RAIN and DISCO STAR) to Ohmiya SK. Part 2 was showcasing the trademarks of an Arashi concert - water fountains, balloons, fireworks, remixed songs, and innovative staging. It's Jun, adjusting his initial plans in order to give the viewing audience the best experience. The moving stage was gone, as were the carts and lifts. Instead, we get holographic effects.
Arafes 2020 is different but it is still as amazing and as magical as any other Arashi concert. It allowed fans who have never been to an Arashi concert to experience it real-time (vs reading con reports and waiting for the DVD). As my sister said, you won't feel disappointed if you didn't hit for concert tickets. It produced a different form of interaction between Arashi and their fans (and I do think they felt fan support through the tweets).
Favorite things:
1. The stage design. I had the impression that they patterned it after the shape of Kokuritsu.
2. The costumes. I really love the opening costume, the silver/gray bomber jackets, the Ohno-designed jackets, and the green Prince-like formal jackets. There was less sparkle and feathers this time around. Maybe that's because they don't need to be bright enough for the "ue no ho" audience? Or maybe they do not want to shock the uninitiated on how sparkly concert costumes can be?
3. Monster. I did not expect the orchestra interlude at the beginning. And then they opened with a capella lines?
4. The rest of the orchestra set and the dance set.
5. In the Summer and the beach effects
To my fellow fans, I am glad to experience Arafes 2020 with you. To Arashi, Thank you. Happy 21st.
P. S. Aiba Suguroku was EPIC.