RRII Visualive All Night Party (No Spoilers)
When: March 27, 2010 12:00/12:15
Where: Shinjuku's Picadilly Theatre
I finished work around 10:00 so, of course, I had no time to go home first. I met ashura_oh in Takadanobaba at about 11 and from there we went to Shinjuku. We walked to the theatre, which wasn't too far and fairly easy to find. When we got inside the first order of business was to pick up the tickets. After having some problems with the ticket machine we decided to just go to the counter and let the clerk take care of it. Moments later we had our tickets in hand.
After getting our tickets we saw a long line of dears...
...All waiting for the BATHROOM @__@ The bathroom line remained this long up through the whole hour we were waiting for the theatres to open.
The mood in the lobby as we waited for the theatres to open was very calm. A few people were dressed up but most had kept it pretty casual. I had briefly considered wearing something for the occasion but since i also had to work all day that day had decided it really wasn't worth it. I did wear my RRII hairclip for the occasion though:) Everyone just waited patiently and quietly until they started seating. They opened each theatre in order: 1,2,3, so we were in the last group to head up.
Outside the theatre they had this digital poster:
With a black-chibi-rabbit-Gackt
We went inside and took our seats. I don't think there would have been any bad seats there but ours were very nice. We were in the 4th row back, middle section, near the aisle. Ashu and I had both brought some props. She had her plush cat's paw and I had my hand towel, many other dears also seemed similarly prepared in case the mood should turn concert-like. Everyone finished filing in and taking their seats and finally the lights dimmed. We did in fact get a couple of previews; they showed the preview we've all seen for the Visualive DVD and they showed one for the Men's live DVD. We got to see a few clips of what went on in there, definitely looked like a lot of high-octane testosterone filled craziness, I'm definitely going to try to get my copy of that DVD as well XD These previews ended quickly and then we were all amused to see that they were in fact playing the DVD as the command cues from the player were also displayed on the giant screen as they ejected the preview disk and inserted the concert disc. We even got a nice preview of the menu as they set everything up before hitting "Autoplay".
Then it began. The blue curtains and "Bolero" introducing us to the scene. I won't go into much about the details but as I was in attendance at the actual live I can feel confident in saying that everything from this live was included, except for some of the long pauses for costume changes and such. The beginning especially brought back such clear memories of the event. It was quickly apparent that there would not be much activity from the audience who all sat transfixed in their seats. I myself barely even blinked. Of course, it brought back many memories of all 3 shows I had the good fortune to attend but it was also a new experience as so many details were now visible. Add to that the brilliant editing that enhanced every piece. During the MC portion and introduction of band members the close view was wonderful. Sitting so far back in the stands you can't really see the expressions, unless they happen to show it on the screen but here I am sure we have been provided will all the most interesting and entertaining of actions and reactions from the stage. There are also a lot of great audience shots, some wide and sweeping across this sea of people, others close up where you can easily distinguish individuals. I wonder how the people will feel when they see themselves on the screen.
At the end of the first disc there was a short break. During the second disc a few people pulled out their props and quietly joined in some of the dancing, keeping their hands low as not to disturb those that could only gaze on. At the end the credits rolled and then it was over and they turned up the lights and hit stop. It felt slightly abupt. There was gentle clapping, I think everybody was still rather dazed and unable to react in a grand fashion. When a live ends if fills you with a kind of sadness, like you'd been filled with some special light or energy and suddenly it is gone and you feel a kind of emptiness in its place. The end of the DVD wasn't so sad but there was still that wish to hold onto something that is by nature fleeting. However, now that it will soon be available for our multiple viewing pleasure we can recapture that feeling again and again as we like, though each time it will probably be a little different and, of course each person's experience of it as a whole will probably be uniquely personal.
For me it was an experience almost as powerful as the first live I saw over a year ago. As each song played out so many thoughts, emotions and memories flowed through my mind even as I was totally absorbed by what I was viewing. Beyond that I have no words. After my first live all I could tell people for over a week was that I had no words and this left me nearly the same. I feel like any words I might try to use would not be adequate, would sound weak compared to what I wished to express. When I, like so many of the fans in attendance, sent him an email with my reaction, that is what I told him.
Unfortunately for me, now that I have experienced it on the big screen, as I do with similar epic movie experiences, I get that feeling that only such a screen is appropriate for viewing such a work and have difficulty even thinking about watching it on my not so big, with less than ideal sound, TV. I likely will watch it that way but maybe not right away as I hold on to that big screen experience in my mind.
One thing that I should note is that it looks like the DVD will have some English subtitles available. We did get a look at the language menu and there was an English option available. I don't know how much will be subtitle, probably just the movie parts, but it would be really nice if they did the MC as well, I could understand parts of it but definitely not the whole thing. For those of you who have or will purchase the DVD you are definitely getting your money's worth and then some. For those of you who can't purchase it I hope that one day, somehow you will get the chance to experience it yourself.
Ashu and I had a great time and I was glad to have someone with me to share the experience with. Anyway, I probably never would have gotten the tickets if not for her. Teamwork is a great thing:)
I hope I haven't left anything important out but if you have any questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer. I hope this was interesting for you all but I ask you not to repost anything here without my permission. Otherwise, enjoy!
Edit: This morning (March28, though they actually tried to deliver it the day before) I received my copies of the DVD \(^o^)/ Included was also the DVD of Junji's version of Ghost which I just finished watching. It starts with a really cute behind the scenes intro before it shows the performance done on the RRII stage with dancers and costumes and lighting and everything. It also had a reaction cam on G as he watches from the audience. The performance is great, he basically mimics GACKT but also finds ways to make it his own, really cute!!! I hope you all get to see this as well at some point!!
Where: Shinjuku's Picadilly Theatre
I finished work around 10:00 so, of course, I had no time to go home first. I met ashura_oh in Takadanobaba at about 11 and from there we went to Shinjuku. We walked to the theatre, which wasn't too far and fairly easy to find. When we got inside the first order of business was to pick up the tickets. After having some problems with the ticket machine we decided to just go to the counter and let the clerk take care of it. Moments later we had our tickets in hand.
After getting our tickets we saw a long line of dears...
...All waiting for the BATHROOM @__@ The bathroom line remained this long up through the whole hour we were waiting for the theatres to open.
The mood in the lobby as we waited for the theatres to open was very calm. A few people were dressed up but most had kept it pretty casual. I had briefly considered wearing something for the occasion but since i also had to work all day that day had decided it really wasn't worth it. I did wear my RRII hairclip for the occasion though:) Everyone just waited patiently and quietly until they started seating. They opened each theatre in order: 1,2,3, so we were in the last group to head up.
Outside the theatre they had this digital poster:
With a black-chibi-rabbit-Gackt
We went inside and took our seats. I don't think there would have been any bad seats there but ours were very nice. We were in the 4th row back, middle section, near the aisle. Ashu and I had both brought some props. She had her plush cat's paw and I had my hand towel, many other dears also seemed similarly prepared in case the mood should turn concert-like. Everyone finished filing in and taking their seats and finally the lights dimmed. We did in fact get a couple of previews; they showed the preview we've all seen for the Visualive DVD and they showed one for the Men's live DVD. We got to see a few clips of what went on in there, definitely looked like a lot of high-octane testosterone filled craziness, I'm definitely going to try to get my copy of that DVD as well XD These previews ended quickly and then we were all amused to see that they were in fact playing the DVD as the command cues from the player were also displayed on the giant screen as they ejected the preview disk and inserted the concert disc. We even got a nice preview of the menu as they set everything up before hitting "Autoplay".
Then it began. The blue curtains and "Bolero" introducing us to the scene. I won't go into much about the details but as I was in attendance at the actual live I can feel confident in saying that everything from this live was included, except for some of the long pauses for costume changes and such. The beginning especially brought back such clear memories of the event. It was quickly apparent that there would not be much activity from the audience who all sat transfixed in their seats. I myself barely even blinked. Of course, it brought back many memories of all 3 shows I had the good fortune to attend but it was also a new experience as so many details were now visible. Add to that the brilliant editing that enhanced every piece. During the MC portion and introduction of band members the close view was wonderful. Sitting so far back in the stands you can't really see the expressions, unless they happen to show it on the screen but here I am sure we have been provided will all the most interesting and entertaining of actions and reactions from the stage. There are also a lot of great audience shots, some wide and sweeping across this sea of people, others close up where you can easily distinguish individuals. I wonder how the people will feel when they see themselves on the screen.
At the end of the first disc there was a short break. During the second disc a few people pulled out their props and quietly joined in some of the dancing, keeping their hands low as not to disturb those that could only gaze on. At the end the credits rolled and then it was over and they turned up the lights and hit stop. It felt slightly abupt. There was gentle clapping, I think everybody was still rather dazed and unable to react in a grand fashion. When a live ends if fills you with a kind of sadness, like you'd been filled with some special light or energy and suddenly it is gone and you feel a kind of emptiness in its place. The end of the DVD wasn't so sad but there was still that wish to hold onto something that is by nature fleeting. However, now that it will soon be available for our multiple viewing pleasure we can recapture that feeling again and again as we like, though each time it will probably be a little different and, of course each person's experience of it as a whole will probably be uniquely personal.
For me it was an experience almost as powerful as the first live I saw over a year ago. As each song played out so many thoughts, emotions and memories flowed through my mind even as I was totally absorbed by what I was viewing. Beyond that I have no words. After my first live all I could tell people for over a week was that I had no words and this left me nearly the same. I feel like any words I might try to use would not be adequate, would sound weak compared to what I wished to express. When I, like so many of the fans in attendance, sent him an email with my reaction, that is what I told him.
Unfortunately for me, now that I have experienced it on the big screen, as I do with similar epic movie experiences, I get that feeling that only such a screen is appropriate for viewing such a work and have difficulty even thinking about watching it on my not so big, with less than ideal sound, TV. I likely will watch it that way but maybe not right away as I hold on to that big screen experience in my mind.
One thing that I should note is that it looks like the DVD will have some English subtitles available. We did get a look at the language menu and there was an English option available. I don't know how much will be subtitle, probably just the movie parts, but it would be really nice if they did the MC as well, I could understand parts of it but definitely not the whole thing. For those of you who have or will purchase the DVD you are definitely getting your money's worth and then some. For those of you who can't purchase it I hope that one day, somehow you will get the chance to experience it yourself.
Ashu and I had a great time and I was glad to have someone with me to share the experience with. Anyway, I probably never would have gotten the tickets if not for her. Teamwork is a great thing:)
I hope I haven't left anything important out but if you have any questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer. I hope this was interesting for you all but I ask you not to repost anything here without my permission. Otherwise, enjoy!
Edit: This morning (March28, though they actually tried to deliver it the day before) I received my copies of the DVD \(^o^)/ Included was also the DVD of Junji's version of Ghost which I just finished watching. It starts with a really cute behind the scenes intro before it shows the performance done on the RRII stage with dancers and costumes and lighting and everything. It also had a reaction cam on G as he watches from the audience. The performance is great, he basically mimics GACKT but also finds ways to make it his own, really cute!!! I hope you all get to see this as well at some point!!