[Concert Report] April 8 NEWS Neverland Tour 2017 in Fukuoka
" And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Last year, my cousin and I were really regretful to take a break from the fandom for a very long time. Because of our growing desire to support NEWS, we’ve promised each other that we will watch their next concert together. It became one of our life goals.
While trying to live stream the 2016 - 2017 Johnny’s Countdown,rabu_massu, one of my friends in the fandom, sent a message to our NIF Facebook thread and said that Kei-chan announced that they will be having a tour starting April 2017! I guess it was the best New Year’s gift I have received so far :P Since I am more prepared this time around (mentally and I guess financially), I was able to book a better deal for my air fare and hotel. I also made my vacation longer since I want to take a break from work. We’ve decided to go to Fukuoka, the second stop of the tour; mainly because we can’t wait for a much later schedule(due to our excitement) and we want to be able to see Sakura in full bloom.
After 4 months of preparation, the big day arrived! Even though we were so stressed out wih our country's immigration problem at that time, we were able to land in Japan with no delays whatsoever~
We were waiting for the bus heading to Marine Messe and discovered we can arrive there by just walking from the bus station. So we did, using google map as our guide. We also saw a couple of fangirls heading to the venue so we just followed them =))
Upon our arrival, the place was full of fans! I can feel the excitement in the air. It was raining but it didn’t stop the whole fandom from seeing NEWS. We still have enough time to take pictures and buy our tour goods.
Supporting Keichan :3
We went inside the venue 30 minutes before showtime and were really dazzled by the whole production design! It was very unique! There were a lot of transparent ornaments with letters N E V E R L A N D hanging above the arena. The stage was full of gold mechanical wheels (little did I know, will transform into something amazing during the show). The word N E V E R L A N D was also going up and down the main stage. The path way from the main stage to the center stage was really wide. All four members can actually walk side by side. In the middle stage, a large replica of the key was displayed with a spotlight fixated on it to emphasize its presence. Given all this, it made me wonder how the hell will they be able to perform/ dance with those stuff around?!
My seat was at the C stand area, 10th row. Since the venue was small, I still had a really good view overall. Also, I noticed a really small platform/stage infront of our area which means I’ll see some of the members up close <3
Credits to Prologue-end for the original picture of the venue
A few minutes after we were settled in our seats, a video played on the screen mentioning the 7 elements. The character (after reading some of the fan reports,and translations of the voice overs in the album, I have discovered that his name is Mr. Impossible) was also doing clock movements, I guess to remind us that the show will be starting soon. It got me more and more excited ~
And the lights went out! Just like in the album, a voice welcomed us and the video of episode 0 started playing. It was an extended version where in the girl on the video was able to enter the door using the key to neverland. After that, the song Neverland started playing. The lights at the main stage went on. Just then, I noticed that the key at the main stage disappeared. The world NEVERLAND also disappeared. The mechanical props on the main stage started moving (being pushed by the juniors). They formed a straight line, while assembling the props and transformed into a golden train. It was so grand! They started marching towards the center stage and made a circle. After the intro of the song, the lights deemed, went back again and NEWS appeared inside the circle! I love their costumes here! A more majestic version of what they were wearing in episode 0 of Neverland.
The main stage started rotating while they were singing. At the part of the song where kids were reciting water, ray, fire etc., the members where carrying some of the elements. I was so focused on Tegoshi I didn’t get to see what the other members have =)) He was holding a torch lighted with fire. (EDIT: Thanks to the other fan reports online, Keichan was holding a cane, Massu was holding 2 katanas and Shige with the Neverland Flag).There were real fire and water effects while they sing the song. After Neverland, they started singing Un Deux Trois which is one of my favourite songs in the album. During this song I noticed the word "Love" on Kei-chan's left cheek :3
From here on, I’ll only discuss my favourite parts (which is almost the entire concert).
EMMA
This was right after Un Deux Trois and they changed their costumes to the ones they were wearing on the PV. As usual, the dance moves were really hot @_@
KAGUYA
They were still wearing their EMMA costumes when performing this song. The members positioned to each corner of the broad walkway. To my surprise, the sides transformed into cranes, lifting the members into the air! Luckily, Tegoshi was at our area <3 he was doing a lot of sexy moves which of course made me super-duper happy =)) the crane moved up and down, left and right, which gave the audience at the stands the opportunity to really see the members up- close. They didn’t use umbrellas this time around but had a white towel with them which means that Koi Matsuri might be next.
Koi Matsuri
This was right after Kaguya, NEWS were still in their crane. They started waiving their towels in the air. Massu’s crane was at the opposite of Tegoshi’s , and sometimes would reach our area. One time, he was waiving the towel excitedly, it almost fell down. I find it really cute and funny.
DTF
Happy that they performed this song! It’s been ages since the last time this was part of the tour setlist. They were doing the same dance steps and gestures during their perf in Shounen Club Premium.
Ayame
I find the concept of Shige’s songs/performances unique. This time around, he did a sort of interpretative dance. At the beginning, we was lying at the main stage while singing. During the bridge part, the penlights started blinking. Two cranes from the side of the pathway started rising and to my surprise, Shige climbed one of those cranes. He waved a flag at the top then went down using the other crane.
Brightest
This was right after Shige’s solo and performed at the main stage. If I remembered correctly, the boys were wearing shades. The stage was dark and a spotlight will beam on each member during their part of the song. Shattered glasses were displayed on the screens.
Sirius
I’m just super happy they considered a song from the Quartetto Album <3 (Aside from Touch).
Snow Dance
My favourite song from EMMA single! I already had a feeling that they will include this in the tour~ I think this was when Massu came to the mini stage at my area. He was super close! He stayed there until middle of Touch. I’m happy for my cousin who’s a big fan of him.
Nyanta
Before the song started, Keichan looked above the arena and prayed as if asking Nyanta to guide him and to listen to the message of the song. Plenty of kawaii neko pictures were flashing at the large screen. Some of Nyanta and Keichan’s pictures were also displayed. At the end of the song, he walked forward a little, just before the middle stage, and bowed. I was left full of mixed emotions. It was an honour to witness this epic moment of Keichan.
Full Swing
It’s been my dream to see them perform this live <3 Now, I can die happy (just kidding! I still have a lot of stuff in my bucketlist).
NYARO
I can’t remember which part of the song but Tegoshi hugged Massu from behind :3
ORIHIME
This is also one of my favourite songs in the album. Keichan went to the mini stage at my area during the performance. He was smiling at the fans politely. I was waving at him so much! I didn’t get his attention tho >.< Hopefully in the future he’ll notice me :3 I sang the “mou ii kai” part with all my heart <3 I'll definitely think of him while listening to this song ^3^
I didn’t understand a thing during the MC part. Aside from my limited knowledge of the language, I was groggy at that time. I was coming down with a cold and had to take medicine >.< but I did remember Massu mentioning Mr. Impossible several times =)) I just happily stared at the four members in awe while savouring the moment <3 I also noticed Tegoshi's tattoo on his left arm, I can’t see the design that well though.
Forever Mine
This is my favourite solo of the album :) Massu delivered the song beautifully; Although sometimes he sings the high notes away from the mic. For me, everything was still perfect :) I can imagine this song being played during a wedding. It signifies a promise of eternal love. I was in awe when the song ended.
Silent Love
Right after Massu’s solo. I can say this is my number 1 favorite song in the album. I’m just super thrilled when they were performing this at the main stage. The dance steps were slow and soft. The pacing matches the melody well.
I’m Coming
When I listened to this song in the album, it reminded me of L’arc~en~Ciel, specifically, Hyde. My cousin and I speculated that Tegoshi will play with a band again since the tune is very rockish. As usual, this guy never fails to surprise me! We were really shocked to see a bed on the middle stage and he was lying there while singing the first few lines of the song. As the whole act progresses, everything just keeps getting sexier and sexier, as if he was making love while singing =)) of course, I enjoyed every second of it =)) He almost fell off the stage though at some point for swaying so much, But I am still very very satisfied with the performance =))) (I AM SO SOOOORRRRY FOR IMMENSELY FANGIRLING THIS PART). Just to add, there was a part where his waist was elevated in the air while still lying in bed. It looks so errotic @_@ and on the second verse, he was facing the bed pretending to caress an invisible girl whatsoever while saying the lines "Princess datte Queen datte hagashite erekuto shite"~
Black Fire
This part really made a mark in my memory. This was right after Tegoshi’s solo. He was still lying down in bed while singing “tonight, tonight~”. The performance was full of energy which made it the perfect song right after I’m Coming. Shige was singing his part of the song with all his heart. Just to point out, he was extra friendly and less shy for the whole duration of the show. It made me happy :3
BAMBINA
I screamed when I heard the intro! I super love their performance of this during their utsukushi con. I’m happy they included Bambina again in the setlist <3 the whole arena went wild when Massu said the line “motto kanjisasete yaru yo” :3
Chumu Chumu and Weeek
They were moving around the stand area using a cart during this part. We were able to see all four members up close when they passed by our seats :3 When Tegoshi was nearby, I noticed that he was wearing an eyeliner.
Pokopon Pekorya
Somewhere at the end of the song, the members stopped dancing and pretended to sleep on the main stage. Keichan rested his head near Tegoshi’s butt :3 It was super cuuuuuuuute~ The audience had to do some clock-like gestures for the boys to wake up and continue with the performance. It was fun~
U R Not Alone
They uttered the lyrics with conviction and full of emotion. I felt sad hearing the song because I know, my wonderful journey to Neverland will end soon T.T They let us sing the chorus part in unison for several times before ending the song.
And just as I feared, the finale arrived. Concert streamers were falling. It didn’t reach the stand area but the marshals/staffs were nice enough to call us down and give us a few pieces.
Overall, I was really blown away by the whole experience. Being a big fan of the fantasy genre, I am really happy that they’ve decided to have this kind of theme. What made this moment extra special is that I get to watch it together with my cousin <3 I realized it’s much more fun watching NEWS together with someone :D Also, there were a lot of KoyaTego moments during the tour! They kept hugging each other so It was a big bonus for me :3 I am sure I missed out to discuss some of the key elements of the concert, I'll just look forward to the tour dvd to relive those parts :3
I am happy to be able to hang on to my promise that I’ll support them. I look forward to my future moments with NEWS <3
PS. We returned the next day to take more pictures outside the venue. We had the whole place to ourselves :P
With my messy hair :p
And a visit to Johnny’s Shop <3
