虹 [part one]
Let's face it, I could imagine doing more fun things on a Sunday evening (like avoiding to think about Monday), but a woman has to get some things done after all. Here's my personal 20th L'Anniversary report.
Note: I went through a mild depression of some sort before and after the lives. Just to keep that in mind while reading this. There's also very personal stuff in there. Deal.
Let there be cheese. And there was.
If you've been around my internet persona for a little while, you may have noticed I'm a terrible blogger. I'm lazy, a procrastinator extraordinaire (especially with replying to comments) and lack stamina as soon as I start typing a post. Certainly never lacking any ideas what I could write abo-- lazy.
Nearly a week ago Okay, now it's: More than a month ago I came back from my relatively short Japan trip. I had felt very bad prior to it for many different reasons (yes, I'm totally doing the hipster triangle thing here!):
▲ It was in the middle of a semester
▲ I have fucked up this semester thoroughly. To an extend I will never elaborate on, ever.
▲ my year started with a pneumonia (FUCK THIS SHIT), then awesome trip to France; then term paper of doom, which made me lose at least an entire year of my life and break-out terribly (my skin is still overworking itself on that one); then, and I'm using this word very carefully, depression until pretty much leaving for Japan.
▲ I felt like I didn't deserve this, not after how hard I had been slacking
▲ It's Japan again. orz
▲ My Japanese still hasn't really improved
▲ I don't have the money for this
▲ A reason I shall not mention here, because it would come across wrongly. (re-reading this I don't remember what I've tried to imply here, so don't even ask)
= you ready for the most awkward half-assed attempt at a trip report ever?
In the end it was mostly my family who pushed me into going or rather giving me the best justifications for it all. And of course that strong feeling of having waited for that moment to arrive for three frakkin years.
I'm glad I did it. Mostly for the people and friends I could spend time with and for the concerts. But in the end I was tired and ready to head back home. I've realized that if I ever go back to Japan (.. and that will happen for sure!) then only if I'm meant to stay. For at least a bit longer. No more vacations anymore.
Before I got into this I knew I would be able to pull this stunt only once and that it would serve as some sort of closure for me (Nah, not as in I quit being a fan, but particular aspects that are connected to it.) and it did work out. For that I'm glad.
As you can see, this is already getting nowhere.
The day of rakun and my arrival in Japan was - yep - the hottest so far this year. Ah, our plane ride included me putting pepper into my coffee, spilling tomato juice all over us (which ended in me spending the rest of the flight pantsless and I hope that is not connected to the following) and a guy wanking off next to us. I may be forever be thankful to Anika, for having the endurance of an angel when I ruined her jacket, her only jacket. I hope I can somehow compensate this at least a little with hosting you this summer~
Time Warp. | short Takarazuka intermission
It was wonderful seeing Soragumi again. The Revue was.. the first thing I said to kirakira_sora afterwards was something like~ I don't remember our troupe as the dance troupe. It was. Damn. Fantastic. I didn't care much about the music (some of it was borderline annoying), but the dances were flawless. I was so proud. And finally I could spend some time in the Mura, after I had rushed through it on my way to various performances one time too often. I also bought a Phantom poster. I won't be able to catch the show live, so at least I want to show some support for Tomu in a small way.
Thank you hikari-umenoki and your host family for letting me stay at your place, for taking me to the onsen for a whole day with your wonderful friends and for going to see a show with me. ♥ That karaoke day was flawless ;~; You are so precious!
Before I left nanani welcomed me into her wonderful nest, thank you so much! I felt so bad because I was still fighting my cold back then and I sniffed terribly etc. ;___; We did some epic socks shopping and when I tried to rock my awesome overknees today, all I got in return were awkward glances. Unsurprisingly. Oh urban Japan, how I miss you.
We somehow magically made it to Tokyo. Thank you sfm again for this bird! <3
In Tokyo I stayed at a hostel together with cyberbird, whom I hadn't had met prior to this trip. She's awesome. So glad, since we ended up spending the following days together for the most part.
On Friday I was thinking about going to see Takarazuka's Beauty and the Beast adaptation and Nicole spontaneously decided to join me. What an adorable production <3 but sadly the Revue wasn't completely my cup of tea. But you can't have everything. Oh, and it was raining nearly all day..
Though you were just smiling, I was happy
Shizuka no umi de
... maybe not exactly. Negl, this won't be your sunshiny report. Though this warning may be more fitting for the second day.
Day One [1991 - 1997]
Because nanani wanted to wear her yukata that day and had to get professional help to put that obi on, and because all of us were still kind of flailing around and had to meet up somehow, we didn't head to the stadium earlier than necessary [not as if I'm complaining]. It was raining.
The stadium was located a bit farther out of central Tokyo, thus it took as some time with a local train to get there. And then some more time to shuffle from the station up the street to the venue. It was raining. My memorial ticket still looked shiny and new. [This is crucial information to my upcoming mood swings.]
We got in without much hassle despite having gotten these tickets by auctions, just fyi in case you consider buying fanclub tickets via third party (or is it second?) - we as in Nanani and me. Thank you so much for offering me one of the tickets and for going to see them with me together (I somehow can't imagine attending a L'Arc live and not standing next to you XD;;). It was wonderful to be with you throughout <3
We were very LUCKY that day as in having seats in the stands/tribune/sides/blocks/whatever you call them aka ROOF THUS NO RAIN ON US. \O/ \O/ \O/ At least not that I remember. Oh wait. All that water on my face was clearly rain and no tears.
How I can I possibly start? It was F L A W L E S S. It was everything I've ever imagined it to be and more beautiful and more breathtaking.
We weren't that close to the stage but had a great overall view over the whole scenery and let me say, I can understand how L'Arc thought the idea of performing in the open air was appealing. (I remember reading a comment by hyde once how he has loved seeing the night sky during Fujikyu highlands?) Not thinking about the rain for a moment, a very unique atmosphere was created when the evening sky slowly turned darker and the people started to get those lights out and use them, and then these huge balloon-balls came out, all colorful.
I won't get too much into detail about what was happening exactly on the stage. a) Can't remember too many details or what happened when for that matter. b) Others have already done so. c) I'm more a feelings/emotional person, that's how I roll.
L'Arc came out from the back of the stadium, two on each side: ken/tetsuya (where we were) and hyde/yukihiro. They all looked fabulous.
hyde who is my obvious bias. OKAY I LOVED THE SHIT OUT OF HIS HAIR OKAY IT WAS GAWGEOUS AND EVERYBODY WHO CAN'T SEE THAT HAS NO EYES IN THEIR BRAINS OKAY
I thought of heavenly era immediately and that calendar shoot they did. Oh shut up, I just know my facts /proud stan. Fortunately someone else on tumblr thought the same. (What do you mean, 'credit your source'? Such word does not exist on tumblr.)
It's just like with the outfit hyde chose for the Quadrinity promotions ♥_♥ Flawless little princess is flawless.
He also decided to debut the by now infamous updated and questionably improved hyde!dance. The noodle arms, how Nicole has referred to it. The penguin dance, that's what I've read on tumblr. Or how I like to call it praisingly: The Princess Wave. (Have been trying to make that trend on twitter happen. #failing) He simply understands what it's all about.
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ken-chan WHO IS MY BIAS OKAY HE HAS SO MUCH SWAGGER TV SHOWS WHO TRY TO BROADCAST HIM HAVE TO BLUR HIS SMOKING THUS HIM COMPLETELY CAUSE THEY KNOW THE AUDIENCE COULDN'T HANDLE IT
He was very wavy and smiley and shit to the fans when he came out. Rumors say he spotted rakun and friend in the arena the second day and acknowledged them.
I had SO MUCH respect for him and how he went out in the rain with his guitar, having to fear being electrocuted or some shit LIVE. He is a mad man, he is.
His MC during - psssssst, spoiler, so I've whitened it, mark it to see the song title - Blurry Eyes didn't get much to the point as expected. Including a failed try at audience interaction, as expected. But who am I even kidding, head over to nanani's journal asap to get the accurate deets on who said and did what, when - she scribbled away next to me as often as possible. She's got it all DOWN.
ken-chan's expression, in case you need a visual, was: 8DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD and GUITARORGASMFACE. Werq.
tetsuya Unquestionably the prettiest member of the nights 8DDDDDDDDDDDD Seriously, the rain was doing his hair good. He looked ah-mazing, his outfit was cute and his amps were French colored and everything else was sparkly and he had a dorky t-shirt that said something like LEC 1991 and is rumored to be Milan's football club's design.
He also talked a bit, which was nice. After all, it's lovely how probably all that radio work and then his solo tours [attended the final live the past year] have made him open up a bit more on stage and now he's turned into that concert rambler - who are we to complain.
yukihiro Did he say anything at all? HE LOOKED VERY PRETTY. That's the thing with yukkie anyways. He's getting prettier each passing day. Who would have thought so a couple of years ago?
There were some split seconds during the first live where I did notice the blatant differences between his and sakura's drumming style and made me a bit .. don't know how to say this. I love yukkie, I love his drumming on the CDs and I love it live, but for the old songs that originally were done with sakura I just prefer the style of the latter one. Could I get across what I'm trying to say?
Anyways, I'm also super impressed by his dedication and how hard he is working and his stamina.
Once again he had me melting away like he managed in Paris when he came out as the first member the second day - imo it was clearly planned to come out the same style from the back like the day before but due to the weather they simply walked on stage - and how he looked at the audience before he sat down and clapped with this whole We are in this together expression (it was raining heavily) .. gaaaah <3 <3
And he did the L-sign so often. And gaaah. He's such a huge L'Arc fanboy right now, I can't with him. I can't. Sweet baby Jesus. Yukkiiiiie /ramble
They started the concert off with In the Air. Can you believe it? The very same song that was the first for their Sense of Time tour recording in 1994. brb shaking and crying literally
The only minor bummer was that the sound mix in the stadium wasn't the most perfect in the beginning. I suppose no sound check in the world can prepare for this: no audience =|= audience
However, since they have the best staff this was corrected within minutes and later on you couldn't even notice it anymore~
and then Caress of Venus from 1996's True came on already. An audience favorite and a stable of recent years' concerts. When I used to listen to only the albums when I started out as a fan I never really got into the song (somehow it's always connected to Vivid Colors for me? Whyyy? Anyone else?), but when I saw live performances much later I totally got what it was all about. And hyde's little swirls are too adorable anyways. And the drumming is so subtle and yet animated. And the bass line.. oh come on, who am I even shitting, this song is brilliant.
But obviously L'Arc made the same connection as me and Vivid Colors was up next. SEE SEE SEE WE ARE BRAIN TWINS IF NOT EVEN SOUL MATES *brofists L'Arc*
I loooooooooove this song up and down. I remember years ago when I had one of my little L'Arc breaks (happens), maybe it was like 2005?, after all that AWAKE craze maybe, it was the first song I've listened to after a long while and it feels like yesterday how I got all choked up and ended up crying like a baby. What I NEVER do, mind you.
Case in point: special special special.
(Okay, this may turn more into me commenting their set list. Herpyderpy.)
Then came the first MC by hyde and he talked cheesy nonsense like "No rainbow without rain" which I already wasn't buying right at that very moment. I love you, my princess. Btw. <3
I should mention how he tried to make the ~*~ Princess Wave ~*~ work for every song and I was like. This ain't happening, dear. ಠ___ಠ
Then The Fourth Avenue Cafe came on. Idk with this song. Depends on the day. But live ;_______; Why you so flawless, L'Arc-SAMA. Everybody bopped along and who am I to not bop along and shower it with my love and acknowledging what a special place it has in L'Arc history.
WHERE WAS KEN'S NAKED BUTT?? Still complaining here: Natsu no yuutsu [time to say goodbye] | the-hyde-cut-his-hair-song-but-tetsu-not-yet song.
I recall hyde's singing especially on spot during this song. It made me terribly nostalgic (concerning my own life) and remembering how I've listened to this during the summer during my school days. Precious.
Next was kaze no yukue, a slow one. Very appreciated they decided to play this. The audience noticably didn't really know what to do with themselves, so we just swayed a bit and enjoyed how somehow fitting this song was to general atmosphere of this rainy gray day (to my mind)~ mellow.
Then came.. then came... aaaah As if in a dream. DREAM COME TRUE. Maybe that was the point my personal sobfest began?
In the beginning of a concert I'm always taken aback a bit, suddenly the band is on the stage, suddenly it's happening, suddenly it's already the fourth song.. - and you haven't even really comprehended it one bit.
They did this song so much justice. It's one of my biggest favorites. Ever. It's hauntingly beautiful. Especially thanks to the guitar/bass combo. Unchallenged. In combination with the singing, very dramatic and all. THEY PULLED IT OFF LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS. So proud of our boys.
I'm happy I've lived to hear that one live.
BUT BUT OMG!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing will do that justice.
Dune. I started flailing as soon as I heard its first tunes ヘ(^_^ヘ)(ノ^_^)ノ It was the song the audience truly clicked with the band and started to go crazy for them. (Those two guys next to me, about my age, were so awesomely into it. Of course without any sense for rhythm but no shit was given.)
While hyde was flail-dancing around on stage we could catch short glimpses of the old PV - with hyde and tetsuya. (No idea why ken-chan wasn't included. May it be to balance out yukkie or a restriction order to never let this lipstick see the light again.) Needless to say, audience went crazy.
God, this song was so much fun. How must it have been in smaller venues and clubs? My jam foreveeeeeer ♪♫
Snowy snow - time for winter fall. Really really really like this song. You little flawless little song *pinches cheeks* Guess if I would have to play one song to a person who wants to be introduced to L'Arc, this might be it. (Lies, all lies, of course it would be: Blurry Eyes <3 x ∞. It's just I don't want to hurt this squishy baby's feelings and yes, I do sometimes have relationships with songs. Get out.)
A video with random people :p also known as "celebrities" followed, singing winter fall in various states of pwn-age. I recognized some, felt bad for the girls who barely got any cheers and expected more videos to follow in that style which didn't happen until the next day. Booyah.
Now I don't know how to make the transition to the next song, because I've already kinda exhausted my superlatives. It! Was! The! Song! Of! The! Night! for me. It was the one I seriously sat down before and thought. If they play this one. I can die happily afterwards. Maybe. (This one and Blurry Eyes, of course.)
They did. L'Arc, I owe you forever for this one. The one song that has saved my ass during very dark times: Garasu Dama.
I mostly remember crying uncontrollably, clinging to Nanani once in a while and just trying to get the most out of it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You did this one more than justice ;~; /dies happily
fate was never a song I had much connection to, there were others on HEART who were way more, well, dear to my heart. But it was good to calm down to a bit and I enjoyed it greatly live and suddenly I had fallen utterly in love with it. What kind of terrible person must I have been prior to loving this song? Tell me.
... and then Floods of tears followed. What are you trying to do to us?? I want, demand this concert immortalized on DVD. Give me the announcement NOW.
It even was the old school version with the little bells and all that jazz and I was like ヽ(▽ ｀)ノ♪ヽ(´▽｀)ノ♪ヽ( ´▽)ノ as far as it is possible with this song.
Afterwards we got a distorted image of something yellow/orangeish and without a second thought I knew it would be Blurry Eyes, well, Blurry Eyes, thus I started flailing before anyone else was and Nanani still huh-ed at the stage 8DDD
My life has been made etc., all applied to here.
Everybody went crazy. Everybody sang, screamed aloud. hyde had the whistle. THE WHISTLE *sobs*
There was the fanservice with hyde pressing up on leader and sharing a mic with him. God, it was a feast for the eyes and ears. To go get back to that one. Once again, please. Just once again.
Before the final they stopped playing, ken-chan did his dorky MC including a very derpy moment with hyde on the screen, picture perfectly chosen by Nanani:
and then they resumed and played it till the end.
F*CK YEAH Lies and Truth. The Harry Potter song. Sorry. Still. One of these songs who needed a long time to grow on me and till today I prefer any live version over the recorded one. It's just too much fun to sing along badly. It's also the perfect choice to try to sway around like hyde at least a bit. (What I've wanted to get out since forever: I mean we've always made fun of his Pretty Girl dance, but dammit, gurls, we've never gotten it down ourselves. I just can't manage to imitate it the right way. But I digress.)
~flower~ aka the hyde's-large-but-probably-stuffed-package-song with harmonica, even. Bobby Dylan would be proud.
RAINBOW BALLS! (Perverted thoughts this may cause totally intended.) By now it was getting dark fast and they looked pretty and colorful (they changed colors) and it was fun watching them hop around - though I was a bit scared at first, because they released them behind us and I was scared to be hit. They didn't look that fluffy and light, if you know what I mean. But whatever floats your boat, L'Arc, I oblige.
It's one of these incredibly L'Arcish songs, once of those who make you incredibly happy and energize you and <3
I'm so happy. I don't even have this song on my iPod. I'm sorry. It's not my cup of tea? It's not like I hate it. But it's a skipper. Meh. Kudos for deciding to play it, though.
Our little attempt at proper attempt happened, in other words: Shout at the Devil. A very straight hard rock song. \m\ /m/ \m\ /m/
yukihiro's drum solo was great, but way too short. I want more yukkie in the limelight TAT btw, it was great seeing how each L'Arc member got his own solo moment when he could show what he is capable of. Appreciated. <3
A long break followed (poor souls in the rain) where we did lots of waves. GOOD JOB!! They even ascended into the stands, both levels. It was truly a unique and special atmosphere being there that night and sharing these moments with this audience.
The music box version of anata started playing and slowly the audience started singing along.. tears were shed. It was magical. The chorus was repeated several times until L'Arc appeared back on stage and the normal version was played; again accompanied by the audience singing.
Despite this song being world class cheesy and having all the things in the book of ballads down, it's loved very much by me. For one, knowing that he wrote that song thinking about his grandma (mine died the past week and I had to think of this song again); then some personal stuff concerning my mom and me; and also of course Paris. Never ever will any other live version be able to replace the Paris one to me, but it's pretty every time anyways, obv.
tetsuya MC followed. He was so genki and shiny and ＾∇＾ Leeeeaaaaaaaader <3 <3 *clings* He ended it with the obligatory MINNA GENKIIII? <3 and on it went with
milky way. Have never really paid much attention to this song, must admit. But it fitted the atmosphere somehow and all was good. I was at the point of complete and utter bliss anyways and grinning like a moron which might be because I can't grin any differently. (￣▽￣)ノ＿彡☆バンバン！!
Then it was geek!fest~~~~~ Voice. I may proudly tick this off of my HARHARHAR MWUAHAHAHA HAVE SEEN THIS SONG LIVE I'M AWESOME list. What can I say, I'm a sucker for all things Dune and this is no exception.
All their songs from that era have that certain airiness to them, grounded only by hyde's voice, who is singing about flying and the air, yet again in total contrast to his singing style back then. (How does tetsuya manage to make his bass sound so prominent, yet so light?)
The Nanani-and-me-clinging-to-each-other song: White Feathers. Maybe it was to be expected (to be played), but I got all choked up about it anyways. Soooooo many memories. One of the songs I hope L'Arc to be remembered for.
They performed it like the old times and 15th L'Anni. Very true to the original. With hyde's hips swaying. Soft. And with real feathers. And aaaah. One that has to be experienced live. Thank you, L'Arc.
Final hyde MC.
Copy-pasting from Nanani's report to give you an impression of the mood at this point:
Then he sniffed.
hyde: I've been crying a lot, lately.
Crowd: Awww!
hyde: I cried in the cars, on the way here. And I cried backstage. Just thinking of how everyone stood in the rain waiting for us to come back.. I cried.
No further words needed.
He told us about how all the concert proceeds would go to Tohuku flood relief.
hyde: A lot of thought went into this. We members had a lot of long discussions about it. Over our discussions, I got to hear exactly what each member really thinks. And I came out of it thinking "they're so amazing".
Crowd: (*ﾟｰﾟ*) of course !!
hyde: This is the conclusion we came to. Thanks for your support.
We cheered, and hyde thanked us again and again, both for supporting the relief effort (there were donation boxes all around the venue)
hyde: We must go on. We must go forward, even though we can't see what's ahead. So please, let's keep going forward, together. Thank you for 20 years. Let's have another 20 years, together.
He introduced the final song of the night, to no surprise: Niji.
My eyes are already starting to burn here. (And it's not helping that White Feathers is at its climax in my speakers right now.) So let's end it here.
Thank you for this fantastic night, L'Arc. Thank you to the audience for being so wonderful and so into it. Thank you to all the people I've met and could share these emotions with. May the rainbow always be with you.
It takes one hundred loves,
to balance one scratch
on the scales of memory...
But the heart is like a rock on the shore
swallowed by the waves, love will take shape
...through the many scratches.
NIJI
Note: I went through a mild depression of some sort before and after the lives. Just to keep that in mind while reading this. There's also very personal stuff in there. Deal.
Let there be cheese. And there was.
If you've been around my internet persona for a little while, you may have noticed I'm a terrible blogger. I'm lazy, a procrastinator extraordinaire (especially with replying to comments) and lack stamina as soon as I start typing a post. Certainly never lacking any ideas what I could write abo-- lazy.
Nearly a week ago Okay, now it's: More than a month ago I came back from my relatively short Japan trip. I had felt very bad prior to it for many different reasons (yes, I'm totally doing the hipster triangle thing here!):
▲ It was in the middle of a semester
▲ I have fucked up this semester thoroughly. To an extend I will never elaborate on, ever.
▲ my year started with a pneumonia (FUCK THIS SHIT), then awesome trip to France; then term paper of doom, which made me lose at least an entire year of my life and break-out terribly (my skin is still overworking itself on that one); then, and I'm using this word very carefully, depression until pretty much leaving for Japan.
▲ I felt like I didn't deserve this, not after how hard I had been slacking
▲ It's Japan again. orz
▲ My Japanese still hasn't really improved
▲ I don't have the money for this
▲ A reason I shall not mention here, because it would come across wrongly. (re-reading this I don't remember what I've tried to imply here, so don't even ask)
= you ready for the most awkward half-assed attempt at a trip report ever?
In the end it was mostly my family who pushed me into going or rather giving me the best justifications for it all. And of course that strong feeling of having waited for that moment to arrive for three frakkin years.
I'm glad I did it. Mostly for the people and friends I could spend time with and for the concerts. But in the end I was tired and ready to head back home. I've realized that if I ever go back to Japan (.. and that will happen for sure!) then only if I'm meant to stay. For at least a bit longer. No more vacations anymore.
Before I got into this I knew I would be able to pull this stunt only once and that it would serve as some sort of closure for me (Nah, not as in I quit being a fan, but particular aspects that are connected to it.) and it did work out. For that I'm glad.
As you can see, this is already getting nowhere.
The day of rakun and my arrival in Japan was - yep - the hottest so far this year. Ah, our plane ride included me putting pepper into my coffee, spilling tomato juice all over us (which ended in me spending the rest of the flight pantsless and I hope that is not connected to the following) and a guy wanking off next to us. I may be forever be thankful to Anika, for having the endurance of an angel when I ruined her jacket, her only jacket. I hope I can somehow compensate this at least a little with hosting you this summer~
Time Warp. | short Takarazuka intermission
It was wonderful seeing Soragumi again. The Revue was.. the first thing I said to kirakira_sora afterwards was something like~ I don't remember our troupe as the dance troupe. It was. Damn. Fantastic. I didn't care much about the music (some of it was borderline annoying), but the dances were flawless. I was so proud. And finally I could spend some time in the Mura, after I had rushed through it on my way to various performances one time too often. I also bought a Phantom poster. I won't be able to catch the show live, so at least I want to show some support for Tomu in a small way.
Thank you hikari-umenoki and your host family for letting me stay at your place, for taking me to the onsen for a whole day with your wonderful friends and for going to see a show with me. ♥ That karaoke day was flawless ;~; You are so precious!
Before I left nanani welcomed me into her wonderful nest, thank you so much! I felt so bad because I was still fighting my cold back then and I sniffed terribly etc. ;___; We did some epic socks shopping and when I tried to rock my awesome overknees today, all I got in return were awkward glances. Unsurprisingly. Oh urban Japan, how I miss you.
We somehow magically made it to Tokyo. Thank you sfm again for this bird! <3
In Tokyo I stayed at a hostel together with cyberbird, whom I hadn't had met prior to this trip. She's awesome. So glad, since we ended up spending the following days together for the most part.
On Friday I was thinking about going to see Takarazuka's Beauty and the Beast adaptation and Nicole spontaneously decided to join me. What an adorable production <3 but sadly the Revue wasn't completely my cup of tea. But you can't have everything. Oh, and it was raining nearly all day..
Though you were just smiling, I was happy
Shizuka no umi de
... maybe not exactly. Negl, this won't be your sunshiny report. Though this warning may be more fitting for the second day.
Day One [1991 - 1997]
Because nanani wanted to wear her yukata that day and had to get professional help to put that obi on, and because all of us were still kind of flailing around and had to meet up somehow, we didn't head to the stadium earlier than necessary [not as if I'm complaining]. It was raining.
The stadium was located a bit farther out of central Tokyo, thus it took as some time with a local train to get there. And then some more time to shuffle from the station up the street to the venue. It was raining. My memorial ticket still looked shiny and new. [This is crucial information to my upcoming mood swings.]
We got in without much hassle despite having gotten these tickets by auctions, just fyi in case you consider buying fanclub tickets via third party (or is it second?) - we as in Nanani and me. Thank you so much for offering me one of the tickets and for going to see them with me together (I somehow can't imagine attending a L'Arc live and not standing next to you XD;;). It was wonderful to be with you throughout <3
We were very LUCKY that day as in having seats in the stands/tribune/sides/blocks/whatever you call them aka ROOF THUS NO RAIN ON US. \O/ \O/ \O/ At least not that I remember. Oh wait. All that water on my face was clearly rain and no tears.
How I can I possibly start? It was F L A W L E S S. It was everything I've ever imagined it to be and more beautiful and more breathtaking.
We weren't that close to the stage but had a great overall view over the whole scenery and let me say, I can understand how L'Arc thought the idea of performing in the open air was appealing. (I remember reading a comment by hyde once how he has loved seeing the night sky during Fujikyu highlands?) Not thinking about the rain for a moment, a very unique atmosphere was created when the evening sky slowly turned darker and the people started to get those lights out and use them, and then these huge balloon-balls came out, all colorful.
I won't get too much into detail about what was happening exactly on the stage. a) Can't remember too many details or what happened when for that matter. b) Others have already done so. c) I'm more a feelings/emotional person, that's how I roll.
L'Arc came out from the back of the stadium, two on each side: ken/tetsuya (where we were) and hyde/yukihiro. They all looked fabulous.
hyde who is my obvious bias. OKAY I LOVED THE SHIT OUT OF HIS HAIR OKAY IT WAS GAWGEOUS AND EVERYBODY WHO CAN'T SEE THAT HAS NO EYES IN THEIR BRAINS OKAY
I thought of heavenly era immediately and that calendar shoot they did. Oh shut up, I just know my facts /proud stan. Fortunately someone else on tumblr thought the same. (What do you mean, 'credit your source'? Such word does not exist on tumblr.)
It's just like with the outfit hyde chose for the Quadrinity promotions ♥_♥ Flawless little princess is flawless.
He also decided to debut the by now infamous updated and questionably improved hyde!dance. The noodle arms, how Nicole has referred to it. The penguin dance, that's what I've read on tumblr. Or how I like to call it praisingly: The Princess Wave. (Have been trying to make that trend on twitter happen. #failing) He simply understands what it's all about.
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ken-chan WHO IS MY BIAS OKAY HE HAS SO MUCH SWAGGER TV SHOWS WHO TRY TO BROADCAST HIM HAVE TO BLUR HIS SMOKING THUS HIM COMPLETELY CAUSE THEY KNOW THE AUDIENCE COULDN'T HANDLE IT
He was very wavy and smiley and shit to the fans when he came out. Rumors say he spotted rakun and friend in the arena the second day and acknowledged them.
I had SO MUCH respect for him and how he went out in the rain with his guitar, having to fear being electrocuted or some shit LIVE. He is a mad man, he is.
His MC during - psssssst, spoiler, so I've whitened it, mark it to see the song title - Blurry Eyes didn't get much to the point as expected. Including a failed try at audience interaction, as expected. But who am I even kidding, head over to nanani's journal asap to get the accurate deets on who said and did what, when - she scribbled away next to me as often as possible. She's got it all DOWN.
ken-chan's expression, in case you need a visual, was: 8DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD and GUITARORGASMFACE. Werq.
tetsuya Unquestionably the prettiest member of the nights 8DDDDDDDDDDDD Seriously, the rain was doing his hair good. He looked ah-mazing, his outfit was cute and his amps were French colored and everything else was sparkly and he had a dorky t-shirt that said something like LEC 1991 and is rumored to be Milan's football club's design.
He also talked a bit, which was nice. After all, it's lovely how probably all that radio work and then his solo tours [attended the final live the past year] have made him open up a bit more on stage and now he's turned into that concert rambler - who are we to complain.
yukihiro Did he say anything at all? HE LOOKED VERY PRETTY. That's the thing with yukkie anyways. He's getting prettier each passing day. Who would have thought so a couple of years ago?
There were some split seconds during the first live where I did notice the blatant differences between his and sakura's drumming style and made me a bit .. don't know how to say this. I love yukkie, I love his drumming on the CDs and I love it live, but for the old songs that originally were done with sakura I just prefer the style of the latter one. Could I get across what I'm trying to say?
Anyways, I'm also super impressed by his dedication and how hard he is working and his stamina.
Once again he had me melting away like he managed in Paris when he came out as the first member the second day - imo it was clearly planned to come out the same style from the back like the day before but due to the weather they simply walked on stage - and how he looked at the audience before he sat down and clapped with this whole We are in this together expression (it was raining heavily) .. gaaaah <3 <3
And he did the L-sign so often. And gaaah. He's such a huge L'Arc fanboy right now, I can't with him. I can't. Sweet baby Jesus. Yukkiiiiie /ramble
They started the concert off with In the Air. Can you believe it? The very same song that was the first for their Sense of Time tour recording in 1994. brb shaking and crying literally
The only minor bummer was that the sound mix in the stadium wasn't the most perfect in the beginning. I suppose no sound check in the world can prepare for this: no audience =|= audience
However, since they have the best staff this was corrected within minutes and later on you couldn't even notice it anymore~
and then Caress of Venus from 1996's True came on already. An audience favorite and a stable of recent years' concerts. When I used to listen to only the albums when I started out as a fan I never really got into the song (somehow it's always connected to Vivid Colors for me? Whyyy? Anyone else?), but when I saw live performances much later I totally got what it was all about. And hyde's little swirls are too adorable anyways. And the drumming is so subtle and yet animated. And the bass line.. oh come on, who am I even shitting, this song is brilliant.
But obviously L'Arc made the same connection as me and Vivid Colors was up next. SEE SEE SEE WE ARE BRAIN TWINS IF NOT EVEN SOUL MATES *brofists L'Arc*
I loooooooooove this song up and down. I remember years ago when I had one of my little L'Arc breaks (happens), maybe it was like 2005?, after all that AWAKE craze maybe, it was the first song I've listened to after a long while and it feels like yesterday how I got all choked up and ended up crying like a baby. What I NEVER do, mind you.
Case in point: special special special.
(Okay, this may turn more into me commenting their set list. Herpyderpy.)
Then came the first MC by hyde and he talked cheesy nonsense like "No rainbow without rain" which I already wasn't buying right at that very moment. I love you, my princess. Btw. <3
I should mention how he tried to make the ~*~ Princess Wave ~*~ work for every song and I was like. This ain't happening, dear. ಠ___ಠ
Then The Fourth Avenue Cafe came on. Idk with this song. Depends on the day. But live ;_______; Why you so flawless, L'Arc-SAMA. Everybody bopped along and who am I to not bop along and shower it with my love and acknowledging what a special place it has in L'Arc history.
WHERE WAS KEN'S NAKED BUTT?? Still complaining here: Natsu no yuutsu [time to say goodbye] | the-hyde-cut-his-hair-song-but-tetsu-not-yet song.
I recall hyde's singing especially on spot during this song. It made me terribly nostalgic (concerning my own life) and remembering how I've listened to this during the summer during my school days. Precious.
Next was kaze no yukue, a slow one. Very appreciated they decided to play this. The audience noticably didn't really know what to do with themselves, so we just swayed a bit and enjoyed how somehow fitting this song was to general atmosphere of this rainy gray day (to my mind)~ mellow.
Then came.. then came... aaaah As if in a dream. DREAM COME TRUE. Maybe that was the point my personal sobfest began?
In the beginning of a concert I'm always taken aback a bit, suddenly the band is on the stage, suddenly it's happening, suddenly it's already the fourth song.. - and you haven't even really comprehended it one bit.
They did this song so much justice. It's one of my biggest favorites. Ever. It's hauntingly beautiful. Especially thanks to the guitar/bass combo. Unchallenged. In combination with the singing, very dramatic and all. THEY PULLED IT OFF LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS. So proud of our boys.
I'm happy I've lived to hear that one live.
BUT BUT OMG!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing will do that justice.
Dune. I started flailing as soon as I heard its first tunes ヘ(^_^ヘ)(ノ^_^)ノ It was the song the audience truly clicked with the band and started to go crazy for them. (Those two guys next to me, about my age, were so awesomely into it. Of course without any sense for rhythm but no shit was given.)
While hyde was flail-dancing around on stage we could catch short glimpses of the old PV - with hyde and tetsuya. (No idea why ken-chan wasn't included. May it be to balance out yukkie or a restriction order to never let this lipstick see the light again.) Needless to say, audience went crazy.
God, this song was so much fun. How must it have been in smaller venues and clubs? My jam foreveeeeeer ♪♫
Snowy snow - time for winter fall. Really really really like this song. You little flawless little song *pinches cheeks* Guess if I would have to play one song to a person who wants to be introduced to L'Arc, this might be it. (Lies, all lies, of course it would be: Blurry Eyes <3 x ∞. It's just I don't want to hurt this squishy baby's feelings and yes, I do sometimes have relationships with songs. Get out.)
A video with random people :p also known as "celebrities" followed, singing winter fall in various states of pwn-age. I recognized some, felt bad for the girls who barely got any cheers and expected more videos to follow in that style which didn't happen until the next day. Booyah.
Now I don't know how to make the transition to the next song, because I've already kinda exhausted my superlatives. It! Was! The! Song! Of! The! Night! for me. It was the one I seriously sat down before and thought. If they play this one. I can die happily afterwards. Maybe. (This one and Blurry Eyes, of course.)
They did. L'Arc, I owe you forever for this one. The one song that has saved my ass during very dark times: Garasu Dama.
I mostly remember crying uncontrollably, clinging to Nanani once in a while and just trying to get the most out of it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You did this one more than justice ;~; /dies happily
fate was never a song I had much connection to, there were others on HEART who were way more, well, dear to my heart. But it was good to calm down to a bit and I enjoyed it greatly live and suddenly I had fallen utterly in love with it. What kind of terrible person must I have been prior to loving this song? Tell me.
... and then Floods of tears followed. What are you trying to do to us?? I want, demand this concert immortalized on DVD. Give me the announcement NOW.
It even was the old school version with the little bells and all that jazz and I was like ヽ(▽ ｀)ノ♪ヽ(´▽｀)ノ♪ヽ( ´▽)ノ as far as it is possible with this song.
Afterwards we got a distorted image of something yellow/orangeish and without a second thought I knew it would be Blurry Eyes, well, Blurry Eyes, thus I started flailing before anyone else was and Nanani still huh-ed at the stage 8DDD
My life has been made etc., all applied to here.
Everybody went crazy. Everybody sang, screamed aloud. hyde had the whistle. THE WHISTLE *sobs*
There was the fanservice with hyde pressing up on leader and sharing a mic with him. God, it was a feast for the eyes and ears. To go get back to that one. Once again, please. Just once again.
Before the final they stopped playing, ken-chan did his dorky MC including a very derpy moment with hyde on the screen, picture perfectly chosen by Nanani:
and then they resumed and played it till the end.
F*CK YEAH Lies and Truth. The Harry Potter song. Sorry. Still. One of these songs who needed a long time to grow on me and till today I prefer any live version over the recorded one. It's just too much fun to sing along badly. It's also the perfect choice to try to sway around like hyde at least a bit. (What I've wanted to get out since forever: I mean we've always made fun of his Pretty Girl dance, but dammit, gurls, we've never gotten it down ourselves. I just can't manage to imitate it the right way. But I digress.)
~flower~ aka the hyde's-large-but-probably-stuffed-package-song with harmonica, even. Bobby Dylan would be proud.
RAINBOW BALLS! (Perverted thoughts this may cause totally intended.) By now it was getting dark fast and they looked pretty and colorful (they changed colors) and it was fun watching them hop around - though I was a bit scared at first, because they released them behind us and I was scared to be hit. They didn't look that fluffy and light, if you know what I mean. But whatever floats your boat, L'Arc, I oblige.
It's one of these incredibly L'Arcish songs, once of those who make you incredibly happy and energize you and <3
I'm so happy. I don't even have this song on my iPod. I'm sorry. It's not my cup of tea? It's not like I hate it. But it's a skipper. Meh. Kudos for deciding to play it, though.
Our little attempt at proper attempt happened, in other words: Shout at the Devil. A very straight hard rock song. \m\ /m/ \m\ /m/
yukihiro's drum solo was great, but way too short. I want more yukkie in the limelight TAT btw, it was great seeing how each L'Arc member got his own solo moment when he could show what he is capable of. Appreciated. <3
A long break followed (poor souls in the rain) where we did lots of waves. GOOD JOB!! They even ascended into the stands, both levels. It was truly a unique and special atmosphere being there that night and sharing these moments with this audience.
The music box version of anata started playing and slowly the audience started singing along.. tears were shed. It was magical. The chorus was repeated several times until L'Arc appeared back on stage and the normal version was played; again accompanied by the audience singing.
Despite this song being world class cheesy and having all the things in the book of ballads down, it's loved very much by me. For one, knowing that he wrote that song thinking about his grandma (mine died the past week and I had to think of this song again); then some personal stuff concerning my mom and me; and also of course Paris. Never ever will any other live version be able to replace the Paris one to me, but it's pretty every time anyways, obv.
tetsuya MC followed. He was so genki and shiny and ＾∇＾ Leeeeaaaaaaaader <3 <3 *clings* He ended it with the obligatory MINNA GENKIIII? <3 and on it went with
milky way. Have never really paid much attention to this song, must admit. But it fitted the atmosphere somehow and all was good. I was at the point of complete and utter bliss anyways and grinning like a moron which might be because I can't grin any differently. (￣▽￣)ノ＿彡☆バンバン！!
Then it was geek!fest~~~~~ Voice. I may proudly tick this off of my HARHARHAR MWUAHAHAHA HAVE SEEN THIS SONG LIVE I'M AWESOME list. What can I say, I'm a sucker for all things Dune and this is no exception.
All their songs from that era have that certain airiness to them, grounded only by hyde's voice, who is singing about flying and the air, yet again in total contrast to his singing style back then. (How does tetsuya manage to make his bass sound so prominent, yet so light?)
The Nanani-and-me-clinging-to-each-other song: White Feathers. Maybe it was to be expected (to be played), but I got all choked up about it anyways. Soooooo many memories. One of the songs I hope L'Arc to be remembered for.
They performed it like the old times and 15th L'Anni. Very true to the original. With hyde's hips swaying. Soft. And with real feathers. And aaaah. One that has to be experienced live. Thank you, L'Arc.
Final hyde MC.
Copy-pasting from Nanani's report to give you an impression of the mood at this point:
Then he sniffed.
hyde: I've been crying a lot, lately.
Crowd: Awww!
hyde: I cried in the cars, on the way here. And I cried backstage. Just thinking of how everyone stood in the rain waiting for us to come back.. I cried.
No further words needed.
He told us about how all the concert proceeds would go to Tohuku flood relief.
hyde: A lot of thought went into this. We members had a lot of long discussions about it. Over our discussions, I got to hear exactly what each member really thinks. And I came out of it thinking "they're so amazing".
Crowd: (*ﾟｰﾟ*) of course !!
hyde: This is the conclusion we came to. Thanks for your support.
We cheered, and hyde thanked us again and again, both for supporting the relief effort (there were donation boxes all around the venue)
hyde: We must go on. We must go forward, even though we can't see what's ahead. So please, let's keep going forward, together. Thank you for 20 years. Let's have another 20 years, together.
He introduced the final song of the night, to no surprise: Niji.
My eyes are already starting to burn here. (And it's not helping that White Feathers is at its climax in my speakers right now.) So let's end it here.
Thank you for this fantastic night, L'Arc. Thank you to the audience for being so wonderful and so into it. Thank you to all the people I've met and could share these emotions with. May the rainbow always be with you.
It takes one hundred loves,
to balance one scratch
on the scales of memory...
But the heart is like a rock on the shore
swallowed by the waves, love will take shape
...through the many scratches.
NIJI