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 STARTING LEGEND 2000 ~BESIDE YOU~ |
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Starting Legend 2000 ~BESIDE YOU~ Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Akasaka Blitz 02/04/00 Hekiru Shiina TOUR STARTING LEGEND 2000 ~BESIDE YOU~
M1. G-sen jou Romance *
18 songs (asterisked songs are completely new)
Costumes: |
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REPORT Well, to tell you the truth, I had a lot of fun at this concert the first day. I was not terribly positive about it, since Hekiru was going to be singing a lot of new songs, and the style was different from what I had really liked (Baby blue eyes, Face to Face). But everything turned out better than I had expected and I enjoyed myself tremendously. The BESIDE YOU Tour was a 8 concert, live house tour with 3 concerts in Tokyo, 2 in Osaka, 2 in Nagoya, and the final in Fukuoka. All the concerts are in 1500 to 2000 capacity live houses, which kinda defeats the purpose of holding the darn thing in a live house in the first place, but let's not get into that. The first day, I had a seat on the second floor. The second floor was supposed to be "Ladies Area" reserved for female fans, but in actuality there were only about 70(?) reserved seats, with the rest open to anyone. Some of us went up and took prime spots along the side before anyone released the floor was free seating. The concert started a little after 6:30. The lights dimmed, and BGM started playing, a hip affair, and the band walked in to take up their spots. Then Hekiru walked in, and the band struck right into the first number "G-sen jou Romance" (Romance on the G Line) whose lyrics were written by Hekiru. It was an upbeat song that's poppish, but also a little hip like Super Girls. Not bad. Then it was BESIDE YOU in Akashi arrangement, fast and kenetic to get everyone into the mood. At this point the back screen (made up of pixels) came on and flashed some words When the song ended, Hekiru welcomed everyone to Akasaka Blitz. She told us the name of the first song, and said she would sing a lot of new songs this day. She sipped some water, undid the buttons of her jacket, and went into REAL LOVE. The first time I heard REAL LOVE I thought it was catchy but also a bit of a ripoff of something else. The second day I liked it quite a bit. REAL LOVE is pop, but also... hmm, difficult to describe but the melody is overall appealing in a modern way. For the intro, Hekiru did a step dance and also moved her hands up and down a little. I liked that. One, RIDE A WAVE, and Thousands of stars came after. Personally I'm none too keen on One... Sounds like some idolish catchy j-pop song. RIDE A WAVE left no lasting impressions. Thousands of stars is a sort of ballad, not of the quiet kind. Okay, I suppose. Easy to remember. At the MC after this section, Hekiru said that when she was writing the lyrics to Thousands, she envisioned everyone on Earth as a bright star, each person shining in their own lives. At first, she wrote scathing social criticism, but as she got more and more depressed, she became upset with her negative self and took a different approach. She wrote about all the people in the world, people who suffer in sickness, who couldn't choose their destinies concerning their home nations, or families... Each person shining despite their difficulties, and vowed that she, too, would shine within all their lights. Halfway through, Hekiru took off her jacket, walked to the left of the stage while still talking, and threw it over to a staff. I guess it was supposed to look cool or something... (Hekiru forgive me this one cynicism.) After explaining Thousands, Hekiru said that she would now sing some songs familiar to everyone. Then she sang Everlasting Train (ho-hum), Kaze no Yukue (hot damn!!! I love this song and never would have guessed it was in the song list!) and Akai Hana. Until this point, I had actually been a little depressed, because I was not terribly impressed with the new songs. Hekiru had said that she changed her style to be more pop, and would cut down on the rock style. I love Bbe and part of FtF... I couldn't bear the thought that I would not hear these songs anymore. The fact that Hekiru's singing was really good, and that I had half convinced myself that Hekiru's lives should be "listen" lives, not "jump scream shout and head-bang" lives, did not help. So Kaze no Yukue cheered me immensely. I think I did my neck severe harm. (BTW, I still do believe that Hekiru's lives should change, and that I should go with that change. It's a struggle to reconcile the love for the hard stuff, and need for accepting the new stuff, which isn't bad, really; just not, well, hard. Just not Bbe. Anyway...) The set ended, and Hekiru said that she would like to sing some new songs again. The first one was Umi ni nareru yo, a song for people who are in love, but in loves that are not acceptable. For example, if you happened to fall in love with your best friend's partner, or if your parents disapproved, or "if it was a Jew and a German". Hekiru said this song was especially for these people. I didn't catch the words, but I really liked this song the first time I heard it, and it's grown on me since then. The next song, however, I didn't like as much that first day, but on the third, suddenly I was completely overwhelmed by it's sadness, by Hekiru's voice washing over me. These two songs, Umi ni nareru yo and Koi, coming back-to-back, are I think the best part of this time's tour menu. After Koi, it was an MC again. Hekiru told us the name of the song, and talked about its origins. In the album Face to Face, there is a song called Tears, the lyrics of which speak the feelings of a person caught in the outside end of a triangle relationship. It's a pretty sad, lonely song. "I don't want to hear anymore about her. I just want to disappear" and "I've never loved a person as much as you. I don't know what to do!" Anyway, Hekiru said that she always wanted to write the sequel to that song, and so that's what Koi is. It's the continuation of Tears, and it's even sadder, lonelier, and final. I've only heard it three times, and I don't even know a quarter of the words, but it really strikes deep within. Then it was "Iku yo!" time. "Let's go on the last part. Iku yo! Iku yo!! Iku yo!!! IKU YO!!!" and the band struck up Graduater. That was a surprise! It felt way too early, and too much of a change from Koi - out of place. But that didn't stop any of us! I had plenty of space where I was, more than I every had since there was a big open space next to my seat that I just moved into without any staff warning me off. I discovered that if you jump hard enough, you tend to twirl in the air. ^^;;; Graduater ended, and again to my (very very pleasant) surprise, it was invisible! Okay, so I lost it here... Hey, what can I say, it's a good song. Then ROLLING STONE and Dakishimete, by the end of which my neck was definitely very sore, and I had no voice left. (Actually my voice departed at end Kazu no Yukue, because I screamed too hard. Or maybe it was the strangled growl/howl of sheer pleasure at the beginning when I recognized the intro... In any case I also screwed up my vocal cords big time.) That ended the main part of the concert. The encore that followed was very long at six minutes, because the changing rooms are on the far side of the stage. When Hekiru finally appeared boy was it a sight for sore eyes, mostly because she had finally gotten rid of that ugly lace thing and replace it with a nice blouse, and the wave in her hair that reminded (perhaps unfairly) of Karen Carpentar was almost gone thanks to her previous exertions. Me wo samase was the same as always, save a small change in Hekiru's moves, and we resigned ourselves to its presence. But the next... Kuusou Metro! That was a surprise too! And at first we didn't know what it was, because the beat was damn fast and it was all rearranged to be this guitar riff thing. We got it, though, a couple seconds in, in part because Hekiru started the dance, and immediately all four of us were doing the Kuusou Metro dance and trying not to fall down laughing. God, I jumped and screamed like crazy. We all did. Then... the intro to Go Wake Up!! I was incredulous. Disbelief. I think my exact thoughts were "Is she trying to kill us?" Jeez, I remember all too well Starting Legend '98, when Go Wake Up!! was also on the menu as the last song of the encore, and that it did wonders to improve my cardiovascular performance. I almost whited out one time... Uh, never mind the reminescing, I gave it my all and goddammit I don't care if this type of song perpetuates the image of Hekiru as some idol and her fans as crazed maniacs more concerned with jumping and screaming their lungs out than with actually listening to music, I LOVE IT! So there. Starting Legend 2000 ~BESIDE YOU~ - I don't think, I just have fun. Is it the right way, the wrong way, I dunno, but for now it's my way. Oh yeah... At one of the MCs, Hekiru said "A lot of famous people have played in this hall. It's so exciting to think that I'm performing in the same place that all these people from around the world have come to as well. I mean, they used the same bathroom! Kyaa! When I went to the bathroom, I thought to myself, so-and-so used this bathroom too!" Hmm, I guess if you put it that way... ^^;;;
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Starting Legend 2000 ~BESIDE YOU~ Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Zepp Osaka 02/12/00
Today I had a decent number ticket (Group3 no.50) and so I decided to brave
the huddled masses in the front, together with Yuusuke and Shu-chan and Action.
We were at the first dividing bar (Zepp has these bars lining the hall at horizontal
intervals to prevent overcrowding pressure at the very front), a little to the right.
It was actually pretty close to the stage, kinda like the 4th or 5th row of a normal
hall. It wasn't terribly tight or anything, and in fact I had plenty of space to myself,
and even a good view of Hekiru a fair bit of the time. The reason was that most
of the hardcore guys jammed the very front, and everybody else just kinda kept
to themselves. It was a godsend, compared to the third day of Blitz, when I was
behind this guy who was rather, um, enthusiastic about head-banging (and flinging
his head backwards as well, which is pretty dangerous since you could easily
bang into someone that way). So to continue, everyone else was nice and quiet,
and I had space to dance to heart's content. (My apologies to the people near
me that day.)
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Starting Legend 2000 ~BESIDE YOU~ Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Zepp Osaka 02/13/00
Today was a really cold day. Waiting around to be let in was murder on the fingers,
especially since I was scribbling away at the questionnaire until the very last
minute. To the question, "What kind of concert goods would you like to see?" I wrote, "A band to
secure your glasses." I've actually been using one since CHANGE, because I quit
my hachimaki after the 417 Day concert and there was nothing else to keep my
glasses from falling down my nose during a concert. I can testify that it's a lifesaver.
M1. G-sen jou Romance
It was unfair of me, but at first I couldn't help but think that it was a mistake.
Shows the pitfalls of keeping a narrow mindset.
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Starting Legend 2000 ~BESIDE YOU~ Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Nagoya Diamond Hall 02/26/00 Nagoya Diamond Hall is really small! I think the capacity was around 700-800 people, but there must have been almost twice that number jammed in - most certainly against fire regulations and very hard on those in front, who were pretty much crushed. I'm surprised no one got seriously hurt. This day, I had ticket no.79, and Masa had ticket no.1. He got in first, and asked the people around if he could let a girl (ie, me) go to the front. So when I entered the hall, I found a spot cleared for me, dead in the center of the front row. Yowzaz! We're talking about 2 feet of space from the restraining bar to the the stage, the closest I've ever been to Hekiru at a live. That would be enough to be memorable, but I have to mention the insane crush, once more. Masa shielded me from the brunt of it, but it was still unbelievable. Somebody a couple bodies away had this arm stuck on my shoulder and was waving enthusiastically, next to me a friend was near expiration, and another acquaintance behind was forced (along with like 10 other people) to cling to Masa so they would not be swept off their feet. I can't believe Masa lasted the whole live, his arms to either side of me like support struts to the bar. Well, I didn't have to worry about having my ribcage mashed, so I just played quiet (relatively speaking), and leaned on the bar watching Hekiru. It was pretty funny when she first came out. She walked from the left side to the right side, waving, and only when she came to rest in the center that she looked down and gave a slightly surprised smile. Yeah, I'd be surprised too if I found a girl smack in the middle of that mess of bodies... I started getting worried that I would be worrying her... But it seems that she put her confidence in Masa, because after the first bit, her somewhat concerned expression turned to one of amusement at Masa's obvious strain and discomfort. (Must be a sadistic streak she keeps hidden...) The concert itself was normal, I'd say. Hekiru was genki but not hyper. To tell you the truth, I was too busy watching her to pay too much attention to anything else, but I do remember that the sound was excellent there at the front, probably because Hekiru natural voice (unpassed through the speakers) could be heard where I was. It made her singing sound the really really nice, so much so that I was taken by surprised. I just closed my eyes during the ballads and let myself be swept away. This day she wore the white outfit, which was a godsend to me. It looked great, especially when she went "Iku yo!!"x7... heheheheheheh... I don't remember the encore outfit, but I don't think it was the pink shirt. The only other thing of mention (on a personal note), was the second MC, when Hekiru asked the people in front if they were still alive. She said it would be tough on a girl, and suddenly the people around me started shouting back, "There's a girl here! She's being protected!" and Hekiru looked down at me with a smile and half-mumbled into her mike, "Ah, Aibi-chan, thank you for always attending. I see you're being protected." Doh... So much for being inconspicious. All I could do was wave sheepishly and apologetically. Well, of course in all honesty that definitely made it a live to remember... That, plus the Iku yo!, and the fact that she did not move from her spot in front of me, woo woo! During Me wo Samase she actually came forward, and yes folks, it was good. :) I guess this counts as the most self-satisfactory live of all time. But just for the record, as a live in itself in the objective sense, there were many others that were better, I think. The crush was too much for even the most hardened fan to really enjoy himself, and Hekiru didn't really say anything interesting, either. But yeah, I still screamed my lungs out at Go Wake Up!! What a great way to end a live!
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Starting Legend 2000 ~BESIDE YOU~ Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Nagoya Diamond Hall 02/27/00 After yesterday, I swore off the front, and instead took my stand behind the PA. It was a prime spot, on the level with Hekiru and with no one to block the view in front. I noticed Kenmotsu-san had arranged on the PA the photos we had given him and Tairaku at Akasaka Blitz... including the one where Tairaku had posed in a very indecent fashion. I guess if you're producing a good many of the top artists in the country, you can afford to throw image to the wind, but still! Oh yeah, the photo of Kenmotsu-san and Hekiru at Kenmotsu-san's birthday party was there too. I wanted that one! Today's live was pretty good. Again, no interesting MCs, but overall good fun. However, towards the end, one person at the left of the PA cage kept pushing this equipment stand out of his way, even after the staff moved it back into position again and again. Tairaku-san and Kenmotsu-san were getting really pissed, and it spoiled the mood. If only the guy could have been stopped or told off, but you can't do that in the middle of a concert, I suppose. It was hard to believe that the guy in question did not even realize he was incurring the wrath of the top staff, or perhaps he simply did not care. It was a good thing his actions did not result in equipment failure... Now that would have been a nasty way to go. During an MC, Hekiru had said she really enjoyed Tenmusu (tenpuru wrapped in rice and seaweed) and some other Nagoya specialties, so on the way back at Nagoya station, we stopped to have a dinner of Tenmusu, thereby missing the train. We wound up taking the same train as the stage cleanup staff, who go back after everything is wrapped up.
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Starting Legend 2000 ~BESIDE YOU~ Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Zepp Fukuoka 03/05/00 Fukuoka, oh Fukuoka! I shall cherish this live for a long time to come... But first the nitty gritties. :) While Zepp Osaka is located way out in the middle of nowhere, Zepp Fukuoka was in a civilized district, right next to the Fukuoka Dome. Built like all Zepps, it looks ugly as hell but the inside was built decently, with a second floor overhanging the back of the hall. The weather was cold, but not unbearably so. Since it was the final, all of the gang aimed for second floor passes. We wound up securing enough for everyone, since most of the fans here were from Fukuoka and did not know too much about the highly coveted (among veteran goers, at least ^^;;) space up there. You see, while it is all nice and good to rush the front and try to get as close to Hekiru as possible, there's this slight problem that just about everyone else has the same idea. Hence, you might get close, but you also get mighty uncomfortable. If you go to the second floor and grab the first row of seats, however, you have a nice wide open space in front of you, about 4 feet worth between you and the railing, and it makes for great dancing space. *grin* In all fairness though, I have to say that since it was Fukuoka and most people hadn't experienced a live hall, that the front was by far the quietest of the eight concerts this tour. I heard reports that there was even enough leeway to jump during the calls. In fact, it was so quiet that at first, I couldn't get anything going inside, either. The hall had just about enough tension to fill a tequila shot... Not good. It wasn't that Hekiru wasn't trying. She put on a good performance, but the audience just didn't spark... Then came "invisible". And yep, I think I lost it. Looking back, I can't remember what made it such fun. I think a lot about enjoying a live has to do with your own mood. What you see is what you make of it, in a sense. So if you aren't going to enjoy yourself, I doubt you'll find any live good no matter how well it's produced. On the other hand, once you psych yourself up for it, you'll find that it blows away all your expectations. This is not to say that you should just try to put up with it if the live is terrible, but still, I think making a live, especially Hekiru's live, is really a two-way street. She can't do it all for you. I think we should also make sure that she and the band are enjoying themselves too. One other thing that made a big difference was having all my friends around me. Friends that are enjoying themselves that show it too, people who revel in each other's company. And people who are wacky enough to break out of the mundane, so much so that it almost becomes a show in itself! Just picture it... Ten or twelve of us, five in the first row and the rest in the second, most wearing that red SL'97 T-shirt, head-banging away with no care for the world. Strength in numbers, yea. We came, we saw, we conquered. I felt a twinge of guilt for the people behind us. So in the second half, things really caught on fire. The encore came and went, and it almost seemed as if that would be the end (god knows Yuusuke and I were on the verge of collapse after Go Wake Up!!), when the crowd hesitantly took up the call of "Encore!" again. Hekiru said, "All right! I give you this song!" and started on Ganbare. Then Ganbare was over, and Hekiru and the band came to the front to line up... Then from my left a very familiar voice suddenly bellowed, "Mou ikkai!" (One more!) DOH! And so all of us started screaming as hard as we could, "Mou ikkai!" And Hekiru looked surprised, I think, but fast as wildfire the whole hall was shouting for more, and after the okay came, Hekiru convened with the band. And the decision was... *drumroll* ... invisible! (Yeah yeah, whaddaya expect! ^_^) So it was invisible for the triple encore, and after that was over, Hekiru seemed genuine moved by it. She said that she would be coming back to Fukuoka during the summer, and made everyone promise to meet together again, then. Then she took the hands of the band members (and we took up our hands too!) and she held it high, for the longest time. We were so high by then, we started jumping erratically. In retrospect, if we had coordinated our jumps, we could have gotten her to do jumps too... That's what I mean by it being a two-way street. But Hekiru just bowed deeply, and thanked everyone before going into the Want You!! It was a fun concert, one of the best personally. I enjoyed myself more this day than I had in a long long time. I hope Hekiru did, too. PS, Fukuoka is out of the question for the summer tour, since it's on a weekday. URK!
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