Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ opened 9/15 at Omiya Sonic City.

Start: 18:17
End: 20:25

Song List
OP This Moment piano version
M1 This Moment
M2 Sore tte ii ne
M3 Todoketai Omoi
M4 Kaze ga fuku oka
-MC-
M5 Distance
M6 Wakaranai otoko
M7 Everlasting Train ~Owarinaki tabibito~
-MC-
M8 Itsu made de mo
M9 Unreleased Song 1 - My Starship yume no hikousen
M10 Unreleased Song 2 - Taisetsu na page
-MC-
M11 Dare no sei de mo nai
M12 Hey Hey
M13 Anata no namae
-Band Solo-
M14 invisible
M15 ROLLING STONE
M16 Dakishimete
M17 -Akai hana- You're gonna change to the flower
-ENCORE-
EN1 Unreleased Song 3 - Right Beside You
-MC- EN2 Ganbare
EN3 Me wo samase otoko nara
EN4 Graduater

Costumes
M1-M4 -> Silver suite and pants, with black blouse underneath
M5-M13 -> Black sleeveless blouse with translucent white long-sleeve shirt, white patterns on shoulders and upper arms
Black skirt
M14-M16 -> Red short-sleeved blouse, green inner skirt covered by long flowing red and orange skirt divided into 2 up the center
Red and white band on left wrist
M17 -> Removed outer skirt to reveal green inner skirt
EN1-EN4 -> Grey tour shirt with black pants, tour wristband on right wrist

Makeup
Pale blue eyeshadow with a barely noticeable amount of sparkling dust high on the cheeks.
Hekiru's hair was quite long, brushing her shoulders. I wonder if she will grow her hair again...

Disclaimer
I was in the 30th row, so some of the details might be incorrect!

Overview
I didn't want to think about how the concert would be, because the title was CHANGE and there are a lot of ramifications of that considering the situation lately. A lot of people felt very betrayed by Face to Face because, in the end, it was a big compromise of Hekiru's new style of rock, and her old idol songs which she tried (unsuccessfully) to depart from. Those who were expecting Hekiru to make the big change over to artist had their hopes crushed by a play list which had all of the Face to Face album, but nothing from the previous Baby blue eyes, which signified the start of the new rock style.

So I didn't think about it at all, and went in with an open mind. I hoped, of course, that Hekiru would show us what we wanted to see. And yes, in a very big sense, she did. Much better than I had dared to imagine, for she sang all the songs I wanted to hear - Todoketai omoi, Hey Hey, Wakaranai otoko, Dare no sei de mo nai. Nearly all the songs, saved the encore, are from Bbe and FtF. I lost it at Distance (it had a great opening, almost rap/hiphop style), and Wakaranai otoko was an amazing experience (even though the gyungyun guitar didn't come in at the last chorus, but that's a nitpick). I don't mind the Pipeline Project songs Everlasting Train and Akai hana at all, so they did not dampen my spirits. One thing I wish wasn't in there is Itsu made mo. The song isn't too bad, but it reeks of the old j-pop days...

One thing that annoyed me, to my great surprise, was the audience. I don't mind them jumping around and clapping, because I did that too before and it's fun (head-banging is better though). But the HE~KIRU! has to stop... They managed to drown out Hekiru and that's quite a feat considering Omiya always has LOUD speakers. Was also unhappy that I couldn't catch as much of the new songs as I would have liked due to everyone around clapping in beat.

The new songs were all good. The first one reminded me of something else... I liked the opening to Taisetsu na Page and I could hear most of the lyrics because the sound level was slightly lower. The last song I liked a lot too. Fast beat, minor key. Hekiru said that she liked it quite a lot, too, of all the songs she had done to date.

After that though, the encore took a turn for the worse. Hekiru sang Ganbare, which for some reason I simply hate, and my enthusiasm died very quickly. I cheered up a little at Graduater, but I didn't like the way the last part got changed. Still I understand full well the need to give the fans a big rousing end. The whole hall was reverberating with their shouts, and the floor shook when they landed from the jumps. It was an interesting, if not altogether pleasant, experience. I'll be right there screaming and jumping with the rest tomorrow. I figured it wouldn't do to show up at work today with no voice and limping, or not show up at all. ^^;;

One last thing... ah, I wish that the lighting effects for Anata no namae were like those of last time... The part right before the end of the refrain, the lights all gathered on Hekiru, but did not split out into the audience like before. That was the part that I really loved in this song. But I was glad enough that she sang it.

Oh, and what the heck is it with that third outfit?!?! I know you say you can sing rock in a dress, but that's taking it pretty far!! I was getting totally hyped at the opening for invisible, and went completely still in disbelief for about 20 secs when I saw that thing. Hekiru was playing with the other skirts like it was a samba dance... Well, if anything, it certainly made the biggest impression on me last night. ^^;;;;;;;

Not exactly CHANGE, but good live nonetheless. I hesitate to reflect more on the state of things at this point.

Before the concert
I arrived at 8:15, took a look around the hall before I joined up with Yuusuke and Masa at the Omiya Building next to the hall, where I proceeded to charge the batteries on my digital camera. ^^;;

We had breakfast at MacDonald's, then headed to the florist to order a flower arrangement for Hekiru. Then we killed some time at a very nice coffee shop on the 14th floor of the Omiya Building, before going for lunch at the ramen place. Along the way, we noticed that the goods line was really short, so we stopped by to grab some goods that we could take home. I picked up 3 pamphlets and a pair of the telephone cards. Didn't like the T-shirt designs nor the towel, nor the cushion, or anything else for that matter. :P

When we went to the ramen store, Masa took a look at the tour pamphlet. Ugh... No good pics (some pretty awful ones in fact). poor printing quality... The only good thing was the message at the end, which most people would have missed.

- Starting Legend -
That is the bright light known as "dreams" which joins us together. It was born of weaving together 5 years and endless nights and the hearts of people one by one. What lies ahead... as long as we do not forget these memories, as long as we do not give up no matter the circumstances, there still lie many places for us to reach, and panoramas which await us. This I believe, and sing for.
I want you to feel, once more, the miracle of being born in this same age.

I pray that I will always have you, and love, and music with me...

We also had a good laugh out of the increasingly inane comments Heki-chan had put for the photos. Ah, but there were some of Phuket, and I felt just a little... weird inside.

During lunch Masa's phone rang 5 times. Twice from Okappe, once from Hirapyun who had been roped in despite work commitments by promise of two Lawson posters in addition to a ticket. And from Tiger and Action.

After lunch we went back to the florist's to take a picture of the finished arrangement. By incredible coincidence, Yuusuke spotted Yoshida-san from JTS and we spent a goodly long time grilling him about the Hawaii stuff. Information not to be divulged here. ^_-

After that, we hung about until start time. Man that was a long line! The wind was blowing really hard, too... At this rate Hekiru would be singing The Rain to celebrate a typhoon coming down on us! But it didn't rain and we got in at 18:05. Get ready!

I've had that one part from "My Starship", the part where only the drum is playing while Hekiru sings a verse, running through my head all night and today. Even now it's stuck... Ah, I wish I could hear it now!

Yesterday's concert was the best of this year. It was much better than the final of Face to Face, and was even better than the opening of the same tour. This is what people mean when they say "kokoro ga ippai" - my heart is full. Niigata, 150th concert for Hekiru, was wonderful.

Before the concert
Masa and Yuusuke went on the early half-price shinkansen, and arrived around 8am or so. I left home at 9:50am, dropped by the office to pick up a book, and headed for Tokyo Station were I was supposed to meet Matora to ride the 12:12 shinkansen.

On the way to Niigata, Matora-san and I talked about how Omiya did not make a very good impression on either of us, although I think I more positive about the main portion of the song list.

We arrive late, at 2:20, and hastily went for lunch and wrote messages on a signboard for Hekiru, congratulating her on her 150th live at Niigata. Masa and Yuusuke had ordered flowers and we hurried over at 3pm to hand over the signboard for delivery.

After that, headed over to Telsa which is far! And spent the rest of our time hanging out until the beginning of the concert. (We did take a group photo with lots of people.) A few minutes with Motona assured me of my normalcy. :P

The concert
Yuusuke, Action, Matora and I were in the 6th row, to the very left in front of the speaker. Masa was in the 4th row in front of Yuusuke. We were a pretty, um, formidable contingent. ^^;; Right before the concert started, Masa made friends with the guy to his left and got him to exchange seats so that Masa got the left side all to himself.

The concert started at 18:37. From the start, Hekiru kept glancing to her right, much to our amusement. At "Sore tte ii ne" she came right over to the left of the stage, and we had a great time over in our little corner. ^^ At the MC, Hekiru talked about her this was the 150th live, and how she would had forgotten if some fans had not sent a flower arrangement and a signboard congratulating her. "The staff and I were like, 150th? Then we counted, and it was true! So we thought about how we could commemorate it, but then all this stuff kept happening during rehearsal, like lights catching fire and breaking down. 'How are supposed to celebrate?!' we thought. 'Hey, that light over there is smoking...!' This isn't Smoke on the Water! There is a band Deep Purple, and they have a song called Smoke on the Water where they set stuff on the stage on fire." Then Hekiru did a "yorokobi dance" where she turned her back and did the move for "Kimete misete yo Get Back!"

At another MC, she also asked if there were any girls in the audience. Then she asked if the guys were all genki. (BTW, the reply to this was pathetic so I had to join in. ^^;) "Let's all become rag cloths!" Hekiru said, meaning that rag cloths start out clean but get all raggedly and dirty by the end, and so she wanted everyone to get all sweaty and "boroboro" by the end of the concert.

Hekiru was very genki and very happy, and the whole concert was really "moriagatteita" - worked up. When she came out for the encore, she did another "yorokobi dance"! I had a lot of fun during the encore, and Hekiru must have too, because she didn't want to end Graduater! The last part is a little different now; instead of bobbing her head 3 times she jumps and goes "hey hey hey!" and so does everyone! This went on and on... I guess Hekiru really didn't want the concert to end. After Graduater finally ended (with Yousuke, Yoshiaki and Mario in a circle playing each others' instruments, no less!), Hekiru thanked everyone and said that they were running out of time to catch the train home. But, even so, right before the "Want You!!", Hekiru said, "One last thing for you," and sang:

Arigatou, kyou ha kiite kurete. Anata no tame kono mama zutto, utau kara
I sing for you
Thank you for listening today. I will sing for you, always
I sing for you
From Nani mo dekinakute

I felt my heart catch in my throat, and a rush a gratitude and happiness that Hekiru was so happy. Then we did the "Want You!!" and today I really really gave it my all. We all waved as the karaoke for "Itsu made mo" started up, and Hekiru waved and waved and waved even after the band had left, first on the right side of the stage before coming to the left. She stood there waving and I waved as hard as I could, and suddenly she looked in our direction and her face lit up and she waved and I thought, golly, could that smile be for me? Then she did a "nage kiss" (threw us a kiss), and then slipped! Ouch! (According to Masa, the look of bewilderment on her face, especially her eyes, was really kawaii!) She got up fine and scooped up the petals from "Akai Hana" and and tossed them up into the air, and finally left, still grinning the happiest... I could have melted then and there!

After this concert, after that verse from "Nani mo dekinakute", what more could one ask for?

Costume description corrections
Second costume is black sleeveless one piece down to the knee, with black boots almost to knee level. White underblouse has black patterns.
Third costume is a one set orange and red top and red skirt, with a yellow green skirt underneath. The band one her left arm is red and black and there is a metal? band on her other forearm.
This time's encore costume was the washable grey T-shirt with off-white cargo pants.

My souvenir for the day: some of the "petals" (actually red pieces of paper) that were blown out during "Akai Hana", grabbed from the stage at the end. Akai Hana left a pretty deep impression on me.

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Nakano Sunplaza 9/21/99

Work was really busy, and so I arrived barely in time this day (and the next). I had invited Chija-san, a writer and promoter from my S@S days. Together with Matora-san, we had seats in the third row on the right side of the orchestra pit. They were really good seats, but the live itself was not very inspired, unfortunately. When it ended, Chija-san said that Hekiru did look tired.

This time, Hekiru spoke a lot during the MCs. I really enjoyed them a lot. I never realized how much I missed her MCs and talk. With only Ougon Jidai left, there isn't any chance at all to hear Hekiru's free talk. I wonder how the new radio programs will be.

The first MC, Hekiru thanked everyone for coming in the rain and told us to get all "boroboro". She talked about how she had 6 concerts at Nakano last year during the summer, and thanked the Sunplaza staff for letting her use Nakano again this time. After the MC came Distance, and for the first time I noticed that the 4 columns on the edges of the stage actually turn, one by one, to face the audience. That's why Distance has such a long intro! Then the curtain on the back lifted and Hekiru came out.

The second MC, Hekiru talked about her radio and how a "mama-san" (transvestite) from Shinjuku came to her radio show. "Who is this Shiina Hekiru person?" the mama-san said. (Hekiru mimicked it in a really funny way.) And Hekiru said, "And there I was, sitting across the table having just said 'Good evening! It's Shiina Hekiru's Radio Ougon Jidai!' Here I am, here I am..." "Atashi da, atashi..." she said, really kawaii! Then Hekiru said that 50 mama-sans would be coming to her live at Tokyo Kouseinenkinkaikan!

She talked about how, after speaking with the mama-san, she felt that maybe it wasn't so bad, being someone who knew both sides of being a man and a woman. At which point the entire audience just kinda went really silent. ^^;;

The third MC, Hekiru was talking about something, when suddenly someone in the audience shouted that they had dropped their glasses. Eh? went Hekiru, and asked for the lights to come on, whereupon the guy found his glasses. She said that it was the first time the lights had been turned on for an individual (not concert-related) reason.

People were pretty worked up during Akai Hana, but the encore was pathetic... Over half were sitting. But when Hekiru came out, she said that in the staff room, everyone was saying how lucky it was that Hekiru had great fans like this. I could not say anything... :P

Then she said, let me sing a new song now, and sang Right Beside You. But halfway through she forgot the lyrics and skipped half a verse. Her expression of consternation was pretty funny, being all embarrassed before she continued. When the song was over, she said, "Tui ni yatte shimatta," meaning "I've finally done it now." "The thing the staff has feared the most has happened,"referring to Hekiru forgetting her lyrics and messing up lyrics at almost every live. You can see an example in Side B when she sings Kono Yo and misses out the second line. ^^ "Datte, utainareteinai mon!" "I'm not used to singing this," she said, looking really embarrassed and kawaii. Someone shouted "Kampai!" and Hekiru went "I forgot my lyrics, Kampai!" and then really softly with her head down, "Sumimasen." Ka..kawaii! Then it was the rest of the encore and the concert ended. Afterwards we went to Murasaki and had dinner. We signed a signboard where Masa had pasted pictures of the flowers we sent at Niigata as well as the group photo we took in front of Telsa.

Today's encore was the washable gray T-shirt, and black leather pants. They looked like the encore pants from Face to Face.

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Nakano Sunplaza 9/22/99

Despite work pressures, left the office at 5:50 and made it to Sunplaza at 6:25. Del and Tiger were there, together with Masa and Matora. I enjoyed this concert a lot more than the one the day before. I was with Matora in the 11th row a little to the right, and because of a tall person in front I couldn't see anything. But I still had a lot of fun. Hekiru was norinori (in a good genki mood) from the beginning. Despite my lack of a straight line of sight to the stage, I did noticed two changes in Hekiru's dance. One was, she stopped doing weird twirling arm, half can-can step at the end of Sore tte ii ne, and went back to the head-bobbing version of last year. Another change was in Me wo samase, where instead of her old swaying dance from Face to Face, she switched to one where she would turn her body to the side in the step and stretch the arm on the outside (facing the audience) to the far side in front of her. I remember doing the circle turn during this song and bumping in Matora-san who was doing the same thing. ^^;;

At the first MC, Hekiru said, "Welcome to the second day of Nakano Sunplaza! Yesterday everyone was really worked up! I wanted to take the smell home! The smell of sweat, tears and blood." Then a pause, and, "Uh, I didn't mean that you would be bleeding. I meant, blood running through you, yeah." Someone shouted "Moeteiru chi!" (My blood is boiling!) and Hekiru said, "Those are good words! For someone like me who likes pro wrestling, I really like that. Hoooh!" And she did this pose with her arm out in front her, bent up at the elbow and fist clenched, looking really kawaii! (Okay, lemme warned you that Hekiru was incredibly kawaii this night and I'm going to keep on saying this for the rest of the report. ^^; ) "Okay everyone, just enjoy yourselves in your own way!"

At the second MC, Hekiru began by saying she would sing some new songs tonight. As usual, she said that work had not gone smoothly with her new album, and she was worried about being able to put it out in February. She said that she probably would have no rest this New Year's. Then someone shouted about putting it out on her birthday, and Hekiru seemed quite taken with the idea, but she said that she wouldn't be able to convince Sony of that, because of "certain matters". She said that they'd probably give her a banana. "'You nothing but a child. Make do with a banana,' they'd tell me," Hekiru said. She added that she had changed directors again. "This is the seventh one, I think." Due to her work, she's gotten quite absent-minded. Waking up in the middle of the day or in the evening, when she goes to brush her teeth she spread face-cleansing cream on her toothbrush. When she washed her face, she lathered toothpaste in her hands, and only noticed just before she started scrubbing. "It's bad for skin." (At this point, I thought, unkindly, that perhaps that was a reason for the not-so-clear skin recently.) "Maybe I'm getting old," Hekiru said. Then she continued to the new songs.

I'm really starting to like the new songs a lot. I love Taisetsu na Page, and My Starship and Right Beside You. And I also like Itsu made mo now, especially the quiet part where Hekiru puts her hands behind her and stands like a young girl, swaying to the music. The new songs, they aren't rock... But it's okay to like them, right? I like them a lot. I think they are wonderful songs. I don't want to start on about how they aren't in keeping with Hekiru's musical aspirations, which I might add I don't know, not right now. When she spoke of rock, that was two years ago. I cannot judge Hekiru based on the music she makes, or at least, I cannot criticize this music. If it was something like Ganbare, I would shred it, but it's music that I like... It's hard to say.

On her third MC, Hekiru said the names of the songs that she had sung. As always, she said that she wrote the lyrics for My Starship, and for Taisetsu na Page she had met with the songwriter and both of them had shared their experiences to make a song that represented Hekiru's feelings. "I would like to go on singing this song at lives, so when it comes out on CD please listen to it and come and sing along."

Then, out of the blue, a lone petal left from yesterday's Akai Hana slowly slowly fluttered down in front. The whole audience was hushed... Hekiru followed its descent with nary a word, completely still except for her head looking at it fall... (This was incredibly incredibly kawaii!) And then someone broke the silence by shouting, "Mada hayai yo!" (It's too early for that!) and everyone laughed as Hekiru looked quite... consternated. ^^

"Oitoite," she said, setting it aside with a gesture of placing it elsewhere. (She did this a lot at FtF too, when something happened and she was left without words and the audience was too amused to react... "Let's move on" it means.) She asked if were any girls in the audience. I said Hai!, but not very loud, and waved my hands. A guy said "Eeeeeh!!" and Hekiru said, that's Shinjuku 2-chome! meaning the mama-san she talked about yesterday. Punch! Behind me, a chorus of three girls, I think, said "Hekiru-chan!" really kawaii like, and Hekiru was pretty taken with it. Another one said "Ashiteiru!" and Hekiru said "Thank you!" Then she asked if there were any guys, and everyone went "HUAAAAAAH!" and Hekiru said, "I like that! I guys like that. Not guys like," and she did a flip of her hair, "but guys that are 'huuoooo!' You have to be barefoot and running around!"

Then she said, "Boys and girls, let's be kyupiiiin!" And seeing the audience go ?? she said, do you know what kyupiiiiin means? We shook our heads. "Well, kyupiiiin is when you get really happy." And she gave an example. "When I see a tasty meal in front of me, I go 'kyupiiiiiin!'" and demonstrated by turning to her right, putting her right hand on her breast, and bending her left leg in while hunching over a little in what I suppose is happiness. ^^;;;; "When I see a little puppy come up to be wagging its tail and going pantpantpantpant, I go 'kyupiiiiiin!'" And Hekiru did another kyupiiin for us. Then she told everyone to have ikuzo!

For each concert, the ending roll is different. The first part is the same, showing Hekiru and the band members, and then the second half has footage taken from that day, of stage setup, rehearsal, and fans waiting around. This time there was no setup since it was the second day of Nakano, and so there was some footage of the staff fooling around. There was Heki-chan on her snakeboard, sliding along with this big woolen hat-like affair on her head. There was also rehearsal footage (man, how many red T-shirts does Hekiru have?!? We're talking the 1997 ~todoketai omoi~ shirt here. She wears it to every rehearsal it seems, since 1997!) and Hekiru was singing on stage, and it ended with her doing this reason weird... dance?! One hand on mike, left leg it was, I think, knee pulled up on her chest, several times over. Nani kore?! Hen da! Hen!!

The encore was, again, quite uninspired as half the crowd just sat. Come on! Where are the old days when everyone would be starting shouting and shouting for the encore!!

When Hekiru came out, it wasn't in the washable gray shirt, but in the parka. She wore a semi-longsleeved pink shirt with white patterns underneath. Her pants were black, I think. Looked really nice. She thanked everyone for the encore, and halfway through yet another lone petal fluttered down behind her, and the crowd started laughing. Hekiru said, "That one was a late one. Didn't have a chance to do its job." And another came down, and she said, "That one wanted to stand out." Then she said, "Ganbare!" and launched into Ganbare.

At the end, everyone lined up for the Want You, and Hekiru turned to Yosshi and asked "Are you all right?" because Yosshi was pretty much dead and unmoving. ^^ Then Hekiru got angry at Nobu-K because he was looking at some girls. Hekiru asked where he was looking, and he pointed. And I didn't see where he pointed, but everyone said he pointed at me. Everyone started teasing me about that, especially since I was the only girl in that part of the hall... -_-;;

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Shizuoka Shiminkaikan 9/25/99

Masa, Yuusuke, Matora and I took the Kodama 415 bullet train to Shizuoka. The 417 train runs one hour later, which was too late for us. ;_;

We arrived at Shizuoka at 12:39. Hekiru probably took the Hikari train that would arrive at 12:45, but we didn't hang around, for obvious reasons. Today we planned to give Hekiru some bananas, because of the comment from Nakano. We also drew up a letter and asked everyone to add some comments. Today was Masa's 21st birthday (the guy looks like he's 30 or something) and he wrote that. I wrote something about the person who sold me the tickets knowing about Hekiru, as well as a kyupiiiin with a heart mark and "rabu rabu" written on top. I must've been smoking something fierce to do that. -_-

We gathered at the hall, when a phone call from Masa came with a big surprise - Motona-san, Shu-chan and One More were on their way here, together with BETA of all people. Apparently they forced him into Shu-chan's and were driving over. Others who came included Hasekawa-san, Haragucchan, Oshima-san, and Okappe and his significant other. Most of us signed the letter, and with some false starts and fancy flattery from Masa, we managed to get a staff to take the bananas and letter inside.

Then the fearsome four arrived, and everyone gathered to talk. Before the concert, Masa handed BETA his reports of the concerts. BETA read them laughing throughout, and was in a very good mood. Motona-san hadn't slept but still managed to greet all these people... Ah, the energy of youth. :P

Masa, Yuusuke and I had seats together. We got in and realized that we were right in front of the PA! They turned out to be great seats because they were right in the middle, and the person next to the person to Masa's right didn't show up. Extra seat area! I had a clear view to the stage and lots of space to have fun in.

The first part of the concert, I was really worried because Hekiru gave only short MCs and didn't seem her usual genki self. At Wakaranai Otoko, she left the stage for a brief moment during the guitar solo. I thought perhaps she wasn't feeling well, and could not enjoy the concert because I was really worried. Still, I tried not to think too much about it since she seemed to be singing very well at Itsu made mo and the new songs. Then came the third MC. She started talking about the storm that just passed by us, and how it was a good thing today turned out to be so nice. Then she talked about how she made up this song. "Hurricane, hurricane, hurricane... Gu-baibaibai, adieu!" She got the audience to practice the moves. Then she asked Nobu-K to make a song for it, and it was actually pretty cool! Yosshi ad libbed with the drums, Kenmotsu-san added this great echo to the "adieu!", and Hekiru got the whole hall going while Tairaku put his head in his hand with a "oh no not again" look on his face. When it ended, Hekiru looked really happy. She said, "I used to do this sort of thing at concerts. It seems like I've gone back to my old self."

I was a little unhappy about this, in truth, because I wanted to see a proper concert and hear the songs I liked - hard, rock songs - not this gibberish. But now, a few days after, I take back those thoughts. It was all in good fun, and Hekiru was in high spirits which makes it okay. In any case, I was in a down mood. Until invisible. Yes, this was the concert that I went psycho at invisible. God, that song is too incredible!! I love the outfit (although I did hate it at first!) and I love the way Hekiru plays with the skirt! I love the arrangement, especially the guitar solo... Ah, I wish I could record it all in my mind's eye! I'd go 30 times just for invisible! I think. ^^;;

At Akai Hana, a ton of petals came out, way too much, and flooded the entire stage. What really got me, in a wry amusing way, was how this one petal settled on top of Hekiru's head and stayed there the whole time. Ook, how embarrassing. Dasai!

After the concert, 8 of us (Hasekawa, Masa, Yuusuke, Matora, BETA, One More, Motona and I) took the shinkansen to Nagoya. BETA, Motona and One More opted for a decent hotel, but the rest of us when to Lucky Kenkou Land. I soaked a good while in the hot bath to try to work my shoulder to a half-way usable state. After that, we all gathered to talk about the new songs and try singing them (I sucked). Then the conversation took a turn for the worse. ^^;; I went to sleep at 3am. I heard that Masa and Yuusuke were up until 5am. Hasekawa-san operates on like, an hour's sleep.

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Nagoya Century Hall 9/26/99

I awoke before 8am, and tried to go back to sleep but to no avail, since it was a communal sleep hall and everyone else was getting up. I was stiff from yesterday, especially my neck and right shoulder, and took another short bath before rejoining the gang. We took the bus to the station and hiked the subway to Nagoya Station where we had a breakfast of kishimen (a Nagoya specialty which is flat white rice noodles). At the end of the our meal a call came from the fearsome three, who were also at Nagoya Station buying return shinkansen tickets. We hooked up, bought tickets (separate ones since it was cheaper and we didn't want to rush), and mosied over to Century by train and subway after buying some omiyage.

Nakano-san was to join us today. In the past, Nagoya concerts have been terrible. Nagoya people are notoriously hard to please, is what is usually said. That goes for other people, not just Hekiru. This time, I wanted to make it a great live, so I reserved four seats together. The seats winded up being in the 21st row, but that didn't phase us.

We took off by car in search of a flower shop. After a ridiculously long search, we finally found an open place called "Flower Shop Maki" and placed an order for a ¥10,000 arrangement. They couldn't send it so we had to take it back. It wound up being massive! A really splendid arrangement which hand to be worth more than ¥10,000. By then it was getting late. Most of the people had gone to eat at this place near the station. We called and got them back and told everyone to hurry and write their messages on the signboard. Then we went to eat at the same place since we had yet to have lunch. Ah, I almost had tears when I tasted the misokatsu... It was incredible! The soba was really good too. Homemade. You could tell because the thickness of the noodles was very uneven.

We came back and 10 people had written messages, even BETA-san. "Hey Hey Hekiru" was all he wrote. ^^;; But that said volumes enough. The day before he had left at Akai Hana because he doesn't care for it or the encore, but he wasn't in a dark mood at all. We took pictures of the flower and the group (minus the Two Who Must Not Be Photographed) and took the flowers and signboard to the goods area, where it was passed to Kubo-san (Hekiru's other manager). It was a stroke of luck she happened to be there. Then we hung around and had a great fun time, waiting for the concert to open.

Anata no Namae comes right after Hey Hey, which is not exactly conducive to sitting down. You're all worked up, and you want to keep standing. Well, I want to keep standing. And besides, it looks pretty rude to stand all the way through the intro, and then suddenly sit when she starts singing. It's one or othe other, I guess. Stand, or sit immediately. Today, Nakano-san, Masa, Yuusuke and I were in the back of the block, in front of the corridor running across the middle of the hall. We stood. ^^;; Now that I think about it, it took a lot of guts and it's rude to the people behind who are sitting and can't see, but at the time I didn't even think about what other people might be thinking. I stood, and it was the best Anata no Namae I heard to this point this tour.

We left the hall quickly and headed to Nagoya Station. Bought McD's and some pastries from a bakery and got on the train home. We were all tired from lack of sleep, but in high spirits. When we were waiting for the train, Yuusuke and I had a very animated discussion about invisible and Hekiru's skirt antics. Hmmm... I wonder if we will actually do what we are planning for Sendai. That would be scary and hilarious, Hekiru might not be able to sing if we pulled it off!

Now to practice the new songs. I wish I had more time to write reports and answer the surveys and write Hekiru a letter!

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Tokyo Kouseinenkinkaikan 9/28/99

It was a work day so I arrive at 6:25 or so. I was with Matora today (100th concert for him) in the 21st row. It was, to my surprise, right behind the PA smack in the middle. The seats next to us were empty because they were right behind the camera. It was a great view to the stage, and there was plenty of space. I was struck by how small the hall was though. The ceiling was low enough that Matora hit his hand while jumping. I wonder if it was a good or bad thing that I could jump as high as I wanted without even touching the ceiling.

Hekiru was a little slow to warm up, but I was in a good mood from the beginning and had great fun. Too bad Hekiru didn't stretch her hand out much, or "fling her heart" like she did at Nakano and Shizuoka/Nagoya.

But Hekiru was in a pretty good mood. She talked about how the hall had a live house feel to it, and even talked a little about the band. She introduced Yo-S K and teased Nobu-K by ignoring his not so subtle hints (in fun, of course) to give him his moment, saying "Yoshiaki!" right when Nobu-K was expecting Hekiru to say his name. The crowd asked for Hekiru to introduce the rest, but she said, "I can't!" But she did do a "Koiten, Fujiko-chwaaaan!" just for old times sake.

She was really getting into the swing of this, and went all out for invisible. And then suddenly fell! It was during the guitar solo. She went straight down, but got up, a little shaken, but still singing. When she came out for the encore, she said that her bottom hurt. ^_^; She went to to talk about a time when she fell down the steps on the side of the stage. And another time when she fell, dropped the mike, had it go rolling around making a circle; she grabbed it when it came back to her and continued singing. She said, "Well, I've never fallen down the very front, in the middle of the stage. If I fall, please go on singing for me."

And then at Right Beside You, another happening. Yes, Hekiru forgot her lyrics. Again. Three whole lines! She had this look of worry, terror and finally desperation on her face as she seemed to be racking her brains for the lines while simultaneously kicking herself. When the song was over, she apologized, saying that she thought it would never happen again. I guess she really isn't used to be singing that song.

Speaking of which, I really love the lyrics to it. It is a wonderful and powerful, incredible love...

We had dinner at Denny's, wrote Hekiru a message to hand over tomorrow, and raced home. Masa and Yuusuke managed to make the last train with nary a minute to spare.

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Tokyo Kouseinenkinkaikan 9/29/99

Today I arrived barely in time, again. I was in the 11th row, but even though I had reserved a ticket alone, the person next to me was a familiar face. I guess you get to know a lot of the regulars after a while. In front of me were two sumo wrestlers. Weird eh? I didn't like this seat as much, mainly because it was hard to see for a person of my height, and also because aforementioned familiar face was a "kagami" dancer - a fan who copies Hekiru's moves mirror style. The problem was that I copy "real" style, and so we kept bumping hands. I'm glad we're didn't have an accident with Sore tte ii ne.

Today Hekiru was in a somber mood. She said it had been 3 years since she performed at Tokyo Kouseinenkinkan. "What was I doing back then, I wondered all last night." It was '96, Summer Special, and she spoke of how she had a concert at Tokyo Big Site which was enormous. Then she talked about during Dorican (the Something Dreams Multimedia Countdown radio show that she did from '95 to '98) with Tominaga Mina. She said that lately Tominaga-san was during mime on television, having risen up the ranks as an actor and performer. Hekiru respected Tominaga-san very much. She used to scold Hekiru very scathingly, saying things clearly and not holding back even on issues that most people would not mention. But Hekiru said she was grateful for all that, and thinking back about it realized that Tominaga-san was a very mature person. "Shikkari shiteiru hito." Hekiru seemed a little sad as she reminisced, and wondered about what all the people she met were doing now. She said that she began this work when she was still a teenager, and during that time she met so many people, and she was grateful. As long there would be people listening and enjoying her music, she would be happy just to go on singing.

At the third MC, she asked which route everyone came by. There were answers of Shinjuku Sanchome Station and Gyoenmae Station as well as other modes of transport. Hekiru told the audience to be careful going home around Gyoenmae, because it was dangerous. "Not the girls, the guys!" (Shinjuku is famous for its gay bars.) Then she explained that she used to use that station a lot when she was recording her last album (White Board studio). Sometimes she would go out to eat with her songwriters Ueno Kouji and Yoshida Touru (these two are responsible for the great songs on Bbe and FtF like Dare no sei de mo nai, 246, Let me sing with soul, and also Hey Hey), who are quite bishounen. And at the bar guys would be staring at them. "They weren't looking at me!" But then she said, go the other way to the Seibu-Shinjuku Line, and then it would be dangerous for girls. That area is notorious as a place for older men to pick up young girls as paid company, a practice known as enjoukousai or "onkou". "I don't look at all like a high-schooler," said Hekiru and was interrupted by shouts of "kawaii!" and "wakai!" going on and on. When she couldn't get a moments silence to continue, she pouted and stamped her foot and went, "Nee, kiite kiite!!" (This was kawaii!) She went on, "I was stopped three times! First was by a college student. Next was by a salaryman who looked really really respectable with a well-paid job and really cool, someone you couldn't imagine would be doing this sort of thing. And third was by this old man." Hekiru looked really cute being righteously infuriated by society's loss of morals!

At the end of the concert, Hekiru seemed genuinely touched by the support from the fans. I personally found today much noisier than the day before and didn't enjoy it as much. I heard that there were some very rowdy fans on the second floor who were kicking the chairs and making a real nuisance of themselves in general. It saddens me that there would be such inconsiderate people at a concert where Hekiru is trying her best for her fans, that there are such rude folk amongst the people she holds so dear. The band and her lined up, and suddenly she told them to hold hands, and told the crowd to hold hands high too. "Everybody, join hands with your neighbour! If you don't have anyone beside you, just imagine that you are joining hands with us!" Then she gave a deep bow. I was touched by Hekiru's kindness, compassion, and selflessness. It is a day to reflect on my own attitudes, which run perhaps run too close to self-righteousness and contempt.

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Osaka Kouseinenkinkaikan 10/02&03/99

We took the Kodama shinkansen to Osaka. It took 4 hours. Zzzzzzzzz...

I didn't have time to write a report right after because of Kagawa, but all in all Osaka wasn't bad, live-wise, and quite good otherwise. I had plenty of fun the first day, nevermind the seats were so cramped I was in terrible fear of butting heads while headbanging. Today was the first day Hekiru sang "My Starship" at the screen. At first I had no idea where she went and was quite worried, but then her silhouette appeared up there... To be honest, I'd much much rather her sing at the bottom. I also don't like the footage for My Starship at all. It's footage of the Amazon basin or something, filmed from a chopper and looking like it's been thrown quite hastily together. I know what Hekiru is trying to say, but it could have been much better. Thank god there were no cows. Moooooo

That night a bunch of us stayed at Hotekan (Hotel Kansai). I think this was when we started the whole invisible dance thing. Oh, and something else I can't mention in a public place. ^^;; My only hints are, go watch Kizuite from the Budoukan live, and then think about Ganbare. Yep...

We talked along time, mostly about fans who have cooled down and left Hekiru-dom for greener pastures. It's not something I can comment on, because I went through the same thing 4 months ago. The doubt, the dissatisfaction, the disbelief, and the anger at having been betrayed... Getting over it is something only that person himself can do. You can't help if they don't want it.

I am only glad that Masa was there to listen and give advice when I was going through it.

I look, and I also wonder, even now. I fell in love with a Shiina Hekiru who had thrown everything she had into Baby blue eyes. Pure, Straight, and Tough, with all her might... I hold no angst against the Hekiru of now, but I do wish I could see that Shiina Hekiru, one more time. Ah!

The next day, all of us wrote messages on signboards (2 and a half altogether) and sent a massive flower arrangement. We also took a polaroid shot and slipped it into the last signboard. That day, Hekiru said, "I'm here, because you are here."

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Kagawaken Kenmin Hall ACT 10/05/99

Kawaga live, yes! I've been waiting for this! ACT is a really small hall, seating about 800 including the 2nd floor. It's cozy, far from Tokyo, and the only chance to see a small-scale concert. I expected 500, but the tickets were actually sold out and it seems that there were over 700 people altogether. That's just as well. It was a rousing good live for such a small crowd.

I took the 9:55 plane with Matora. It was a two-day tour package, with a 11:50 flight the next day because I couldn't get seats for the one at 9:40. Hasekawa-san was on the same package tour, and we met him at the hall.

The Hiroshima shineitai people were there too, but the three of us set off on our own to find food. Sanuki udon, to be precise. It's the specialty of Kagawa and a very real part of the reason why we headed all the way out there. ^_^

Hasekawa-san said that he knew of a store that Hekiru might have visited in the past, because Hekiru said that she and the staff ate udon until dawn, and that store was the only one of the street that was open all night. So we went there, and found it, and headed up the stairs to the second floor.

Whereupon Hasekawa-san and I suddenly panicked because there Tairaku was, sitting right there in the private room! Matora didn't noticed a thing. -_- Needless to say, we all wondered if Heki-chan was there, but we didn't hear her voice. Still, we ate hastily and departed, but I think Tairaku noticed us going down the stairs. >_<

At all the concerts, we always send Hekiru something, be it flowers or a letter or photos, just to let her know that we are there giving her our support. This time we tried to come up with something original, but it was hard. It was the 11th concert in the 11th tour, in the 11th year of the Japanese calendar, so we tried to think of something with that but it didn't yield any good ideas. Then Hasekawa-san said he wanted to give Hekiru a telephone card, with a message that she call someone special if she happened to feel overwhelmed. Then Matora-san quoted from Taisetsu na Page: "Denwa kurai shite yo ne, mail de mo ii kara nee, wasurenaideite ne" (Give me a call, or even an e-mail. Don't ever forget me.) And we went, "That's it!!" So we hunted for a telephone card and sat down to write Hekiru a short note. The telephone card was of the Seto Bridge at sunrise, which we all agreed upon because Seto Bridge (in Shikoku) was where the lyrics to Infinity came to Hekiru... It has a strong meaning to a Hekiru fan. So we stuck in the lyrics, stuck in the phone card, wrote the message, talked a little about Infinity, wished Hekiru luck... As a joke I had written Matora's and my mail addresses on a scrap paper, along with "most welcome!" in Japanese. We ended up sticking that into the real letter too, because it was pretty funny. ^^;;

The hall opened early and we got in at 6:14 or so. Matora and I had great seats. 8th row a shade to the right of center, but because the hall was so small it felt it was the 4th row or something. In addition, the person in the seat in front of me didn't come so I had a clear view to the stage, and the stage had a clear view to me. ^^;

I think it was a pretty good concert, the only drawback (aside from people clapping during Anata no Namae) was that I had forgotten my glasses strap, so I was continually fussing with my glasses and couldn't give the actual live my full attention. I also felt just a teensy weensy bit self-conscious. Eeep. Hekiru probably saw everything until the 10th row...

Hekiru had arrived in Kagawa that morning. She talked about how she had udon. Then she added that it was udon at Narita Airport (which is a mistake because she really meant Haneda Airport which is the domestic airport of Tokyo). She said her staff got mad at her, because she was going to Kagawa, home of udon, for goodness's sake! But Hekiru was hungry and couldn't help herself. When she arrived, she went shopping at Sogo. There, a store attendent came up to her and asked, "You've appeared on television, right?" Hekiru said that she answered truthfully and said, "No!" But then the attendent said, "You're Shiina-san, right?" And standing on stage Hekiru got all mad in a very cute way, saying (in make-believe to the attendent) "If you knew then don't ask!!" She said that in the end 3 attendents stood there wishing her luck and telling her to eat udon. Hekiru felt very guilty as she scuttled away.

The end credit roll showed Hekiru stepping out of the car with a white Sogo bag slung on her shoulder. For some reason I found that really amusing. ^_^

Hekiru also talked about her singles, and about Maeda-san and Harahata-san of TUBE who composed her last two singles. When she came out for the encore, she once more announced that her new single Beside You was coming out. She did an wrestler pose and went "Hoooo!" in a deep macho-like voice that was kawaii! Then she asked Nobu-K to do it, and he when "Hoo!" in a really feminine voice!

At the end, Hekiru was quite moved, and she asked everyone to hold hands. The audience held hands while Hekiru and the band bowed together. It was, overall, not a bad live at all.

After that, Hasekawa-san and Matora and I went back to the same udon shop to have dinner, and retired for the night.

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Omiya Sonic City 10/09/99

Due to unforeseen problems, I wound up in row 28 next to OneMore-kun. It was an interesting seat, to say the least. The two seats to my left were empty, so I could dance to my heart's content, but damn it was f%&#ing noisy! Got really pissed because all the B-melody parts with PPPH, the people around were screaming "He-kiru!" so loud I honestly could not hear the band or Hekiru's voice. It was that bad.

On the other hand, during the other songs, it was nice and quiet and I had a good time. ^_^

It was pretty funny how, right before the live started, the guy to OneMore's right started hooting and howling, and the two of us just looked at each other and saw the same thought in the other's eyes: Uh-oh...

But, Hekiru seemed very genki and happy, and I guess that's good enough. She was really happy about the picture of the 5 Hekicars that was sent to her, and asked that it be put into the fanclub newsletter. She said that looking at the pictures of her painted on the cars was like going back in time. "I had forgotten I even had some of those pictures taken. There were some of me with my hair at its longest, and also at its shortest, and in between as well."

Speaking of Hekiru's hair, it is getting quite long. It's sitting right at her shoulders, running a little further down at the back. Enough to make a really cute 3 or 4-inch ponytail. ^^ She wore it that way at Kagawa and also today, going into rehearsal. Kawaii!

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Sapporo Shiminkaikan 10/11/99

Sapporo Shiminkaikan is quite possibly the most unusual hall I've ever been in. First of all, there is this massive open space in the front, more than 10 feet worth, I think, and the seats are arranged in a semi-circular pattern around it; this is the orchestra pit. Secondly, the seats are at an incredibly steep angle, starting from the very front. By the very back of the hall, you are about the same height as a typical second floor seat, perhaps. The space in front I feel is a real shame, but the slope I am grateful for, considering I am less than 2 inches taller than Hekiru, who is, well, real short.

Next is the stage, which is so small they could only fit two of the four pillars in. Another difficulty was that there is no open backstage, so all the equipment and stage stuff has to be brought in literally through the front doors of the concert hall. Nor can staff access the stage directly from the backstage rooms where people wait and change. To say it is an inconvenience to the performer is very much an understatement.

Despite all this, it was a good live. I noticed that several songs, particularly Distance, were rearranged. The crowd, typical Sapporo, was quiet and in that sense I felt a little sorry for Hekiru who tried, with limited success, to rouse up the audience. Of course, I gave it my very best (which I honestly had not done much of this tour) and did in fact have a good time.

One thing that some people sitting to the left side saw, that I didn't, was Tairaku-san fooling around just offstage during the last part of the concert. Hand gestures during Dakishimete, PPPH during Ganbare, and baseball with Murakami and co. on the other side during Graduater. I suppose since he is the producer he is entitled, and Hekiru does know he is doing all that, but still, you'd think someone would take a more, well, serious approach to running a singer's career. No, I'm not happy with that attitude at all.

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Ichiharashi Shiminkaikan 10/16/99

Another report that I couldn't manage to do right after the concert. I was really busy this week, and I barely made it on time. In fact, I had more or less resigned myself to missing this one, but luckily things went pretty smoothly at work and I took off at 3:30 (still not a good thing...)

I reached the hall, handed my ticket over just at the buzzer sounded. Ouch! Then it was the bathroom, then I ran into the hall. Masa and Yuusuke were waiting for me, and looking to the back I saw BETA and Motona waving. Heh, it was a nice warm feeling, even though I did kinda collapse into my seat. I had a cold, and I didn't think I would be moving too much. Needless to say, that kinda went out the window. It was a pretty good concert, all in all.

What do I remember? Lessee... The intro to This Moment was massively screwed up, by Nobu-K. At first Yuusuke was like, a new arrangement? Then something went really awry and I was like, nope, just a bad mistake.

Next was the encore. I was about to scream "Encore!" when Masa suddenly went "encore" in a falsetto! Then Yuusuke took it up, and then were doing the encore chant in falsetto! I almost died laughing right there and then!

Last was... Hekiru's words at the end. "Thank you! It was wonderful! For those of you attending for the first time, I hope that after seeing this, you will understanding just a bit why someone like me has been doing lives for five years."

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Sendai Sunplaza 10/17/99

Sendai was the most fun I'd had at a concert in a while. There aren't many concerts that I am particular unhappy about, but for the first time, I was well and truly sorry that Graduater was the last song. I wanted more! That feeling was something I had not felt this tour, perhaps not even at Niigata. Until today, I hadn't realized how much I missed it, and how much it should be a part of every concert, for the audience and for Hekiru.

The day started out at 9:30am. Got up, packed Aka-T and skirts ("skirts?!" you say... heheheheh...) and headed to Tokyo Station. I had picked the 11:12 train to Sendai because it was the fastest, stopping only at Omiya. On the Yamanote at Shinagawa though, a call came from Masa. "They're here." Doh!

I got to the station at 10:45. I purposely timed it that way because I thought Heki and co. would be taking the 10:32 train. As I walked up the steps, I noticed Tairaku strolling in right beside me on the platform. >_< I went to meet Masa, and yes we did deliberately pass by them. ^^;; But no more. We waited at the non-reserved cars, thinking that perhaps they actually were taking the same train. But a train pulled up and they got on. It was the 11:56 or whatever train, arriving past 1pm. (Ours would arrive sooner, at 11:50. That's why I picked it.)

We went to check out were they were, and it turns out they were sitting in the lower compartment of the train. Only Ogurin saw us, much to our disappointment. So we contented ourselves with meeting up with Matora and Yuusuke and got on out train when it came along. (Hasekawa-san was getting on at Omiya.)

On the train, we got to work on our secret project... yes, the skirts! heheheh... We had 4th row seats for Sendai, Masa, Yuusuke and I, and since we all loved invisible, we were going to, um, do the dance. ^^

Which meant requisitioning some skirts. We didn't want to slit up expensive long red skirts up so we made do with a few wraps, which actually turned out quite well.

When we got to Sendai, we got out of the station. Joined by Action and Shu-chan, we had lunch at a really good gyuutan (cow's tongue) restaurant, and headed to the hall. I finally bought the posters (Matora-san had his picture snapped by Masako when he was standing there buying goods!) and we all wrote up notes for Hekiru, which we passed to Masako when we entered the hall.

Before that was "sentou jyunbi" or battle preparations, as we call it. This was the funniest part. See, on the train, I had planned to do mine with a stretchable band (like they use in pj's) since I had a green wrap under too, but Masa and Yuusuke had elected to just tie their red wraps around their waists. Snapped a bunch of pics, especially of me laughing my head off at Masa. Then it was off to the concert.

I was nervous. Yeah, I was pretty nervous, being in the aisle seat in front of Nobu-K and Yo-s K and that. I was quite disappointment to see, from the seating arrangement, that Hekiru wouldn't quite be able to see us in our, um, glory. Oh well... for the best! ^^;;

Masa was in high gear from the start. When Hekiru first came out for This Moment, it was so funny... She glanced right at us for several seconds, then proceeded to ignore us. She looked everywhere except for our seats! Yasuda-san and Tiger were in the second row in the middle too - that made it even harder for Hekiru to ignore! Anyway, regardless, we really gave it our best. Masa was really shouting and stuff in between songs, breaking my right eardrum. I jumped and shouted and stuff, except when Hekiru asked, "Any girls in the audience?" ^^;;

Hekiru was genki, the audience was great, it was heaven. Then Anata no Namae ended. Uh oh. Band solo. The band solo before invisible.

Masa immediately put on his skirt. Yuusuke followed. I hesitated, because, well, the band was right in front of me! After the first guitar refrain, I put on the green skirt, trying to stay out of the aisle as much as possible. Then did some more head-banging, then put on the red skirt near the end. I was almost not in time.

invisible starts. What the hell let's do it! Masa and Yuusuke were off, and I stepped pretty much completely into the aisle and did my thing. Okay, it's embarrassing as all hell, but damn is it fun! It's boring just doing the moves... Gotta have the skirt! Flung the skirt, did the kick, whirled around. I don't think Hekiru saw us, except maybe at the end, but Masa said that Nobu-K was staring at me right from when I had changed. People behind us stared too. Matora said that there was a couple beside him, and the girl put her hand to her mouth while pointing to us, and the guy was craning his neck of a look. Woo woo!!

Thinking now, I can't believe I had the guts to do it. I woulda backed out, I think, if Masa had not pressed so hard for it all the way through. In the end, it turned out pretty great. We didn't exactly send Hekiru into a seizure and stop the concert or anything, but we did give the band and the crowd something to talk about, and showed everyone that we really had fun. I think that's important. Not all the time, of course. But once in a while, the fans should be a little active too, and let Hekiru and the band know that we're not just watching, we're out to have fun and amuse in turn too. A live is a living thing, a living thing made not just by Hekiru but by the fans as well. That's the meaning of Starting Legend.

I took off the skirt after invisible and we finished off normally. If you can call utter abandonment to the music "normal". ^_^ As soon as the credits roll ended, Masa and Yuusuke screamed "Encore!!" at the top of their lungs, syncronized without preplanning too! The bakas... That started the encore chant, which they just left to the crowd! Baka baka baka baka baka... Not to mention that when they joined in again at the end of the chant, they were doing the high-pitched dainty versions which left me almost rolling on the floor.

Then Hekiru came out. She said the usual - new single "beside you" coming out on 1/26. The lights flashed. She looked like she was going to leave it at that, but then Masa and Yuusuke starting doing that jump. Yeah that jump, the incredibly kawaii (on Hekiru, at least) twirling jump jump jump that Hekiru did a few times this tour when she gets in a good mood and she's happy and cheery during the new single announcement. And Hekiru looked at them and started jumping! Heh, in a flash, the entire hall was jumping with Hekiru as the band looked on with a "here we go again" expression. It was great!

What else... Oh yeah, during Ganbare, the three of us were twirling with Hekiru at that middle part (what's the official musical term for the part of the song where the singer doesn't sing, but the music has a solo to itself.. oh well). And apparently Nobu-K was laughing at that. That wasn't planned but hey, who's gonna complain?

When Graduater was over, actually before it was over, Hekiru shouted, "Tanoshikatta!" ("that was fun!") and the whole hall was cheering as well. She thanked everyone and went to the Want You!! This was the first time this tour that the crowd was completely silent between Hekiru saying "Let's say those words" and "Sei no..." It was beautiful. Then everyone shouted "Want You!! Yaaaaaaaayyyyy!!!!!!!!" Then before the band left the stage, Masa and Yuusuke shouted Yos K's name, and Hekiru walked to him and handed him her mike, smiling. He took it, walked up to the crowd, and said, "Thank you for attending today's concert..." but it was a parody of the speech that comes over the speakers at the end of a concert, by the hall authorities. We were all laughing so hard that we pretty much missed what he said next. In any case, it was a great end to a wonderful concert. I think Hekiru and the band felt the same way too.

On the train home (I saw Hekiru and co. coming up the escalator before we got on, so I assume they took the same one), all we could talk about was how great the concert was. I could only wish that more concerts would be like this one. I was really sorry that it had to end. How long since I've felt like that? It got me thinking about concerts and the pluses and minuses of being a mass repeater, but that's another story.

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Nakano Sunplaza 10/20&21/99

Both days, the concert hall was very empty. Of a capacity of over 2200, I would have guessed 900, or less. Upon seeing those rows and rows of empty seats, I should have realised how Hekiru would feel standing on stage singing to a hall not even half-filled. But I did not.

I had promised myself that I would never knowingly hurt Hekiru. And so I should have known, or at the very least considered, her feelings. That it never occurred to me until long after the second day's concert had ended hits me as a terrible failure on my part.

There must always be someone who will think about Hekiru. For Nakano, there was somebody else, but that doesn't forgive my lapse. I don't forgive my lapse. No matter what, no matter when, someone has to think about what Hekiru's feelings are.

So make that two promises. Because if I don't do it, there may come a time when nobody will. I won't, I can't, let that happen. Not as long as there is Shiina Hekiru. Don't ask why it has to be this way, don't tell me that it's not within the boundaries of fandom. I know only that this is one person I that don't ever want to see hurt. If I could, I would cry her tears for her, but Hekiru's tears are hers alone. I will simply do my best tell her that, no matter how bleak it may become, she is not alone.

Some people said that what I do makes me no longer a fan. I don't know if what I'm doing is right or wrong or just plain stupid, but I do believe that I'm no less a fan than anyone else. And that's all I have to say, I suppose.

I did have a lot of fun at the concerts though. Hekiru tried really hard. The second day she talked about camp, and said that she used to do some dance. Everyone was like, what's that? And we all said, show us! And Hekiru got all embarrassed and shy and stuff (it was incredibly kawaii, I was about to pass out from sheer happiness, not to mention that I was extremely envious of her mike stand) and said, "Well, I'll show you, but it's really embarrassing so you'll have to join in!" And so we all mimicked Hekiru in this weird Japanese dance that was actually plenty of fun, for me at least. I know my feelings for Shizuoka, so I ask to be forgiven for my enthusiasm here, heh.

Hekiru tried hard. Hekiru did her best.

What else to do, then? Do you wonder why I would do all this for this person? Sometimes I wonder too. I hope I never forget.

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Hiroshima Kouseinenkinkaikan 10/23/99

And yet another concert report that I failed to do right after the fact. I took the 9:55am plane on Saturday. (Same as Heki-chan! Saw her from the airport shuttle bus. Too bad she didn't get on... It was too crowded and she was led to another. Purple sweater over a green blouse, jeans and black shoes, woo woo!)

Um, anyway, yeah, since Hiroshima airport is a long way from Hiroshima station and hence the concert hall, you can't get back the same day to Tokyo. So I stayed the night and took the 4pm back (not with Heki-chan though ;_; ) and I think I was too tired, yeah... Still not much of an excuse.

In any case, the reason why I'm writing this report now, like 2 and a half weeks after, is because the life was too good to go unmentioned. I don't remember the MCs or anything (although I wish I did since I think Hekiru talked about some pretty interesting things) but I do remember having a lot of fun. It was a pretty good seat, halfway in the hall but right in the center, and I had the aisle seat in addition to only three of us with four seats. And I still managed to bump in the guy on the opposite side during Me wo Samase, it was that good!

One of the things that made it interesting was that I was with Matora and Action, and that made 3 of us doing guitar action and headbanging. Was it ROLLING STONE...? Matora and I were doing the up and down guitar motion that Yoshiaki and Mario do, and we synched pretty well because he's left-handed on my left. It was pretty darn funny, and cool! I wish the band could've seen it!

Hekiru was really genki, although the strain was telling in her voice. The hall was full, and everyone was in high spirits. Hekiru did her service "jump jump jump" after the announcement of "beside you" and everyone jumped too. Kawaii!

Today was the second time that it was completely silent before "Want You!!" - something which I was both happy, and sad for. Happy, because that is how it should be, as Hekiru bows her head, closes her eyes, and speaks words known only to herself, before we all give the promise to meet again. Sad, because it only happened twice this tour.

After the Want You!!, Hekiru and the band waved to everyone. Hekiru looked so alive and happy that I started doing the "Hekiru jump jump jump" in my little aisle. Mario caught sight and started laughing, which made the whole thing more that worthwhile to me.

That night, Hasekawa-san and Matora and Action and I gathered in the hotel room and spoke for close to 3 hours about the concert and the tour and related things. We started at This Moment and ended on Graduater. I wish I had a recording of it. It was one of the best times I had, just discussing and reminiscing about Hekiru stuff with everyone. Ah, we talked about too much! Perhaps more than the concert itself, this talk is a fond memory.

Starting Legend 1999 ~CHANGE~ Concert Tour Report
Shiina Hekiru at Tokyo Kouseinenkinkaikan 10/26/99

Today is Wednesday. Radio day. This tour, I never really had that longing to see Hekiru that I used to have... but after yesterday, all I could think of was how much I would miss her once tour is over. And today, I thought, it doesn't matter if I can't see her. To hear her voice, every now and then, would be enough.

I miss Hekiru already, and it aches but it's a wonderful feeling. I think that's why I'd want to keep on being a fan. I want to have this feeling forever.

Yesterday was the semi-final, in Tokyo. Hekiru looked really tired, especially halfway through, but this concert was a most precious gift. She gave her tears. I am so very proud to be a part of that - Starting Legend - that could move her so. I will not forget what Hekiru has given us.

It started off normally. I had left work early, at 5, to pick up the flowers for Hekiru. Ten red roses, and a letter, telling her what I wrote up there about Nakano Sunplaza. Probably the closest I have come to saying my true, selfish feelings. No "ganbare!", simply "You are the person I hold dearest, the one I cannot bear to see hurt, the one I won't let stand alone, ever." In a sense I can't believe I did it... But it is what I really felt, and what I wanted to tell Hekiru, not in encouragement but to tell her what I felt. That's what I mean by selfish. So much I wanted to say... So unable to say it.

Masa's letter said what I wanted to say though, much better than I could have said it. "We here for you. We're here because of you. We'll always be here for you. Thank you."

These we handed over, before the start of the concert. Did Hekiru read it? I think she did.

I was in the front row. Takamori-san and her friend attended too, on my invitation. I felt very nervous about them being there, since I should have been a good host, but I soon lost myself. The first half was "regular" in that I wasn't especially moved, nor did I cry at Todoketai Omoi or get all teary at the thought that this was the second last concert. In hindsight, that was good. Once should always take each concert one by one, and savour it for what it is at the time.

It was the Toto Benki that did it, yeah. Eh? Toto Benki? you say. THE Toto Benki!? Yep... The revival of Toto Benki! I never imagined I'd see it performed live with my own eyes, in this day and age. It started at the MC after the new songs. Hekiru was in a weird mood, the crowd was all fired up and in a weird mood too. Don't remember how it started - I think it was from bakas up in the 2nd floor going "Kawaaaaiiiiii" in that really skin-crawling tone! The crowd started laughing, cajoling, Hekiru took it, and then said "Stop!" And everyone stopped. She said, "It's not good enough to get all fired up, you know." And started talking again. Then she did something like, "Uuuummmm, yeah." And the crowd went "YEAH!" but the timing was off and it was weak, and Hekiru was like, that's no good. She went "Uuuuuuummmmmm, sanshirou" or something, and the crowd was like, what the? Then she went, "Uuuummmmm, Shiina Pekiru" and the crowd was completely silent in eh? mode. And Hekiru looked really kawaii and embarrassed and I thought she was going to do "Oitoite", but instead as the crowd started jeering (jokingly, of course) she said, okay! I'll take responsibility. And the crowd started chanting "Enban dance!" (see Nakano 9/21 for details). And Hekiru was like, no, already did that. Then crowd chanted, chanted, and Hekiru went, Stop! Again. It was cool! The crowd hushed immediately.

Hekiru said, I'll do a dance that has been locked away and forgotten, so stand up. And everyone stood. She turned to the band and said, you guys too. She looked so serious, so different... /me's heart flutters at the thought, hehehehe... Um, anyway, she got the band up. Then she stuck her arms out to her sides and said "T", and at that point I started laughing like crazy, just me in the front row bent double finding the whole thing way too amusing for my own good. :)

"T, O, T, O, Toto Benki!" Hekiru demonstrated the whole Toto Benki dance, and everyone was laughing and singing. Then she called the stage staff out too, and made everyone do it again, fast. It was incredible, Hekiru on stage with everyone doing Toto Benki, she musta been smoking something fierce! Hekiru said tearfully, "There goes the rest of my live."

Then it was over. People were chanting "Aburamushi!" but luckily she stopped, and said, let's get on with the second half. Iku yo! But the return was weak, and Hekiru said, That's no good! You haven't changed tracks yet. Iku yo!" Yeah! "Iku yo!" Yeah! "Iku yo!" Yeah! "We'll rock you tonight." And Dare no sei de mo nai began.

Have I mentioned how much I love watching Hekiru's face during this song? It's incredible, a wonderful sight I could never get enough of. The intensity is simply indescribeable, a look of concentration, hardness, power, eyes that burn through you. I would die happily confronted by that. That outfit is really something - it's soft and feminine during Itu made mo and My Starship and Taisetsu na Page, but in this song, it's coolness embodied. God, Hekiru is so incredible. In a sense, I envy her very much so, for being able to be all I want but don't have the courage to try to.

Hey Hey too... A great song, and one I will miss because I doubt she will sing it again after this tour. I wonder why this song was released as a drama CD song, and curse, because it is one of Hekiru's best songs.

Which reminds me (don't ask why), Hekiru forgot the lyrics to My Starship. Yep, she wrote them herself but forgot. "Nagasu namida mo." You know, I really like those lyrics now. I never realized before, but they are wonderful, a real message to fans, I think. "This is I'm in heaven. This time with you is sweet and tranquil. The tears we shed, and the pitter patter of our hearts and the sadness, makes full our love."

To get back to the concert, yes, I started losing it around the band solo. Heh, what to do when Yos-K is right in front? Guitar!! Then came invisible, and I was really on a roll. I love how Hekiru comes out, swaying and stuff with the skirts, then YEAH! hard guitar riff and Hekiru doing the dance! Man, I love invisible. I love that dance. Today, I passed on the dance and did the guitar instead, I just moved all on my own without thinking. And Hekiru did the part where she moves her arms up and down in front of her! Ah! Heaven! I melt when I see that! Well, actually, I do the same thing when I see that, but you know what I mean. ^^;;

ROLLING STONE, Dakishimete, Akai Hana. ROLLING STONE never fails to fire me up. I didn't like it last summer, but for some reason I really get into it now. There's a few songs like that, that I fall in love with at lives. Itu made mo was the big one, this tour. I wasn't particularly impressed with the CD version, but the tour arrangement, with the great guitar solo opening and the screens moving in from the sides - too cool! What a wonderful song, too much guitar to call pretty, but warm and touching, from the inside out.

Ganbare is another strange one. You know, I hate this song. With a passion. But damn, suddenly it's so fun! I was surprised to feel sad, thinking that I wouldn't be able to hear this song more than once more. It's all in good fun, jumping, twirling around. Hekiru was laughing when Matora-san and I were jumping together with her. We twirled too. That must've given the band something to talk about.

But wait wait, the encore. Yeah, it was a long one. I turned to the crowd and screamed encore, getting them to join me. I was in a pretty damn good mood. Then after the longest wait, the lights came on and the band came out, and Heki-chan ran out in the parka. She ran to the other side, then back to this side (the left), and I was jumping and cheering, and I like to think that she looked straight at me and smiled. Heheheheheh... I did a "circle the hands and jump hyuuu!"(without the hyuuu) just for the heck of it.

I really really enjoyed the encore. I sang for beside you, and danced for Me wo samase. Ah, Hekiru didn't come to this side during Me wo samase! I was really looking forward to it too. *sigh* But it really was fun, and then Graduater, ah, that was pure, sweet torture. I thought I was going to drop, the band seemed to go on forever. By the end, I was staggering and must have made a rather intriguing sight.

Then when it was over and the band lined up, the crowd started calling for another encore. I didn't, because I knew that time was up, and Hekiru wasn't looking too hot either, but the crowd was relentless, and to be honest I understood their feelings. Hekiru confered with the band, and the staff came out too. It was pretty much "we really can't, but we can't not, either" thing. Still, I admit, I was pretty damn happy when the band took up their positions again. Yos-K played a guitar riff, a self-arrange, and it took a while before I recognized the familiar strains of invisible.

Heh, okay, so it was done before, at the Face to Face final, but I didn't care. I really outdid myself, hardly looking at Hekiru who wasn't really dancing that much (at least, not the skirt dance since she wasn't in a skirt!) and so I took up the slack. ^_^ Did the skirt dance, sans skirt, and even the arm action, yeah! I was so involved I almost didn't notice the cameraman in front filming me. I do remember glancing at the screen and not seing myself, and the next moment getting hair in my mouth, yech. Talk about working up the tension.

Then it ended, and Hekiru said, "No words are needed tonight," and asked everyone to say those words together. She bent down, and although there were a few callers they were quickly hushed. It was a long wait, a long silence, as Hekiru silently mouthed a wish, or thanks, only Hekiru knows, and then "Sei no, Want You!!"

And the band left and Hekiru stood in the center, as Itu made mo started and everyone, everyone started to sing, and Hekiru just stood staring through the entire first verse, and then she suddenly bowed her head, and I saw a drop fall. Then she looked up, smiling, and at first I thought perhaps I had been wrong and it was just perspiration dripping, but as she passed, walking off stage, her expression was unmistakable.

Because Hekiru really was crying, trying to hold back the tears.

And that's why, today, I feel the way I do.

I remember, strongest of all, that last part when Hekiru had finished waving and waving. She stood there, about to leave, when suddenly I saw her mouth make the words "arigatou", and her face spoke more than her words, before she turned abrubtly and left, waving back without looking.

Of Fukuoka, that is what I most remember.

More than a week after it is over, I have yet to sort out my feelings about this tour, and about Hekiru, and about what is to come. ~CHANGE~ it is called, and yet, while I feel that I should feel and know this CHANGE, I do not. Or rather, there is CHANGE, and yet, there isn't, in some strange way.

How to explain... There is CHANGE in what you can see (concert format, song, stage presentation) and CHANGE in what you cannot see (Hekiru's feelings, the ideas of the staff, the overall direction). I believe already in Hekiru's feelings, that she had not given up and that she still aims for her dreams. But, in a sense I always believed that, and so, to me it is not CHANGE. And on the other hand, there is the playlist, which is bold in that it contains almost all new songs, of the harder variety. But the last part still stands as is, a service to fans, a request that everybody "have fun", making it most important that everybody jump and shout and leave the hall basking in the afterglow of wild exertion. So be it, but it is no CHANGE either, for this is the same thinking that brought us tour after tour since that first mistake(?) with Baby blue eyes.

Perhaps the CHANGE is in Hekiru's staff, then. I think there has been something new here, a greater willingness to take a chance, and put on a live with more of what Hekiru wants to show us.

What is CHANGE? I don't know, even after 21 concerts. Perhaps that is why, although I have little complaint about this tour and I feel that I have made the greatest contribution this time, it seems... intangible.

It is what I wanted to see. I didn't know what to expect, and I surely did not expect more. It was close to what I wanted, and yet... I am not sure if it is a good thing, or the right thing - no, I am sure it is the right thing, a good thing, but I don't know if we can take it to its rightful conclusion. I am filled with uncertainty, for I have more or less placed my faith in Hekiru, and her staff's, judgement and strength of will.

I wish I could understand more of what I feel. I wish I could feel more. It is not dissatisfaction, for I can't think of what else I would want. And yet, something is not right, not enough. When the final was over, I did not feel sad.

Is this the bane of a repeater? I've been to 57 concerts, 39 this year. Don't get me wrong. I have plenty of fun at a concert. It is a great time that I have never regretted. But, there used to be something else in there, and now I can't find it. I suppose I should be weeping for myself.

PS, I regret not this tour, for I accomplished what I set out to do. And that "arigatou" is the most wonderful thanks I could wish for.

(1999/12/8)
PPS, Perhaps a better question would be, was this tour what Hekiru wanted to make it to be? Did she accomplish what she set out to do? Did she have no regrets? The double encore, chosen by Hekiru herself, was "Kaze ga Fuku Oka". If you ask me if I read any deep meaning into that, I'd have to say... no. :)

PPPS, I don't hate her older songs. I don't dislike Hekiru singing her older songs. What I cannot bear is that, when she does, there will be people who see nothing but an idol seiyuu. That is what I don't want to see Hekiru singing those songs. A pity, eh?