Fireworks! Streamers! Transformers!
...I'm actually talking about a concert.
Back in the day I used to watch a little anime called Bleach (actually my mind is still reeling that a shonen series, let alone Bleach actually *ended*. Ending?) and one of the catchy opening tunes was from a group called UVERworld. I thought the song was so-so at the time, but then I found a...link...to one of their albums and decided to give them a shot. I needed more Japanese music in my iTunes so I figured, what the heck. The rest as they say, is history. I've been buying their albums ever since. I love their rock/pop/hip-hop blend and their instrumental songs just keep getting better and better. This is a band that I would want to see live if given the chance. So of course, now that I live in Japan when I was notified by Lawson's l-tike service of upcoming UVERworld concerts I immediately signed up.
For those who don't know much about going to concerts in Japan, it's pretty damn hard. Most, if not all concert tickets (popular music; never tried classical/enka/etc) have to be won by lottery. You sign up then a few days later you get a yay or nay. So the more popular your band is, the harder the chances. That being said, I've heard that joining the band/artist's fanclub gets you better chances or even the chance to buy it earlier, but so far that hasn't worked for me (I'm looking at you Johnnys!!!!) Well, being let down so many times, I signed up anyway and of course I didn't win. My friend, however did. <--This was the part where I fist pumped and nearly screamed in fangirl joy.
Before I talk about the concert, a little background of my previous concert experiences in Japan. Japanese audiences are really...calm. My first experience was a VAMPS concert and since they're a visual kei/rock group, I figured I'd see head banging and dare I say, maybe a mosh pit in the standing area? What I got was this odd...hand flicking. And the creepy thing was the crowd knew when to change hand gestures! I felt like I was missing something! How did they *know?* My next concert, a Rip Slyme one was a bit better, but not much. The hand thing was still there, but since it was hip-hop there was a *bit* more moving around in the audience. I guess it didn't help that the venue was a theater with seating only. It looked like people were having fun. I think. Then there was Lady Gaga. Oh man. It was fun, but it was a mix of a concert and cosplay event, which didn't surprise me and was pretty damn awesome regardless. Cosplayers are so amazing here. Anyway, what I'm trying to get at is, I was kind of wondering what the atmosphere of an UVERworld concert would be like. The majority of their songs are upbeat rock songs you can dance to. There was still a lot of hand flicking/waving, but there was also jumping, dancing (with the space allowed anyway). UVERworld live is *awesome*. Takuya is sweet, always thanking the audience for being there and listening to their music, and Shintaro the drummer is my new husband-to-be amazing and cute when he talks to the crowd. Best part of the concert hands down is seeing Takuya appearing on stage on the drums and playing alongside Shintaro. Then as if he couldn't get more epic, the next tune he goes over to the piano and starts playing. Seeing a versatile musician...is pretty hot.
What I like best about having a concert in Osaka hall is the food stalls surrounding the building. All the standard matsuri fare was there, from okonomiyaki to castella. I've never seen a matsuri set up in any of the other venues I went to. I wonder if it's just an Osaka thing?
I am so glad I was able to see UVERworld live. Can definitely check that off my list of things I want to do in Japan.
One of the many goodies I bought at the concert. Also one of the English phrases that make *sense*. I still love you UVERworld!
