The First Daybreak
Nov. 11th, 2011 12:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rinlinI had an ALT skill development conference that I had to attend on Tuesday and Wednesday for JET. Japanese teachers were invited to attend during the first day of the conference, so Akiko-sensei came with me. I went to the post-conference nomikai (drinking party) for a little while on Tuesday night. I didn't stay out too late though because I knew I'd be out late at the exist trace concert the next night. The conference couldn't be over soon enough for me on Wednesday. I took off right away, as soon as it ended, so that I could get to the concert. I was so excited to see exist trace again!
The concert was in Shibuya, at Daikanyama Unit. Before I went to the live house, I changed my clothes in the bathroom at Ebisu Station. I had brought a change of clothes in my bag, cause there was no way that I was going to a rock concert in my nice work clothes. I changed into my h.Naoto shirt, my new black skirt from Closet Child, and my fishnets. Then, I darkened my eye make-up and I was good to go. I arrived about twenty minutes before they opened the doors at Unit. I ate some conbini onigiri while I was waiting in line, as I didn't have time to eat a proper dinner. This was the only J-rock show I've ever been to where I've noticed salary men attending. I guess it's because exist trace is an all female band and most J-rock bands usually have male members. I also noticed about half a dozen other foreigners waiting in line. After doors opened, they started calling people into the live house in groups, based on the numbers on their tickets. It's a nice change from the mad dash to the front of the stage that happens at American concerts. I had to wait for all of the (100+) people in the A group to go in before I could go in with the B group. After I got in the venue, I stashed my stuff in one of the lockers and headed over to the stage. I immediately decided to stand on the right side, so that I'd be able to get a good view of Omi (<3). I was near the middle of the crowd, but I still had a good view because the venue was small enough. I'd estimate that there were around 200 people at the show. We didn't have to wait more than 20 min. or so for the show to start.
The lights went down and a countdown started. Then, the girls appeared on stage! They were off to a rocking start with "Daybreak~13月の色彩~", their newest single. I was so happy that I was on Omi's side of the stage. I have the hugest crush on her (I love v-kei style androgyny) and watching her play guitar is the hottest thing. Unf. Of course, the rest of the band was amazing, too! Jyou was looking princely in a new red coat and Miko was beautiful as usual. Naoto was her awesome, spooky-looking self. Mally was fantastic on drums, and I loved the rhinestone design on the shaved side of her head. I had a pretty good view of Jyou and Mally, and and okay view of Miko (that's okay though because I was directly in-front of her the last time I saw exist trace). I couldn't see Naoto as well though.
I can't remember which order most of the songs were after that, but they played all the songs from their new single. One of my favorite parts of the concert was definitely when they played "リトル・メアリーと美しき憎しみのドナウ". It was a bit like a fairy tale. The band came out on stage in masquerade masks. Miko sings part of the vocals in the song (not just background vocals like usual) with Jyou, so both of them had fancier masks on. Jyou wore a long black coat, too. The best part of the song was during the instrumental section in the middle. Omi and Miko waltzed together and it was gorgeous. My fangirl heart was greatly pleased because I ship Omi and Miko so hard. (They're so fanservicey with each other.)
The band also played all my favorite songs, like "Resonance", "Vanguard", "TRUE", and "Sacrifice Baby". I jumped and headbanged along with the crowd. I wasn't ready for the show to be over when Jyou announced the last song, but luckily we called them back for two encores! During the first encore, the band played "Kiss in the Dark". Jyou came out on stage in a dress and long blonde wig (that reminded me of Exo-Chika from Aural Vampire). She looked really pretty, but I still prefer her usual androgynous style. That look only lasted for one song though. Afterwords she was back to her usual style and her bright red hair. During the second encore, Jyou first came out on stage by herself. She was pretty chatty and had a bit of a heart to heart with us. She then had us yell and call the other members back to the stage one by one. Mally was first. Jyou had Mally show off her arm muscles. She's got some pretty nice ones from all of her drum playing. Next was Naoto. I'm not sure why, but she had a bunch of candy canes when she returned to the stage, which she proceeded to throw into the crowd. Next was Miko, whom Jyou referred to as the princess (hime-sama) of the band. Omi was the last one called out to the stage. Jyou called Omi the prince (ouji-sama) of the band. Then some fans at the front of the crowd gave each member a bouquet of flowers. They also gave Mally a small cake because it had recently been her birthday. At some point during the second encore Omi and Miko kissed, which made me squeal like the fangirl I am, lol. The band finished with "終わりのない世界". At least, we thought that was the last song and then they surprised us with one more new song. To end the concert, the girls asked everyone to hold hands with each other and all jump at the same time. And then the show was over.
As we were walking out, the Japanese woman next to me started a conversation with me. We talked a little and I found out that she was a fan of Mally. Then, one of the Japanese guys near me struck up a conversation with me about how many times I'd seen exist trace perform, where I was from, and what I was doing in Japan. He told me his name was Tomonori and introduced me to his friend Aki. We started talking a bit about different J-rock bands. They waited near the bar while I bought my concert merch. I got an exist trace tote bag and the CD/DVD version of The Last Daybreak. Every CD purchase came with an autograph card signed by all of the band members and a small picture of the member of your choice (of course, I picked Omi). I met back up with Tomonori and Aki and we exchanged info as we walked to the train station together. We rode the train together for part of the way back, too. It turns out that Aki is a big fan of LM.C and she told me about their concert coming up in January, which I'm thinking about trying to get tickets to. She's also an anime fan and we talked a bit about Evangelion. I think it'd be cool if I could meet up with Tomonori and Aki at future concerts. It'd be nice to have some more friends who are into J-rock.
I had a great time last night! I've been a bit sore today and my right ear is still ringing (because I was closer to the right side of the stage), but everything was worth it. I love and respect exist trace so much for being one of the only all female visual-kei bands. They can rock just as hard as the guys do, and they put on a fantastic show. They've got another show coming up in January that I'm definitely considering going to. I've gotta get my J-rock fix while I'm here in Japan~
The concert was in Shibuya, at Daikanyama Unit. Before I went to the live house, I changed my clothes in the bathroom at Ebisu Station. I had brought a change of clothes in my bag, cause there was no way that I was going to a rock concert in my nice work clothes. I changed into my h.Naoto shirt, my new black skirt from Closet Child, and my fishnets. Then, I darkened my eye make-up and I was good to go. I arrived about twenty minutes before they opened the doors at Unit. I ate some conbini onigiri while I was waiting in line, as I didn't have time to eat a proper dinner. This was the only J-rock show I've ever been to where I've noticed salary men attending. I guess it's because exist trace is an all female band and most J-rock bands usually have male members. I also noticed about half a dozen other foreigners waiting in line. After doors opened, they started calling people into the live house in groups, based on the numbers on their tickets. It's a nice change from the mad dash to the front of the stage that happens at American concerts. I had to wait for all of the (100+) people in the A group to go in before I could go in with the B group. After I got in the venue, I stashed my stuff in one of the lockers and headed over to the stage. I immediately decided to stand on the right side, so that I'd be able to get a good view of Omi (<3). I was near the middle of the crowd, but I still had a good view because the venue was small enough. I'd estimate that there were around 200 people at the show. We didn't have to wait more than 20 min. or so for the show to start.
The lights went down and a countdown started. Then, the girls appeared on stage! They were off to a rocking start with "Daybreak~13月の色彩~", their newest single. I was so happy that I was on Omi's side of the stage. I have the hugest crush on her (I love v-kei style androgyny) and watching her play guitar is the hottest thing. Unf. Of course, the rest of the band was amazing, too! Jyou was looking princely in a new red coat and Miko was beautiful as usual. Naoto was her awesome, spooky-looking self. Mally was fantastic on drums, and I loved the rhinestone design on the shaved side of her head. I had a pretty good view of Jyou and Mally, and and okay view of Miko (that's okay though because I was directly in-front of her the last time I saw exist trace). I couldn't see Naoto as well though.
I can't remember which order most of the songs were after that, but they played all the songs from their new single. One of my favorite parts of the concert was definitely when they played "リトル・メアリーと美しき憎しみのドナウ". It was a bit like a fairy tale. The band came out on stage in masquerade masks. Miko sings part of the vocals in the song (not just background vocals like usual) with Jyou, so both of them had fancier masks on. Jyou wore a long black coat, too. The best part of the song was during the instrumental section in the middle. Omi and Miko waltzed together and it was gorgeous. My fangirl heart was greatly pleased because I ship Omi and Miko so hard. (They're so fanservicey with each other.)
The band also played all my favorite songs, like "Resonance", "Vanguard", "TRUE", and "Sacrifice Baby". I jumped and headbanged along with the crowd. I wasn't ready for the show to be over when Jyou announced the last song, but luckily we called them back for two encores! During the first encore, the band played "Kiss in the Dark". Jyou came out on stage in a dress and long blonde wig (that reminded me of Exo-Chika from Aural Vampire). She looked really pretty, but I still prefer her usual androgynous style. That look only lasted for one song though. Afterwords she was back to her usual style and her bright red hair. During the second encore, Jyou first came out on stage by herself. She was pretty chatty and had a bit of a heart to heart with us. She then had us yell and call the other members back to the stage one by one. Mally was first. Jyou had Mally show off her arm muscles. She's got some pretty nice ones from all of her drum playing. Next was Naoto. I'm not sure why, but she had a bunch of candy canes when she returned to the stage, which she proceeded to throw into the crowd. Next was Miko, whom Jyou referred to as the princess (hime-sama) of the band. Omi was the last one called out to the stage. Jyou called Omi the prince (ouji-sama) of the band. Then some fans at the front of the crowd gave each member a bouquet of flowers. They also gave Mally a small cake because it had recently been her birthday. At some point during the second encore Omi and Miko kissed, which made me squeal like the fangirl I am, lol. The band finished with "終わりのない世界". At least, we thought that was the last song and then they surprised us with one more new song. To end the concert, the girls asked everyone to hold hands with each other and all jump at the same time. And then the show was over.
As we were walking out, the Japanese woman next to me started a conversation with me. We talked a little and I found out that she was a fan of Mally. Then, one of the Japanese guys near me struck up a conversation with me about how many times I'd seen exist trace perform, where I was from, and what I was doing in Japan. He told me his name was Tomonori and introduced me to his friend Aki. We started talking a bit about different J-rock bands. They waited near the bar while I bought my concert merch. I got an exist trace tote bag and the CD/DVD version of The Last Daybreak. Every CD purchase came with an autograph card signed by all of the band members and a small picture of the member of your choice (of course, I picked Omi). I met back up with Tomonori and Aki and we exchanged info as we walked to the train station together. We rode the train together for part of the way back, too. It turns out that Aki is a big fan of LM.C and she told me about their concert coming up in January, which I'm thinking about trying to get tickets to. She's also an anime fan and we talked a bit about Evangelion. I think it'd be cool if I could meet up with Tomonori and Aki at future concerts. It'd be nice to have some more friends who are into J-rock.
I had a great time last night! I've been a bit sore today and my right ear is still ringing (because I was closer to the right side of the stage), but everything was worth it. I love and respect exist trace so much for being one of the only all female visual-kei bands. They can rock just as hard as the guys do, and they put on a fantastic show. They've got another show coming up in January that I'm definitely considering going to. I've gotta get my J-rock fix while I'm here in Japan~
