Be My Virgin
I'm finally feeling normal again, which worked out well since I went to exist+trace's concert on Sunday night! This was the final live of their "Be My Virgin" tour and it was held at Shibuya WWW.
It was pouring by the time I got to Shibuya, so I decided to find somewhere to eat before the live instead of waiting around in front of the venue. I ate at Yoshinoya, then went over to Spainzaka to find the live house. I found Aki and Tomonori waiting in line, but since they had higher ticket numbers than me, I didn't really get to talk to them until after I got inside.
I joined Aki in the crowd (Tomonori stayed a little further back because he doesn't headbang). Despite the fact that I had a B ticket, I was still able to stand in the second row! And this time I was lucky enough to be on Omi's side! I'm glad that I was able to be so close this time, but I think I would've had a good view even if I was further back. This venue had an interesting layout. There was the main floor of the concert hall, and shortly behind that there was a giant step up and another level. There were about four levels in total. It was almost like stadium seating in a movie theater, except it was all standing room.
Soon it was time for the live to begin! The girls came out dressed in various outfits from Sixh. Of course, each outfit was suited to the specific member's style (which meant that Miko was wearing a short little dress, Omi was wearing a long coat, etc.). They were all looking good!
They opened the show with "Wonderland", like they've done for most of the recent lives. Since I've been going to so many exist+trace lives, I'm not going to comments on all of the songs. I'll post the setlist and comment on the notable parts of the show.
1. WONDERLAND
2. Daybreak〜13月の色彩〜
-MC-
3. TRUE
4. 本能
-MC-
5. JUDEA
6. 二つの声
7. 契約
-SE-
8. リトル・メアリーと美しき憎しみのドナウ
9. あなた
10. KISS IN THE DARK
-Session(ルパン三世) w/o ジョウ-
11. GINGER
-MC-
12. シャボンの手紙 (New song)
13. (New song)
14. VANGUARD
-MC-
15. liquid
16. HONEY
17. シグナル
-MC-
18. SORA
ENCORE
1. Shine (New song)
2. オルレアンの少女
-MC-
3. Cradle
First, I need to dedicate a paragraph to Omi. Oh, Omi. （*´▽｀*） I've been quite close to the front at some of exist+trace's other lives, but this was my first time being near the front of the stage directly in front of Omi. This meant that I got to watch her a lot during the show. She's so gorgeous, especially when she's playing guitar. I got to get a good look at her facial expressions while she was playing. Of course, a lot of the time she looks really cool and serious. Then, all of the sudden, she'll be enjoying herself so much that she can't hold it back, and a smirky little smile will appear on her face. I love it! I also noticed that she has really nice hands, with long fingers. And most importantly, her stare. It's so intense! I had a lot of eye contact with her because I was directly in her line of sight. Every time we made eye contact I tired to hold it. Sometimes I managed it, but other times I had to look away, like I was some kind of school girl with a crush who'd been caught staring. Why you do this to me, Omi? XD
Jyou seemed to be in a bit of a flirty mood during the show. During "本能" she took turns flirting with Omi and Miko. Jyou was especially flirty with Omi throughout the show. She kept sidling up to Omi at several points to poke her or press up against her, or at one point, to butt-bump her. I appreciated it for sure.
The girls did their usual masquerade for "リトル・メアリー". This time after Omi and Miko's waltz, Omi kissed Miko's hand and then she pulled her in for a real kiss. (‘∀’●)♡
Then it was time for Jyou to femme it up in her slinky black dress. She sang "あなた" again, with that same desperately unhinged feeling as last time. It gives me goosebumps. Then the band performed "Kiss in the Dark", like they usually do when Jyou wears her sexy dress.
While Jyou went to change back into her usual concert clothes, the rest of the girls performed an instrumental version of the theme from Lupin III. It was really fun! I actually didn't recognize it at the time, but Tomonori told me what it was later. It was a fitting intro for 'GINGER", the next song. During the second verse, Jyou accidentally missed her first line. She and Omi shared a laugh about it while Miko was singing.
The band played three new songs for us during the concert! The first one was "シャボンの手紙". Jyou asked us to think about the person we love while listening to the song. It's a very heartfelt song, but it didn't quite grab me. I didn't catch the name of the next song, but it's a heavier rock song. It even features Jyou's growls, which is something that we haven't heard for a while in their new songs. Definitely my kind of song. (To anyone who dares to say that exist+trace is going soft, I present this song as evidence that they most certainly are not.) The last new song was called "Shine". Jyou said that Omi wrote this song, which is something that doesn't happen often. It had a lovely bright sound and I enjoyed it. I'd love to understand the lyrics better. I'm hoping that these new songs mean that there's another single on the way soon!
At one point during one of the MCs, Jyou tried to catch the other members off guard. She always asks the audience if we're having fun during the MCs and, of course, we enthusiastically reply. Then she said that she was going to see if the band members were listening, as they were near the back of the stage re-tuning and checking their instruments. Jyou asked the band if they were having fun and everyone but Mally had a pretty delayed reaction. She immediately banged her drums and jumped up to yell "Yeah!". Mally is always so genki!
I've just realized that I don't really have stories about Naoto this time. I couldn't always see her because Jyou often blocked my view of her. She's often pretty quiet anyways, but I felt like she was even quieter than usual at this show. That means there really isn't much to say about her. Sorry, Naoto. :(
At one point near the end of the show, Jyou and Miko were near us on Omi's side of the stage. She accidentally tripped backwards over one of the small speakers and landed on her butt. She and Omi, and Jyou shared a good laugh about it before Miko was able to continue playing.
The band told some fun stories during the encore MC. First Jyou said that Miko had an announcement to make. Then Miko proceeded to tell us a story about how she was watching the footage from the Osaka show and noticed Jyou sneaking a sip of the wine during "リトル・メアリー" (she usually doesn't drink the wine until the end of the song). Jyou answered that she always takes sips of the wine. Lol. Then Jyou was like, "But that's not the announcement!". The audience then asked for stories about the other members, so Jyou told one about Omi. She said that after the Osaka live Omi asked Miko for a kiss ("Miko, chu."), but Miko didn't give her one. (≧∇≦) On stage, Omi shook her head, then started innocently pretending to polish her guitar. The audience then started yelling out "shu" and Omi gave them a thumbs-up. Oh, the puns! (Chu = sound of a kiss, shu = rubbing sound.) I'm sure you just wanted Miko to polish your guitar, Omi... XD
The actual announcement was that the band is doing another small tour in March! Definitely have to get a ticket.
The band ended the show in the usual way by having us (their exist+trace family) all join hands and jump together. The band of course did it, too. Naoto couldn't hold onto Jyou's hand because Jyou had the mic, so she grabbed onto Jyou's shirt instead. I always enjoy those moments because we really do feel like one big exist+trace family.
Before the band left the stage, Jyou turned to Mally and pointed to her cheek, so Mally leaned over and gave her a cute little kiss on the cheek. Omi and Miko were the last ones to leave the stage. Miko put on Jyou's glittery cowboy hat from "GINGER", and Omi put her arm around Miko's waist as they strutted off the stage together!
The audience started to call for a second encore, but the venue chased us out by turning the lights on. Someday we'll get that second encore. Someday!
Before I left the venue with Tomonori and Aki, I bought a ticket for the New Year's live that the band is doing on January 9th. I'm looking forward to it! I do love those girls.
It was pouring by the time I got to Shibuya, so I decided to find somewhere to eat before the live instead of waiting around in front of the venue. I ate at Yoshinoya, then went over to Spainzaka to find the live house. I found Aki and Tomonori waiting in line, but since they had higher ticket numbers than me, I didn't really get to talk to them until after I got inside.
I joined Aki in the crowd (Tomonori stayed a little further back because he doesn't headbang). Despite the fact that I had a B ticket, I was still able to stand in the second row! And this time I was lucky enough to be on Omi's side! I'm glad that I was able to be so close this time, but I think I would've had a good view even if I was further back. This venue had an interesting layout. There was the main floor of the concert hall, and shortly behind that there was a giant step up and another level. There were about four levels in total. It was almost like stadium seating in a movie theater, except it was all standing room.
Soon it was time for the live to begin! The girls came out dressed in various outfits from Sixh. Of course, each outfit was suited to the specific member's style (which meant that Miko was wearing a short little dress, Omi was wearing a long coat, etc.). They were all looking good!
They opened the show with "Wonderland", like they've done for most of the recent lives. Since I've been going to so many exist+trace lives, I'm not going to comments on all of the songs. I'll post the setlist and comment on the notable parts of the show.
1. WONDERLAND
2. Daybreak〜13月の色彩〜
-MC-
3. TRUE
4. 本能
-MC-
5. JUDEA
6. 二つの声
7. 契約
-SE-
8. リトル・メアリーと美しき憎しみのドナウ
9. あなた
10. KISS IN THE DARK
-Session(ルパン三世) w/o ジョウ-
11. GINGER
-MC-
12. シャボンの手紙 (New song)
13. (New song)
14. VANGUARD
-MC-
15. liquid
16. HONEY
17. シグナル
-MC-
18. SORA
ENCORE
1. Shine (New song)
2. オルレアンの少女
-MC-
3. Cradle
First, I need to dedicate a paragraph to Omi. Oh, Omi. （*´▽｀*） I've been quite close to the front at some of exist+trace's other lives, but this was my first time being near the front of the stage directly in front of Omi. This meant that I got to watch her a lot during the show. She's so gorgeous, especially when she's playing guitar. I got to get a good look at her facial expressions while she was playing. Of course, a lot of the time she looks really cool and serious. Then, all of the sudden, she'll be enjoying herself so much that she can't hold it back, and a smirky little smile will appear on her face. I love it! I also noticed that she has really nice hands, with long fingers. And most importantly, her stare. It's so intense! I had a lot of eye contact with her because I was directly in her line of sight. Every time we made eye contact I tired to hold it. Sometimes I managed it, but other times I had to look away, like I was some kind of school girl with a crush who'd been caught staring. Why you do this to me, Omi? XD
Jyou seemed to be in a bit of a flirty mood during the show. During "本能" she took turns flirting with Omi and Miko. Jyou was especially flirty with Omi throughout the show. She kept sidling up to Omi at several points to poke her or press up against her, or at one point, to butt-bump her. I appreciated it for sure.
The girls did their usual masquerade for "リトル・メアリー". This time after Omi and Miko's waltz, Omi kissed Miko's hand and then she pulled her in for a real kiss. (‘∀’●)♡
Then it was time for Jyou to femme it up in her slinky black dress. She sang "あなた" again, with that same desperately unhinged feeling as last time. It gives me goosebumps. Then the band performed "Kiss in the Dark", like they usually do when Jyou wears her sexy dress.
While Jyou went to change back into her usual concert clothes, the rest of the girls performed an instrumental version of the theme from Lupin III. It was really fun! I actually didn't recognize it at the time, but Tomonori told me what it was later. It was a fitting intro for 'GINGER", the next song. During the second verse, Jyou accidentally missed her first line. She and Omi shared a laugh about it while Miko was singing.
The band played three new songs for us during the concert! The first one was "シャボンの手紙". Jyou asked us to think about the person we love while listening to the song. It's a very heartfelt song, but it didn't quite grab me. I didn't catch the name of the next song, but it's a heavier rock song. It even features Jyou's growls, which is something that we haven't heard for a while in their new songs. Definitely my kind of song. (To anyone who dares to say that exist+trace is going soft, I present this song as evidence that they most certainly are not.) The last new song was called "Shine". Jyou said that Omi wrote this song, which is something that doesn't happen often. It had a lovely bright sound and I enjoyed it. I'd love to understand the lyrics better. I'm hoping that these new songs mean that there's another single on the way soon!
At one point during one of the MCs, Jyou tried to catch the other members off guard. She always asks the audience if we're having fun during the MCs and, of course, we enthusiastically reply. Then she said that she was going to see if the band members were listening, as they were near the back of the stage re-tuning and checking their instruments. Jyou asked the band if they were having fun and everyone but Mally had a pretty delayed reaction. She immediately banged her drums and jumped up to yell "Yeah!". Mally is always so genki!
I've just realized that I don't really have stories about Naoto this time. I couldn't always see her because Jyou often blocked my view of her. She's often pretty quiet anyways, but I felt like she was even quieter than usual at this show. That means there really isn't much to say about her. Sorry, Naoto. :(
At one point near the end of the show, Jyou and Miko were near us on Omi's side of the stage. She accidentally tripped backwards over one of the small speakers and landed on her butt. She and Omi, and Jyou shared a good laugh about it before Miko was able to continue playing.
The band told some fun stories during the encore MC. First Jyou said that Miko had an announcement to make. Then Miko proceeded to tell us a story about how she was watching the footage from the Osaka show and noticed Jyou sneaking a sip of the wine during "リトル・メアリー" (she usually doesn't drink the wine until the end of the song). Jyou answered that she always takes sips of the wine. Lol. Then Jyou was like, "But that's not the announcement!". The audience then asked for stories about the other members, so Jyou told one about Omi. She said that after the Osaka live Omi asked Miko for a kiss ("Miko, chu."), but Miko didn't give her one. (≧∇≦) On stage, Omi shook her head, then started innocently pretending to polish her guitar. The audience then started yelling out "shu" and Omi gave them a thumbs-up. Oh, the puns! (Chu = sound of a kiss, shu = rubbing sound.) I'm sure you just wanted Miko to polish your guitar, Omi... XD
The actual announcement was that the band is doing another small tour in March! Definitely have to get a ticket.
The band ended the show in the usual way by having us (their exist+trace family) all join hands and jump together. The band of course did it, too. Naoto couldn't hold onto Jyou's hand because Jyou had the mic, so she grabbed onto Jyou's shirt instead. I always enjoy those moments because we really do feel like one big exist+trace family.
Before the band left the stage, Jyou turned to Mally and pointed to her cheek, so Mally leaned over and gave her a cute little kiss on the cheek. Omi and Miko were the last ones to leave the stage. Miko put on Jyou's glittery cowboy hat from "GINGER", and Omi put her arm around Miko's waist as they strutted off the stage together!
The audience started to call for a second encore, but the venue chased us out by turning the lights on. Someday we'll get that second encore. Someday!
Before I left the venue with Tomonori and Aki, I bought a ticket for the New Year's live that the band is doing on January 9th. I'm looking forward to it! I do love those girls.