Dir en grey las vegas concert review
I wrote up this review of the Vegas shows. Its rather long, but I advise everyone to read it. Some rather intresting things went on if I do say so myself.
We should all be proud of Dir en grey for being themselves - not what other people want them to be.
Vegas isn't my favorite place.. at all. I mean, I love the sites for the first time. Its just horribly hot and busy. We stayed at a hotel really close to the Hard Rock Cafe, so we could easily walk over there. Our flight actually got in late so we ran over there around 6:30 P.M (note: Show at 8 P.M.). Obviously, a dramatic change from when I got to the Wiltern in L.A at 4 A.M. The line actually wasn't very deep so it was okay. There was a HUGE ammount of Korn fans seeing as it was a Korn show though I saw a couple obvious Diru fans. We befriended some Korn fans and absolutley none of them had ever heard of Dir en grey - and we told them they were about to find out.
As soon as they started letting us in around 7 P.M I -as always- make a mad dash for the front. The aura was so different from the L.A show, no one was rushing the front because Korn wasn't going to be on until 10 P.M. I took this as a good thing and found Rheea and I's way to the front where I met two other Diru fans. I was actually considered second row - but in the end this didn't matter. They teased us with fog for half an hour and a band called "deadsey" came on. To be honest, I had no idea what they were saying - and they were speaking english. One of the guitarists was playing a gamecube-style guitar.. that had no strings? I studied it to see if it was playing anything - but it wasn't. I was confused.
anyhow, onto the important stuff.
As always, Dir en grey opens with G.D.S. This is the time you're heart starts to race and you can't help but smile and you yell out every word as they slowly appear. This didn't happen. Suddenly Shinya came out and my friend screamed out his name. I instantly went into euphoria and when Kyo came out I went insane. they instantly broke into Saku and kyo let out a ear piercing scream. The Diru fans went wild .. while... everyone else didn't. In my stage of happiness I turned to see a couple people in looks of complete utter confusion and some of them looked offended. I didn't really pay attention at the time, I had my eyes on Kyo. I've never felt so connected to him. His eyes kept screening over us in curiosity. It was completley new to me - Kyo looked quite uneasy up on stage. He kept frowning and when he looked to me (trust me, I was screaming every word) I gave him a thumbs up. He nodded and breathed in. I was filled with the uttermost happiness that he acknowledged me.. but I was also becoming disheartened with the rest of the venue.
I can't even begin to imagine how hard it would have been to stare into those people's eyes. Kyo looked back and fourth. The band members were timid. Hell, groupies were walking on the stage fixing a wire or two. Kyo nearly knocked one over. At the end of the song he turned his back and everyone cheered, he bent down with his back to us still and sat for a moment or two. the lights went out. I screamed out "ohen Shitemasu!" (I will always cheer for you!!). I called out their names and threw up the "I love you" Sign. I knew other Diru fans were feeling this way, the band was holding back.
Kyo got up and he seemed more energized - if you can call it that. They played "the final" and I absolutley adore this song so I screamed every word. Kyo frequently stopped singing and just stared. Either that or he would scream half way and just linger into a quiet voice. I tried to enjoy the show as much as I could, after all, this was Dir en grey and they were performing. Yet I could just ignore the feeling I had. No one could.
the next couple songs were a blur, but Dir en grey played very well. Kyo's screams were pitched, his voice absolutley beautiful.
When they broke into Dead Tree I could have cried. I love this song so much. so so much. Kyo sang in anguish. He screamed and his eyes peeled over us in challenge. If you know the lyrics of this song, it fit perfectly in a bittersweet way. When he sang out "No one wants the present" he was almost shaking, and he was envoked. I sang along with every word and everyone was head banging in unison with Kaoru. We all were throwing our heads back and screaming out "naze, naze kurikaesareru nido to ienai." It was so incredibly moving. In the last verse, he let out the final words of "kokoro ni" and let the note soar. He threw down the microphone and they walked off. the lights went out.
"someone shoot me." a voice called out.
"What the hell was that?"
"Holy shit, thank god thats over. I didn't understand a fucking word. Its not even in English."
I was stunned. slightly confused, and very much heart broken about it. The high from seeing the band I think balanced me out. Yet I couldn't get that look out my head. Kyo's eyes. Something was wrong. Something was missing. I talked about it with my friends and we all agreed that something was missing. I have heard rumors that Kyo is uncomfortable in America. I think the rest of the band may be as well. Though, I can't confirm this. I see Dir en grey to be an extremly strong group of young men that take challenges and tackle them. But How in the HELL can you expect to sing your WORDS, your heart and soul to a group of people who aren't going to give you the time of day? Is this common? have other shows been this way? I'm curious to know. I don't blame them for having culture clash - I mean going to Japan was hard for me - I can only imagine how rough America is.
After watching a couple Korn songs, my best friend and I left. Happy but not satisfied. Not satisfied because we felt that the band wasn't satisfied.
they were chained.
the next day I spent on the stip, I didn't plan to get into line till around 3 to ensure front row seating. I got there around 4 after I ran across swanson avenue in the rush hour of Las Vegas. (seriously, Vegas has no crosswalks!). The line was SUPER short and I was stoked. Rheea (my best friend) joined me about twenty minutes later after securing our room. We actually met some very cool Diru fans in line and we talked for a while. Suddenly Rheea poked me, "um, is that Daisuke?" She pointed to a red-headed Japanese guy walking with a very short girl across the parking lot. I gasped and nodded and we just stared like deer in the freaking headlights. haha. I mean, I wasn't about to yell out his name. He looked over at us and we gave smiles. He smiled back, because he is polite and continued walking. It was awesome.
finally they let us in. I was really curious to see how tonights show was going to go. There was a feeling in the air, and most Dir en grey fans returned for the second night to cheer their favorite band on. We got to front row - and dead center in front of Kyo's microphone. To say I was stoked would be a lie. I was concerned about the moral of the band and how they were feeling. Then I got word that they were at a strip club the night before. I smiled on the inside for them having a good time and using Vegas for one of it's best things: night life.It made me feel a lot better,actually.
Deadsey came on - and rocked the fuck out. We all exchanged glances about how alive they were compared to the night before. I mean, at least this time they were enjoyable. I am open minded about music and I think they did much better this time. I hoped Dir en grey would follow in the same, and I hoped the crowd would be easier tonight.
Suddenly G.D.S came on. I freaked out. that was more like it. :) Shinya came out, then Kaoru and Daisuke and Toshiya. As soon as I saw the blonde come out I was screaming him out. (can you tell who my favorite member is?) Kyo grabbed the mic and instantly began to head bang. This was the Kyo I knew - and I was freaking out in happiness. He was HAPPY. He was in your face. He was kyo again. I'm not sure the song that they broke into after G.D.S because my head is trying to retain so much from this amazing performance.
Kyo was in top notch and was alive. He was running around and getting the crowd pumped. Kaoru was even more energetic and might i add his hair was like - herbal essence perfect? Someone sign this guy to do their commercials. Toshiya with his cute head band (they were all dressed like ryoujoku no ame single style). Their set list was similar to the night before, but they played Dead Tree early. Which made me a happy Jessica. Kyo was absolutley insane. Shaking, going bezerk and he was loving every minute of it. Did I mention the crowd was too?
suddenly kyo began to open up his shirt and stared at us. New fans looked to him curiously but any diru fan knows what comes next. I'm not going to say I'm pro kyo cutting or anything, because as a musican I believe its his right to do as he pleases while performing. I do have a theory as to WHY , but that is a different story. So, in his trance that we all adore, because he seems to take us with him he wretched his nails across his chest.
this is where it gets interesting.
the guards' eyes DROPPED. they backed away from the stage and stared. everyone stared. Kyo screamed on and on. Beautiful sounds and beautiful words. He jumped up on his stands and stared at the guards and they backed away even quicker. We of course we all cheering. Hello America, this is Dir en grey. Take a loving spoonful. Then suddenly it hit me, this is what was missing. This energy the band was giving off. This explosion and this challenge they gave to the crowd. "don't like this? well wait until you see this." A couple people next to me who were there for Korn asked me what he was doing putting his fingers in his mouth. I told them he puts a packet of fake blood in there and then ruptures it by hitting his cheek. They weren't freaked out at all actually - but the guards were. As we cheered on and Kyo began to bleed from his mouth, the guards got on their radios and started to signal to the people backstage. "is he ok??" "does he need to get off stage?" the groupies seemed to laugh a little bit and whisper in the gaurds ears. The guards didn't get it. at all.
But Kyo did and he stared at them. LITERALLY. it was so fucking sureal because Kyo just let the blood come out and screamed and he flailed his hands.He jumped he threw his head around and he glared at the like "what the fuck you gonna do?" In hindsight, I always think of Kyo running around in circles like a five year old teasing them lol. Besides my child like humor, it was absolutley beautiful. I have no idea of the performances that went on in texas earlier this month but this was out of control Kyo. He then got up on this stand and threw his head back and laughed. we're talking Indies Kyo LAUGH. off the gauze album. It was amazing. He smiled at all of us and laghed for a minute straight. The guards stood stiff, not sure what to do.
Toshiya ran up on the edge of the stage and the fans went wild. I gave him the rock on sign and he smiled at me and did it too. Kyo smiled at me, he freaking beamed. I could have died happy right there. But then he did something hilarious. He grabbed a bucket from nowhwere and threw it on his head. I'm used to this from the Wiltern - but on the bucket was written "I'M A BASTARD". Then it got stuck!! Omg, we were laughing. Kyo laughed too and he ripped it off his head finally - NEARLY KNOCKING DAISUKE OUT. Daisuke's eyes shot to Kyo in a hurt look. It was so precious. I just wish someone had it on tape. It was .. I feel bad saying it because he was like "WTF KYO?" haha. It made my heart happy.
Kyo continued to go insane, his face bloody and his hair messed up. The crowd was loving it. He threw his stand and yelled "LASS SONNG!". When it was III D Empire, my heart rushed. We all freaked out with Kyo, screaming SPARK AND SPARK and throwing out hands up. He was eating it up and it was like we were all performing together. It was SO amazing. so UTTERLY amazing.
Dir en grey was loving it and they were playing, ironically, like this was their last time.
Kyo waved to us all and we waved and he slowly walked off stage. Leaving us stunned, amazed and inebriated - like Diru should. I began to breathe and calm down. My face was flush and my voice was GONE. We called a security guard over and asked what he thought and why they had freaked out (just for fun)
"Well I don't know what he has - that was real blood!"
we tried to tell him no, but he assured us it was his real blood. Another security guard came over who was quite angry and said,
"Look, I don't know what that dude was thinking but he is in trouble - he was told not to do that."
I was stunned, again. It became common.
"He was told not to - and he cut his fingers and then re opened the cuts with his teeth - that was HIS blood."
I couldn't believe it - Kyo usually uses fake blood. Not his own.. but it sounded possible.
A lady who was with the other guard even commented that they were probably going to be cut from their tour.
interesting. I doubt they'll be cut - and if they do. Does it sound odd that Diru would do this? Not to me. Not at all. Dir en grey cannnot be leashed and shame on whomever said that Kyo couldn't do what he wanted. Do I have to mention Mariyln Mason to anyone? Come on. It made sense to me why Dir en grey was off the first night, because they weren't allowed to be who they were.. Dir en grey.
and it made total sense that they would go out with a bang, or at least shove it in the faces of everyone like "take it or leave it". Of course this is my opinon, and isn't fact. Their objective is a mystery.. but I think they weren't going that crazy for kicks. They were being themselves.
and we loved every minute of it.
sorry this was so long. Yet, I feel it must be written out to the legnth that justifies it. I also went broke when I bought an autographed poster and an autographed "Withers and Withers tour DVD".
great show. :)
x-posted
We should all be proud of Dir en grey for being themselves - not what other people want them to be.
Vegas isn't my favorite place.. at all. I mean, I love the sites for the first time. Its just horribly hot and busy. We stayed at a hotel really close to the Hard Rock Cafe, so we could easily walk over there. Our flight actually got in late so we ran over there around 6:30 P.M (note: Show at 8 P.M.). Obviously, a dramatic change from when I got to the Wiltern in L.A at 4 A.M. The line actually wasn't very deep so it was okay. There was a HUGE ammount of Korn fans seeing as it was a Korn show though I saw a couple obvious Diru fans. We befriended some Korn fans and absolutley none of them had ever heard of Dir en grey - and we told them they were about to find out.
As soon as they started letting us in around 7 P.M I -as always- make a mad dash for the front. The aura was so different from the L.A show, no one was rushing the front because Korn wasn't going to be on until 10 P.M. I took this as a good thing and found Rheea and I's way to the front where I met two other Diru fans. I was actually considered second row - but in the end this didn't matter. They teased us with fog for half an hour and a band called "deadsey" came on. To be honest, I had no idea what they were saying - and they were speaking english. One of the guitarists was playing a gamecube-style guitar.. that had no strings? I studied it to see if it was playing anything - but it wasn't. I was confused.
anyhow, onto the important stuff.
As always, Dir en grey opens with G.D.S. This is the time you're heart starts to race and you can't help but smile and you yell out every word as they slowly appear. This didn't happen. Suddenly Shinya came out and my friend screamed out his name. I instantly went into euphoria and when Kyo came out I went insane. they instantly broke into Saku and kyo let out a ear piercing scream. The Diru fans went wild .. while... everyone else didn't. In my stage of happiness I turned to see a couple people in looks of complete utter confusion and some of them looked offended. I didn't really pay attention at the time, I had my eyes on Kyo. I've never felt so connected to him. His eyes kept screening over us in curiosity. It was completley new to me - Kyo looked quite uneasy up on stage. He kept frowning and when he looked to me (trust me, I was screaming every word) I gave him a thumbs up. He nodded and breathed in. I was filled with the uttermost happiness that he acknowledged me.. but I was also becoming disheartened with the rest of the venue.
I can't even begin to imagine how hard it would have been to stare into those people's eyes. Kyo looked back and fourth. The band members were timid. Hell, groupies were walking on the stage fixing a wire or two. Kyo nearly knocked one over. At the end of the song he turned his back and everyone cheered, he bent down with his back to us still and sat for a moment or two. the lights went out. I screamed out "ohen Shitemasu!" (I will always cheer for you!!). I called out their names and threw up the "I love you" Sign. I knew other Diru fans were feeling this way, the band was holding back.
Kyo got up and he seemed more energized - if you can call it that. They played "the final" and I absolutley adore this song so I screamed every word. Kyo frequently stopped singing and just stared. Either that or he would scream half way and just linger into a quiet voice. I tried to enjoy the show as much as I could, after all, this was Dir en grey and they were performing. Yet I could just ignore the feeling I had. No one could.
the next couple songs were a blur, but Dir en grey played very well. Kyo's screams were pitched, his voice absolutley beautiful.
When they broke into Dead Tree I could have cried. I love this song so much. so so much. Kyo sang in anguish. He screamed and his eyes peeled over us in challenge. If you know the lyrics of this song, it fit perfectly in a bittersweet way. When he sang out "No one wants the present" he was almost shaking, and he was envoked. I sang along with every word and everyone was head banging in unison with Kaoru. We all were throwing our heads back and screaming out "naze, naze kurikaesareru nido to ienai." It was so incredibly moving. In the last verse, he let out the final words of "kokoro ni" and let the note soar. He threw down the microphone and they walked off. the lights went out.
"someone shoot me." a voice called out.
"What the hell was that?"
"Holy shit, thank god thats over. I didn't understand a fucking word. Its not even in English."
I was stunned. slightly confused, and very much heart broken about it. The high from seeing the band I think balanced me out. Yet I couldn't get that look out my head. Kyo's eyes. Something was wrong. Something was missing. I talked about it with my friends and we all agreed that something was missing. I have heard rumors that Kyo is uncomfortable in America. I think the rest of the band may be as well. Though, I can't confirm this. I see Dir en grey to be an extremly strong group of young men that take challenges and tackle them. But How in the HELL can you expect to sing your WORDS, your heart and soul to a group of people who aren't going to give you the time of day? Is this common? have other shows been this way? I'm curious to know. I don't blame them for having culture clash - I mean going to Japan was hard for me - I can only imagine how rough America is.
After watching a couple Korn songs, my best friend and I left. Happy but not satisfied. Not satisfied because we felt that the band wasn't satisfied.
they were chained.
the next day I spent on the stip, I didn't plan to get into line till around 3 to ensure front row seating. I got there around 4 after I ran across swanson avenue in the rush hour of Las Vegas. (seriously, Vegas has no crosswalks!). The line was SUPER short and I was stoked. Rheea (my best friend) joined me about twenty minutes later after securing our room. We actually met some very cool Diru fans in line and we talked for a while. Suddenly Rheea poked me, "um, is that Daisuke?" She pointed to a red-headed Japanese guy walking with a very short girl across the parking lot. I gasped and nodded and we just stared like deer in the freaking headlights. haha. I mean, I wasn't about to yell out his name. He looked over at us and we gave smiles. He smiled back, because he is polite and continued walking. It was awesome.
finally they let us in. I was really curious to see how tonights show was going to go. There was a feeling in the air, and most Dir en grey fans returned for the second night to cheer their favorite band on. We got to front row - and dead center in front of Kyo's microphone. To say I was stoked would be a lie. I was concerned about the moral of the band and how they were feeling. Then I got word that they were at a strip club the night before. I smiled on the inside for them having a good time and using Vegas for one of it's best things: night life.It made me feel a lot better,actually.
Deadsey came on - and rocked the fuck out. We all exchanged glances about how alive they were compared to the night before. I mean, at least this time they were enjoyable. I am open minded about music and I think they did much better this time. I hoped Dir en grey would follow in the same, and I hoped the crowd would be easier tonight.
Suddenly G.D.S came on. I freaked out. that was more like it. :) Shinya came out, then Kaoru and Daisuke and Toshiya. As soon as I saw the blonde come out I was screaming him out. (can you tell who my favorite member is?) Kyo grabbed the mic and instantly began to head bang. This was the Kyo I knew - and I was freaking out in happiness. He was HAPPY. He was in your face. He was kyo again. I'm not sure the song that they broke into after G.D.S because my head is trying to retain so much from this amazing performance.
Kyo was in top notch and was alive. He was running around and getting the crowd pumped. Kaoru was even more energetic and might i add his hair was like - herbal essence perfect? Someone sign this guy to do their commercials. Toshiya with his cute head band (they were all dressed like ryoujoku no ame single style). Their set list was similar to the night before, but they played Dead Tree early. Which made me a happy Jessica. Kyo was absolutley insane. Shaking, going bezerk and he was loving every minute of it. Did I mention the crowd was too?
suddenly kyo began to open up his shirt and stared at us. New fans looked to him curiously but any diru fan knows what comes next. I'm not going to say I'm pro kyo cutting or anything, because as a musican I believe its his right to do as he pleases while performing. I do have a theory as to WHY , but that is a different story. So, in his trance that we all adore, because he seems to take us with him he wretched his nails across his chest.
this is where it gets interesting.
the guards' eyes DROPPED. they backed away from the stage and stared. everyone stared. Kyo screamed on and on. Beautiful sounds and beautiful words. He jumped up on his stands and stared at the guards and they backed away even quicker. We of course we all cheering. Hello America, this is Dir en grey. Take a loving spoonful. Then suddenly it hit me, this is what was missing. This energy the band was giving off. This explosion and this challenge they gave to the crowd. "don't like this? well wait until you see this." A couple people next to me who were there for Korn asked me what he was doing putting his fingers in his mouth. I told them he puts a packet of fake blood in there and then ruptures it by hitting his cheek. They weren't freaked out at all actually - but the guards were. As we cheered on and Kyo began to bleed from his mouth, the guards got on their radios and started to signal to the people backstage. "is he ok??" "does he need to get off stage?" the groupies seemed to laugh a little bit and whisper in the gaurds ears. The guards didn't get it. at all.
But Kyo did and he stared at them. LITERALLY. it was so fucking sureal because Kyo just let the blood come out and screamed and he flailed his hands.He jumped he threw his head around and he glared at the like "what the fuck you gonna do?" In hindsight, I always think of Kyo running around in circles like a five year old teasing them lol. Besides my child like humor, it was absolutley beautiful. I have no idea of the performances that went on in texas earlier this month but this was out of control Kyo. He then got up on this stand and threw his head back and laughed. we're talking Indies Kyo LAUGH. off the gauze album. It was amazing. He smiled at all of us and laghed for a minute straight. The guards stood stiff, not sure what to do.
Toshiya ran up on the edge of the stage and the fans went wild. I gave him the rock on sign and he smiled at me and did it too. Kyo smiled at me, he freaking beamed. I could have died happy right there. But then he did something hilarious. He grabbed a bucket from nowhwere and threw it on his head. I'm used to this from the Wiltern - but on the bucket was written "I'M A BASTARD". Then it got stuck!! Omg, we were laughing. Kyo laughed too and he ripped it off his head finally - NEARLY KNOCKING DAISUKE OUT. Daisuke's eyes shot to Kyo in a hurt look. It was so precious. I just wish someone had it on tape. It was .. I feel bad saying it because he was like "WTF KYO?" haha. It made my heart happy.
Kyo continued to go insane, his face bloody and his hair messed up. The crowd was loving it. He threw his stand and yelled "LASS SONNG!". When it was III D Empire, my heart rushed. We all freaked out with Kyo, screaming SPARK AND SPARK and throwing out hands up. He was eating it up and it was like we were all performing together. It was SO amazing. so UTTERLY amazing.
Dir en grey was loving it and they were playing, ironically, like this was their last time.
Kyo waved to us all and we waved and he slowly walked off stage. Leaving us stunned, amazed and inebriated - like Diru should. I began to breathe and calm down. My face was flush and my voice was GONE. We called a security guard over and asked what he thought and why they had freaked out (just for fun)
"Well I don't know what he has - that was real blood!"
we tried to tell him no, but he assured us it was his real blood. Another security guard came over who was quite angry and said,
"Look, I don't know what that dude was thinking but he is in trouble - he was told not to do that."
I was stunned, again. It became common.
"He was told not to - and he cut his fingers and then re opened the cuts with his teeth - that was HIS blood."
I couldn't believe it - Kyo usually uses fake blood. Not his own.. but it sounded possible.
A lady who was with the other guard even commented that they were probably going to be cut from their tour.
interesting. I doubt they'll be cut - and if they do. Does it sound odd that Diru would do this? Not to me. Not at all. Dir en grey cannnot be leashed and shame on whomever said that Kyo couldn't do what he wanted. Do I have to mention Mariyln Mason to anyone? Come on. It made sense to me why Dir en grey was off the first night, because they weren't allowed to be who they were.. Dir en grey.
and it made total sense that they would go out with a bang, or at least shove it in the faces of everyone like "take it or leave it". Of course this is my opinon, and isn't fact. Their objective is a mystery.. but I think they weren't going that crazy for kicks. They were being themselves.
and we loved every minute of it.
sorry this was so long. Yet, I feel it must be written out to the legnth that justifies it. I also went broke when I bought an autographed poster and an autographed "Withers and Withers tour DVD".
great show. :)
x-posted