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Report - Meet&Greet, LA, and Anaheim Lives
Finally got it all written! Please bear with me - this is long and detailed, and somewhat stream of conscious as I wrote it between events.
April 10th
Arrived at LAX around 11, traffic was awful, finally got to Little Tokyo around 1, got tickets 90-92! Just barely got in. Phew~ So now we're waiting in Nicole's car for the meet and greet, we have an hour to go! An Cafe, here I come!
Meet and Greet
We were numbers 90-92, so we weren't guaranteed into the meet and greet. However, things went really smoothly and quickly, and soon it was our turn! It took everything in my power not to cry again like I did at Fanime.
OH! Before I talk about that -
We got interviewed for an official Maru video! We were asked how we found out about An Cafe, how we kept up with their latest news, what other bands we liked [we were like "MIKU! DIR EN GREY! >D"] He then asked if we liked collecting their merch, and Bailie and Nicole pointed to me. And then I turned around and showed the camera my tattoo...the cameraman and interviewer were so impressed, haha. But anyway, back to when we finally got to the front of the line...
I walked into the shop and there they were. I was choking back tears. I went around to the start, carrying my photoset and gifts. Teruki was first. I handed him the bag of gifts, and he smiled his world-class smile and said thank you. I handed him the photo of him and he signed it, addressing it to me - ダニエール, as I had written it on my card. Next was takuya. He looked amazing! I fumbled around for his photo saying "gomen nasai..." until I found it. He signed it, shook my hand [more firmly than last time!]...and I got to Miku. My heart was beating so fast. He wrote my name and signed, then I turned around, said "mitte kudasai" and showed him my tattoo. He was all "SUGOI!!!" and I told him "arigatou". Next was Yuuki. Again, I fumbled around for his photo, apologizing the whole time. He signed it for me and I thanked him. Finally was Kanon...so quiet! He wrote my name, then thought for a moment, then added "to" in front of it. He then signed his name. I exited the shop...and finally the tears began to fall. Nicole hugged me and was like "don't cry! don't cry!" I managed to hold back for the most part, but it wasn't easy!
So now here we are, watching NGAW, waiting until 3AM when we'll leave for the Avalon!
Pictures:
[thanks Nicole for taking these!]
April 11th
Ended up, we woke up around 1:30, decided to just get ready, and we left at 2:30ish instead. We got to the venue around 3:30. There were around 8 people already in line, but I was excited - this means we get rail! It's now 9 and we've been freezing our butts off. It's windy and cold...but we're managing to catch snippets of sleep here and there, so that's good. Anyway, that's about it for now! I'll write about the concert as soon as I can! Can't wait!
Avalon [Los Angeles] Show
At around 6:15, they finally let us actually line up. Doors finally opened at 7, but for some reason, they had split the line, so people who had gotten there after us got in first. We ran in, and at first only Nicole got rail. She soon realized, however, that there was some room left next to her and called me over. Turns out, right next to her was Kenston! So we finally got to talk in person.
At the Avalon, you have to sit before they let you stand up by the rail, so we had to sit for like 30 minutes. We were in a kneeling position so we could stand up and push left [closer to the center] as soon as they let us up. They let us up, we pushed, and I was right in front of where takuya would be. We waited for what seemed like forever, then finally the intro music began. I don't know if it was because of the fans screaming or what, but we could hardly hear the intro song. Teruki came out first. The lights hadn't been turned completely on yet, so it was hard to see, but he was definitely there. Next was Yuuki. He literally bounded onto stage, extremely energetic. Next was Kanon, he was hard to see because he was all the way on the other side. Takuya came out next. He was right in front of me, and I kept flashing heart signs at him. He saw me do it at one point and smiled. Finally, Miku came out. I was almost in tears, I was so happy to see him. They started out with Cherry Saku Yuuki, and I sang along enthusiastically. I can't tell you the order of the setlist, because I'm bad at that, but here's what they played, which was the same as all the other shows:
-Cherry Saku Yuuki [opening]
-Tekesuta Kousen
-Orange Dream
-Duck no Magical Adventure
-Zetsubou
-Aroma
-Kawayu's Rock
-Summer Dive
-My Heart Leaps for "C"
-Snow Scene
-Nyappy in the World 4
-BondS~kizuna~ [encore]
-Smile Ichiban ii Onna [encore]
They also played their typical intro song [clapping, then you yell the member's name]. Miku also stopped at one point to introduce the members, and they each said something in English. First was Teruki, then was Yuuki who was like "Are you having fun?!", then takuya who said, "do you like An Cafe? DO YOU LIKE AN CAFE?? ...I love you too." Kanon was last, and he proceeded to tell us he would make us melt, haha.
Throughout the concert, I mostly paid attention to Miku and takuya because 1- they were right in front of me and 2- they're my favourite members. I couldn't really see the other three very well, but they seemed like they were having a lot of fun.
Some highlights...
-During Duck no Magical Adventure, Miku hit me on the head with his plastic hammer! He only hit about 8-10 people total, and I really wanted it, so I was very happy.
-Confetti flew during one song...was it My Heart Leaps for "C"? I can't remember. I don't know if it was a fan or planned by the band, but it was reminiscent of Japanese lives, which was awesome.
-During the encore, Miku did his typical pouring water on his head and spraying the crowd, and I got soaked!
-After BondS, a staff member took several pictures of Kenston and me holding up our BondS towels.
-Junior was filming our side the entire time - I hope I end up on youtube!
-At the very end, the members all sat together in the middle and took a picture with the crowd.
-When they were saying goodbye, Miku came over to us and did this little hip dance. We laughed and cheered, so he grinned and did it a couple more times for us. We were like "Miku, you're not sexy, just hilarious."
-Also note, I cried like a baby during Orange Dream.
Miku's English had improved greatly from the year before, I can tell he practiced a lot, as well as the other members. They tried their hardest in everything they did, I was so proud of them. They constantly remind me why I love them so much.
Afterward, we headed to the hotel to catch some sleep before my last full day in California.
April 12th
We woke up around 7 or 8 and got ready, then went to the mall to do purikura. It was my first time, and it was so much fun! After that, we went to Little Tokyo for karaoke, along with some of their friends that I had met the day before at the concert. Finally, at 4, they decided it was time to head over to Anaheim for the House of Blues concert. I wasn't happy at all to have to sit in the back, rather than being rail again, but there was no helping it. I found Kenston and Gabi at the front and got to talk and hang out with them for a while, until security kicked me out. It was still fun to be able to see them.
We kind of hung around, talking to people we knew until doors opened. We went inside and headed to the merch table. I had already gotten most of my merch and the meet and greet Friday, but I picked up a t-shirt for myself, then a few things to sell to people. So in total, I got: a hoodie, a t-shirt, a new BondS towel, a poster, a photoset, and a window sticker. The only thing I didn't buy is the lunchbox, because $30 for that is ridiculous.
After that, we got places on the balcony. Nicole and Bailie made sure I got a spot I could see well, because they knew I wasn't happy about not getting rail. At least this time, I could see Yuuki, Teruki, and Kanon a lot better, although I still paid the most attention to Miku.
To be honest, the Avalon show was much better. Not just because we had rail, but the crowd was more into it and so was the band. But overall, they were both amazing shows. After the HoB show, I started bawling because I didn't know when I'd be able to see them again. I still continue to randoly tear up when I think about it.
After the show, we went back to Nicole's for a little sleep before going to Bailie's and having her dad drive me to the airport.
I was so sad to leave California...I had a sinking feeling as my plane took off. But I know An Cafe will keep their promise - they will be back. And I can promise you this: I will be there.
Finally got it all written! Please bear with me - this is long and detailed, and somewhat stream of conscious as I wrote it between events.
April 10th
Arrived at LAX around 11, traffic was awful, finally got to Little Tokyo around 1, got tickets 90-92! Just barely got in. Phew~ So now we're waiting in Nicole's car for the meet and greet, we have an hour to go! An Cafe, here I come!
Meet and Greet
We were numbers 90-92, so we weren't guaranteed into the meet and greet. However, things went really smoothly and quickly, and soon it was our turn! It took everything in my power not to cry again like I did at Fanime.
OH! Before I talk about that -
We got interviewed for an official Maru video! We were asked how we found out about An Cafe, how we kept up with their latest news, what other bands we liked [we were like "MIKU! DIR EN GREY! >D"] He then asked if we liked collecting their merch, and Bailie and Nicole pointed to me. And then I turned around and showed the camera my tattoo...the cameraman and interviewer were so impressed, haha. But anyway, back to when we finally got to the front of the line...
I walked into the shop and there they were. I was choking back tears. I went around to the start, carrying my photoset and gifts. Teruki was first. I handed him the bag of gifts, and he smiled his world-class smile and said thank you. I handed him the photo of him and he signed it, addressing it to me - ダニエール, as I had written it on my card. Next was takuya. He looked amazing! I fumbled around for his photo saying "gomen nasai..." until I found it. He signed it, shook my hand [more firmly than last time!]...and I got to Miku. My heart was beating so fast. He wrote my name and signed, then I turned around, said "mitte kudasai" and showed him my tattoo. He was all "SUGOI!!!" and I told him "arigatou". Next was Yuuki. Again, I fumbled around for his photo, apologizing the whole time. He signed it for me and I thanked him. Finally was Kanon...so quiet! He wrote my name, then thought for a moment, then added "to" in front of it. He then signed his name. I exited the shop...and finally the tears began to fall. Nicole hugged me and was like "don't cry! don't cry!" I managed to hold back for the most part, but it wasn't easy!
So now here we are, watching NGAW, waiting until 3AM when we'll leave for the Avalon!
Pictures:
[thanks Nicole for taking these!]
April 11th
Ended up, we woke up around 1:30, decided to just get ready, and we left at 2:30ish instead. We got to the venue around 3:30. There were around 8 people already in line, but I was excited - this means we get rail! It's now 9 and we've been freezing our butts off. It's windy and cold...but we're managing to catch snippets of sleep here and there, so that's good. Anyway, that's about it for now! I'll write about the concert as soon as I can! Can't wait!
Avalon [Los Angeles] Show
At around 6:15, they finally let us actually line up. Doors finally opened at 7, but for some reason, they had split the line, so people who had gotten there after us got in first. We ran in, and at first only Nicole got rail. She soon realized, however, that there was some room left next to her and called me over. Turns out, right next to her was Kenston! So we finally got to talk in person.
At the Avalon, you have to sit before they let you stand up by the rail, so we had to sit for like 30 minutes. We were in a kneeling position so we could stand up and push left [closer to the center] as soon as they let us up. They let us up, we pushed, and I was right in front of where takuya would be. We waited for what seemed like forever, then finally the intro music began. I don't know if it was because of the fans screaming or what, but we could hardly hear the intro song. Teruki came out first. The lights hadn't been turned completely on yet, so it was hard to see, but he was definitely there. Next was Yuuki. He literally bounded onto stage, extremely energetic. Next was Kanon, he was hard to see because he was all the way on the other side. Takuya came out next. He was right in front of me, and I kept flashing heart signs at him. He saw me do it at one point and smiled. Finally, Miku came out. I was almost in tears, I was so happy to see him. They started out with Cherry Saku Yuuki, and I sang along enthusiastically. I can't tell you the order of the setlist, because I'm bad at that, but here's what they played, which was the same as all the other shows:
-Cherry Saku Yuuki [opening]
-Tekesuta Kousen
-Orange Dream
-Duck no Magical Adventure
-Zetsubou
-Aroma
-Kawayu's Rock
-Summer Dive
-My Heart Leaps for "C"
-Snow Scene
-Nyappy in the World 4
-BondS~kizuna~ [encore]
-Smile Ichiban ii Onna [encore]
They also played their typical intro song [clapping, then you yell the member's name]. Miku also stopped at one point to introduce the members, and they each said something in English. First was Teruki, then was Yuuki who was like "Are you having fun?!", then takuya who said, "do you like An Cafe? DO YOU LIKE AN CAFE?? ...I love you too." Kanon was last, and he proceeded to tell us he would make us melt, haha.
Throughout the concert, I mostly paid attention to Miku and takuya because 1- they were right in front of me and 2- they're my favourite members. I couldn't really see the other three very well, but they seemed like they were having a lot of fun.
Some highlights...
-During Duck no Magical Adventure, Miku hit me on the head with his plastic hammer! He only hit about 8-10 people total, and I really wanted it, so I was very happy.
-Confetti flew during one song...was it My Heart Leaps for "C"? I can't remember. I don't know if it was a fan or planned by the band, but it was reminiscent of Japanese lives, which was awesome.
-During the encore, Miku did his typical pouring water on his head and spraying the crowd, and I got soaked!
-After BondS, a staff member took several pictures of Kenston and me holding up our BondS towels.
-Junior was filming our side the entire time - I hope I end up on youtube!
-At the very end, the members all sat together in the middle and took a picture with the crowd.
-When they were saying goodbye, Miku came over to us and did this little hip dance. We laughed and cheered, so he grinned and did it a couple more times for us. We were like "Miku, you're not sexy, just hilarious."
-Also note, I cried like a baby during Orange Dream.
Miku's English had improved greatly from the year before, I can tell he practiced a lot, as well as the other members. They tried their hardest in everything they did, I was so proud of them. They constantly remind me why I love them so much.
Afterward, we headed to the hotel to catch some sleep before my last full day in California.
April 12th
We woke up around 7 or 8 and got ready, then went to the mall to do purikura. It was my first time, and it was so much fun! After that, we went to Little Tokyo for karaoke, along with some of their friends that I had met the day before at the concert. Finally, at 4, they decided it was time to head over to Anaheim for the House of Blues concert. I wasn't happy at all to have to sit in the back, rather than being rail again, but there was no helping it. I found Kenston and Gabi at the front and got to talk and hang out with them for a while, until security kicked me out. It was still fun to be able to see them.
We kind of hung around, talking to people we knew until doors opened. We went inside and headed to the merch table. I had already gotten most of my merch and the meet and greet Friday, but I picked up a t-shirt for myself, then a few things to sell to people. So in total, I got: a hoodie, a t-shirt, a new BondS towel, a poster, a photoset, and a window sticker. The only thing I didn't buy is the lunchbox, because $30 for that is ridiculous.
After that, we got places on the balcony. Nicole and Bailie made sure I got a spot I could see well, because they knew I wasn't happy about not getting rail. At least this time, I could see Yuuki, Teruki, and Kanon a lot better, although I still paid the most attention to Miku.
To be honest, the Avalon show was much better. Not just because we had rail, but the crowd was more into it and so was the band. But overall, they were both amazing shows. After the HoB show, I started bawling because I didn't know when I'd be able to see them again. I still continue to randoly tear up when I think about it.
After the show, we went back to Nicole's for a little sleep before going to Bailie's and having her dad drive me to the airport.
I was so sad to leave California...I had a sinking feeling as my plane took off. But I know An Cafe will keep their promise - they will be back. And I can promise you this: I will be there.