Linkin Park, Yellowcard, Dir en grey
Linkin Park, Yellowcard, Dir en grey
at Saitama Super Arena, 5:00pm show on Friday, November 23, 2007
First of all, the arena is really big, and we had pretty bad seats. 4th level, on the side. Oh well.
Yellowcard was pretty good. I liked their music a lot, and the fiddler was really fun! They're so normal, but really great. The singer did most of the MCing, and it was all in English, except for a butchered "arigatou gozaimasu." The crowd standing on the floor was fairly into it and the crowd surfing started early in the mosh pit.
Next was Dir en grey. This was my third time seeing them and I really love HALF their music, and not so much the other half. Also, I'm used to being up close and IN the pit, so it's weird to just listen to them from way back, sitting in a seat. Honestly, they either played a lot of really old stuff, or really NEW stuff (and I think I know most of the new stuff, so...), because I only recognized maybe three of the songs. Also, it sounded SOOOO different from the recordings or even from when I've seen them before. They DEFINITELY played THE FINAL, but it was difficult to figure out what songs they were. I don't know if it was the acoustics or what (but I don't think so, because Linkin Park was pretty easy to place). Sort of disappointing, but I'm glad I got to see them, and they DID play some songs I really like, so I kind of jammed in my seat after handing my camera over to Bethany.
She and Sarah were pretty horrified by Diru, I think. OOPS. Also, scared by the fangirls. Some doing that grovelly jrock scream thing, you know?
And yes, I took video. We were so far away from anything, there were no guards around and nobody cared one bit. I have video of all three bands that I might post eventually. I'll edit and link to it if I do.
Finally, Linkin Park came on (after a LONG SETUP TIME - HALF AN HOUR WTF).
But. They were totally awesome. They played a lot of old school songs from their first album, too, which is good, 'cause I know those best. I danced and moved and clapped, etc. MUCH FUN. They also spoke only in English (and butchered the obligatory "arigatou gozaimasu" even worse than Yellowcard), which was so funny, because I'm so used to not being able to understand the MC at all. This time, the MAJORITY of the people couldn't understand, I'm sure. Nice.
He used visual aids. Basically, he showed by example that he wanted everyone to take out their cell phones, lighters, etc and light up the arena. Which looked SO PRETTY! :D Probably a nightmare for the staff, who don't want people using phones/cameras. XD
The performance was excellent, really well-done, great stage presence. The whole arena was really into it. :D
GOOD TIMES.
Not much else to report on. :)
I can't do details like with some of my Japanese bands, 'cause I don't know anyone's names. I mean, well, I know Diru's names. I could barely see Shinya behind his freakin' huge drum set. Everyone else looked in top form. Kaoru doing his solid stance, Die bouncing around, Toshiya jumping and banging. Kyo. Well, he's Kyo. ^_^
Anyway, I'll just stop with that. :)
Happy Belated Thanksgiving!
ETA:
Dir en grey: dead tree & 朔-saku-
Linkin Park: Shadow of the Day
Yellowcard: Unknown Title
at Saitama Super Arena, 5:00pm show on Friday, November 23, 2007
First of all, the arena is really big, and we had pretty bad seats. 4th level, on the side. Oh well.
Yellowcard was pretty good. I liked their music a lot, and the fiddler was really fun! They're so normal, but really great. The singer did most of the MCing, and it was all in English, except for a butchered "arigatou gozaimasu." The crowd standing on the floor was fairly into it and the crowd surfing started early in the mosh pit.
Next was Dir en grey. This was my third time seeing them and I really love HALF their music, and not so much the other half. Also, I'm used to being up close and IN the pit, so it's weird to just listen to them from way back, sitting in a seat. Honestly, they either played a lot of really old stuff, or really NEW stuff (and I think I know most of the new stuff, so...), because I only recognized maybe three of the songs. Also, it sounded SOOOO different from the recordings or even from when I've seen them before. They DEFINITELY played THE FINAL, but it was difficult to figure out what songs they were. I don't know if it was the acoustics or what (but I don't think so, because Linkin Park was pretty easy to place). Sort of disappointing, but I'm glad I got to see them, and they DID play some songs I really like, so I kind of jammed in my seat after handing my camera over to Bethany.
She and Sarah were pretty horrified by Diru, I think. OOPS. Also, scared by the fangirls. Some doing that grovelly jrock scream thing, you know?
And yes, I took video. We were so far away from anything, there were no guards around and nobody cared one bit. I have video of all three bands that I might post eventually. I'll edit and link to it if I do.
Finally, Linkin Park came on (after a LONG SETUP TIME - HALF AN HOUR WTF).
But. They were totally awesome. They played a lot of old school songs from their first album, too, which is good, 'cause I know those best. I danced and moved and clapped, etc. MUCH FUN. They also spoke only in English (and butchered the obligatory "arigatou gozaimasu" even worse than Yellowcard), which was so funny, because I'm so used to not being able to understand the MC at all. This time, the MAJORITY of the people couldn't understand, I'm sure. Nice.
He used visual aids. Basically, he showed by example that he wanted everyone to take out their cell phones, lighters, etc and light up the arena. Which looked SO PRETTY! :D Probably a nightmare for the staff, who don't want people using phones/cameras. XD
The performance was excellent, really well-done, great stage presence. The whole arena was really into it. :D
GOOD TIMES.
Not much else to report on. :)
I can't do details like with some of my Japanese bands, 'cause I don't know anyone's names. I mean, well, I know Diru's names. I could barely see Shinya behind his freakin' huge drum set. Everyone else looked in top form. Kaoru doing his solid stance, Die bouncing around, Toshiya jumping and banging. Kyo. Well, he's Kyo. ^_^
Anyway, I'll just stop with that. :)
Happy Belated Thanksgiving!
ETA:
Dir en grey: dead tree & 朔-saku-
Linkin Park: Shadow of the Day
Yellowcard: Unknown Title