All posts tagged: live report

Live Report: the GazettE at the Wiltern, Los Angeles, May 2016

Published by Ali Watson

For a decade and a half -almost-, one band in particular has embodied the soul of visual rock to not only be pioneers in style, but in sound. While they skate the edge of ‘legendary’ in the eyes of many, there is also little doubt that there will ever be a band like them again. They’ve had the makings of a serious force since their inception and in recent years, their music has proven time and again that their creative force is still on the rise. That band is the GazettE. From 2002, fans of Visual Kei and Japanese rock have at least heard of the band and likely numerous songs over the years. Most Japanese music fans can name a few songs even if they’re not die hard fans. It’s testament to their reach and influence to be able to reside in the memories of so many. For those dedicated ones who have come to love this band and their music, were you to ask any one ‘what is your favorite song?’ The response …

VAMPS in Denver with Apocalyptica and Sixx:A.M.

Published by Ali Watson

April 13th, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. When VAMPS, Apocalyptica and Sixx:A.M. announced a tour together, one could already see it would be a badass show. VAMPS being from Japan, Apocalyptica from Finland and Sixx:A.M. from the U.S. promised a refreshing complement of styles and a conglomerate of fans usually reserved for festivals. The three bands definitely did not disappoint, delivering hard hitting sound and soul pounding energy to the masses that built from start to finish. At 8pm sharp, VAMPS took the stage, wasting no time to crush into their first song, World’s End, from their latest album BLOODSUCKERS, which was released on March 24th in the United States. HYDE’s style of vocals has always been strong with L’arc en Ciel; with VAMPS, he’s had the opportunity to showcase rock and metal elements that deliver and then some. Following Devil Side and Revolution II, HYDE spoke briefly to the crowd, starting out with a warm welcome, “Hello, Denver, we are VAMPS! We are very excited to be here!” For much of the performance, he carried …

Live report – B’z in New York City

Published by Ali Watson

October 2012. “You know what time it is New York? It’s time to SCREAM!” In the middle of the show, Inaba Koshi’s proclamation was met with roaring approval and enough noise to become a collective scream. Those standing moved in waves of excitement and despite the warmth of the standing room only area, the crowd pressed closer to the stage. On September 30th, the New York City show for B’z marked the 6th show on a 7-stop tour. With only one more performance on their docket, one might have expected to see energy waning, yet B’z treated the show as though it could have been their first. High energy performances are the forte of this well experienced duo. In their career, they’ve become the best selling artists of all time in Japan. Watching their lives, it’s easy to see the passion they have for their art as well as their fans. In fact, their fanbase ranges from the very young to those in their 40s and higher. One toddler sitting on the shoulders of his …

Live report – Dir en grey

Published by Ali Watson

January 2012. It’s relatively easy to say 99 percent of the people in the audience knew Dir en grey‘s music: from newer fans, to seasoned veterans or friends dragged along because “you have to see this band.”  Once the lights dimmed, the crowd’s deafening greeting proved its dedication. With the surge of people toward the stage, one had to wonder if the few security guards would be enough to keep the masses back. Fortunately, fans seemed to keep themselves in check just fine when the band entered the stage at the last three stops of their North American tour. Dir en grey consists of Kyo on vocals, Kaoru and Die on guitars, Toshiya on bass and Shinya on drums. From their inception, the lineup has remained true, as has their penchant for giving an intensely moving live performance. To date, they’re one of the few bands from Japan who have made a strong, consistent effort to reach their international fans. Having recently come off a Japan tour and one through Europe early in the year, Dir …

Live Report – B’z San Francisco

Published by Ali Watson

July 2011. Anywhere in the world, it’s an accomplishment for any artist to have over 80 million albums sold with 17 studio albums and 49 singles – over 40 of those topping the best seller Oricon chart at #1. In their native Japan, it has marked B’z as the best selling band of all time. Taking chances and breaking records has become their forte. Though their U.S. performance was eight years ago, the wait seemed well worth it to a sold out audience at the San Francisco Fillmore on Friday, July 22nd. The line started queuing sometime in the morning of July 22nd for the show, tickets to which had sold out almost immediately. Many fans made the journey from Japan to see this legendary band play a venue as intimate as the Fillmore, a legend in and of itself. Other fans we spoke to came from as far as Singapore, domestically from New York City, local areas and even from Los Angeles despite the fact that B’z will play there on July 24th. The …

Live Report – LUNA SEA December 2010

Published by Ali Watson

December 2010. In the last few days leading up to Luna Sea’s Dec. 4 concert, a few things remained consistent throughout for many on the industry side and in the fanbase. Curiosity. Anticipation. Expectation. The same feelings the band likely felt up to the point of the lights dimming on the Palladium’s stage and the first note sounding over the roar of cheering fans. In Hollywood, California, fans from around the world descended to see this iconic band live — many for the first time in their lives. Luna Sea consists of Ryuichi on vocals, Sugizo and Inoran on guitars, J on bass and Shinya on drums. Starting out in 1989, the five rocked Japan and quickly gained a dedicated fanbase that only grew after their hiatus in 2000. Each musician, accomplished in his own right, went on to have successful solo careers before the stars aligned, Fate intervened or — as Shinya had pointed out — the timing was simply right to come back together. “We’ve been looking forward to playing here in Los …