Konbanwa! At last! I finished the rough translation of Matsuda Hironobu's live report on ONE OK ROCK's concert at the Yokohama Stadium last September 13 and 14, 2014. Please note that it may not reflect the exact translation of the entire article. The reason is because I slightly edited the text to make it easier for us to read but still tried my best to put it into proper context. If there are some corrections, kindly send us a private message so that we can further improve it. Thank you. :) ~Admin Shashin
Enjoy reading! ^_^
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(Article's original source: http://realsound.jp/2014/09/post-1314.html)
Translation:
At the Yokohama Stadium, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, ONE OK ROCK has held a one-man live called “ONE OK ROCK 2014" Mighty Long Fall at Yokohama Stadium" on 13 and 14 September. Showing off the performance of a masterpiece, attended by enthusiastic audience of about 60,000 people, to suit both days.
From the "Start Walking The World Tour" in 2012, ONE OK ROCK has energetically conducted activities and tour overseas. For the first time after a long time, it was a solo performance in the open-air stadium and raised expectations among the audience in Japan.
The first day was blessed with a fine weather which continued until the second day. Image was projected onto a giant LED screen that was installed on the stage. When it came to curtain time, the venue was wrapped into a huge cheer. Tomoya (Dr) appeared on stage and started his powerful drumming, and appearing from both sides of the stage, Ryota (B) and Toru (G) continued. Then, Taka (Vo.) showed up from the center of the stage after the opening of the curtain and said “Hello once again!” then, sang the first song “Answer is Near.” The venue livened up at once as soon as the band performed the speedy and powerful number from the “Deeper Deeper” to “Nothing Helps.” For the fourth song, “Let’s take it someday,” the nearly 30,000 audience were jumping, and the Yokohama Stadium shook greatly.
Taka’s vocal was fully sensual as he sang the melody of the 5th track “C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h.”, a ballad emotional rock, and made a magnificent start with a clean arpeggio. “Clock Strikes” followed as Track 6, then, Taka asked the audience to “Do continue and sing with me,” and the venue was wrapped in a large chorus. Taka disappeared from the stage and a thrilling session of Tomoya, Toru and Ryota started at once. It left the audience more excited and in a state of breathless interest.
Then, Taka came back to the stage and start the impassioned MC. He declared in a strong message, “Frankly, I’m not that someone who is educated but, I said to myself that I need to accomplish something! So, more than anyone else, I believed in myself that I can do it,” and [the band] performed the music “69” and “Mikansei Kōkyōkyoku.” As the night approaches, the venue was wrapped in a festive atmosphere.
On the 10th Track, they played the theme song of the movie “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Fire Edition” which is “Mighty Long Fall.” The stage director accelerated from here and flame rose from the front stage, as the edgy sound reverberate with an intense strobe. For a moment, the audience became dead calm after the greatness of the remainder of the performance was over.
After that, they performed the “Living Dolls.” Under Taka’s instruction, the audience lighted each of their smartphone, and the stadium was enveloped with the myriad of light. Taka said gently, “The feeling that I want to change darkness into light, I think today, everyone has been doing it with a lot of thought. But with us together, I am standing on the stage with a great feeling.” He also said “I want to sing “Be the light.”
In the MC, the subsequent scene to deepen communication with the audiences was conspicuous. Also, a woman who came all the way from Kagoshima was raised to the stage and was hugged by the members. In addition, the entire audience was challenged to “wave” as requested by Toru. It admirably succeeded and the unity between the audience also seemed to have strengthened more. For the past few years, ONE OK ROCK expanded their reach to a higher level in the overseas stage and their popularity rapidly expanded as well. As Taka said, it was a moment that suggests there is an underlying trust that is unchanging for the fans.
From the 13th track, a special stage was laid in the center vicinity of the stadium, and the acoustic live started. Ryota and Taka performed a cover of one of their most favourite songs “A Thousand Miles” by Vannessa Carlton, `Yokubou ni michita seinen-dan' from their major debut album “Zeitakubyou,” and the acoustic version of “Heartache” which is the theme song of the last chapter edition of “Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends” that has been released on September 13.
When the band returned to their music style again, this time, high tension followed all at once. ONE OK ROCK unfolded on stage the most impressive performance of “Decision,” “Re:make,” “Koi no Aibou Kokoro no Kupido,” “NO SCARED,” and ”Kanzen kankaku dreamer.” The overwhelming centripetal force of Taka’s masculine voice, and sense of scale of the band, brought the entire stadium an exceedingly intense feeling. Also, the performance would not be inferior in any way when side by side with the legendary band overseas such as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Aerosmith.
After listening carefully to the masterpiece “Wherever you are,” and Taka went up on stage again and shout “Well, I’ll go from here!” and the members performed in response to the encouragement of Encore singing the popular song “Kimishidai Ressha.” And lastly, Taka said “When I was told to please sing this at the arena, the song is about trying to start something which at the same time was over. [Note: This means that it’s the last song]” To those who are curious, they sang “The Beginning” and afterwards, he said to the audience, “Please try to start something you want to do on your own whether the outcome is negative or not.” Then, the Yokohama Stadium performances spanning two-days closed the curtain.
I feel that through their activities overseas, ONE OK ROCK as an entertainer further leveled up.
Since it has been scheduled to be on-air at WOWOW on Sunday, October 26, check out also the intense live there.
(Report by: Matsuda Hironobu)
