So now I reach the point of attempting to write up the experience of the MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary concert. As I wrote earlier, there were two shows. My ticket was for the second night, September 9th, so I tried to avoid anything that might give away details from the first night show. I am grateful that the band members also kept a lid on details in the days prior. Only mentioning visits to have new costumes made and band rehearsals, and hints of instruments that would be played.
So excitement was high and so was the temperatures that day. I had plans for one outfit, but realized less layers would be better. Still, wearing black in Tokyo in the summer...I hung in there because not a typhoon or heat stroke would keep me from making it to the Toyosu Pit, the venue where the concert was happening.
I attended the last Deep Sanctuary where the majority of the concert was sets by ZIZ and Moi dix Mois with a couple of songs performed by the three MALICE MIZER members. This time, they added three guest vocalists and a drummer for the MALICE MIZER set. The feeling was that this show would be a lot more than a couple of MALICE MIZER songs.
I made it to Toyosu Pit before the doors opened and received my ticket. Except it wasn't my ticket so I had to go back and get the right ticket. We were let in without having to pay the drink fee. Part of the front section benefits I guess. Vendors of band goods were both outside and inside. Unfortunately some of the new MALICE MIZER goods had not made it to the concert so instead I ended up getting the latest Moi dix Mois white dolman and blue tote bag, along with the pamphlet for the show. The bag ended up being really helpful. I checked out ZIZ's table where I picked up the Közi photo book ΔRISOMATA for someone. While I was there an older couple came up and the sales people were very deferential to them so I couldn't help but wonder if they were Közi's parents. Cute couple.
photo from Kamijo's site
Also out in the lobby were flower stands from fans and fellow entertainers and businesses, along with a number of vintage MALICE MIZER posters. Kamijo was not out there but you can see some of the posters in his photograph. Since it was so hot I grabbed a soda and something to eat while I was looking at everything. Finally I decided to go find my seat. Walking down the darkened hall I did not see that there was a slight indentation, for the doors to swing out, in the concrete floor. It was not clearly marked. So I fell. I hit just below my right knee first. Despite pain in both my legs, I forced myself up because no one came over to help. I looked at the staff and none of them said a word. I realized that if I asked for medical attention I would most likely miss the concert. So I limped to my seat.
The venue was set up with three sections. At the very back were spaces for standing. In between the spaces was a platform with a camera. In front of that was the middle set of two sections of seats. The very front was a section of only five rows of seats. It was originally six, but the first row was removed for camera people, since they were filming the performances that night. I had a ticket for the fifth row, which was actually the fourth row. Even better was that my seat was next to an aisle and there was a walk way in front of me. So I didn't have to try to step over anyone and I had space to put my legs how I needed to without bothering anyone. At first I had hoped for a seat stage left but then I realized stage right might be better. So lucky me to end up stage right with a clear view up the aisle to the stage.
photo from Moi dix Mois site
While we waited, instrumental music from the band Goblin and other groups played. There was a curtain across the stage so nothing could be seen. The night before the band ZIZ opened the show but I had a feeling this night it would be Moi dix Mois. House lights went down and lights from the back of the stage showed darkened figures while "En Lumiere" played. The curtains opened and it was Moi dix Mois on stage. Dressed in white like the outfits in the above photograph with Mana wearing one of his jeweled crosses, they began playing "Dialogue Symphony". This is a great song that gets the crowd going and it worked. The band was in their usual places with Mana stage left, lead singer Seth in the middle, Hayato the drummer in the back, bassist Sugiya in the back near stage right, and guitarist and vocalist Ryux stage right in the front.
I mention this because my seat was also stage right. Besides having a good view of the stage when I stood, I was able to see clearly anyone who was stage right thanks to the aisle right there. So when Ryux hit a bad note at the end of "Dialogue Symphony", sounding like a string broke, I was able to see him look at his guitar to make sure everything was okay, and then look upwards as if to say something to K, Moi dix Mois guitarist who passed away.
The next song, "Beast Side", was played with no problems. Seth's vocals were in great form and he made use of his megaphone for the song. Next was Solitude, a beautiful song which he handled well. There was a bit of talking and then the band played their first MALICE MIZER song, "Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku", (Promise Made at Midnight, 真夜中に交わした約束).
This was followed by another MALICE MIZER song, "Gardenia". Both songs, music and lyrics written by Mana, received a new treatment which featured more guitar work and gave them a Moi dix Mois feeling. With a camera far stage left, Mana spent a good amount of time playing while facing it. Gardenia was the last song they played. En Lumiere began to play and the band members left the stage. While I would have liked to hear more, I was actually a little worried because the area below my right knee had swelled up a lot and I was having trouble bending my knee, let alone standing. I limped out to the concession stand where I bought a bottle of cold water.
Next up was Közi's band ZIZ. Since Közi is very active in live music in Japan, he has a good following and a lot of his fans were in the front section. ZIZ's set was high energy with a nice ballad at one point. Since all but one song was from their new cd LIQUID STUNT FLAVOR, I was not familiar with any of them. Their set list was AWaWA, 瑪瑙ピ工口, GLITTER WAVER, colors, FLOAT, and GI to DA. As fun as the music was, I remained seated with the bottle of cold water on the swollen place below my knee. I could still see most of Közi and the band and and fully see whoever stood stage right, which was Yugami most of the time and Közi and JIRO at other times.
The final song for ZIZ was Seraph, one of the first MALICE MIZER songs, music written by Közi. Since he is lead singer for ZIZ, he also sang Seraph and the audience loved it. Their set over, the band members waved to the audience and drummer Chargeeeeee threw the front skin of his kick drum way up in the air where it sailed over our heads and one lucky fan caught it.
photo from Chargeeeeee's Twitter
Since photos were not allowed during the concert and there aren't any official ones online for ZIZ, here's a photo of ZIZ drummer Chargeeeeee, Moi dix Mois drummer Hayato, and the final drummer for the night, Sakura. Behind them, the resurrected drums that belonged to MALICE MIZER drummer Kami. Which Sakura would be playing that night. And since this blog post is so long, that part of the concert will be in my next blog post.
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