Taiwan 24-25 Jan 2015 Day 2

I had a really restless night despite being so tired.

The hotel gave me a free KFC breakfast voucher, but I left the hotel later than expected so I nearly missed the timing to get my free breakfast. Luckily the KFC staffs were quite lenient and also very patient with my horrible Chinese.

There is a Bank named after me

I did more shopping at Watsons and XMD. As usual I bought some rubbish that was a totally waste of my money. Stocked up on cosmetics, earrings, useless but cute pouches and BL Manga (there was an Animate!)

I arrived at the venue fashionably late as usual. To my surprise, there was an opening act! A Taiwanese Duo who performed AKB and Nico songs. I guess you could say that this was the TW version of Pika Pika Maid Café? There was no live singing though.

First up is Tokyo Performance Dolls. I have read about them before so I knew that they were a Rehashed 80s idol group. But as for their songs, I hadn’t heard them before. I have a grudging respect for them due to Morning Musume being in a similar position (Having to deal with the comparisons to the Golden Era).

In all honestly, it was like watching a Non Lip Syncing version of AKB48.

I do admit that their level of performance is top notch. There were about 10 of them who performed together and in small groups. But it was non-stop and pretty intense. Some of the girls however, obviously thought of themselves not like idols but “Musical”-like performers. I can tell this by the way they don’t make eye contact with the audience at all. To be fair, some of the songs are more suitable to be in Musical Theatre.

There is 1 girl who looks like Sato Sumire from AKB (but the nice not-so-haughty-version). She performs a song with Spanish influence (it has “Ole”s in it) And I thought she was really cute there, and I tell her so during the handshake.

There is a girl who lived in Singapore when she was young. She is one of the centres and has a good vibe about her. She reminds me a little of Suzuki Airi. She speaks fluent English and we converse in English during the handshake

Next performance is Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku.

I have been listening to their songs for a while now so I am excited to see them. I hadn’t decided on a oshi at first. Ebichu brought in a TON of fans from Japan. At first I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to see much, but thankfully, most of the Japanese fans were confined to the Non-VIP area so the VIP area was not as crowded as I thought it would be.

They performed some songs I was really looking forward to like “Ume”, “Kari keiyaku no Cinderella” and “Encore no Koi” . Especially “Encore no Koi” which has been my favourite Ebichu song for a while. As expected, AiAi’s voice really gets on my nerves. I am so sorry to AiAi fans. I cannot take it.

The pitch of their songs is generally rather high so some of them end up shouting into the mic. Actually I don’t mind this at all because I am used to this after watching the New Gen MM so many times (I.E. Sayashi Riho) The music is so loud anyway so it isn’t that obvious.

As my first time watching a Stardust group and knowing the notoriety of Stardusters, I was slightly afraid of the crowd. But my fears were unfounded. Maybe because this is Taiwan? The crowd is a little more rowdy, but not unmanageable.

There was supposed to be an Encore performance, but due to the schedule running behind time, they had to scrap this.

I have absolutely nothing to say to them during handshake. Hahha

And it’s finally UUG! All my waiting and travelling and waiting can finally find its conclusion!

Actually I think their set list is exactly the same as the Team Makenki Setlist. They mentioned that they wanted this to be a “Mini” High Spurt Kingdom (2 hours of nonstop high tension tracks) so I knew what kind of songs to expect.

Although the number of people have decreased from Ebichu, but everyone jumps around like crazy. Its really very very Fun. Azu always keeps an extra eye out for me and we make plenty of eye contact. Even with the jarring EDM, her smooth vocals pierce through the noise and straight to my heart. LOL.

They all have a go at the Chinese versions of their usual introductions. Actually, if I didn’t know their usual introductions, I would have absolutely no idea what they were saying. Akari did her Karate.

“Zenryoku Pump Up” “Jump” “Enjoy Enjoy” “Chopper Chopper” “Up Up Typhoon” and the 2 New Singles “Beautiful Dreamer” and “Itadaki wo Mezase”. It was so enjoyable that the 1 hour fly by. Although I am a seasoned(maybe not so seasoned) apuga family member, I am out of breath by the 2^nd last song. My stamina is still bad. I don’t think I would last through a High Spurt Kingdom…

They announced that their newest single will be released in TW as well. They also spoke about the things they ate. Azu mentioned that during the press conference, she completely forgot her lines in Chinese. I so would have loved to see that, but it had happened on fri when I was still at work in Singapore. They mentioned their 47 Prefecture tour in Japan and hope to add Taiwan to the list. Oh how I would love that too. But I know it’s pretty much false hope. Judging from the number of audience, they would never be able to cover their costs unless we all bought 5 T shirts and 10 towels each.

The encore song was “Party Party”. I have heard this song very few times live before. It is a little strange for an encore song. I also immensely regret not getting the UUG Kingblade because it changes colour according to the song.

The towel that I purchased. 

As I bought a UUG towel, I have 2 extra handshake tickets on top of my VIP handshake. I speak to Azu 3 times (and the rest as well of course, but I don’t really have that much to say to them)

Azu starts speaking to me before I could say anything

1．

A: Im so glad to finally see you again!

Me: I am always happy to see you!

A: Thank you very much!!

(Didn’t get much in this handshake Lol)

2.

A: Thank you!

Me: I watched you on the Girl’s Live Outfit Co-ordinate!

A: Really? I was so embarrassed!

Me: No~ It was so cute!

A: Really? Thank you!

Me: I think your fans will increase!

(Haha, this is just me trying to make her happy)

3.

Me: This will be the last time I see you for now, I don’t know when I will see you again L

Azu: Oh no~ Lets see each other again ok!?

Me: Yes! I will work hard to go to Japan to see you!

My gosh. I love this girl so much. She really knows how to be nice to her fans. I just wanna hug her.

Generally I tell all the other members

• I’m from Singapore
• Good luck for Budokan
• I enjoyed myself
• Other random stuff that came to my mind

I told Akari her Acapella was good and to do it during Live. I asked Maana when she will be on Showroom (lol just to tease her) Moritty said that my necklace was cute. BUT, because I was wearing Azu T, they all didn’t really bother about trying to be extra nice to me. Lol.

Ayanon is such a Yanki.

While looping the handshake, all the UUG family make conversation with each other. One of the UUG family gives me this Azu balloon. It is so freaking cute!!

The Azu balloon that a wota gave to me! I will cherish it forever! 

After this is Passpo but I have a flight to catch so I have to give it a miss. While the others were watching a “Flight”, I was in an actual “Flight”. Pardon me.

The dreaded “Air Asia” flight, wasn’t as bad as I thought due to the fact I was fast asleep most of the way into KL and then from KL to SG. I even managed to squeeze in a Shower for SGD13 at KLIA. Upon reaching Singapore at 7am, I zoomed to the taxi stand to catch a cab home (5min from plane to boarding the taxi), changed my clothes and headed to work.

Round Up

Cart of Dim Sum near the Live Venue

Yes it was an unbelievably short trip. But in this short weekend, my love for UUG and Azu has grown so much. Come to think of it, Azu was really very very very x10000 good to me. She constantly gave me eye contact and wide smiles (I just know it is aimed at me XD).

I remembered in the previous Makenki live, even though I was wearing her T shirt and always looking at her, but sometimes she dared not make eye contact with me (she sort of skipped over me even when looking in my direction). She looked kind of awkward. But this time, there was none of that. She never failed to give her warm eye smile. Honestly because of the variety of idols I see in these idol festivals, there are many many idols who try so hard to “fish” people that they are constantly winking (Like 2-3 times per solo line, I'm not kidding) and pointing and stuff. Although I said that I like idols who work hard, too much of it makes me quite sick. Thats why I relish Azu's warm smile so much. It makes me melt inside~ Hehe

I really think of her as my younger sister and it makes me feel like spoiling her. (Its true I have a real younger sister but she doesn’t act like a younger sister at all :P). Even though I always say that I don’t require any kind of acknowledgement from my idol to continue to Oshi her, but it feels really good to have it too.

It happens that the day after I return to SG, UUG announces the dates for the 2nd half of their 47 Prefecture tour. There is a Birthday Live for Azu on her birthday, 14 June in her Hometown (Title: The Triumphant Return of Sekine Azusa). I HAVE to go for it.

アプガ最高！