I have decided to restart my blog as there are just
too many precious memories of my trips to Japan that I would like immortalized.
I already regret not recording the past few trips. Although I travel to Japan
pretty often, each and every trip is a collection of special events that I
would not wish to forget
It starts out like any other trip, I head out of
Singapore on a night flight to reach Tokyo on Sunday Morning. It was the Scoot
flight so no frills and all. But I sleep like a pig cause of a full day of
activities the day before.
On NEX. Already decked out in Orange but covering up with リア充 Disguise
The flight lands on time, however, I make a poor
decision in taking the Narita Express Airport Train into Tokyo. I had thought
that since the NEX goes straight to Shinjuku, it would save me time by not
having to transfer trains. However, I realise that it much slower than if I had
taken the Keisei Skyliner instead. (And also more expensive). I was very lucky
to be able to fund an empty locker in Shinjuku station to dump my luggage,
usually I am really hard-pressed to find one. My flight touched down at 11am,
however, I only reach the venue in Shinjuku at around 12:30 (Live starts
12:30). Just in time!
アップアップガールズ（仮）Zeppツアー “The Seven PARTY LIVE Alien” Setlist
- パーリーピーポーエイリアン
- (仮)は返すぜ☆be your soul
- イチバンガールズ!
- ピンチはチャンス バカになろうぜ! [メロン記念日×ニューロティカ]
- お願い魅惑のターゲット
- バレバレ I LOVE YOU
- Shout!!!!!!!
- 青春の涙
- キラキラミライ(アコースティックVer)
- チョッパー☆チョッパー
- ジャンパー!
- 銀河上々物語
- イタダキを目指せ!
- UPPER ROCK(remix)
- 全力!Pump UP!!
- 美女の野獣(remix)
- サバイバルガールズ
- アップアップタイフーン
- アッパーレー
- アッパーカット!
21. アッパーカット!
22. セブン☆ピース
23. ENJOY!! ENJO(Y)!!
22. セブン☆ピース
23. ENJOY!! ENJO(Y)!!
This was an explosive live from start to end. Except
for the Acostic ver. Of Kira Kira Mirai (Will get to that later)
There is a girls only area so even though I arrived
late, I was still pretty close to the stage.
I didn't expect Party People to come out so early, but
it was the first song! Akari improvs on her solo Acapella Part to a great
comedic effect. She refuses to start the song without everyone in the audience
doing the alien pose. Her ability to draw laugher from the crowd is so natural
I am sure the other members are envious of her.
Personally I have heard these songs live before except
for Party People Alien and Seven Peace. I love the Rave sound and the Lasers so
Shout!!!!! And Seishun no Namida are such great songs for me. Everyone is
jumping and having a good time. There are hardly any MC, similar to high spurt
kingdom and rave festival, just 90min of EDM
The only slow song is the Acoustic version of Kira
Kira Mirai, where Ayanon, Akari (Center) and Azusa stand in front to take the
lead vocals while the rest do backup vocals and backdancing. This song really
moved me because the Lyrics are so meaningful and Akari and Azu have such
soothing voices. I did wonder why they chose Ayanon over Miiko for the Vocals
though. In my opinion, Miiko has much more control over her voice than Ayanon.
The reason I suspect so is because Miiko's voice sounds too similar to Akari,
and they need a more "passionate" voice, thus Ayanon was choosen.
Right after this song was an MC. Ayanon could not hold
herself together and started to cry. You can tell how much soul she puts into
her singing. Although she still has much to catch up with Akari iand Azu skill
wise, but she makes up for it with her passion. Azu laughs at her. LOL
After that brief respite, it is back to the adrenaline
pumping setlist we are all used to.
I really love the EDM Remix of Upper Rock. They
performed this exact (?) same remix during Rave Festival last year too. It
sounds too good! I actually don’t have a copy of this =( I would listen the
hell out of this song if I had it.
During the Remix Ver. Of Bijo no Yaju (Or as I like
to call it "I am a Beast"), there was no singing, just high impact
dancing which our girls are sooo good at.
From the start Azu already spotted me and gave me lots
of smiles and waves. I am actually so happy, it's great to see her again after
half a year. I have mentioned before that Azu has grown so much as a performer
in the past 3 years. She started out so awkward and full of doubt. But, each
and every time I see her, she has grown so much from the previous time I saw
her. She has blossomed in to a confident and beautiful woman. (Only her MC is
still bad LOL). I rarely see any awkward moments from her anymore. And most
importantly, she loves every minute of it and cherishes her time spent with the
fans. What more could you ask for in an idol.
My current favorite song is Appare. I am pretty sure
it will be a staple in lives for at least the rest of this year. It is a
massive crowd pleaser. During the MC, Azu moves to backstage for a short period
of time
At this point during the MC, UUG BOSS comes out.
Everyone is really nervous (Especially members), because this means that there
is a huge announcement coming. BOSS announces that BUDOKAN live is CONFIRMED
for UUG on 8 Nov 2016! Immediately all memebrs start crying. BOSS stresses he
know that the group is still very far from this objective (they will be unable
to sell out the huge venue). And that while they have been taking 1 step at a
time, Budokan is 10 steps ahead of them. He knows that the tears being shed by
the girls (and fans) are joyous tears, but also those of anxiety and fear. Was
it possible within a span of half a year, to be able to sell out 10,000 seats? Was
the question on everyone's minds.
Picture of Budokan cause this post lacks pics
In my opinion, there is a method to full the 10k
seats. UUG Family itself is about 3k strong (my estimate), Let's say we rope in
another few thousand Hello Project fans, by announcing Hello Project Groups as
Guests (Much like Angerme's Budokan), we could easily fill 7k. Which is a
reasonable amount to make Budokan not look too empty. But I am sure I speak for
all UUG family when I say, we will not be satisfied with this. The girls have
to rely on their own strength to fill in the remaining 7k seats, otherwise it
could not be called a "success". Somehow or other, the people
attending that Budokan have to be able to say "I am an UUG Family" instead
of saying, "I came because of the Guests". The road to that result
will be to release 1 more breakthrough single similar to PPA, promote their
concerts as "The ULTIMATE RAVE ENJOYMENT EXPERIENCE". Hopefully,
their success form PPA can translate to an even more successful next single which
will snowball into a break into mainstream media. It all sounds very hopeful,
and to be able to do that within the next 6months is the real challenge for the
girls.
Ayanon mentioned that the Zepp tour has not even
started. But I am not too worried about it, I am confident that the Zepp tour will
be successful. I cannot stress how important Idol Festivals will be to promote
Budokan (TIF2016 Im looking at you)
During the break between the 1st and 2nd
lives, I hang out with my fellow foreigner fans (2 from SG and 2 from HK). We
discuss about the shocking announcement.
There is also a handshake session slotted in here. As
I came late, the handshake tickets were already sold out. But fellow Singaporean
fan gave me his ticket! I am eternally grateful! UUG fans are so nice.. However,
I was so disappointed to see that Azu was not in attendance during the
handshake session.. Apparently she was not feeling well.. Honestly I felt so
crushed because I was really looking forward to speaking with Azu. I
congratulate all the members on Budokan.
Thankfully, Azu makes a re-appearance in the 2nd
Live. The girls still seem kind of in shock and that the announcement has not
quite set in their minds. It is easy to say "Well, It's already been
decided so we will just do what we can". But it is a whole different
matter to say "WE WILL MAKE THIS SUCCESSFUL!!!" and actually work your
ass off to make that dream a reality. That difference in attitude and the consequent
result what is weighing on everyone's minds.
I pay very close attention to Azu as I am very worried
about her condition. Despite her less than optimal body condition, I could not
see any less energy put into her dancing and singing. I love this girl.
After this I meet up with my Dad and Sister for
dinner. Coincidently, my Dad is also in Tokyo for a conference.
Truthfully, I am really dead because of the red-eye
flight I took the night before. Combined with a whole date of jumping.
After dinner, I go back with my Dad to bunk in his
hotel room at Hotel New Otani.
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