My report on the concert, it’s not perfect but I wanted to write it down asap so I don’t forget anything. Also I was down in the pit so probably didn’t catch everything because it was quite hard to see most of the band except for Yoshiki and Toshi. Had a really good view on Heath and Pata at the beginning though but didn’t see that much of Sugizo except for his solos.
I got to the venue at about 5ish and the queues were already massive. Didn’t have that much fun while waiting unfortunately as I was in between two groups who were happy with talking among themselves. But that wasn’t much of a problem as it were only just over two hours until we were let in.
Shepherd’s Bush Empire is a really nice venue (I like it a lot anyway) and the whole interior was quite fitting for an X Japan show. The support band came up late and their sound wasn’t the best (I don’t think they got the chance to do a proper soundcheck) but they were surprisingly good. They are not really the kind of band I’d normally listen to but luckily everyone was very nice to them and clapped and screamed for them. I think they enjoyed their thirty minute set and I’m glad, nothing like with the North American support band happened.
After they finished it took about another 40 minutes (I think) until X Japan came on (around 9ish) a lot of ‘We Are X’ shouting was going on in the meantime which was a good thing because it distracted me from the increasing back pain due to standing for what seemed ages. It started with the new intro and everyone started to get really excited. I started out being in 5th row approximately and had quite a good view for the most part. When Jade came on everyone went mental (literally)! It was really good and there was a lot of energy in the crowd and on the stage. At some point it got a bit difficult because of all the people shoving and jumping but it was part of the experience in a way. Rusty Nail was pretty good as well (although I was a bit disappointed they didn’t play Week End instead), would have preferred the Japanese version cause I don’t really know the English lyrics bit it was fun anyway.
Then there was Silent Jealousy with the intro by Toshi and Yoshiki. Toshi let us sing quite a few lines and they seemed really happy that so many people knew the lyrics.
The shoving got pretty bad at this point though and I didn’t mind that I slowly but steadily went further to the back as the show went on(at the end of the show I was a bit in front of the middle I think). I had my experience of being so close to them and a bit further back it was easier to enjoy the music. Also I’m quite tall for a girl I suppose so I still had a decent view most of the time. The people further back were all really considerate and nice as well. Just the two girls who were taken up to their friends shoulders pissed me off a little bit. They obstructed the view for everyone else and one of them also kept making out with her boyfriend while the band was playing…
Then it was time for Drain which is not one of my favourite songs but was a nice tribute to hide. It also gave everyone the chance to calm down for a bit and save some energy for what was to come.
The Sugizo violin solo was beautiful and quite long I think, it then went into the Kurenai intro together with Yoshiki. I would have liked to hear Toshi sing it but it was very nice anyway. Kurenai was really good. Toshi’s voice was almost flawless and everyone really felt it.
Born to be free came up after that and was surprisingly good. I didn’t like it that much so far but it worked really well live and everyone went crazy again.
Then the I.V. intro bit must have been one of the most beautiful moments of my life. Toshi took the flag some fans made and waved it around/put it around his neck. I think I’ve seen photos of the flag being uploaded somewhere but don’t remember. It’s basically the Union Jack with the X Japan logo on it and I think some written messages. They seemed to love that flag and were fiddling around with it later on as well. Singing along with everyone for the intro was so nice and definitely one of my highlights.
For X after that everyone went mental. I was surprised that not that many people did the X jump. Could be a misconception though and might be due to the limited space in the pit. After that Yoshiki dived into the crowd. I’m pretty annoyed as he went exactly where I was standing at the very beginning but I’d probably be bruised like crazy if I had still been there. The faces of the security guys who pulled him out again were hilarious though. Like literale ‘what the hell did he do that for??’
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After that, the band left and again, there was a lot of ‘We Are X’ shouting going on. The break felt pretty long even if it was only about 20 minutes I think. Also a lot of people were shouting for ‘Endless Rain’. When Yoshiki and later Toshi came back there was a really nice speech. Definitely find it on youtube (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj5JFGe8NhY&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL). It was very emotional and Yoshiki was talking about hide always playing with them and everyone shouted their names. But better watch it yourself. We were also shouting for Endless Rain and if I’m not mistaken Yoshiki grinned a bit and nodded at one point.
There’s not much to say about Endless Rain, as always everyone was singing along for ages and the band looked really emotional about the reception. It was beautiful but I don’t think there’s much I need to say about it.
Art of Life started with a second piano player (possibly INA) playing the piano solo and then Yoshiki joined in on piano doing the piano solo. At one point, when everyone started clapping I think he shook his head as if to tell people to stop. Not entirely sure if I made it out correctly from where I was standing, maybe should check some recordings. Then the band joined in and did the last part of Art of Life, which is – as we know – a pretty epic song.
That was the last song unfortunately and Forever Love S.E. started playing. Loads people sang along and the band was throwing water bottles into the crowd and took pictures of themselves in front of everyone.
Would have loved to catch a bottle of water they threw in the crowd but the closest I got was being hit by the cap of one of them.
Overally I’m feeling so lucky and honour to have had the opportunity to see them in such a small and intimate venue. It was the first time I ever saw any of them in person and not on a screen and I can’t even say which was the best moment as there were so many. Singing along with Endless Rain, Toshi waving the Union Jack/X flag throughout IV intro, Yoshiki’s and Toshi’s speech, Silent Jealousy intro or Pata sort of grinning the whole time during Jade and Rusty Nail (couldn’t really see him after that much unfortunately). They seemed so happy and grateful for the reception we gave them and I really hope they’re coming back to London sometime.
I wish I could thank them in some way for this amazing experience.