I just got back from the concert. It was supposed to start at 7pm, so my friend and I went there at 5:30pm. At that time the line already wrapped around the block once, and by 7 it wrapped around the block twice. There were quite a few questions from bystanders about what we were waiting for. They also mentioned that they’ve never seen a line this long. Yoshiki bought us like 50 pizzas. When the dudes with cameras went through the line, we gave them our best X poses. Also, got some flyers to hold up for Toshi’s birthday from a dude wearing an 80s era X cross-dressing outfit.
The beginning of the concert was pretty civilized. The hall was filled to capacity, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a sold out show. It took a while to start though, I’d say about an hour delay. To pass the time, a big dude was lifted in the air and shouted “We are”, to which the audience replied X. Hilarious. Vampires Everywhere started the set. Not a fan, but they’re not bad live, and knowing how tough it is to make it in music I gave them a few cheers. When X started, it was pure chaos. I was in the front/middle of the pit, and morons started pushing from the back and sides. Incredibly hot, sweat was pouring off me, and the pushing didn’t make it any better. Totally ruined Jade/Rusty Nail for me. Felt especially bad for some of the shorter members in the audience, who had a hard enough time seeing (if it all). I saw quite a few people rush out of the pit during the first ten minutes because they couldn’t handle the pushing. Luckily, it calmed down after that. I’d say the performances were just about flawless. I’ve watched a bunch of the X US tour performances on youtube, and vocally this easily matched the best of them. Also, loved the fact that they played the radio edit of Art of Life. This may sound blasphemous, but I've always preferred that to the 30 min version. All in all a great experience. Security at Roseland are a-holes though, so if they play again I hope it’s at a better venue.
Edit: I'm not 100% sure, but it seemed there weren't any playbacks. Gotta check out youtube to be sure, but if I remember correctly (and it was hard to focus during mosh time), Sugizo's fingers were moving during Rusty Nail and Art of Life's solos. Also, to me it sounded like they nailed the Jade and X solos, and I know they usually mess up the X solo a bit.