Ok Just got home...5 hours after the show. Excuse me if my memory is slightly off..it may have to do with the fact my right ear is still ringing...also my voice is shot (I've been sick for 4 days..so that made it worse haha)
Before the show :We had arrived at around 2pm to which there was already a small gathering of people outside. We sat down at a building opposite of the theater because the sun was scorching hot and with me in 4inch platform boot and dressed in all black...the sun didn't seem like something I wanted to deal with. As the minutes and hours passed random people most likely on drugs walked around asking us if we wanted some weed or had some spare change. A man even had his car break down on the street near us (the poor guy sat there even when we went inside). Chatted with some fellow X fans while we waited and waited and waited. The line gradually grew so long I couldn't see the end. It felt like forever since the Staff had told us the door would open at 7pm and they didn't until about 7:30. Once inside i had bolted towards the merch booth and bought a shirt and since my girlfriend could not make it I bought her a Yoshikitty.
Also: Security checked peoples' bags and purses but they did not even pat us down and did not even seem to care that there were people right in front of them filming the show.
Vampires Everywhere: When VE took the stage they were met with a decent applause. The crowd appeared to be somewhat unsure about them throughout the show, although they did cheer. There wasn't a large amount of negative reception towards them however, at one time something (could not tell what it was) was thrown at the vocalist and missed. The singer attempted to pump up the crowd by yelling at them to jump which was met with little response at all. VE seemed to have a very easier performance than in LA. My personal opinion? The band was very boring..and the singer does not know how to use his lungs to actually sing or the sound was so bad I could not hear his singing voice AT ALL (and I was very close to the stage).
-insert a half hour long soundcheck here-
X Japan: It was difficult to compose myself. I was only about 3 people away from the stage, Sugizo's side, and this is/was my very first X show. I had never seen a crowd so excited in my life. Constant chanting and screaming up until Jade begins to be played after the SE to which the crowd responds to positively. As Rusty Nail is performed I notice Pata is having a lot of fun. I don't remember seeing him laugh and smile as much as he did during this show (although he DOES seem to enjoy this song).
The lights dim a bit and Yoshiki plays around on the piano until we all begin to realize that Silent Jealousy is next. Toshi did a GREAT job nailing the opening this time and the the crowd went nuts when the rest of the band joined in. Sugizo left the stage after SJ and Heath stand where he was, as the Drain begins. Personally, this is the one song that can be removed from the set. The audience just did not seem very into this one.
The band walks off as dramatic music begins to play in the background as Sugizo reappears for a mini-Violin solo that Yoshiki soon joins in as they lead into Kurenai. It was at this point in the concert that the crowd really used it's energy in. Toshi's screams overpowered us and the bass and drums sounded as if the whole building would cave in. I can honestly say I was surprised just how much the crowd enjoyed Born to Be Free. After witnessing the crowd reaction, it makes perfect sense for it to be the 2nd single for the upcoming album.
As for the drum solo, it was funny as Yoshiki bashed on the drumkit as Toshi yelled "on drums: Yoshiki!" to which Yoshiki runs to the piano as Toshi goes "On piano, A PIANO-YOSHIKI!" Yoshiki went back to the kit after noodling around on the piano. Toshi definitely forced the audience to give it there all during the beginning of I.V. It took multiple attempts before he was really satisfied with them.
X. The crowd used every last bit of strength they had into this song. It honestly felt like a quake as audience members' feet hit the floor. Screams, Singing, Chanting, as the band rips through the song. I could barely believe how much power was in the theater. It was a full blown relentless explosion of power during this. If this spectacle didn't prove X can dominate America, I have no clue what does. The song ended by the time the crowd had worn out. There was a small break that was filled with the audience chanting "hide" "X" and "Encore". They didn't simply want more from X. They sure as hell let them know they did.
Until a few hours ago I didn't expect Endless Rain to be as powerful as it did. Witnessing half if not more of the room in tears by the time the band stopped temporarily as the audience sang back to them. I was lost within that sea of people entranced by it all. The emotion was overpowering. It amazes me how both the crowd and band had enough energy to make it through Art of Life. As the SE of Forever Love began playing the band threw audience members bottles of water while Sugizo and Yoshiki shocked us all at just how far they can throw (which ended up being as far as the room allowed). We soon left after that.
Although there were some minor sound issues throughout the show...it doesn't matter. X destroyed Oakland.
