After a two-year long waiting, LUNA SEA once again graced their fans in Taiwan with another two lunacy nights.
LUNA SEA had not performed in Taiwan since 2010, and since then their fans have been pleading for another performance, fancying to witness the legendary band live in person once again. When news came out that LUNA SEA would return to rock the night in Taipei again, that dream came true.
When the sacred IN FUTURE unveiled the show, LUNA SEA, praised as one of the four greatest bands in Japan, appeared on the stage like the coming of gods. Fans cheered in excitement to welcome the band back to, as SUGIZO has always said, their second home. As the very first note of the song vibrated throughout the venue, fans knew that LUNA SEA was truly back again, guiding them to embrace the beautiful future together. The fans’ passion that had been frozen for two years suddenly poured out. Announcing that they wanted to return to their original belief, LUNA SEA decided to hold their live tour on a “live house” scale this time, allowing all their fans to burn out all their passion and energy with them more closely and directly. Considering the past 20 years and the 2-days live held in Taipei, fans felt bliss to have met the initial LUNA SEA and the evolved LUNA SEA.
“Hello! How are you, Taipei?” Ryuichi greeted in Chinese with his beautiful smile. Being immersed in the outrageously passionate atmosphere, fans sang the lyrics of Dejavu out loud along with Ryuichi’s touching, transparent voice. As a fan, the opportunity of meeting these five talented musicians as a complete band could definitely be described as “déjà vu” upon experiencing the final curtain call and then their reboot.
As always, SUGIZO played the guitar with all his heart. Despite having injured both of his legs, he still held nothing back while performing. ”It still hurts when I do some specific movements,” he once confessed in an interview. However, one could hardly tell that he was still suffering from his injuries if you weren’t being told so-- his wholehearted involvement in this show could make you think he was in perfect condition. On the left side of the stage was another guitarist with injuries. INORAN, with a special eye patch on his face, also gave his everything despite the wound on his right eye. Those wounds just couldn’t prevent the two from giving an unforgettable show! J, the charming and talented bassist, grinned and led the fans to heat up the atmosphere with his influential, exquisite bass performance. J set the fans on fire once again immediately.
“Our new album is right around the corner!” Ryuichi said with excitement and then presented the new song, Rouge--a powerful song that could easily possess the listener with its strong beats and catchy rhythm. Unexpectedly, Shinya encountered a hiccup during the beginning of the song. “Sorry! We have a little trouble. Please just wait now, okay?” Ryuichi apologized while Shinya was trying to solve the trouble with his drums with the staff. “See you later!” The other members then went back to the back stage. Surprisingly, instead of being impatient, the fans screamed to cheer Shinya up. “Shinya! I love you!” was shouted out loud by a male fan, heating up the atmosphere of the live house to its peak once again. Fans hailed to express their agreement with the sweet confession. Thanks to these loyal, passionate and reasonable fans, the troublesome incident suddenly turned into another unforgettable and warm episode. Then the problem was solved. “Taipei is really a unique place!” Ryuichi laughed and admitted while leading the band to come back onstage. With the newly set drums, Shinya played with all his energy, giving the drums life and ability to rock the night.
Having happily returned to Taiwan, LUNA SEA enjoyed their show time on stage with the amazing fans of Taiwan, expressing their happiness directly towards them. SUGIZO then changed the positions of J and INORAN, allowing the fans in each direction to see them clearer and closer. They played with each other onstage, smiling and playing to their hearts’ content.
As SUGIZO took out his beautiful violin elegantly, PROVIDENCE graced the site. Everyone held their breath to appreciate this peaceful moment. LUNA SEA’s music has not only shaken their fans world, giving them fuel for life, but it has also granted them holy and tranquil moments that can wash out all the chaos in their lives, giving them strength to face the upcoming days. With this beautiful, silent moment added to this show, the band then presented another new single, The End of the Dream--a masterpiece that brought out an outburst of enthusiasm among themselves, and of course, of the fans. With this new song, LUNA SEA showed the world that they had truly grown and are on the way of preparing to be called the best band. Those who have seen LUNA SEA marvel at the brilliance and skill of these five incredible musicians. Each member played with their heart and soul, infecting the fans with their passion without any doubt or hesitation. Onstage or offstage, there was a complete unity.
“Shadows of my love!” Fans sang the lyrics of Desire with Ryuichi, and then came the remarkable song of J’s, ROSIER. As the first note of it popped up, fans screamed and couldn’t take their eyes off J. As usual, J narrated his famous lyrics from it and then threw the microphone stand to his back, which made the tension among fans even higher. “Taipei!” Ryuichi yelled out several times with excitement. INORAN and J also asked the fans to get wilder for them sweetly. It was impossible for the enthusiasm to fade away. Fans danced and gave into the dream-like show without holding back.
As the powerful song TONIGHT ended, the band said “Thank you!“ and “Taipei is the best!” and then walked backstage. Instead of yelling “Encore!” fans sang the meaningful LOVE SONG, which was presented at the band’s farewell at their final curtain call. Having missed the band during their disbandment, the fans repeated “La la~ la la la la la~ la la, love together “ nonstop so that it could penetrate the venue and every fan’s heart. They wished for the band to show up again, just like how they felt 13 years ago.
Never letting the fans down, LUNA SEA came back onstage one by one. Fans threw their banners for them immediately. J picked one up and found out that the banner had “Shinya” written on it. He laughed and lifted his face, asking “It isn’t for me?” and then handed it to Shinya. Astonished by this special gift, Shinya hung it on his back gratefully and happily. They accepted the banners with appreciation and took them as their treasures. In return for the fans’ adoration, LUNA SEA lit up the venue with their encore songs. With the well-known song, I for You, the crowd chanted the lyrics together with the band. Then came the introduction of the band members. “On drums,” Ryuichi started, letting the fans finish: “Shinya!” Shinya then gave a little, amazing drum solo. Similarly, “On bass,” ”J!” J also gave a teaser of his ideal bass solo. “On guitar,” “INORAN!” INORAN, despite his eye wound, still gave a spectacular performance. “On guitar,” “SUGIZO!” SUGIZO once again unfolded his guitar skill without blemish, and he greeted everyone with the sweetest words: “I love all of you guys” in Chinese. “On vocals…” INORAN introduced back naughtily. “Ryuichi!” fans yelled out loud, showing their respect and love toward these five icons.
After J had the fans jumping and dancing with Believe, and the forever powerful and hope-filled ending song, wish, the encore ended, and the agitated feelings of satisfaction in the fans’ hearts was just beyond description. “Thank you so much!” Ryuichi exclaimed, expressing the band’s gratitude.
To the fans’ surprise, Ryuichi asked the other members to add one more encore as a pleasant gift to the amazing fans in Taipei that night. “One more song…Precious!” As the bonus song began, needless to say, it was truly the most precious experience for everyone there.
With a heartfelt smile on his face, Ryuichi clapped his hands to declare that it was finally the end of that night’s successful live. “Thank you!” the band said. As always, LUNA SEA asked their attendees to hold other attendees’ hands to do the ending jump with them. “Ready…?” they started--and then with one motion, the band and their fans jumped together. “Thank you so much, Taipei!” With happiness fulfilled in their hearts and the fans’ hearts, LUNA SEA gazed upon their fans’ faces once again and then returned backstage. It wasn’t difficult to see how much and how deeply they treasured their fans. SUGIZO, as always, took pictures of all the crazy, lovely fans and, at last, bowed to show his appreciation.
It was truly The End of the Dream, and fans in Taiwan finally met their impeccable moon hanging in the dark night sky again. Despite the live inevitably coming to the end, the fans all know clearly in their hearts that, with this one-of-a-kind band, their dreams will continue to move forward. There are some beautiful dreams that come true, instead of meeting the end.
Set List
1.IN FUTURE
2.Dejavu
3.G.
4.END OF SORROW
5.TRUE BLUE
6.Rouge
7.gravity
8.Providence
9.NO PAIN
10.The End of the Dream
11.Storm
12.DESIRE
13.ROSIER
14.TONIGHT
encore
1.I for You
2.Believe
3.wish
bonus encore track
4.Precious...
