Starwave Fest vol. 9 at TSUTAYA O-WEST

On June 16th at TSUTAYA O-WEST, Kiwamu's label Starwave Records held Starwave Fest vol. 9. With a total of 10 bands, the event started early so they could fit in all the bands before too late in the evening. Every band would play just a few songs, with each band’s set lasting about twenty minutes. In the breaks between bands, the audience switch places so they can see their favorite artists. Plus, in almost every break between sets, two members of the various bands come up to a small platform next to the big stage to talk to and entertain the audience, and update them on their upcoming releases and concerts.

After the first two bands Lieselotte and Vampire Rose have given their show, it’s time for Scarlet Valse, who’ve just signed with Starwave Records, to play. The curtains open and there are roses wound around the microphone stands. The intro music plays and the volume keeps rising, and a rose is thrown towards the audience. They start off with Agehacho no yume, with the guitarists leaning towards the audience. Jun makes heart-signs with his fingers, smiling and melting the audience’s hearts. The other guitarist, You, holds up his instrument up as the song ends and vocalist Kakeru starts yelling ‘hey’, with the audience partially joining in. Then he grabs a sword and holds it aloft while the audience headbangs. The band is energetic on stage and after a short MC, they close their set with Secret Eden, that involves a lot of headbanging. You jumps on the pedestal to show off his guitar solo. Scarlet Valse thank the audience and leave the stage, and the curtains close again.

After a short talk between two band members on the small stage, it’s the turn of THE SOUND BEE HD. The curtains stay closed but music blasts out of the speakers, and they open during the intro to reveal the band, all dressed in white clothes and ghostly make-up. The band starts with again, a downtempo song packed with piano melodies. The song steadily turns darker and heavier, speeding up towards the end, and they continue with their second song live, that really gets the audience going. The crowd headbangs and do furitsuke during the song, and the members get energetic too, switching places and jumping on the pedestal, pointing to the crowd or showing off their solos. Electronic music mixes with the instruments to create an interesting soundscape. In no time at all, it’s already their last song answer, and everybody gives their all. The audience is thanked and then, with a bow, THE SOUND BEE HD depart the stage.

LIV’ERT is next to show what they’ve got. The band plays a musical style that involves a lot of grunting that manages to be both upbeat and heavy. Vocalist Mukuro jumps off the stage during their second song Circle of sorrow and continues with the show, later hopping back onstage again, whilst bassist Madara jumps up and down and guitarist Yu mimes along to Mukuro’s vocals. After the song, the audience burst into a loud rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ in honor of drummer Tomoya, who is presented with a birthday cake. They continue the show with more grunting and growling. In Void, Mukuro jumps on the pedestal, pointing the microphone to the audience before stretching his arms, the instruments overpowering the hall before he continues singing. One by one, they leave the stage, the curtains falling once again, getting ready for the next band.

With an upbeat and energetic electronic intro, the colorful members of Capella walk on stage. The audience matches the band, bright and lively, jumping into the first song Fate. Guitarist Tsuyoshi and bassist Peko twirl around on stage, totally psyched for the twenty minutes they’re on stage. The two also join the crowd in doing the furitsuke of their songs. Standing in the spotlight, vocalist Bon starts off Rainy re:iny a capella, creating an intimate and calm atmosphere before the rest of the members join and together create a joyous melody. They keep the atmosphere alive by doing call-and-response with the audience, continuing in to SONG 4, the concluding song of their set. Their flamboyant appearance match perfectly with their performance and the crowd loves it. The song is over much too soon and the fans applaud as the band depart the stage.

Calmando Qual is next out onstage and start off, appropriately enough, with Zesshou. Vocalist Hibiki and guitarist Tak sing in harmony during this heavy song, their voices creating their own ambience. The band has been around since 2001 and their experience shows in their performance: their music is balanced and they create their own atmosphere. Maya shows his drumming skills by playing different rhythms. The band immediately flows into Nuritsubusareta ereji. The audience were quiet for the opening number but now start getting into the music, headbanging along to the rhythm. Calmando Qual continue the heavy and dark sound in the next songs, the members often joining the fans in their headbanging. Some of the audience switch to furitsuke, all knowing the signs very well. The four songs go by quick and the members make their exit amidst loud applause. Maya bows and the curtains close.

The members of Misaruka, each dressed up beautifully according to their “Romeo and Juliet” theme, walk one by one on stage. Their music contains various musical elements, but is mostly symphonic. This shows immediately in their first song Juliet that starts off with a clavier and violin intro. Soon the instruments join in and create an interesting sound that clearly appeals to the fans as they join in straightaway. They are asked to all sit on the ground, then all jump up together when told and pump their fists in the air. Guitarist rin moves gracefully about during the concert, playing his instrument with style. The fans run from the back to get in front when vocalist rui leans forward on stage, struggling to be in the vocalist’s range, and retreating when rui turns back to the stage. Misaruka give a great performance, combining different genres and putting their own unique twist on them.

A bit after eight, it’s Synk:yet turn, and they start off their first song with headbanging. The sound is heavy but the vocalist’s voice softens it a bit in the first song. Guitarist yuiha shows off in his solo, the other guitarist joining him and they play in harmony before rino takes over. The band continues with Messiah, and singer liki joins the audience with headbanging and furitsuke. Synk:yet know how to entertain and interact with the audience. They pour everything they have into their last song, the fast-paced and heavy Unlimited Crucio. Fans start jumping up on the barrier closest to the stage, trying to jump as high as possible. The music that marked the start of their set also heralds the end, and the band members stand motionless as the curtain falls.

Laser lights and intro music mark the start of the last band, Tokami. The audience claps along with the music as the members enter the stage. The fans know all the furitsuke by heart and as soon as the first song starts, they know what to do. Vocalist Agato’s grunts and shrieks fit well with the heavy opening song. The fans keep moving throughout the whole set. The crowd shout when asked “Are you having fun?”, and the band continues their MC, announcing a new live before continuing their set. Their last song Crimson Sky starts off with a catchy melody, and Agato joins the crowd with furitsuke. During the song, members from other bands join Tokami on stage, while they play and stretch the song. The members on stage form small groups and start headbanging together, go back to the front of the stage, bumping fists and shaking hands with fans. Tokami ends the song and they take their time in leaving the stage, walking off accompanied by all the other members who’d joined them for Crimson Sky.

It was a long haul, but all of the bands showed variety, mixing styles and genres and giving a grand performance. In just twenty or so minutes, they all succeeded in showing what they stand for and entertaining the audience, both during and in between sets. Now, all there is to do is look forward to the event’s next edition: Starwave Fest vol. 10.


Set List:

Scarlet Valse
1. Agehacho no yume
2. Rebellion
3. Secret Eden

THE SOUND BEE HD
1. again
2. live
3. sai
4. answer

LIV’ERT
1. Proof of Waste
2. Circle of sorrow
3. Black out
4. Void

Capella
1. Fate.
2. Suider~kanbina mousou
3. Rainy Re:iny
4. Gokusai no neko

Calmando Qual
1. Zesshou
2. Nuritsubusareta ereji
3. Medore shi yori mo fukai shi no naka de 〜 SCISSORS 〜 jigoku shefu 〜 gareki no yume
4. Yami o tsuranuku gekijo no kagayaki

Misaruka
1. Juliet
2. Curse of Contract
3. My Dear Rose

Synk;yet
1. Silent Prayer
2. Messiah
3. Unlimited Crucio

Tokami
1. Yuuutsu Naru Futashika na Ashita, Hohoemi no Saki ni Tsuita Uso
2. LemrianSeed
3. The Under of Garden
4. Crisis in the future
5. Crimson Sky