DaizyStripper “ARREST TOUR” Final at Akasaka Blitz

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Akasaka Blitz was the best place for DaizyStripper and their fans to start over again together. Blitz is the very venue where the return of guitarist Mayu, who had been away since the end of 2013, was announced out of blue at the end of their TRAGUS tour final on August 30th, 2014. Many fans would surely still remember the silhouettes of the five members appearing on the stage screen at the end of that live. Later, during the show, it was revealed that the silhouettes on the screen were not a recording; Mayu and the rest of the members were actually standing behind it, listening to the voices of their beloved fans. Currently in the eighth year of their career, the reunited members of DaizyStripper were ready to take on the ARREST tour final.

The five members of DaizyStripper entered the stage under red strobe lights. Vocalist Yugiri, guitarist Nao, guitarist Mayu, bassist Rei and drummer Kazami all moved into their respective positions and the band started the night off with ARREST. Relentless guitar riffs and a full throttle drum beat made the fans headbang violently while white smoke filled the stage. In the midst of this unleashed aggression, Yugiri declared the band’s determination to carry on and their unfailing love to their fans with his signature transparent high tone voice. In response, fans shouted the members’ initials “YNMRK”. During the song, each member played a brief solo, one-by-one. It seemed to symbolize the way that each individual sound joins the rest. Then, Yugiri’s shout led everyone to headbang together.

DaizyStripper built up momentum right from the beginning of the show by playing one hard-hitting yet melodious number after another. During the second song GIRL HUNT, fans enjoyed moshing side-to-side while holding each other’s hands, and they all turned around in the middle, shouting at the top of their lungs. Later, fans appreciated the diverse talents of Yugiri and Kazami during Shooting Star, in which the vocalist played a guitar and the drummer performed a vocal interlude. Meanwhile, Rei’s mesmerizing bassline captured fans’ attention when the band played Derringer, which also saw fans give the band a loud ovation when Mayu and Nao finally played a guitar solo together. Mayu seemed as if he was releasing all the emotions he had experienced while he was away during Hakuchou Ranbu – The Last Scene. He got down on his knees while strumming his guitar strings and sang along during the chorus without a microphone. A purifying ballad with a sharp edge of clear guitar sound and Yugiri’s soulful vocals made a deep impression on fans.

Later, Mayu took some time to speak to the fans. “The voices I heard behind the screen last August are still giving me strength. I am very happy to be able to share music with you guys. DaizyStripper is everything to me,” he said. Yugiri also thanked the fans: “The reason Mayu was able to return, and that we were able to create the song ARREST is because of you guys.” Then, Yugiri asked fans to shout “welcome home” to Mayu, and Mayu absorbed the fans’ love. “Let’s prove the power of music together!” Yugiri stirred up the crowd. The band and the audience went on a rampage in the next song, G.Z.S.K.K, and this energy level continued through Kyuuso Neko Kami, and of course, the infamous BLACK DROPPer in which Nao - with his hands free, thanks to Mayu - played guitar on his behalf, enjoying spilling water bottles on the fans and even on himself.

Once again, Yugiri spoke to the audience. “2014 was a very difficult year. Honestly, I thought of stopping the band’s activities, and coincidently, I saw other bands go on hiatus and lose their members. I can’t blame anyone, but it made me sad when I saw people give up on their dreams. But, during such a tough season, I made a decision that I would be strong, because I learned that my negativity really affected my band members. We want to give courage to you guys. We will head toward our tenth year, but our tenth year is not the end goal, it’s a new start,” declared the vocalist. Then, the band played the last song, STAY GOLD. The sheer joy they take in being able to play music together filled the stage. Rei’s face was full of smiles while he was watching Yugiri tease Kazami, interrupting the drummer’s playing. “Let us hear the best guitar solo in the world!”, the vocalist pointed at the two guitarists in the center. After fully satisfying their fans with their splendid unified solo, the two guitarists fist-bumped. “Thank you!” Yugiri shouted at the end.

Later, during the encore, the music video for DEAR MY SIRIUS was played for the very first time on the stage screen. Fans cheered when the band members, all dressed in the outfits they wore in the MV, reappeared on the stage. The new outfits are based on white, a color that symbolizes the band’s state of mind. The band, of course, delighted fans with the first live performance of the song. “We’ll play the song we dedicated to our fans at our first one-man show,” said the vocalist. Then, SMILE WORLD started up with Kazami’s gentle piano introduction. Pin lights dotted the pianist and Yugiri, who sang in a clear voice, sometimes showing off his beautiful falsetto. Handclaps filled the venue as soon as the song finished. The show actually had a double encore. The band performed ARREST once again, with more intensity. “Don’t forget that you guys are all members of DaizyStripper!!” Yugiri shouted at the end of the song. Finally, the five men bid farewell.

Set List:

1. ARREST
2. GIRL HUNT
3. Shooting Star
4. Risou
5. Juliet no Knife
6. Tsumi na Batsu
7. Derringer
8. last note
9. Hakuchou Ranbu ~The Last Scene~
10. Another Sky
11. G.Z.S.K.K.-Kanzen Fukkatsu version
12. Kyuuso Neko Kami
13. BLACK DROPPer
14. decade
15. STAY GOLD

Encore

16. DEAR MY SIRIUS
17. SMILE WORLD
18. Bremen
19. LIVE or DIE

Double Encore

20.ARREST

DaizyStripper will embark on a tour titled NEVER ENDING SIRIUS from July 3rd to September 27th. You can check out the tour schedule here

A teaser for DEAR MY SIRIUS can be viewed below: