MIYAVI at ULU Live, London

MIYAVI bounds onto the stage with guitar in hand to greet the fans here at the University of London's Student Central tonight, starting the gig with FLASHBACK. It's a perfect choice to get the everyone room jumping along to the beat, arms outstretched and singing along to every word. This year, we also have DJ Jonny, backing vocalists Seann Bowe and Heather Ogilvy, along with BOBO, to support MIYAVI on his “DAY 2” World Tour.

The gig continues with amazing energy as MIYAVI paces the stage with an enthusiasm he seems to be feeding off of the crowd — the more they scream, the more he plays to the love here tonight. SO ON IT brings a blistering, sultry yet cool vibe, which is then followed by an equally fast paced IN CROWD.

MIYAVI is full of smiles, which is great to see, and there's plenty of interaction with his fellow musicians and the fans. There are a couple of touching moments about halfway through the gig: a heart-to-heart talk where he lets us know about his new films that will soon be released ("BLEACH" and "Stray"), and a sharing of the tough but eye-opening experiences he has had as a goodwill ambassador.

MIYAVI treats us to a few classics one after the other, which is exciting. Performing one of hide's most memorable songs, Pink Spider, to the obvious thrill of many in the crowd here in London, it's hard to not find someone who's singing along to at least the chorus. LIVE TO DIE ANOTHER DAY and THE OTHERS follow, but then the mood in the university hall changes as the opening beat and heavy bass rhythm sound the first seconds of LONG NIGHTS. Everyone becomes receptive to the emotional lyrics and overall message of this song.

The next part of reminiscing for many tonight comes in the encore. SELFISH LOVE and WONDERFUL WORLD, taking fans back to MIYAVI's visual era over a decade ago, are understandably well-loved and well-received. MIYAVI ends the night with WHAT'S MY NAME rather teasingly, as if we don't know who he is already, leaving everyone on a high.

From start to finish, the gig tonight was A-class. The entire room and stage was bursting with energy; there was dancing, laughter, songs from the new album and a few old tunes. It was arguably one of MIYAVI's best performances in London yet as there was a connection that was truly refreshing.

Set list

01. FLASHBACK
02. DANCING WITH MY FINGERS
03. SO ON IT
04. IN CROWD
05. BUMPS IN THE NIGHT
06. DIM IT
07. HA!!
08. EPIC SWING
09. PINK SPIDER
10. LIVE TO DIE ANOTHER DAY
11. THE OTHERS
12. LONG NIGHTS
13. FIRE BIRD
14. AFRAID TO BE COOL
15. DAY 1
16. STRONG

E1. SELFISH LOVE
E2. WONDERFUL WORLD
E3. REAL
E4. WHAT'S MY NAME