H.U.G First Showcase ONE-MAN Live "SHOWCASE01" at Spotify O-WEST

A relatively new music project, H.U.G (short for Hyper Undead Genius), already played three lives last year: DEVIL'S PARTY 2022 in June 2022, DEVIL'S PARTY vol.2 in September and the two-man show Luv PARADE vs H.U.G in December. This year, they held their long-awaited first one-man H.U.G First Showcase ONE-MAN Live "SHOWCASE01" at Spotify O-WEST on March 24th.

Formerly known as Karyu SESSION BAND, as it features ex-D'ESPAIRSRAY and current Angelo and Luv PARADE guitarist Karyu, the group's line-up also includes HOLLOWGRAM and DALLE vocalist ryo and manipulator and percussionist Yokoyama Kazutoshi. For this one-man, they once again invited FANTASISTA and ex-Kagrra, bassist NAOKI and PIERROT and Angelo drummer TAKEO as support members. These members began supporting the trio last December.

The audience was put into the right mood with a special intro, in which the single letters of the band's name were spoken to a specific beat. Only a few moments later the real video intro was shown on screen. Meanwhile, TAKEO, NAOKI, Karyu, Yokoyama and ryo appeared on the stage accompanied by loud applause. H.U.G launched into their set with the powerful song HUG, which saw ryo display his skill as a vocalist right at the start when he switched between clean singing and growls with ease. The band continued with the energetic DON'T DOUBT and the new song BLOOD PIN, which both created ideal moments for fists in the air and headbanging.

This was followed by the first of the evening's many MCs. It quickly became clear how much the vocal support and applause of the audience has been missed by the musicians during the past few years - they thirsted after the screams of the crowd, and ryo and Karyu encouraged the crowd to make noise again and again.

H.U.G continued their set with the dark, mysterious and driving tune -OKI- and the D'ESPAIRSRAY classic Marry of the blood. When ryo breathed into the microphone in a sinister way it created such a seamless, atmospheric transition between songs that it was impossible to tell whether it was at the end of -OKI- or the beginning of Marry of the blood. Afterwards, the mood was shifted by a happier tune, the fast, danceable and playful number Flash dancers from TAG. Like the two previous covers, this song has become an integral part of H.U.G's set list.

In the subsequent MC the fans were able to raise their voices. A few moments later, the musicians launched into the new song BUTTERFLY, which offered a hopeful and melodic sound. Due to the images shown on the screen and its strong message, the emotional LOVE THAT NEVER ENDS resounded like an anthem against war. Before the song ended Yokoyama raised his arm and swung it from side to side, and the audience followed along with him. Next, H.U.G powered around the stage again with the dynamic song HEART. ryo laid his arm on Karyu's shoulder, and only a few moments later the guitarist switched places with NAOKI and ryo's arm made its way around the bassist's shoulder instead. Fans' fists and arms were in the air the whole time.

In the MC that followed, ryo explained a special new routine for the performance of the next track that would include the audience. WHO IS THE ROMEO surprised the fans with a potpourri of sounds and melodies, including some dissonant moments. The moment the crowd had prepared for came in the latter portion of the song. A command to crouch was shown on the screen, and a little later everyone was allowed to jump up high. There was also lots of action in the performance of DROP. Viewers watching the live stream could see the audience following along with the band when NAOKI crouched at the edge of the stage, and also later when Karyu did the same and ryo joked around with the bassist. After a short break, the time came for SEEDS, which was another new song and the last before the encore. Again, there was a lot on offer for both the eyes and ears. The dynamic song saw ryo and Karyu lean briefly against each other, and later on there was a very soulful guitar solo and ryo impressed once again by switching seamlessly between clean vocals and growls.

After the five musicians withdrew from the stage, the usual cries of "Encore!" rang through the halls, but these were quickly replaced by a voice that spelled the three letters of the band's name again and again. The audience took this prompt and cheers of "H-U-G! H-U-G! H-U-G!" floated throughout the dark hall. Around six minutes later the five performers returned to the stage, wearing tour shirts designed by ryo. During the encore. fans were informed about H.U.G's first one-man tour, H.U.G TOUR 2023 -LOVE THAT NEVER ENDS-. The tour will consist of six shows, and it will start on June 10th and end on July 7th. The trio will once again be accompanied by NAOKI and TAKEO for these dates. Coming back to the musical aspect of the encore, H.U.G offered repeats of WHO IS THE ROMEO, HEART and SEEDS. Mirroring the musicians, the fans let out all of their energy one last time and brought H.U.G's first one-man live to a sweaty, energetic close.

Set list

01. HUG
02. DON'T DOUBT
03. BLOOD PIN
04. -OKI-
05. Marry of the blood (D'ESPAIRSRAY)
06. Flash dancers (TAG)
07. BUTTERFLY
08. LOVE THAT NEVER ENDS
09. HEART
10. WHO IS THE ROMEO
11. DROP
12. SEEDS

Encore

01. WHO IS THE ROMEO
02. HEART
03. SEEDS