OLIVIA gave her first concert on American soil in October during the Pacific Media Expo.
Waiting for her American debut, many of OLIVIA's fans at PMX showed up hours early to claim a good spot in line in hope of being up-close for her performance. Held in one of the hotel ballrooms, fans were finally let inside by the staff and took their seats. The air was pleasantly buzzing as everyone chatted quietly but excitedly until the lights began to dim and the cheers began.
Before OLIVIA's performance, the audience was treated to two other bands; Japanese rock band Imitation PoPs Uchuu Sentai NOIZ, who immediately got already excited fans whipped into a frenzy, and then a local band by the name of Dig Jelly. While much of the audience was receptive to both of these acts, many remained seated, saving their energy for their idol. When it was OLIVIA's turn, however, everyone immediately rose to their feet with a cheer as the lights went down.
OLIVIA's band, clad mostly in black, took the stage first to appreciative cheers before the singer herself appeared, her hair slightly wild and in a ruffled dress. She seemed just as thrilled to see her international fans as they were to see her, and the energy right from the start was very high as she kicked off the night with Sea Me. Despite her petite stature, OLIVIA had a powerful stage presence and kept the crowd hanging on each note. Fists were pumping and people were dancing during the rock tune of Fake Flowers before things were slowed down for a soulful performance of A Little Pain. A Little Pain was followed by Tears & Rainbows and then the heart wrenching Alone in Our Castle; OLIVIA seeming to pour her soul into every note as the lights swirled.
OLIVIA took a moment then to introduce the talented men who currently compose her band, each name earning a cheer from the grateful crowd. She announced Celestial Delinquent would be next and performed wonderfully, doing very little girlish vocals where appropriate in the song and making eye contact with a number of audience members in the front as she paced the stage. Two other songs followed before OLIVIA, slightly breathless but beaming, took a moment to talk about the "Nana" anime and yell to the crowd, "We love you!" The audience obviously felt the same adoration she went into her recent single, Starless Night. The lighting was done a touch differently during this song, making her appear almost black and white amidst her black-clad band members; one of who immediately gained a number of fans himself, no doubt, with an insane guitar solo. Recorded Butterflies followed before OLIVIA took another brief moment to announce her plans for a new mini-album and express her wish to return to PMX.
With that wish in mind, the song Wish naturally came next with an outstanding bass line and OLIVIA dancing about the stage as she questioned the audience with the line, "Do you feel me?" Next came Spider Spins, with its unique opening of OLIVIA singing a line from Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. OLIVIA strode and danced all up and down the stage, her long hair wrapping around her as she twirled. She stepped back to let the guitar players come forward to appreciative shouts during the proper moments in the song before claiming the stage and spotlight as her own once more. While no one in the audience wanted her to go, the song and set was over then and OLIVIA thanked the gathered crowd before exiting the stage, the band following her.
The call for an encore went up immediately and OLIVIA didn't keep the audience waiting long as she launched into the rock song, Devil's In Me. OLIVIA was still obviously responding to the high energy of the crowd and danced along the stage the entire tune, her gaze sweeping over her wildly head banging fans as she sang. "I have to be on my way," she sang. It was unfortunately true as the song came to an end. Everyone remained on their feet to cheer for her as she left the stage for the last time, but not without a parting promise:
"See you again soon!"
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Set list :
1. Sea Me
2. Fake Flowers
3. A Little Pain
4. Tears & Rainbows
5. Alone In Our Castle
6. Celestial Delinquent
7. Under Your Waves
8. Blind Unicorn
9. Starless Night
10. Recorded Butterflies
11. Wish
12. Spider Spins
-- ENCORE --
13. Devil's In Me
Special thanks to the PMX staff and Avex. Photo credit: Benjamin Lumanlan of AgentSakur9 Entertainment
