Live Report of Charlotte in Sao Paulo

On November 10th, Charlotte, the first visual kei band to come to Brazil, performed at the Okinawa Kenjinkai Association in the city of Sao Paulo. The show, which was highly anticipated by the Brazilian fans, was finally realized thanks to the efforts of JaME and Yamato Communication & Events. The doors opened at 4:00 PM, but the band’s activities started much earlier…

At 10:00 AM, the fans gathered at a location near the venue for the opportunity to meet the band, take photos, and get autographs. Accompanying the band was their producer, Hideki “kuma” Inoue, and JaME and Yamato’s staffs. Only a small number of fans had the chance to meet and take photos with the members of the band, but the event was lively nevertheless. The members of Charlotte were dressed in NERVE (their producer) T-shirts and the fans, dressed in a variety of different styles (especially school uniform-style clothes), came, screamed and hugged the band members, who seemed to be having a lot of fun during this activity.

Following this first event, the band went to the Kenjinkai, where they would begin the arrangements for their show. At the venue, a long line of people had already formed, waiting for the performance which would start four hours later.

After thirty minutes of delay, the Kenjikai Association opened their doors. Inside everything was in place and the venue was large enough to accommodate about 3,000 people standing. Near the entrance was a stand where Charlotte’s official goods were available for purchase. There were also banners and signs promoting the band at different places around the venue, and a large video screen near the stage.

Shortly after the first guests entered the stage, Kaminari, a Brazilian band that plays Japanese songs and one of the two bands that would open for Charlotte in Sao Paulo, started playing. They did covers of Siam Shade songs, including Don’t Tell Lies. The female vocalist of the band also did an impressive cover of Kouga Ninpouchou by Onmyouza.

After a 45 minute set Kaminari left and Red Sun, who, unlike the previous band, was much more visual, took the stage. The band had a more diverse sound as far as the music they played, including an original song that had furitsuke (choreography made of hand moves) to go along with it. Red Sun also played hits by other visual bands, including such as Dir en grey, Luna Sea and Rouage.

Red Sun’s set ended just before 7:00 PM, the hour that Charlotte was expected to take the stage. The mood was incredible and the fans got more impatient with each passing minute, anxiously awaiting the band. They shouted the band’s name and someone even started to whistle, just like the song hoissuru, but they had to wait a little longer. On the stage, some of Yamato’s staff amused the fans. At that time, more that 1,000 people were in attendance and the room became really hot due to some issues with the air conditioning.

After a thirty minute delay, it was announced that Charlotte, the first visual kei band to come to Brazil, was going to take the stage. The Brazilian fans shouted and screamed, happy that after so much time a visual kei band was finally performing in their country. The mood of the venue was great for the beginning of the show and many people took photos (even though it was requested that there be no photography), but despite this, the band started their live.

The opening song, unforgettable for all those who were present on that day, Diamond Busaiku, quickly turned into Diamond Burajiru when the band members played with the word "busaiku", changing it to "burajiru" (Brazil). Then a light show began with lots of effects and smoke, while everyone who watched started jumping frenetically, singing the chorus with vocalist, Kazuno.

The band members were dressed similarly in black shirts, red ties and plaid pants, resembling school uniforms, a trademark look for the band. A little below the eye of each member, a small Brazilian flag was painted.

Kazuno, now with a small toy sword in hand, announced the second song, bakumatsu kokosei, which included the first choreography of the night. All the members seemed to be really excited for the show, the mood still high for Time Over. The band led the fans in the special choreography of the song, making small hearts with their hands. In the refrain, the fans counted "1, 2, 3" with their hands and jumped during the "ichi ni san chou" part. Next was Chime Over, probably one of the most agitated songs of the show.

After that it was time for Sharu we dance?, the song that gave the band a lot of trouble when they were setting up the echoes before the show, which was one of the most fun songs of the night, even for the band members, who danced and did the furitsuke for the song on the stage. Once again the crowd was really excited for this song, everyone jumping when Kazuno shouted "sharu sharu sharu we dance?". The guitarist, Touya, amused the fans that replied back by shouting and jumping.

Yokohama Love Story softened the crowd a little, and they just swayed their arms in time with the music. Additionally, Touya's guitar solo during this song moved a lot of fans.

The band kept their amazing energy up song after song, with not even a small break, much to the happiness of the crowd. The next song, Onigokko, amazed a lot of the people that were there, especially the older fans of the band. The guitar intro by Touya and Mitsujou soon got the fans excited again; Kazuno’s shouts giving the fans even more energy. During the refrain there was more choreography by Kazuno making small horns with his fingers on his head (symbolizing a demon).

Finally it was time for one of the most anticipated songs of the night, hoissuru, which started with a lot of hand clapping and whistling from the fans, who also shouted the band's name. The solo from this song was, once again, really impressive and the crowd moved forward a little more, trying to get closer to touch Touya and Mitsujou, who played with them.

Before Neko ni narinai, Kazuno said in English, "Next, live's favorite: Neko ni narinai!" The crowd replied back and the vocalist once again did more choreography, this time mimicking a cat. As expected, everyone did the same, moving their hands in the same way.

The band finally took a small break between songs, but remained on stage. It was time for an MC with Charlotte and their fans. Kazuno seemed to be trying really hard and said everything in Portuguese. He had the help of a small paper with everything he needed to say, but the fans were amazed by his efforts and heard everything clearly. All the members introduced themselves and talked about their love for Brazil, also taking turns to say funny things on the stage. Kazuno joked that he had diarrhea. Takane said some words in Portuguese, like mayonnaise, ketchup and soy.

At that time, Kazuno received a nice surprise when the fans started singing "Happy Birthday" to him, in Portuguese and English. His birthday was two days after the show and he was moved, thanked the fans for the song.

Another interesting moment was when, during an unexpected stop, Kazuno invited Z, one of the members of the Brazilian JaME team, to the stage. The vocalist thanked him for the effort, being one of the people responsible for the communication between the team and their staff in Japan, and also for the work in organizing their trip to Brazil. He finished by giving Z the proper salutations, along with the crowd!

A few more songs followed; Samurai Tamashii and GOING mae e took the last bit of energy that the audience had. However, they still wanted more and Charlotte then played Kanpaku Sengen. Ruka’s bass intro provided the rhythm and the song started with the most energy possible. Everyone jumped, just as excited as when Charlotte first stepped on stage. Kazuno called, in Portuguese, for more clapping and energy and the crowd replied by giving all of their vigor. The song was extended and the members alternated in playing while Kazuno introduced each one of them and the crowd shouted their names.

The song ended and the show seemed to be winding down. However, the band did not leave the stage. The band producer, Hideki "kuma" Inoue, was invited to the stage and appeared with a big Brazilian flag, held by him and Kazuno.

After that, they took a photo with the crowd behind them and everything seemed to be coming to an end, but that was not the case. Charlotte still had one more gift for their Brazilian fans, who welcomed them so warmly to Sao Paulo. Diamond Burajiru started once again, with much jumping and cheering from the crowd. During the refrains, Kazuno called for more and the fans replied by jumping and shouting even louder, for the last time that night.

The show ended and the members threw picks, drumsticks and others souvenirs for the fans.

The night that so many Brazilian fans waited for finally ended, but only for the people of Sao Paulo... Now it was time for the fans of Rio de Janeiro to have fun with Charlotte!

SETLIST

Diamond Burajiru
Bakumatsu kokousei
Chime Over
Sharu we dance?
Yokohama love story
Pic nic
GOING mae e
Neko ni narinai
onigokko
hoissuru
SMILE 0 en
Omasshoi
XXX
Samurai Tamashii
Kanpaku sengen

ENCORE

Diamond Burajiru

The JaME team would like to thank NERVE for the exclusive coverage of the show and KreuZ for the collaboration with the photos. The full set of photos taken by JaME in the Sao Paulo show can be seen here.