Billy live report in Ebisu LIQUIDROOM

The NEW YEAR PREMIUM SHOW '08, a New Year's party held by the company ART POP, was held on January 5th, 2008 in Ebisu LIQUIDROOM. Bands with a very strong character gathered and played, and the lineup included spam_life, SEX-ANDROID, Guruguru Eigakan, Billy, Amaterasu (Daishi solo project), Shinkou Shuukyou Gakudan NoGoD, and Metronome. It was exciting to see how the young members of Billy would perform among such an array of musicians. There were DJ corners between the bands’ performances, and each DJs performed a very unique selection of songs which had the audience laughing, so the venue was in quite an unusual mood.

The opening sound effects were like something out of an opera and lights flashed, then Billy’s members - Hiroshi, Tsubuku, Takuma, Mine and Baku - appeared and stood on the central riser one by one. They wore the refined costumes from their latest single Butterfly United, and raised their hands high making peace signs with their fingers. The SE became louder and the lights became stronger, so much so that members on the stage weren’t visible.

The live started with Blossom. Baku put his leg on the center riser and sang enthusiastically with his sweet, sexy voice. Tsubuku’s bass sounded the beat, Mine and Takuma took their turn on the central riser and showed off their twin guitar playing, and fans jumped and waved their hands in time to the miraculously bright main melodies. Next, the splendid performance of their new song Butterfly United started. In the world of this brilliant song, butterflies flit around as petals of flowers fall, and the members portrayed this with their movement on the stage to the music and with an excellent guitar solo.

Then, when the stage became dark, fans called out their favorite members’ names. Baku came out to speak and said, "We are Billy! Nice to see you! We’ll keep running into 2008, so please feel us!" His MC was fresh and heartwarming. He announced that their first full album, Bouquet, will be released on January 16th, and then they will do a national tour, with the tour final (a one-man live) at Shibuya BOXX on February 24th. The audience gave them a big applause at hearing the news.

After the short break, the stage became foggy and the slow ballad Hana ga chiriyuku koro nimo started with a mysterious mood. The overall lighting was blue, with several white spots lit from the ceiling, creating a fantastic feeling. Baku’s gorgeous voice and Mine’s seductive guitar playing mixed and created a rich, glamorous atmosphere. Hiroshi’s bass drums started off low, and then the song developed dramatically to the climax. Baku sang sorrowfully, and it seemed like his voice could reach up to the heavens. The song quietly finished with Baku singing a capella, and afterwards the audience, who had been standing still the whole time, clapped their hands.

"Thank you, LIQUID! Are you ready!? Let’s get wilder!" Baku shouted in response, and then the bright upbeat song The Bluffer started. Takuma, Tsubuku and Mine slipped out onto the front stage and the three members sang "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah-!" together and ran around the stage. Fans shouted together with them, jumped, raised their hands with Baku and danced.

Then Baku announced the last song with "Can you reach my voice!? Last song! Let’s become one together!" and Hito no iki e (It’s integral) started. Mine’s guitar led the way into a soft chorus. Throughout this cheerful, lively song, the members sang greetings such as “Hello-!” and "Good morning!" one by one. Fans and members all jumped together to the cheerful melody. Hiroshi, who had been so focused on his drumming, finally looked over the audience. The members gathered at the center of the stage and sang and played with fresh, happy smiles. At the end of the song, members and fans jumped very high, bringing the live to its end.

Billy performed with rich expression on stage, filling their show with variety. The members are young, but Mine, who is the producer of their music and the band's leader, unites them well as a team. Furthermore, producer Masao Akashi has joined in to produce their music, which makes their music more persuasive and objective. Everyone can expect something new and maybe something longer at their future lives. Billy is not just a good looking band, they are not a band which only shows off their great technique. Their music is original, with various artistic view points, and they'll keep developing their own artistic expression in the future. This band will definitely continue to grow and become something great!


Set List:

1) Blossom
2) Butterfly United
3) Hana ga chiriyuku koro nimo
4) The Bluffer
5) Hito no iki e (It’s integral)