NHK Hall, famous for hosting the annual Kouhaku concert, had become a sparkling wonderland as rainbow colours floated in the darkness accompanied by the disembodied cheers of fans awaiting AAA. The Avex-created mixed pop band of 7 members have been tirelessly toiling away for the past two years with a single released every two months, an album a year and a whirl of tours as they live up to their name, Attack All Around. This date marked the finale of the Spring Tour and the excitement of the fans in the room was palpable. Not even an earthquake that shook the city early on in the gig stopped the sept-tet and their fans from having fun.
As dramatic, Arabian music filled the venue, through sultry lighting the seven members of AAA could be seen dancing sinuously through a white sheet hanging over the stage. AAA emerged through the blue lights to stand in clear view as the sheet dropped, all clad in silken white outfits, to the delighted screams of the audience. A series of small explosions heralded the start as streamers shot into the air. The infectious beat of MIRAGE began with glow sticks moving in time with the music. The three vocalists, Urata, Nishijima and Uno Misako handled their lines well although they were a little drowned by the cacophonous music around them. This Eastern beat of Mirage seamlessly became the upbeat, Let it Beat! accompanied by a vigorous dance routine. The dances were interesting with real style to them, a refreshing change compared with other band who seem to think repeating two set moves will suffice.
Summery Hallelujah continued with more outstanding choreography as the boys whirled the girls around, jive style. This retro dancing stood in neat contrast to the futuristic design of the lighting and the set as an a colourful graphic display raced across TV screens providing a backdrop to the dancing. Pink searchlights and an interpretation of the Charleston continued the retro theme throughout Kuchibiru kara Romantica, a sexy jazz number accompanied by sultry red lights beating on to the stage. For a final fling, half the members ran up stairs to the second level of the staging as the song played out on a final instrumental. The pace did not let up as Chinese-influenced, Dragon Fire followed with fantastic displays on acrobatics. It was about time for a well deserved break with an MC. After a quick shout of thank you, half the band left the stage with Urata and two other boys remaining. They chatted briefly with the crowd asking each level of NHK Hall to scream. Upon the return of the other three the announcement of a Best Album was made. 'Let's enjoy it to the end!' they shouted as the AAA logo was emblazoned over the tv screens for the end of this first portion of the Live with three more energetic songs, Kirei na Sora, Friday Party and Get! Chu. The combination of tight choreography, rainbow light show and acrobats ensured that a party atmosphere took hold throughout the hall. Even Misako's slightly flat vocals during Get Chu! could not detract from the fun.
In addition to the normal MC, AAA had an interesting feature of 'Act' for the middle portion of the live; it was an interesting combination of drama and music using AAA songs to tell a simple story of a couple (Chiaki and Atae) falling out then back in love again. An overlong instrumental with an empty stage however was needed to set this up as the band all changed and it slightly outstayed its welcome as the atmosphere crashed with impatient anticipation. The Act however was a fresh way of communicating the songs as a familiar musical format of actors freezing while the songs were sung conveyed this tale. Q, with its comical tone, was perfect for the opening light hearted scenes of young teens at play. The overly comical tone of Q may have been annoying in a regular concert but in this scenario it worked well. Then SHE no Jijitsu for the 'argument' between the lovers with its heavy rock sound and then Soul Edge Boy as the fall out between girls and boys hit its worst point. Despite being short, the dark sound Soul Edge Boy was an interesting change of pace within the concert and the Act to tell the Boys Story. As expected, a girls' song would accompanying Soul Edge Boy with Hanabi, telling their story, a quietly sad piece for which both girls remained seated.
As if the structure of the concert could not get more complicated, there was an interlude to the Act with a spot of skipping! The members all showed off their skills with Atae leapfrogging over Hidaka into the path of the rope before turning to the audience for volunteers in skipping. As Shuuta and Hidaka plowed through the audience, the room was filled with deafening screams for attention. They ended up first choosing a 13 year old girl dressed in a bright yellow AAA t-shirt. Shyly she joined the band on stage and Shuuta took her hands to skip with him as the crowd shouted 'jump!'. 'How was it?' Misako asked afterwards. 'Shuuta was cool' she replied in a tiny voice unable to lift her head in shyness. The other selection was a fashionably attired mother, Rina and her 10 year old daughter. Both got the chance to jump with a member, with Rina choosing the popular Nishijima.
Although the music began once more the skipping was not yet over. 5 young boys ran out on stage, each dressed like one of the older boys from AAA and Saikyo Babe accompanied a skipping competition between all members and their pint-sized counterparts. As the children left (with mini-Urata hoisted up and carried off by Urata) the play began again. Chiaki and Atae made up to the sound of an acoustic Chewing Gum. The bongos and guitar played by the boys gave the song an earthy, sincere sound making this a very attractive version. Chiaki's voice finally got heard in Shalala Kibou no Uta as bongo use continued for the final moments of the play. The reunion of the couple was greeted with cheers and joyous screaming from the crowd and a reprise of Q on stage.
In this final third now the show really get into overdrive with lasers punctuating the air during Red Soul and an auditorium of towels whirling above the head for Hurricane Lili Boston Mari. The voice of the audience singing along was powerful and near the end the band let this voice be heard with a guided singalong of left hand and then the right hand side singing parts of the song. This electricity in the air even made the ordinary jpop sound of Winterlander sound good as a bunch of mexican waves took hold in the room. Samurai Heart~ Samurai -tamashii-, a pounding techno song was a little too short and there was no time to breathe before That's Right. The vocals were a little drowned during the bridge, though. The concert closed with Blood on Fire. An explosion of lasers gave an extra techno feel to the aggressively dance song as Shuuta delivered his rap with power and the following dance with lightening fast moves.
The shouts of Korie (come back) did not take long after the band had left the stage. AAA did not take long to reply either. Encore number one began with Climax Jump, the AAA contribution to Kamen Rider Denno Form, and the band in tour tees and colour coordinated trousers. Misako had decided to wear her tshirt tied up showing off a rather toned and flat stomach. AAA chatted a little more with the audience and each other; it was all very informal, rather more like friends (albeit a thousand of them) hanging out rather than a concert. Urata stood waving while the others grabbed tour towels for the new song, BEYOND~Karada no Kanata. The pop vocals did not seem to go so well with the heavy music though; it bore a scarily visual kei sound. On the other hand the lyrics were typically AAA interesting: Burn your blood/ flesh and bone/ Turn your wheel of fortune now.
It was fun but in context of the night it felt out of place. Bokura no Te on the other hand, with its smooth RnB ballad style, transformed the hall into a starry wonderland as glow sticks floated in the darkness. As the song drew to a close an orange glow became stronger to the point of illuminating the whole room; it was ironic considering the finale song, Sunshine. The quiet still of Bokura no Te was abandoned: yellow light filled the stage as AAA jumped about waving energetically and got the audience to respond to their calls of 'Hey'. A final explosion of silver streamers closed this fabulous party. In their thank yous, the band removed their mics to shout at the audience; it felt like a deeply sincere thank you as both band and audience left on a high, exhausted but knowing that amidst the hanami partys of the time, they had been to one of the best parties of all.
Set List:
Part 1:
MIRAGE
Let it Beat!
Hallelujah
Kuchibiru kara Romantica
Dragon Fire
Kirei na Sora
Friday Party
Get Chu!
ACT:
"Q"
SHE no Jijitsu
Soul Edge Boy
Hanabi
Chewing Gum
Shalala Kibou no Uta
"Q"
Part 2:
Red Soul
Hurricane Lili, Boston Mari
Winter Lander! ~ Samurai Heart - Samurai tamashii-
That's Right
BLOOD ON FIRE
En:
Climax JUMP
Beyond ~ Karada no Kanata
Bokura no te
SUNSHINE
