PS COMPANY 10th Anniversary Party ~ Peace & Smile Carnival at Nippon Budokan ~ Part 1

Coming out from the entrance of the Kudan-eki subway station towards Budokan, the streets were lined with food booths - and flowers sent by fans in celebration of PS COMPANY's 10th Anniversary. The live event was held just days after New Year's, so quite a number of young ladies in traditional kimonos joined ranks among cosplayers and Gothic Lolita fashionistas. Inside the venue, the flag of the Rising Sun hung from the high ceiling, framing the big screens that could be viewed all over the arena. Runways, located on the northern side of the arena, ran along both sides of the long stage to the seats behind the stage.

The minutes before the start of the concert were filled with excited tension. When the lights finally went down, the word SuG illuminated the screens around the venue and was by the wild cheers of the fans. The audience clapped to the beat of digital pop music playing in the background while the members of SuG - Takeru, masato, yuji, Chiyu and MITSURU - appeared on a stage bathed in blue light. All of them wore white costumes. The live started in a showy fashion with the mid-tempo upbeat rock tune Vi-Vi-Vi. Masato and yuji made the song bright and catchy with effectors and a lively guitar solo.

"Jump! More! Be wild!" Takeru urged the audience while his bandmates ran about the stage and the fans danced along to the music. LOVE SCREAM PARTY followed - during the song, Chiyu had a brilliant solo filled with bass-slapping action, and MITSURU pounded the drums. SuG's guitarists and bassist ran out along the runways to stir up the excitement of the fans. Throughout the live, the audience pumped their fists and jumped along to the bright melodies. As their set and the end of the beginning of the joyful event came to a merry close, Takeru left with the sweet parting message, "We'll be waiting for you at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM on January 12!"

Next up was SCREW, who would be going into WINTER TOUR 2009 DOUBLE SUICIDE IN FIVE CITIES later in January. "Follow me!" shouted Byo, wearing only a fur coat on his bare torso, as Death's door began. Lights flashing, the arena filled up with shouts and ominous voices. Fists pumping and heads banging, SCREW and the audience did call and response. Jin's drums and Yuto's bass roared low against the distorted guitars played by kazuki and Manabu.

Raising his hands and eyes to the sky, Byo announced, "I'm very happy to be able to appear in this event. The ones who are seeing us for the first time, be fools with us! Let's become one! Let's burn!" The band sped into VEGAS. The members dashed out onto the stage aisles and the audience punched the air to the heavy hard rock. At the end of their performance, SCREW indulged the audience with a glamorous and sexy PV on the arena's big screens.

During the brief intermission, the popular duo of PS COMPANY, Deko (Miyavi) and Boko (Keiyuh), came out on stage in traditional Japanese haori and hakama to greet and thank the fans for coming. Deko looked like an adult, whereas Boko looked like a child, furthering the light and cheerful mood as they talked to the audience.

After their exit, five Japanese garden lights lit the stage, producing a faint light. On the screen, small pieces of Japanese paper emulated falling snow; meanwhile, the audience clapped to the sounds of a shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) and a computerized rhythm. It was Kagrra,, who had finished a European tour last year and was ready for a South American tour in February. During Kotodama, clear guitars and Japanese melodies were woven through a heavy rock background; fans waved their folding fans according to Isshi's movements. During Sai, the audience whirled their handkerchiefs to the music. The folding fans reappeared during Shigatsu tsuitachi. Kagrra,'s songs, infused with traditional Japanese melodies, made everyone want to sing - it was very heartwarming. Isshi sang the gentle songs in falsetto at times, Akiya played the guitar solo freely and Sin's guitar was scattered beautifully throughout like stars in the night sky.

To introduce Uzu, Isshi announced, "Kagrra, will release their fifth album on April 1, and this year is the ninth year since the band started. Thank you for loving Kagrra,'s music. Please listen to this song that represents 2009." Uzu started with the koto (played by Sin) and an intriguing chorus of Bulgarian voices. Akiya made great use of his guitar to create a heavy backing and perform a clear guitar solo; Nao's low bass purred and Izumi beat a steady rhythm on the drums. All the while, Sin's koto rippled beautiful notes though the song. Isshi's words and melodies sank into the listeners' hearts and touched their emotions.

To close their set, Urei began with a piano, and the members ran onto the runway while the audience sang together in chorus to the bright and upbeat song. After Kagrra, was finished, images from backstage were broadcast onto the screen: Isshi and Nao appeared for a brief interview, and Nao evoked delighted laughter from the audience.


Set list:

SuG
Vi-Vi-Vi
LOVE SCREAM PARTY

SCREW
Death’s door
VEGAS

Kagrra,
Kotodama
Sai
Shigatsu tsuitachi
Uzu
Utakata
Urei