SCRIPT is a Tokyo-based rock group with a music style that blends jazz and pop. It was a cloudy day early in August when the group held their tenth anniversary live at Takadanobaba CLUB PHASE. Male and female, from their twenties to fifties, the fans in attendance spanned a broad range of people. The most avid of fans could be seen in the front row wearing original
SCRIPT shirts. While waiting expectantly for the live to start, those in attendance watched the screen at the front, which was playing one of
SCRIPT’s PVs.
When the screen eventually drew up, the stage appeared lit in blue-white, and the members had already taken their positions on the stage. As the first note echoed through the hall, the audience began to clap, immediately raising their arms and moving to the music. For three hours, it was the four band members and three hundred fans. As the music continued, the stage and the audience grew so comfortable together that they seemed to become one.
The fan responded to every move of vocalist
Osamu as he sang, laughed and danced while chatting and joking over the music. The lights in the venue changed with perfect timing, making the hall seem as though it’d been displaced from the world of reality.
Osamu addressed the fans, saying, “Let’s make this the best summer! Lives are not movies but documentaries! Let’s create this live together today! Thank you very much!”
Osamu’s clear vocals, brought out from somewhere deep inside, delivered the songs’ messages directly to the listeners’ hearts. They played a wide range of songs, from full-length, earnestly conveyed songs to driving numbers full of energy like exploding bullets.
Takayasu’s bass and
Shiji’s guitar took turns leading and supporting as they delivered the spirit of the songs, while
Hisayoshi responded with drastic drumming. Their music was filled with tricks to entertain the audience, and sometimes they threw a curve ball to the crowd, which was for them to enjoy themselves. Their world view is impressively full of surprises, and the audience was clearly experiencing a feeling like “You made it!” Though the time flew by, the three hours were rich in content with different kinds of vocals and a wide variety of songs.
One of the featured songs of the live was the tenth song,
Citron cider girl. It was the basis for the song most responsible for expanding the band's fan base,
Baby Romantica, which was used as the first ending theme for the boys’ love anime “Junjou Romantica.” Broadcast in 2008, the anime was not only a hit among fans of the original manga, but also brought in a huge flock of newcomers. The lyrics in particular had become a popular topic of conversation. The original song,
Citron cider girl, described a conventional love affair, but when the band submitted the song to their music producer, the response was: “I want you to express this love with a more unique point of view, so that listeners won’t imagine the presence of a woman.” After many rewrites,
Baby Romantica was born.
SCRIPT talked about the song during the MC, and they also played the full version of
Citron cider girl for the first time in public. Though the story of these songs was widely known, it was the first time for fans to hear the original lyrics, so the fans of
Baby Romantica listened with smiles on their faces, taking in the rhythm, waving their hands and cheering more than ever.
SCRIPT performed three encores, more than living up to the fans’ expectations. They announced they would continue to do lives and actively make more songs. They are already scheduled to perform in the live event
Betsatsu UTA-KAI vol. 35~ Darekani todoketai utatachi~ on September sixth, and will play their one-man live
SCRIPT 10th Anniversary LIVE Vol.3 “Sweet Cool Rock Inspiration Positive & Toughness” on October third. Simultaneously, they will be working on producing an album and are planning to sell the prototype on October third at their one-man.
More than ever,
SCRIPT’s activities are expanding, providing more opportunities to see their unique and very strong performance. From their original dance, which the fans always expect, to their humorous and heartwarming MCs, their approach to performing which compels them to exert all their energy every moment they are on stage. With such strong feelings towards music, they are one of the bands we just can’t take our eyes off of.
Setlist:
1. communication
2.illusion
3.Yukubeki basyo
4.Drops
5.Squall
6.Cause you're avoiding sunshine
7. 0:10
8All night movie
9.Hoshihanabi
10.Citron cider girl
11.Zutto
12.Manatsu no etude
13.Ronin Life
14.mortal coil party
15.Koi no dance hall
Encore 1
FLY AWAY
Time travel agency
Encore 2
Brandnew Heavy Tie
Encore 3
Inspiration
Bargain sale
Updates on the band's activities can be found at their Official Home Page and MySpace.
