Kagrra, 10th Anniversary Celebration Live

Packed to the second floor with a colourful crowd, Shibuya O-West was a sight to see. Alive with imitations of the artists’ costumes and traditional Japanese wear with a visual flair, the crowd was buzzing with the anticipation of seeing the first of Kagrra,’s tenth anniversary celebrations in the venue of their first official one-man on the same date (March 3rd) back in 2001.

The lights dimmed and a video screen of billowing smoke was met with excited murmuring. The sudden display of ‘Kagrra,’ across the screen brought a creepy mood to life as blood drops fell upon the Japanese-style font. Ominous music paired with eerie blue lighting gave the stage an underwater feel as the members appeared amidst adoring cries. Upon Isshi’s entrance, the roar escalated and the vocalist turned his back on the crowd, fan raised. Wearing outfits designed exclusively for the occasion, the band presented a darker aspect from the Kagrra, the world has come to know.

Kiyuu no uta slipped right into the dark setting before the crowd became a sea of hand-held fans, matching Isshi’s movements. The mix of tradition versus rock was amplified as Isshi slid from falsetto into a growl under the blood-red lights. The song was punctuated by a false ending, the vocalist waiting with his fan raised in front of his face. Standing out as the song resumed and excitement erupted was drummer Izumi’s cheeky smile as they continued on into Mateki of the same nostalgic album. The number kicked off with Isshi energetically leading the crowd in hardcore actions. The audience loved it, spreading their arms wide in adoring response to Isshi’s demand. They then took up the melody in the vocalist’s stead as he proudly surveyed the scene.

Kotodama brought the fans out once more. Meanwhile, caught up in the guitar melody, Sin fervently rocked out beside his koto, and Nao could be seen singing along and burying himself in the baseline. After the song was completed, screams rang out as the crowd saw Sin preparing his koto. Led by Izumi’s drumming, koto and vocals blended to the melody of paraizo, the first ‘major-era’ song of the set. Shimmering fans danced vigorously with the rising tempo, lighting up during the chorus as the audience was illuminated.

Isshi grinned brilliantly at the spectacle as fans continued to wave along with him. Then, with a thrilled “Whoo!” he broke into Jajaumakiden, bouncing to the upbeat music. Overflowing with charisma, the vocalist encouraged the crowd to new levels and bassist Nao cut loose into the mic with the festival chant of “soiya soiya soiya soiya!” Suddenly, the pace shifted with the jazzy sounds ofGikyoku kagome uta. Isshi sexily flung his jacket off the shoulder and seduced the audience under a crimson wash. All too soon, the song came to an end with the vocal/koto combination inciting a stunned silence.

Cutting off another round of cheering, Gion began with Isshi’s arms spread wide to the dramatic undercurrent of the music. He then began to caress the mic stand in a continuation of the previous seduction. “Come here, come here,” he sang, coyly beckoning the audience closer. The mystical mood of the song was skilfully amplified by Akiya’s back-up vocals. Next, nue no naku koro was met with excited squeals from the crowd. Isshi’s voice ranged from bass to falsetto, punctuated by drumbeats. The vocalist broke out fiercely, dancing to the music and teasing the audience as he peered out cheekily from behind his hands. The a cappella falsetto finale transitioned unexpectedly into the conga beat of Yousai. Once again, the crowd voiced their delight, copying Isshi’s little hand-flicks to the bouncy rhythm. The vocalist’s deep spoken lines were intensified by eerie green light, an atmosphere only banished by his ringing falsetto. Nao’s bass variation of the constant underlying theme was a particular treat.

After another pause, the vocalist took centre stage once more, slowly raising his head to the opening of Ren and then grooving to the koto melody. He showed his stuff, wholeheartedly singing out the chorus. Meanwhile, the heavy guitar and the flowing koto of the outro created a hot contrast, followed perfectly by the cool guitar theme of Ibitsu, the highlight of which was Isshi’s cute little finger movements.
At last, Isshi greeted the crowd, bringing up the band’s tenth anniversary. He announced his desire to celebrate the night as the first of a series of special concerts, explaining that the band has made many lasting memories at Shibuya O-West.

After a brief introduction, the wind-like music of the new single shiki filled the house. Sprinkled with the beautiful sounds of the koto, the lyrics and melody created an atmosphere of nature in motion. Isshi then discussed the possibility of flower viewing during cherry blossom season. Keeping with the theme, he introduced the next song. “I’d like to perform another nostalgic piece now.” Sakura～saikai no hana～ brought appreciative sighs from the crowd in anticipation of Isshi’s soaring falsetto. The tender melodic interlude displayed the vocalist under a spotlight as the Isshi/Akiya duo shone.

Serving to pump the house up after the pretty number, swinging towels erupted all around to the popular melody of Sai. The instrumental section took to the front of the stage, and Sin’s playful mood infected the crowd. Wavering energy was constantly bolstered by Akiya and Nao’s encouragement whilst Isshi kept up with the crowd, his towel constantly in motion. kamikaze saw Isshi, Sin and Nao traversing the stage. The smooth transition from the catchy chorus into the darker melody of the song was flawless as Isshi was bathed in green light, his deep vocals snapping back up into the bright chorus. Topping off the piece was a heavy musical riff that had the audience rocking back and forth.

“Having fun?” Isshi cried. He then challenged the audience, asking if they still listen to the band’s older songs, many of which had been appearing throughout the night. Then, the band began to lead the audience in various dances, from Akiya’s silly “Do anything!” to Nao’s “Hai-hai-hai-hai Nao-Nao-Nao-Nao” chant, to Isshi’s own fan dance. With a cry of “Let’s go!” Musoukyou awakened to rock the house. The dance practice paid off as the crowd greeted Nao with “Hai-hai-hai-hai Nao-Nao-Nao-Nao.” Then, giggles met Isshi’s opening actions to Subarashiki kana? jinsei, which were somewhat reminiscent of the famous ‘YMCA’ actions. The song saw the vocalist jumping about to the bouncy beat and the audience received a different view as Isshi took to stage left and Akiya commandeered centre stage.

After a heavy riff, the vocalist danced away, building up the fun atmosphere to lead into the trilled war-cry of Kisai. With a melody like a traditional Japanese festival turned rock-fest, the band drove the crowd wild. Isshi’s cries of “Bring it on!” and “Sing it!” had the house rocking, with Akiya and Nao supporting the audience’s vocals. The band was all over the stage during Urei whilst the audience obediently repeated lyrics back to Isshi, taking over the chorus for him. With a heartfelt “Thank you!” the band exited, led by Sin. In their wake, excited, breathless murmurs filled the void. Eventually, an encore chant of “Ka-gu-ra,” picked up and carried on until the lights came up on stage, followed by Izumi’s entrance and drum solo. The drummer fooled around with the audience, enticing cries of “Izumi” in every carefully crafted pause as he tried, but never caught the crowd out once. Sporting band shirts, the other three instrumentalists entered during the solo, pitching in for a short jamming session until Isshi’s re-entrance.

Kamiuta effortlessly got everyone dancing, and Isshi’s sense of fun was infectious. The charged atmosphere only increased as the bass and drums heated things up and the crowd belted out the lyrics. With a clenched fist, Isshi summed up the number. Brimming with confidence, he danced away to Yume izuru chi. The lights went up, and the band came forward to surround the vocalist. The audience, with arms spread towards the stage, sang loudly and clearly until Isshi shouted out his gratitude once more. Breath caught, Isshi reiterated the upcoming highlights of their tenth anniversary year, instructing the audience to carefully consider the various titles of each concert along the coming tour. “Each has its own meaning and might hint towards what songs will appear.” Winding up, he appealed, “Lastly, I want to hear all of your voices! Sakura maichiru ano oka de!”

Isshi and the crowd softly waved their hands. He held the mic out to the crowd who gladly took up the melody. “More!” he demanded of them again and again. “More!” Each time, the response was undeniable and a cry of “Last time!” caused the crowd to sing harder than ever. Then it was Isshi’s turn again. He sang out beautifully, slowing down so each phrase could be appreciated and finishing without the aid of the microphone. Anticipating the coming key change, the audience took up the emotionally tempered chorus once more. There was a pause before the final chorus picked up, and then the song ended with soft cymbals complementing Isshi’s voice.

A long silence preceded passionate applause and another warm expression of gratitude. “This really feels like the beginning of something,” Isshi exclaimed. He then invited each of the members to speak about the last ten years, all expressing their gratitude and desire to continue on better than ever. Isshi finished up with, “This year, I want to strengthen these bonds and strive together towards what Kagrra, should be.”

Finally, with Nao and Sin’s silly antics breaking up the serious atmosphere, the night wound up with the Japanese tradition of one unified clap. Lingering behind, Nao teasingly placed his last pick on the stage floor – leaving the crowd with amused grins.

Kagrra,’s tenth anniversary year began with a set that combined the sultry with the sombre and the past with the present. However, instead of concluding ten years of activity, Kagrra,’s 2010 promises to be a year of looking towards the future and creating something new.


Set List:

01. Kiyuu no uta
02. Mateki
03. Kotodama
04. Paraizo
05. Jajaumakiden
06. Gikyoku kagome uta
07. Gion
08. Nue no naku koro
09. Yousai
10. Ren
11. Ibitsu
12. Shiki
13. Sakura～saikai no hana～
14. Sai
15. Kamikaze
16. Musoukyou
17. Subarashiki kana? jinsei
18. Kisai
19. Urei

Encore:
20. Kamiuta
21. Yume izuru chi
22. Sakura maichiru ano oka de