YUI 3rd tour 2008 "oui" ~I LOVED YESTERDAY~
YUI-LINES Official Report
(Translated by depyon)
Hello everyone.
It's been a long three months full of live concerts, and I shall be writing a summary report on the live tour. I'm Icchi, one of the YUI Staff. Please guide me along.
In all, there were 25 live concerts, with the live tour ending on 19th July at Osaka Grand Cube, followed by the annual "Rock in Japan Festival", and finally the summer festival, "Matsurina".
Report for Nation-wide Tour Finale. YUI has entered the fourth year since her debut. She has held a live tour each time an album has been released, but this time, it's one with the largest scale ever. The live tour, that was kick-started in May, came to an end today (the last day of live tour). From the front stage to the backstage, a mixture of feelings of excitement, nervousness and loneliness, lingered in the atmosphere.
As the curtain was raised, the buzzling noises from the audiences augmented. The fervour from the audiences was mixed with a sense of anxiety, that was different from normal. As the lights dimmed, pictures appeared on the screen at the back of the stage. A collage of YUI's street performance at Tenjin Station, bits and pieces of her Music Videos, was displayed on the screen. "The past until today" seemed to be the opening theme that fitted the title "I Loved Yesterday". The live then started.
Appearing together with the band members, YUI screamed "OSAKA!", and started playing the first song "Laugh Away". Her expression was volatile, and her distance from the audience was closer than usual, as if showing her determination to enjoy the last concert. Just before the chorus, while singing "te wo nobashite", as she stretched out her right arm to the audiences, the audiences mimicked the action, stretching out all the arms, as if trying to grab something ahead of them. The second song 'My Generation' followedly shortly, continued by "Free Bird". From all over the hall, voices calling for "YUI!YUI!" echoed throughout. And YUI replied promptly, "This is the tour finale, let's enjoy it together!" At the split-second, screams engulfed the entire hall.
"CHE.R.RY", "Find Me", "I will love you" followed in good rhythm, as the crystal-clear voice of YUI pierced through the concert hall. With accuracy and rich expression, YUI supported her own voice with her acoustic guitar, as she showered each lyric with her feelings and experience. As if searching her memory, various images of herself appeared, giving YUI a feeling of self-assurance.
"Summer holidays start from today.... so does "Po-nyo po-nyo" (A new Ghibli movie called "Gake no ue no Ponyo" by Director Miyazaki Hayao)", YUI cracked a joke, triggering a string of laughters in the audience. She then performed the summer song of 2008, "Summer Song". As she sang "Makka na Blue da", red and blue lights fused together, achieving the effect of the joy of "watching and listening", that can be enjoyed only at live concerts. Then it proceeded to the highlight of the first half- Sitting back and listening to the Acoustic Songs Corner. "Understand", a song that brings about pieces of the fond memories of herself walking in the park, basking in the evening sun light. Simple lyrics, yet filled with meanings and memories that strikes the heart. Then it was the acoustic version of "Namidairo". From YUI's truest voice, one could feel the emotions overflowing from within. "My Friend and "Tokyo", two songs that illustrate her purest self, concluded the end of the first half. It was as if one had just finished watching a classic film.
On to the second half. As the audiences stand up once again, the tune of "How Crazy" elevated the mood of the audiences. Synchronized with the drum rolls of "Rolling Star", fireworks burst from the stage, transforming the concert hall into a live house. The string of "Rock Songs" that followed took the atmosphere to a climax. Then, as YUI's face was shown on the screen for the first time, her face was covered with her messy hair and her eyes looked sharp. She looked dazzling. In "Daydreamer", her strong emotions overwhelmed everyone, and touched everyone.
Even during the introduction of the band members, there was surprise hidden for YUI. The guitarist, Kaji-chan, sang "Happy 3rd Tour Otsukare" in the tune of "Happy Birthday to you you". It was a symbol of something YUI received in Tokyo- Friendship. "Love is all", "Highway Chance" followed as YUI earnestly burst out saying "Thank you, I'm really happy". From the truest expression of YUI, one could tell that she said it from the bottom of her heart.
In this set of songs, "Love is all", undoubtedly the highlight, was a song beautifully characterized by its high difficulty. Under the red lighting, YUI was struggling with every lyric. The answer I am looking for is just right ahead, but I want to live in my true self. Things that everyone has thought of, things that everyong has left behind. Just like how the snow piles up, the lyrics piled up in the heart. As the song proceeded, this accumulation of emotions continued till one feels buried under them. As the song ended, she finally found the assurance of the "Yuzurenai mono" (something that one will never give up). "Am I wrong" was the last song. It's a song that will grow in you, with both "determination" and "freedom" as themes. As she sang "Mamoru mono wa tatta hitotsu" (There is only one thing I will protect), everyone could feel her determination.
After the last song, encore inevitably followed. YUI reappeared on stage with the black and yellow "Hanshin Tigers" cap (Baseball team of Osaka). "I would like to sing a song that I haven't for a long time", YUI said, as she performed her second single "Tomorrow's Way". "Madowasaretakunai" (I dont want to be misguided) was a lyric in a song written 3 years ago, but the same emotion was evident in the previous song "Am I Wrong". As YUI grows and changes, the only thing that wouldnt change is her unwavering determination. Truly touching.
As the audiences jumped to the beat of "Help", the entire concert hall seemed as if it was bouncing up and down. "Oh Yeah" was next, as she whipped out a Matsuri fan, and interacted with the audiences with calls and responses relating to Osaka's famous goods such as Okonomiyaki. The atmosphere continued to escalate, and the atmosphere was filled with happiness. By the way, by the way, the other calls included "takoyaki", "ikayaki", "Billy Ken-san" etc. Even when her hat fell off, or when she stumbled on her words, the smile never vanished from her face. Of course, the entire concert hall was full of smiles too. Everyone in smiles, everyone clapping in rhythm, everyone shouting. It was perfect.
After "LIFE" ended, YUI was left on the stage with her last words. She said, "It doesnt feel like a finale, instead I feel as if I'm going for more live concerts tomorrow." Then, she started showing her gratitude to each band member and staff. All the staff united as one, it felt like a graduating class gathering in the homeroom for the last time. It was a mixture of happy and sad feelings.
Lastly, she performed the acoustic version of "Good-bye days", as the members brought bouquet of flowers up to the stage. It was a huge bouquet, almost covering YUI's whole body. She received them with a word of thanks, as she left the stage. On the screen, it showed the photographs of YUI and her staff after the day's rehearsals. It was a display only shown on the last performance. Emotions welled up from within. The third tour included places where YUI has never gone to, and thanks to this, she met fans whom she has never met before. It was a true success. It was a tour supported by all these little encounters. It was enjoyable. I would like to express my gratitude to YUI and all the fans.
To YUI, and all the fans... Thank you so much!!
Concert Venues and Dates
May 5 (Monday) - 22nd Street, Fukuoka Sun Palace, 17:30/18:00
May 7 (Wednesday) - 23rd Street, Oita Iichiko Grand Shutter, 18:00/18:30
May 9 (Friday) - 24th Street, Kumamoto Shiminkaikan, 18:00/18:30
May 14 (Wednesday) - 25th Street, Hokkaido Kosei Nenkin Kaikan, 17:45/18:30
May 18 (Sunday) - 26th Street, Kanagawa Kenmin Hall, 17:15/18:00
May 21 (Wednesday) - 27th Street, Ishikawa Nenkin Kaikan, 18:00/18:30
May 23 (Friday) - 28th Street, Nagano Kenmin Bunka Kaikan, 18:00/18:30
May 27 (Tuesday) - 29th Street, Sunport Hall Takamatsu, 18:00/18:30
May 28 (Wednesday) - 30th Street, Kochi-ken Kenmin Bunka Hall Orange Hall, 18:00/18:30
May 31 (Saturday) - 31st Street, Shizuoka Kenmin Bunka Kaikan, 17:30/18:00
Jun 03 (Tuesday) - 32nd Street, Oomiya Sonic City, 17:45/18:30
Jun 06 (Friday) - 33rd Street, Aichi-ken Geijutsu Gekijyou (Big Hall), 17:45/18:30
Jun 07 (Saturday) - 34th Street, Aichi-ken Geijutsu Gekijyou (Big Hall), 17:15/18:00
Jun11 (Wednesday) - 35th Street, Sendai Sunplaza Hall, 17:45/18:30
Jun 13 (Friday) - 36th Street, Morioka Shimin Bunka Hall (Marios), 18:00/18:30
Jun 15 (Sunday) - 37th Street, Aomori-shi Bunka Kaikan, 17:30/18:00
Jun 28 (Saturday) - 38th Street, Niigata Kenmin Kaikan, 17:30/18:00
Jul 02 (Wednesday) - 39th Street, Tokyo NHK Hall, 17:45/18:30
Jul 03 (Thursday) - 40th Street, Tokyo NHK Hall, 17:45/18:30
Jul 08 (Tuesday) - 41st Street, Kyoto Kaikan (First Hall), 18:00/18:30
Jul 09 (Wednesday) - 42nd Street, Kobe International Hall, 18:00/18:30
Jul 12 (Saturday) - 43rd Street, Kurashiki Shimin Kaikan, 17:30/18:00
Jul 14 (Monday) - 44th Street, Hiroshima Kosei Nenkin Kaikan, 18:00/18:30
Jul 18 (Friday) - 45th Street, Osaka International Conference Hall (Grand Cube), 17:45/18:30
Jul 19 (Saturday) - 46th Street, Osaka International Conference Hall (Grand Cube). 17:15/18:00
Shimin Kaikan: Residents Hall
Bunka Kaikan: Cultural Hall
Geijutsu Gekijyou: Arts Hall
(Kosei) Nenkin Kaikan: Welfare Pension Hall
Translations by depyon
External Links
Source: YUIstalker http://community.livejournal.com/yuistalker/11920.html