VOL.98 live report“GARNET CROW LIVE TOUR 2002 〜first live scope〜”2002.10.21 赤坂 BLITZ

From music freak magazine Vol.98

GARNET CROW live report

From music freak magazine Vol.98

*GARNET CROW LIVE TOUR 2002 〜first live scope〜*

October 21, 2002, Akasaka BLITZ

GARNET CROW’s first tour, *GARNET CROW LIVE TOUR 2002 〜first live scope〜*, took place at Osaka Namba Hatch on October 10, Tokyo’s Akasaka BLITZ on the 21st, and Fukuoka’s Zepp Fukuoka on the 31st. Tickets were in such demand that additional performances were urgently confirmed for Tokyo SHIBUYA-AX on December 11 and Osaka Namba Hatch on December 16. We truly wanted more people to see such an excellent stage in person. The show has now been confirmed for release on February 5 as the DVD *GARNET CROW first live scope and document movie*. Because the tour had not yet ended, the November issue (Vol.96) only carried a brief report from Akasaka BLITZ. Before the DVD is released, we bring you a detailed report.

As the previous report noted, the first striking thing about this show was that seats had been arranged for the audience even though it was held in a live house. They probably chose this format because they wanted everyone to listen carefully to the work. The arrangement conveyed GARNET CROW’s confidence that the quality of their songs could reach people without relying on rhythm and momentum to carry the audience.

The background music gradually grew louder, the lights went out, and the members walked naturally onto the stage. The audience erupted in loud cheers and applause as soon as they saw them. Soft guitar phrases rang out, and the concert began with “call my name,” Nakamura’s rich voice unfolding in a clear atmosphere. From the first song, the excited audience rose to its feet and the atmosphere in the venue quickly heated up.

The stage was covered in vivid red cloth, while the members wore dark clothing. Vocalist Yuri Nakamura stood in the center; to the audience’s left were keyboardist Hirohito Furui and guitarist Hitoshi Okamoto. Behind center was drummer David C. Brown, with support guitarist Yoshinobu Oga and acoustic guitarist Yuichiro Iwai behind him to the left. Keyboardist AZUKI Nana stood on the right, with bassist Masato Ohashi and backing vocalists Kazuki Fukuda, Saki Hinotera, and Ryoko Matsumoto behind her. Furui and AZUKI faced each other across Nakamura.

One of the major attractions of the concert was precisely this live-band format. The musicians who present such delicate sounds on record gave the songs more depth onstage and tried a new mode of expression. The lyrics deepened the sonic world further. An irregular screen, almost diamond-shaped, was installed above the stage, suggesting light shining into the room. Images of the members, evocative footage, and lyrics appeared on it at the same time, weaving GARNET CROW’s many stories.

During “夏の幻,” Nakamura lightly waved her arm and played a tambourine, while the excited audience clapped along. Okamoto produced distorted guitar tones, and Furui played the keyboards energetically with his whole body. Compared with the original’s simple acoustic-guitar-centered sound, the live version was brighter and richer. The original song’s feeling of excitement was amplified, lifting the mood along with it.

“君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく” made us realize that happiness is hidden in small things. A calm, peaceful air filled the venue; hearts gradually warmed and were surrounded by pleasure. “flying” was reportedly “the first song to have accompanying movements.” Nakamura made circles with her arms, expressing the groove with her whole body, and the audience followed along. “wish★” suddenly drew everyone into a rhythmic world made for dancing. Every face was happy; no one wanted to miss a single movement from Nakamura, and everyone danced along, sharing the moment fully with the members onstage.

Nakamura said happily, “I feel relieved that so many people came,” and they moved into “水のない晴れた海へ.” AZUKI’s fingers danced continuously over the keys, revealing a hidden passion and carrying the venue toward a more fantastical space. After the sea came the sky. The music of “スカイ・ブルー” unfolded a vivid panorama, while the powerful, almost oppressive singing drew everyone completely inside it. In “Timeless Sleep,” AZUKI played the nostalgic intro heard in the remix on flute, creating a lyrical world that seemed to rise toward the sky; time itself became soft and quiet.

“Next we will introduce members who each have their own convictions and individuality.” The member introductions began. The accompanying musicians on drums, bass, guitar, and acoustic guitar were introduced first, followed by: “The arranger with the hands of a god, Hirohito Furui. The guitarist with irresistible appeal, Hitoshi Okamoto. The outstanding poet, AZUKI Nana. On vocals, the songstress, Yuri Nakamura.” The introductions were very concise. Bands often give each member a solo during introductions, but Furui simply waved casually to the audience, Okamoto bowed with a shy smile, and AZUKI quietly stood and smiled. Each personality appeared honestly, which was very GARNET CROW.

“Are you having fun? It looks as if we can keep going, so here is a song for the second half!” Nakamura said energetically, leading into “Naked Story.” When the chorus reached “Naked story, yeah~,” the audience raised their fists, and Nakamura looked at them and sang with a happy smile. She then waved broadly from side to side, and the audience responded at once. As the concert entered its second half, the connection between stage and floor grew stronger.

In “Rhythm,” Okamoto’s distorted guitar solo burst out over the surging bass, and Nakamura’s fuller, more powerful voice rang through the venue. During “二人のロケット,” Nakamura jumped around the stage with a look of unstoppable happiness. It was as if she released all her remaining energy, bringing the atmosphere to a climax. For the final regular song, “Mysterious Eyes,” she called, “Let’s sing together!” and a powerful chorus rose from the audience.

It was strange and wonderful: through Nakamura’s voice, the various lyrics and landscapes seemed to gain breath and arrive alive in the listener’s heart.

The encore was even more passionate. Before the members had left the stage, the audience had already begun calling “GARNET!” In response, the four members soon returned, waving their hands. Nakamura said, “Because this is our first concert, during rehearsals we kept hoping to make it a performance that would remain in people’s hearts. I hope today can be a memorable day for everyone too.” Voices immediately answered from all around: “We won’t forget it.”

She continued, “You gave us such warm support, and during the show I felt that I could really rely on you. The next song is a very important song that introduced GARNET CROW to everyone through television. I hope it becomes an important song for you too.” A smooth, beautiful piano intro sounded, and “夢みたあとで” began quietly. The venue, which had been so lively moments earlier, gradually became silent. Nakamura added improvised changes and took extra care with every word; the audience’s attention was completely drawn to her voice.

“I want to sing with everyone!” During the final song, “スパイラル,” she repeatedly called out at the ending: “Sing it one more time!” “Can we do it one more time?” The chorus was sung three times, and the concert finally ended at the height of its excitement. The four stood side by side, waved, and left the stage.

One more point: beginning with the October 31 Zepp Fukuoka show, the unreleased “クリスタル・ゲージ” was added as the first encore song. Its lively pop feeling was especially effective live and raised the heat in the venue even further.

The roughly ninety-minute concert passed in an instant, leaving us wanting to see their stage again. We had thought we already understood the high quality of their songs, but experiencing the performance in person made us realize all over again what excellent work they continually create. We are already looking forward to the next time, but before then, you can experience the moments that existed “because it was their first concert” through the concert DVD.

Setlist

1. call my name
2. 夏の幻
3. Last love song
4. 君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく
5. flying
6. wish★
7. 水のない晴れた海へ
8. スカイ・ブルー
9. Holy ground
10. Timeless Sleep
11. Naked Story
12. Rhythm
13. 二人のロケット
14. Mysterious Eyes

Encore:

1. 夢みたあとで
2. スパイラル

First concert DVD arrives February 5!

*GARNET CROW first live scope and document movie*

In addition to the Akasaka BLITZ performance reported above, the DVD includes around twenty minutes of behind-the-scenes footage. These precious images show the production site and the members’ expressions, rarely seen in their usual activities.

Planned track list: call my name / 夏の幻 / Last love song / 君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく / flying / wish★ / 水のない晴れた海へ / スカイ・ブルー / Holy ground / Timeless Sleep / Naked Story / 二人のロケット / Mysterious Eyes / 夢みたあとで / スパイラル.

Planned running time: 110 minutes.
ONBD-7022 / B-VISION / ¥3,990 (tax included).

A dream collaboration bringing Mai Kuraki, Rina Aiuchi, and GARNET CROW together has been confirmed! (See p.52 for details.)

The official fan club has been named “G-NET”! (See p.52 for details.)