VOL.123 live report“livescope 2005 〜I'm waiting 4 you & live〜”2005.1.21 Osaka厚生年金会馆

From music freak magazine Vol.123

GARNET CROW

*livescope 2005 〜I’m waiting 4 you & live〜*

January 21, 2005, Osaka Koseinenkin Hall Grand Hall

Following the previous two years, GARNET CROW once again began a tour in the depths of winter. This time it was titled *livescope 2005 〜I’m waiting 4 you & live〜*. As the members said in their interview about the fourth album *I’m waiting 4 you*, released last December, the “you” is naturally the fans who support GARNET CROW. Their feeling of waiting for everyone at the concert became the title of this tour. Carrying that expectation, I came to the opening show at Osaka Koseinenkin Hall.

Fans filled the area around the venue, as if to say that GARNET CROW was not the only one waiting. Yet once I passed through the crowd and entered, the space was completely quiet, the opposite of the noise outside. For some reason, when a GARNET CROW show opens, it always feels covered by a cool, silent veil.

Concerts often begin with a glamorous stage design or an energetic song to lift the mood, but GARNET CROW takes a different approach.

Gentle, film-score-like background music began to play. Under blue lights, the members calmly gathered onstage. The first song was “この冬の白さに,” an emotional minor-key song from the new album that the audience had not yet had much time to get to know. Yuri Nakamura’s noble voice and AZUKI Nana’s piano drew everyone into the world of GARNET CROW. Next came “夕月夜,” also memorable for AZUKI’s piano playing. Nakamura’s loose hair was a fresh sight, while the members wore matching dark clothing, simple and elegant. They merely stood and played the song, yet emotion began to well up little by little.

The audience was already drawn to the lyrics displayed on the screen, staring at the stage and sinking into an emotion that almost made it impossible to move. Nakamura’s talk gave everyone a little relief.

“Good evening, everyone. We are GARNET CROW. I am happy to see everyone again this year. I hope we can spend this precious time with you until the very end.”

Nakamura picked up a tambourine, and Hitoshi Okamoto’s guitar playing also shone as the third song, the early work “夏の幻,” began. It was followed by the new single “忘れ咲き,” then “flying,” whose dramatic arrangement by Furui was particularly striking. The setlist connected different moments in GARNET CROW’s history without any sense of a gap between eras. That surely expresses the originality and timelessness they have always pursued.

“The winter romance song was popular last year...” Nakamura began speaking, and AZUKI immediately played its melody on the piano, as if answering her.

“GARNET CROW also has a song about pure love. Please listen.”

What followed was “call my name,” the opening song of their first concert two years earlier. Its acoustic flavor was still fresh. As if to prove that the same nobility had continued into the new album, it was followed by “冷たい影.” Nakamura’s moist melody and deeply emotional singing, combined with AZUKI Nana’s lyrics touching the core of sadness, made an excellent combination. A song like this, without any stage decoration at all, is ideally suited to being heard live in person.

While everyone was still absorbed in the afterglow and gazing into the distance, Nakamura’s slightly humorous New Year story brought us back to reality. The spotlight then turned to guitarist Hitoshi Okamoto, who introduced “Last love song.” Unexpectedly, Okamoto took the lead vocal and Nakamura sang harmony, surrounding the entire venue with a fresh surprise.

Light from the spotlight fell into the audience, seeming to signal that everyone would again be taken into GARNET CROW’s deep world. First came “水のない晴れた海へ,” beloved by fans since the first album, followed by “in little time,” memorable for AZUKI Nana’s poetic piano. The latter was actually the coupling song from their second single in 2000. Bringing such an unusual song to the stage also showed GARNET CROW’s commitment.

“This year is GARNET CROW’s fifth anniversary. Honestly, I think we have reached this point because of the fans’ support throughout this time. We hope to keep moving forward and growing together with everyone. With gratitude, we give you this song.”

Green light was projected onto four panels. What sounded was “夢みたあとで,” unforgettable both to GARNET CROW and its fans. Nakamura’s singing rose to tremendous intensity; that voice full of love felt like a prayer soothing the audience.

From music freak magazine Vol.123

While everyone was still immersed in that sacred feeling, “Holy ground” arrived as if it could see straight through the heart. The final falsetto was irresistible too, almost making it feel worth putting everything aside just to experience that moment in person. Few people can create such a feeling through singing. But the refreshing “永遠を駆け抜ける一瞬の僕ら” that followed gently swept away the impulse and opened the heart again.

Thirteen songs had already been performed, and only now did the second half begin.

From the relaxed groove of “君 連れ去る時の訪れを,” the show moved into the member introductions, followed immediately by “二人のロケット,” which made the clapping across the venue grow louder and louder. Furui raised his “hands of god” and got everyone moving. The chorus of “we go on paradise” in the latter half truly felt as if we were in paradise. Nakamura, who had previously remained in the center singing seriously, finally began moving toward both sides of the stage.

The song ended refreshingly and the lights grew brighter, but it was not the end; the future still waited ahead. The bright “ブルーの森で” and “恋することしか出来ないみたいに” were linked in a medley. Then Nakamura called out, and a Spanish-style intro rang through the venue as “僕らだけの未来,” the final regular song, began. The clapping accelerated, garnet-red lights illuminated the stage, and musicians and audience alike lost themselves in the passionate sound. In that instant, a rhythm filled with indescribable liberation seemed to rise.

Then came the encore. The first song was “君を飾る花を咲かそう,” the first song Nakamura had written from personal experience. A heavy yet refreshing emotion enveloped the venue. The band had not forgotten to give the audience a special surprise: they followed it with the first performance of the new song “「さよなら」とたった一言で...”. Finally they closed with “スパイラル,” which pushed the excitement even higher.

Emotion accumulated slowly, the mood rose, and the show reached a perfect ending at its highest point. This is GARNET CROW’s magic. This year, the bond between musicians and fans became even firmer. It was a beautiful night.

(Sai Saida)

Setlist

1. この冬の白さに
2. 夕月夜
3. 夏の幻
4. 忘れ咲き
5. flying
6. call my name
7. 冷たい影
8. Last love song
9. 水のない晴れた海へ
10. in little time
11. 夢みたあとで
12. Holy ground
13. 永遠を駆け抜ける一瞬の僕ら
14. 君 連れ去る時の訪れを
15. 二人のロケット
16. ブルーの森で〜
17. 〜恋することしか出来ないみたいに
18. Mysterious Eyes
19. 僕らだけの未来

Tracks 16 and 17 were performed as a medley.

Encore:

1. 君を飾る花を咲かそう
2. 「さよなら」とたった一言で...
3. スパイラル

Remix album advance sale

At this performance, GARNET CROW’s remix album *Cool City Production vol.8 GARNET CROW REMIX* was sold in advance. The collection was supervised by Hirohito Furui and Hitoshi Okamoto, who are responsible for producing GARNET CROW’s sound, and both also participated personally in making tracks. There are reportedly plans to sell it more widely in the future; we will announce further information when it becomes available. See the Cool City Production website for details.

COOL CITY PRODUCTION website: www.cc-p.net/

*Cool City Production vol.8 GARNET CROW REMIX*
TCR-029 / TENT HOUSE / ¥2,800 (tax included)

1. 忘れ咲き 〜hirohito furui mix〜
2. クリスタル・ゲージ 〜hitoshi okamoto mix〜
3. Endless Desire 〜CHINITA Mix〜
4. 夢みたあとで 〜Migrand Jazz〜
5. flying 〜Xtra Jam RMX〜
6. 泣けない夜も 泣かない朝も 〜night clubbers mix〜
7. スパイラル 〜natural flavor mix〜
8. wish ★ 〜Re-wish〜
9. 僕らだけの未来 〜Funktasia Mix〜
10. Naked Story 〜raze mix〜
11. Crier Girl&Crier Boy 〜ice cold sky〜 〜RIP TRAP REMIX〜