VOL.146 live report“GARNET CROW livescope 2006 〜THE TWILIGHT VALLEY〜”2006.12.20 Nakano Sunplaza(first half)

●○○ From music freak magazine Vol.146

GARNET CROW
livescope 2006 〜THE TWILIGHT VALLEY〜

GARNET CROW's live tour “GARNET CROW livescope 2006 〜THE TWILIGHT VALLEY〜” was held in support of 『THE TWILIGHT VALLEY』, their first original album in two years. In this issue, we report on the concert held at Nakano Sunplaza on December 20, 2006.
(TEXT BY AKIRA OZAWA)

2006.12.20 at Nakano Sunplaza

　On December 20, 2006, with Christmas just around the corner, GARNET CROW's Tokyo show on the live tour “GARNET CROW livescope 2006 〜THE TWILIGHT VALLEY〜” took place at Nakano Sunplaza. Since it had been about two years since a livescope show, the moment I entered the venue I could feel the heat spreading through the audience, enough to make me forget the cold air outside. Onstage, the tour logo was projected on the central screen, while metal-like pillars with their framework exposed formed the stage set. The same framework was built around the floor where the members stood, giving the set a character unlike those of their previous live shows. Looking over the audience again, I noticed many of the orange tote bags from the tour merchandise resting on seats. It looked as though the audience was covered in the same orange as the 『THE TWILIGHT VALLEY』 jacket. As the start time approached, a taut atmosphere began to fill the audience, and shortly after the scheduled time, the venue went dark.
　After the support musicians entered, GARNET CROW finally appeared onstage. Hitoshi Okamoto, wearing a brown flat cap and a shirt patterned in red and dark green; Hiroto Furui in a beige jacket; AZUKI Nana in a long brown coat; and Yuri Nakamura in a long black coat all strode to their respective positions. As the applause grew louder and cheers rose for the members, the live show began. “Anywhere” opened the concert. Since it was the first track on 『THE TWILIGHT VALLEY』, I could feel each audience member's anticipation growing as they wondered how fully the show would reflect the world of that album. As the stately atmosphere carried into “Rusty Rail,” that anticipation turned into heat and the venue gradually warmed up. While Okamoto's guitar rang out pleasantly, Nakamura took off her coat to reveal a sequined suit, prompting a stir from the audience. It must have been the moment everyone thought, “This live show really is different from the others...” After she greeted the audience with “Please enjoy yourselves tonight,” they performed “Holding you, and swinging.” The lyrics projected on the screen looked impersonal, creating the sensation that the words themselves were pressing toward us. Furui's image as he played the keyboard in time with the rhythm was striking, while the audience swayed to the music in their own ways. You could feel the distance between the stage and the audience steadily shrinking. Nakamura's expression as she said, “Welcome to livescope for the first time in two years,” was fresh and bright, making it clear how much she had truly been looking forward to the show. Next came “Kakurenbo.” Bathed in red light, Okamoto played acoustic guitar, while AZUKI, having removed her long coat, delicately drew sounds from the keys in a dark green top. Various photographs—torii gates, shrine grounds, and more—flashed one after another across the screen, accompanied by Nakamura's lustrous voice. The song's