Es VOL.13 live report“livescope 2010⁺ 〜welcome to the parallel universe!〜”(second half)

●○○From music freak Es Vol.13

They also had Nakamura sing a cover of “Angels We Have Heard On High (荒野の果てに),” bringing the house alive with the new attempt to place cover songs among their own originals. The transition from the 20th song, “アオゾラ カナタ,” through “アンブレラ” and “Angels We Have Heard On High (荒野の果てに)” to the 23rd song, “Mysterious Eyes,” was extremely natural and made for a cool, exhilarating sequence.
Since this was a live show accompanying 『parallel universe』, the album's bright, open world was strongly reflected in the performance as well. It gave us a new side of GARNET CROW, different from their established image of melancholy and wistfulness, not only on CD but also in a live setting. Particularly from the middle of the show onward, there were many memorable moments when the audience waved their hands from side to side or raised their fists in time with the music during vivid, exhilarating songs such as “nonsense,” “wish★,” “アオゾラ カナタ,” “Fall in Life 〜Hallelujah〜,” “Over Drive,” “二人のロケット,” and “今宵エデンの片隅で.”
The MINIQLO (Mini-Crow) segment was another major new attraction this year. As opportunities increased for Nakamura and Okamoto to work together on promotion when a release was coming out—radio appearances, magazine interviews, in-store events, and so on—MINIQLO was born from those activities. In this acoustic format, Nakamura sings GARNET CROW songs accompanied by Okamoto's single acoustic guitar. It was very well received, and recently limited-edition CDs have been sold exclusively at live venues, with the segment also appearing in their shows. Accordingly, following the symphonic concert held in the summer, a MINIQLO segment was included in the middle of this live as well, and they performed four songs. On the second, “スカイ・ブルー,” Nakamura also took on the challenge of accompanying herself on keyboard. For the third song, they asked the audience to applaud for whichever they wanted to hear between “Cried a little” and “over blow.” Although “over blow” received slightly more applause, the audience strongly called out, “Sing both of them!” and they ended up performing both songs that day. Nakamura's clear, powerful voice filled the venue as it rode on the gentle yet vigorous sound of the acoustic guitar. The MC in this segment was also amusingly relaxed. When Okamoto asked the audience, “Today's the day of M-1 (the M-1 Grand Prix), right? You're all wondering about it, aren't you~!” Nakamura smiled and replied, “That's right. You chose a GARNET live over M-1, didn't you~,” prompting Okamoto to say, “Haraiti were on it, right? I like them~. Their sweatshirts!” Their easygoing exchange filled the venue with a warm, homey atmosphere. The MINIQLO segment was a welcome feature whose simple arrangement allowed the songs to sink deeper into the heart and let everyone savor their appeal, so I hope they will continue it in the future.
Many fans probably also look forward to Hitoshi Okamoto's regular solo segment. This time, however, the stage was presented under the name of a new project, SUPER LIGHT, rather than Hitoshi Okamoto. From the mini-album 『Now Printing...』, released on the same day as 『parallel universe』 and his first release in about six years, he performed “Lose My Breath,” the first track, saying, “I'll do a recommended song.” The overflowing musical sense he possesses as a creator—handling lyrics, composition, arrangements, and playing everything himself—had already been proven on the album, but he also showed us that he has remarkable appeal as a vocalist. I had the impression that his chorus was output a little louder than usual throughout this live, not only during the solo segment. It blended extremely well with Nakamura's lead, and his uniquely expressive singing may bring even more appeal to future GARNET CROW recordings and live shows. Incidentally, while SUPER LIGHT was performing “Lose My Breath,” Nakamura moved slightly toward stage right from the center and danced throughout the song with cute choreography. It was incredibly adorable. If the show is ever released on DVD, be sure to look for it.
Now, beyond the music, the costumes also made a visual impression at this live, especially Nakamura's. At the beginning, she looked beautiful in a pure white long dress with large black embroidery across the chest and a sparkling tiara, perfectly suited to winter songs such as “たとえば12月の夜に” and “この冬の白さに,” as well as the strongly fantastical and solemn “水のない晴れた海へ.” From the MINIQLO segment through the 21st song, “アンブレラ,” all the members wore coordinated red-and-black outfits; Nakamura's long red-and-black tartan skirt evoked Scottish national dress and gave her an air of elegance. During the introduction to the 22nd song, “Angels We Have Heard On High,” the tartan skirt was smoothly removed, revealing a pair of short pants. The back hem of her top was long, giving it a tailcoat-like silhouette that suited the mini pants, and paired with knee-high boots, the outfit was exceptionally charming. Before the encore, during the 24th song, “Fall in Life 〜Hallelujah〜,” she moved from side to side across the stage in this charming outfit and sent the audience into a frenzy. I believe this was the first time in their live history that Nakamura had made such a lively impression, costume included.
For the encore, they appeared in the customary tour T-shirts! Is that becoming customary too!? All four members modeled them at center stage. First, Furui and AZUKI Nana, wearing red long-sleeved T-shirts, struck unique poses with a little embarrassment. Then Nakamura and Okamoto, wearing venue-exclusive local T-shirts featuring illustrations designed by Okamoto, synchronized their movements for an Ultraman “Shuwatch!” pose. Looking back, when they first began performing live, it was impossible to see the members being so relaxed and cheerful. Their easygoing mood showed how the repeated performances had steadily brought the fans and members closer together, and how much they enjoyed that relaxed atmosphere together—another sign of ten years of growth.
Yes! And the GARNET CROW that had been cultivated through those ten years—the sight of four mature performers, no longer merely a group of creators who let their work do the talking—was the “parallel universe” I felt most strongly at this show.
At their debut, the four had been creators with immense potential who focused their activities on making music. After they began performing live in 2002, they built up their experience, and at this show, undertaken as they reached their tenth anniversary, they carried themselves with a dignified poise that even suggested a certain relaxation. For example, while talking about the new album, the subject turned to “迷いの森,” which had not been on the set list. Nakamura urged the members, “Let's try just a little. Anyone who remembers it, join in,” and they performed it on the spot. Nakamura sang over Okamoto's guitar while AZUKI Nana and Furui gradually joined in. Such a spontaneous ad-lib scene also conveyed tremendous ease. Within the flow created in that moment, they sometimes got the audience to ride with them and sometimes created moments where they rode along with the audience. Moving smartly with the flow rather than against it requires more than musical ability; it also takes the power to build a show, and it is not something that can be done so easily. The small pauses and the way they created the atmosphere were also exceptionally natural and comfortable in this live. Alongside Nakamura's overwhelming vocal ability, the playing of the other three members also showed their ten years of experience. The solo moments in particular brought each person's individuality to the fore and let us experience the pleasure unique to a live performance.
The same can be said of both their recordings and their live shows: I think the reason they steadily gained fans over these ten years is that they never lost sight of their own musical identity while taking on all kinds of challenges within what makes them GARNET CROW. Even when the song selection and costumes at this show differed somewhat from their usual image, they still had not lost that GARNET CROW quality. So what exactly is “GARNET CROW-ness”? I kept thinking about it all the way home after the live ended, and I believe it ultimately comes down to “not pandering.” No matter what new challenge they take on, they never pander and never lose their dignified bearing. That, perhaps, is the “GARNET CROW-ness” that continues to captivate so many people. I am looking forward more and more to seeing what they do in their eleventh year.
（text by KAREN HAYAMA）

INFORMATION

★LATEST ALBUM★
■NEW ALBUM 『parallel universe』 NOW ON SALE

First-press limited edition [with DVD]
GZCA-5230
￥3,500 (tax in)

Regular edition
GZCA-5231
￥3,059 (tax in)

<TRACK LIST>
01. アオゾラ カナタ　02. As the Dew 〜album version〜　03. Over Drive　04. tell me something
05. 迷いの森　06. 空に花火 〜orchestra session〜　07. 渚とシークレットデイズ
08. The Crack-up　09. strangers　10. 今日と明日と
●bonus track: regular edition only　Over Drive 〜theater version〜

■SUPER LIGHT 『Now Printing...』 NOW ON SALE

GZCA-5232
￥2,000 (tax in)

Included bonus:
Free ringtone download of “Mysterious Eyes 〜Reason P.〜”
Includes QR code!!

All songs written & arranged
Hitoshi Okamoto
Except for a few lyrics
→★ AZUKI Nana

<TRACK LIST>
01. Lose My Breath　02. Tonight　03. 海鳴り★　04. Dime La Verdad
05. with great force★　06. joyride（Re:ASAP）★　07. All Fall Down

★LIVE INFORMATION★
【SUPER LIGHT LIVE 〜extra〜】

■Saturday, January 29, 2011
Venue: Osaka / hills Pankojō
Doors open 18:00 / Show starts 18:30

■Saturday, February 5, 2011
Venue: Tokyo / Harajuku Astro Hall
Doors open 18:00 / Show starts 18:30

*Doors and show times may be changed.

◆Ticket price: ￥4,500 (tax included / all standing / an additional drink charge of ￥500 is required upon entry)
*Children under six years old may not enter any performance.

◆Venue and ticket inquiries
・Osaka performance: http://www.livehillspankojyo.com/
・Tokyo performance: Disk Garage
TEL: 03-5436-9600 (weekdays 12:00–19:00)