Es VOL.43 live report“livescope 〜THE FINAL〜”Osaka场(second half)

●○ From music freak Es Vol.43

The impact of that moment was so powerful that I still cannot forget it. I had thought of their work as music to listen to carefully in a room, but the quality of their musicianship and the vocals’ overwhelming presence revealed the appeal of GARNET CROW heard live, captivating countless listeners in an instant. As for me, I was completely hooked by “call my name” alone, and have attended their concerts ever since. I am sure everyone here, like the writer, had songs that meant something special to them, and enjoyed this concert while reliving the memories attached to each one.

The following “世界はまわると言うけれど” and “Yellow Moon” were minor-key mid-tempo songs wrapped in the melancholy, poignancy, and fragility that represent the group at its best. After giving us time to listen closely, they launched into the final three songs without a break! During the intro to “ふたり,” Furui and AZUKI came out to the front of the stage and urged the audience on with their whole bodies, shouting “Hey! Hey!” In “Smiley Nation,” Nakamura moved back and forth across the stage for the first time that day, raising the energy. When she held out the microphone during the familiar chorus, the audience answered with a louder voice than at any previous concert. As expected, the main set ended with “今宵エデンの片隅で.” The standard mass sing-along and JUMP! during the chorus carved out an unforgettable, magnificent moment. AZUKI, Furui, and Okamoto performed while looking across the hall with radiant expressions; Nakamura shouted “Thank you!” again and again. Although the moment of parting drew closer by the second, a rush of pleasure swept through our bodies so completely that we forgot all about it.

As soon as the members left the stage, a storm of calls for an encore erupted. When they appeared again after changing into tour T-shirts, a huge roar—almost a scream—rose from the hall.

Nakamura first said, “Thank you for the encore!” Then, as if savoring the words once more, she expressed her gratitude again: “Everyone... thank you so much for the encore!” Would the hall now be wrapped in sentiment? Far from it—the merchandise introduction corner began, just as usual.

Then she announced, “Finally, as a way of expressing our gratitude to all of you for these 13 years, we would like you to hear one unreleased song,” and performed “バタフライ・ノット.” Its beautiful, delicate melodic line, finely detailed arrangement full of weight, gentle and tranquil opening piano, and plaintive guitar phrases made it a song overflowing with the GARNET CROW qualities listeners treasure.

They added one more song, as if determined to leave no regrets behind: “Fall in Life ～Hallelujah～,” which had everyone waving towels and raising the excitement. The last live show they sang, laughed, and created together had reached a magnificent state of total release.

And yet they still could not end. They wanted to stay together longer. They could not go home until they heard that song! Responding to those feelings, the group returned for a double encore.

“We have raced nonstop since our debut in 2000, and I believe that is thanks to all the fans who have come here today. Thank you so much for your warm support over these 13 years. We are breaking up, but the songs are alive. We hope that, in a passing moment in your hearts or at a turning point in your lives, one of our songs will play again and make your lives even richer. Please continue to listen carefully to the works we have created. Thank you.”

Nakamura delivered the final message on behalf of the members. Audience members could no longer hold back their tears. But the next moment...

“To all the fans who have supported us, thank you so much for 15 years!” (It was actually 13 years.) She misspoke, prompting involuntary laughter from the hall. She corrected herself once—“Thank you for 13 years!”—and regained her composure, but then said again, “The song we would like you to hear last is an important song that gave us the opportunity to be known by all of you. We would like you to hear it as our thanks for 15 years...”

As Nakamura blushed at her mistake, voices flew from every direction: “Keep going for two more years!” and “Let’s continue until 15 years!”

When Nakamura became dejected and said, “Why do I keep saying 15 years?”, Okamoto laughed, “That includes the years we were paying our dues,” and Furui encouraged her: “Fifteen years including the time we were coming up—why not?” AZUKI watched the exchange with an affectionate gaze. If anything could be called quintessentially GARNET CROW, it was this scene. The audience gave them generous applause, and once the hall had settled into an even warmer, more intimate atmosphere, Nakamura began again:

“I would like to sing with gratitude for these 13 years. Thank you very much for coming today, everyone. Please take care of yourselves!!” With that cry, she gave her whole soul to “夢みたあとで.”

When all the performances were over, the four members showed bright smiles that said they had seen it through without shedding a tear. They bowed repeatedly, waved, and conveyed their gratitude. The curtain call continued again and again, while the members behaved cheerfully and playfully for the audience reluctant to say goodbye. Eventually the curtain would not open again, and the merciless announcement that the venue was closing sounded. But the audience did not leave their seats. Along with the music played as people exited, they sang “Fall in Life ～Hallelujah～” and “今宵エデンの片隅で” together at full volume, as if it were the actual show. It was a moving sight, as though they were sending the graduating members off with smiles.

Including the encores, all 25 songs formed a well-balanced set list, with carefully controlled changes in pace across eras and styles, and I believe it was a program that gave fans more than enough of GARNET CROW’s appeal. Still, everyone must have had a song they wished they could have heard one last time: “スパイラル,” “君という光,” “僕らだけの未来,” “水のない晴れた海へ,” “未完成な音色,” “英雄”... They had so many more masterpieces than could be counted. But as Nakamura said, “the songs remain alive.” Their music will continue to add color to our lives in all kinds of moments.

GARNET CROW expressed everything through music without saying much, and continued to captivate us with overwhelming conviction. To the four members who upheld their own aesthetic to the very end, I want to say only this for now: “Thank you for all your hard work,” and “Thank you.”
　　　　　　　　　(TEXT BY YUKARI MATSUBARA)

REQUEST BEST & LAST LIVE DVD
Both released on October 9!!

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆【REQUEST BEST】◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

The track selection is based on your requests, drawn from every song released between the indie mini-album 『first kaleidscope ～君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく～』 and the latest album 『Terminus』.

●『Title TBD』2013.10.9 Release !!
　GZCA-5256～5257　￥3,200 (tax in)
　［Planned as a 2-CD set］

※Voting has ended.

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆【LAST LIVE DVD】◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

The final live show, 『GARNET CROW livescope ～THE FINAL～』, bringing GARNET CROW's 13-year career to a close, will be released on video!
It is scheduled to include footage from the Osaka performance on Sunday, June 9, the final date of the tour!

●『Title TBD』2013.10.9 Release !!
　GZBA-8026～8027　￥5,775 (tax in)
　［Planned as a 2-DVD set］

An official GARNET CROW Special Box Set is also scheduled to arrive in a deluxe package!

【Limited production by complete advance reservation】【Permanent collector's edition】
The set is planned as a lavish collection including all the songs, valuable video works, a photo book, and more.

※It will not be available at CD shops.
Please refrain from contacting CD shops or other retailers for inquiries.
Details will be announced on the official website as soon as they are finalized.

■OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://garnetcrow.com/