Yesterday, I went to Kichijoji (only two stops away from ICU on the Chuo line) with a friend to attend an event called METAL DIVA FEST 2012. It was an event exclusively for all-girl bands. I think about 5 or 6 bands played that night, but my friend and I only stayed for 4.
This concert was a little different from the other two I've been to
First, the way I bought tickets was different. I used the Loppi kiosk thing at Lawson's in order to buy tickets to previous concerts, but the only way you could reserve tickets for this event was by reserving tickets via e-mail directly to the band. On the day of the concert, I was told to go to the venue early (around 2pm) in order to pick up my tickets. The woman at the desk was a bit confused when I told her my name (because I'm foreign, obviously), but she understood after a few seconds, haha. Awkward gaijin moments. Doors opened at 4, so we got there around 4:05 and were let in right away because we reserved tickets.
Second, the venue was a lot different. The bar and the stage were in separate rooms. I liked the set-up of the actual stage, though. It was pretty roomy in there. The only big problem I noticed was that there wasn't a lot of ventilation. It got hot in there pretty quickly.
Third, the demographic was REALLY, REALLY different. At previous concerts I went to, the audience was probably 10% guys, if even that. At this event, because all-female bands were playing, it was completely reversed. There were maybe 8-10 other girls besides me and my friend. The guys there weren't exactly young, either. My friend and I were pretty creeped out at first, but we realized they weren't all that creepy as the show went on. We started out in the middle and ended up front and center for exist trace because someone in the front row moved for us. :D I'm pretty sure I'm a pro at getting to the front of concerts now.
The first band to play was GANGLION. I remember checking them out a bit before the concert and I didn't think they were all that special, but they put on an AWESOME show. They definitely have potential and I'm definitely going to look more into them. I wasn't at the front for this show, so I couldn't see very much (I'm short...in case you don't know me that well), but I had a clear view of the vocalist the whole time.
Next was Mary's Blood. I wasn't as impressed with them as with GANGLION because they had a much more vkei/androgynous feel, I think. Mary's Blood was a lot more feminine, I think, but they still had a really good performance.
The third band was called METALLIC SPIN. This band is HILARIOUS. You need to go check them out. They're a girl band that acts like they're in an 80's-like metal band and they pretend they're not from Japan and they have really horrible accents and do crazy things onstage. Here's an idea of what they're like:
Finally, exist trace! The last time I saw this amaaazing band, they played their first Boston show ever at the Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge. It was a really small, close live with a few technical difficulties, but lots of smiles (I'm so cheesy, wow, lol). I had a small fangirl hope that they would remember me from Boston, but if they did, I never really got that feeling. I don't really care. I was just happy to see them again.
Setlist:
1. WONDERLAND
2. DAYBREAK
3. DECIDE
4. be Naked
5. GINGER
6. HONEY
7. シグナル (Signal)
I only remember the setlist because I could see it taped on the stage from where I was standing, haha. There wasn't a way for me to take it with me, though.
WONDERLAND is one of the tracks on VIRGIN that I really like, so that was cool to see performed live. I'm glad they included it on their short setlist. It's one of their more choreographed tracks, I think. Speaking of choreographed, exist trace has an entire group of fans that choreographs their own "dances" to shows. One of them was a guy who I remember seeing at the show in Boston. Hardcore fans are dedicated, man. Overall, I think the band chose a good setlist. I always like to think the bands I come to see get the most energy from the crowd, but I wasn't paying attention to what everyone else was doing because I was in the front.
My friend and I were kind of tired and really sweaty after exist trace, so we decided to leave. We headed back to Musashisakai, got a cream puff, and sat down with yummy drinks at Starbucks. It was a pretty good night, overall.
(Beard Papa's makes the best cream puffs omg. Get the クッキー kind)
Sorry this post has so much text. Pictures aren't allowed in most venues.
Man, now I actually have to plan my weekends. What should I do? lol
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