With their most recent tour just finished in January, fans were left at complete zero, when it came to their expectations towards the GazettE's 10th Anniversary performance at Makuhari Messe Hall. What would be a good set list to choose after having performed for 10 years?
The concert began with a picture flashback, as the members came on stage and each of them were shown in their outfits from all of their artist photos of the past, up to the most recent ones. In the usual manner, KAI, URUHA, REITA, AOI and RUKI came on stage among the cheers of the highly expectant audience, before the first song already took them by surprise as the set opened with "未成年 / Miseinen" and glitter tape burst over the audience.
The set proved to be a live set that accumulated all of the GazettE's best live songs and songs with the greatest meaning for the band. Continuing with "赤いワンピース / AKAI ONE-PIECE", which until now had first been released as a CD track on the 3,000 copy-limited second press of their first single in 2002, and "春ニ散リケリ、身ハ枯レルデゴザイマス / Haru ni chirikeri, mi ha Kareru de gozaimasu", which fans rarely had the chance to witness live in recent years. RUKI doing his signature dance created just as much excitement as the track itself.
"Hey Makuhari! Welcome to the GazettE's 10th Anniversary. We are now 10 years-old. Therefore, we will throw 10 years worth of emotions at you, so come along and have fun!" The singer commanded.
Being able to listen to "舐 -zetsu-" and "Psychedelic Heroine" in a row, certainly gave off the feeling of a very special event, much like the slow part, which included some of the emotional highlights of the show, such as "菫 / Sumire", "枯詩 / Kare Uta" and "Cassis". Each of those songs holding a special meaning had the fans at the verge or tears. The image of RUKI playing his guitar surely burned itself into the memories of many, before the set went into much harder territory.
"The $ocial riot machine$" as a signature track of the GazettE's "DISORDER" album and a favorite at lives, had everyone boiling with excitement, just as much as more recent tracks like "VERMIN" and "HEADACHE MAN".
No other song than "Filth in the beauty" was able to complete the main-set that day and for a moment the band disappeared from stage.
KAI and REITA were the first to reappear on stage, as the audience fierce fully demanded more and the bassist took over the microphone.
"As it is our 10th Anniversary, the weather is as always pretty bad."
"Yet, while the weather isn't really nice to look at, you are quite a nice sight." REITA concluded and KAI added: "Since it is our 10th Anniversary, it would have been kinda cool, if we had a typhoon." Eventually all members returned on stage an continued with "Nausea & Shudder", which had in 2006 opened their very first Nippon Budokan performance and had lost nothing of its power.
"Thank you for coming, really." RUKI said in a voice that sounded so soft and gentle, that many fans must have been surprised by it.
"10 years ago, on March 10th, we have played our first performance as the Gazette at Rokumeikan in Meguro and there were hardly 10 people. For some reason, it became less people who supported us by each performance, until only one was left. Many people probably thought we were a strange band, and many probably still think we are weird today. Yet, for some reason our followers increased again and when we reached a 30 people audience, we thought we could actually sell. We were positive like that and had this weird kind of confidence, but since we started from nothing, it was all we had. There were down times and moments when it could have all ended, yet, overcoming those, I think from here there are still things to aim for. There are probably people who couldn't make it today, but it doesn't matter. I am thanking you and everyone with all my heart."
"貴方ノ為ノ此ノ命 / Anata no Tame no Kono Inochi", "関東土下座組合 / Kantou Dogeza Kumiai" and "LINDA ~candydive Pinky heaven~" turned the serene atmosphere of RUKI's emotional speech around and had the hall shake literally, as people jumped and head banged before the GazettE left the stage once again.
It was definitely a thing that could only happen at a 10th Anniversary, that when all members returned for a second time, each of them got to express their thoughts. It must have been the first time for many to actually hear each member talking right there on stage.
URUHA: "It's been a while. Thank you for today! So many people have gathered today...it's like the MC of a pro-wrestler. (laughs) I am so exhausted, but it's great exhaustion and I think doing this live felt really good. Being able to do this for 10 years makes me really happy and I hope that we can continue this unchangingly for the 11th year, 12th year and so forth. Thank you!"
KAI: "Most things have just been said, however, I am so full of this feeling of gratitude. It is so great that I want to remember all your faces before going home. (laughs) We have been doing this for 10 years and I would like to keep this special day very close to my heart in the future as well. Thank you very much."
AOI and REITA played a quick game of "Paper-Rock-Scissors" to decide on who would go next. Eventually it was AOI's turn to take the word.
AOI: "Uhm yes, to say something earnest, it must have been because I'm getting old that I have come to be so sentimental. You know, we are close to each other, but there are times when we fight. For me, it's those four and all of you who are the GazettE. It's this view that is the bigger picture of the GazettE."
As applause filled the hall, AOI joked: "See, I said something great, didn't I?" making the audience laugh out loud. "Today, I have been really moved with all the gratitude from all of you, so thank you so very much. On a different note, you are very tiring, but it's cute, so I forgive you."
REITA: "Really, there is nothing but thankfulness. We had been planning on doing this for 10, 20, 30 years, but we didn't really think that the day we actually did it 10 years would come. It's quite a miracle that you have all gathered here today. So take responsibility and keep supporting us in the future as well. Thank you very much"
"Certainly, there are quite some sentimental guys here." RUKI said as it was his turn once again.
"It is quite astounding that a band of five people would continue to make the same music for 10 years, reaching for the same dream together. It seems easy and difficult at the same time, and we are good friends while being very alike.
At this point the word 'gratitude' has grown a bit thin, but the one who loves you most in this place, is this band,
I think. Please come with us, forever. This is happiness for us, to celebrate this 10th anniversary with you. For the 15th year, the 20th, the 30th, the 45th year, let's create an ever greater view.
Thank you for today!"
With their first single "別れ道 / Wakare Michi" and "春雪の頃 / Shunsetsu no Koro" the GazettE finished off their 10th Anniversary, marking their biggest step of past and future together with their fans.
Credit MJP
