They incorporated the Japanese drums and the strings in quite a lot of songs. It wasn’t just a gimmick for one or two songs. Moments, HANABI and end roll where played during the interlude with the strings.
I also loved how they made use of the screens again! The screens showed the dancers performing being part of a game (candy crush etc) during the interlude before EnergizE.
I also loved the dancers costume, the screens and the song choice during BRILLIANTE (I think). It just looked grand! The screens showed Torii, some dancers had these kind of yokai/demon masks on. I thought it looked really great and worked very well! Can’t wait to get the TV version later already. I enjoyed the show so much, i wanted to see it again right after it finishes.

Going to the Saitama Super Arena 3 hours before the show this time xD (not making the same mistake twice in a row)

Sadly it was a burqa costume. Everything but the eyes was covered. I just looked at my photos again. If it would have been just a hijab I wouldn't have said anything.

Edit: Here is a photo of it.

I’m getting a Koda Kumi vibe by looking at some twitter of the pictures of the show, particularly the pyramid. Don’t get me wrong, it looks incredible and I haven’t been this excited to see her (current) tour show in quite some time. But I just get that vibe. It’s also refreshing to see her have most of her costumes/outfits are originals versus recycling past ones. Very excited! :)

Maybe the costume is meant to be something else but resembles a burqa? It would seem weird to me for her to just throw in some burqa wearing people into the show. Especially since the concert doesn't seem related to the middle east. I know Christian/Catholic imagery has been used before but that is mostly because of M and I guess being inspired by a religious friend.:confused

Chibi-chan, that is still not a burqa. A burqa covers the eyes with a mess. You cant see anything of the face in a burqa.

What Ayumi had on stage was a hijab and a niqab, which is just the veil that covers the face.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/263632...ence-headwear/

this article explains it pretty well.

I thought she would preform Don't Look Back....

For me it looks like that there are not only women under this, but also men. And I think it looks more like Illuminati, secret brotherhood or whatever stuff type of cloak/costume.
That also whould fit a bit more into the stage theme with all the taiko drums, inari masks and tori gates. (yeah I know this don´t also fit, but mire than a burqua xD )

No matter what, We should all know that Ayu is an advocate for women rights and what she stands for. That is said, she had weird/poor costume choices too in the past, sometimes it is better not to overlook it.

OMG second day cancelled Pride and EnergizE...

I knew it would happen.:(

OMG STARTIN’

1. Duty
2. Microphone
-interlude- (changed from day 1)
3. Startin
4. STEP You
-interlude-

No EnergizE!? ��

1. Duty
2. Microphone
-interlude- (changed from day 1)
3. Startin
4. STEP You
-interlude-
5. Sparkle ~ Summer Love ~ Movin on without you ~ Ladies Night ~ Nanana ~ Sparkle
-interlude-
6 Walking Proud

rollin‘ is gone too? :o

No rollin as well along with EnergizE? Oh god, that is so so sad... I'm sure it's still a great experience but those were such a great surprise. Maybe there's a good reason for that like limited time for the tv broadcast. Or as they tend to do with recorded concerts that are to be released on a later date, skip some songs so people go and buy the DVD. Here they can't as it's live so maybe that's why. I hope they will release yesterday's concert somehow later on.

why ayu why...sigh...i dont understand. she really is trying to make people see her rarer songs live doesnt she haha

she cut 2 rare songs. No surprise

CORRECTION: She did do rollin, my bad I forgot the order/to add it

1. Duty
2. Microphone
-interlude- (changed from day 1)
3. Startin
4. STEP You
-interlude-
5. Sparkle ~ Summer Love ~ Movin on without you ~ Ladies Night ~ rollin’ ~ Nanana ~ Sparkle
-interlude-
6 Walking Proud
7. part of me
-Taiko drum interlude-
8. BRILLANTE (new arrangement with Taiko)
9. FLOWER (w/ Taiko)
-poker face piano interlude-
10. HEAVEN
11. SURREAL ~ evolution ~ SURREAL (w/ Taiko drums)
12. Bold & Delicious (w/ Taiko drums)
13. Born To Be... (w/ Taiko)