Arena Tour 2005 Nagoya 13/2 Report

SiGma3 · #1 15th August 2005, 09:34 PM

Hi, I realise this is kind of a late report, but I thought I'd share my experience with you guys. I stumbled across this forum late last year and found this to be the place for Ayu discussions and info, even though I have never posted!

Anyway I was reading a couple Arena Tour 2005 reports by some others and especially with the DVD to be released soon, I thought what the heck, why not share!! To tell you the truth, after the Ayu concert I just couldn't wait to tell others how good it was!

It was my first LIVE Ayu concert ever- I've watched a lot of her past ones and enjoyed the 'A Museum Tour' the most probably. But now, Arena Tour 2005 My Story has to be my favourite (maybe 'cuz it's live)!

I was taking leave off work for a month to visit my relatives over in Malaysia and Japan. I only had 9 days in Japan, but managed to fit the concert into the schedule. Prior to arriving in Japan from home (New Zealand) I was listening to Ayu music constantly (who wouldn't!) and even practising the para para dance when I got the chance - no jokes! I was getting worked up!

It was a Sunday and we (my wife and I) were arriving at the Nagoya Rainbow Hall by train. We saw Ayu fans packed in the train anxiously waiting to get off! Once we got onto the platform there was a bridge to cross which led to the Rainbow Hall. I didn't actually think the place would be that close to the train stop, but there it was, all the Ayu fans gathered waiting to get inside! They had the tents up selling all sorts of Ayu merchandise- I only managed to get a small shot of it (attached). I couldn't believe how many Ayu-wannabes there were- I was certain I was seeing Ayu clones!

At last we entered the concert hall and saw the My Story pink theme across the stage with Wonderland playing in loop (without the scary sounds). Then the moment everyone was waiting for (Wonderland coming to a close), the lights went out and Kaleidoscope led the intro. It was an awesome intro that just felt good- my heart was thumping! Ayu then appeared on stage and everyone was cheering/yelling "Ayu"!! It was a dream come true, I couldn't believe I was there!

Ayu performed the songs as mentioned by others already (and according to the DVD listing). Someone mentioned that they got to see Step You, but we got Trauma instead, which was good anyway! I would have liked to have seen Step You, but the energy in Trauma was awesome!

About You - just like in the PV where Ayu and others were trapped inside. On stage there were chains hanging off the top and then it all came crashing down later. It was cool

My Name's Women - seeing Ayu doing some whip action (like in the PV) was just too HOT!!

Carols - this was really beautiful. As mentioned in an earlier post, the centre , circular part of the stage elevated with Ayu singing. A wall of lights surrounded her and it was snowing. It was magical!

Humming 7/4 - Ayu taught everyone to do "Everybody go, everybody jump!" That was good fun too!

Everything from start to finish was just sooo good

The performances, videos, lighting, colour and everything- Evolution rocked too! If you ever get a chance to go to one of Ayu's concerts, GO!! Even if it's just once, it's worth it- I still dream about it!

I thought everything was over by the time we headed off to the train station, back to central Nagoya station (3 stops away). We bought tickets (at Nagoya station) for the shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Tokyo and stood at the platform waiting for it to arrive.

All of a sudden there was a group of people creating quite a commotion as they were coming up the stairs. I thought what the hell and ignored the crowd that went passed us. I didn't pay much attention, but my wife then shouted out to me, "Ayu, it's Ayu!". Believe it or not, just steps away stood Ayumi Hamasaki!!! I was in shock and literally froze when I got a glimpse of her! All the fans were screaming out and the many bodyguards were surrounding Ayu, shoving people away! One of the bodyguards yelled out saying we should be more orderly and to stand behind the yellow line on the platform- everyone stood still and looked down with guilt it was hilarious! Smack me in the head, but I didn't manage to get a photo of Ayu! I was in a state of shock not expecting to see Ayu (so close too!) that by the time the excitement was over, she had boarded the 'Nozomi' train bound for Tokyo. We boarded the next train, 'Hikari', so was not on the same one as Ayu.

There's another reason to go to the concert, you might just see Ayu! Thanks for reading and sorry if the post was majorly long!

PickleCookies · #2 15th August 2005, 09:44 PM

Oh wow. Thanks for sharing. You got to see Ayu. That's pretty awesome.

[AHS]MortalSex · #3 15th August 2005, 09:47 PM

seems very nice there I´m really filled with excitement now but I really hope that she´s still doing live concerts in about 2 years ^^
thanks for sharing your experiences with us
maybe you got more photos you could share? XD did you get a pic of those "ayu-wannabes" XD

Echiko · #4 15th August 2005, 10:06 PM

Can't blame you for being frozen when you saw ayu. I would be too. x]

Zeke. · #5 15th August 2005, 10:08 PM

Amazing report, simply amazing!!

[taskin.ayu] · #6 15th August 2005, 10:43 PM

omg you're so lucky. O: Lot's of people managed to go to this concert and it seems like a must have on DVD. xD

I hope I would be lucky enough to go in the future. =p

~Amy~ · #7 15th August 2005, 10:52 PM

I wish I could go to Ayu's concerts! Your very lucky! Thank you for sharing your report with us. ^_^

#8 15th August 2005, 11:11 PM

I'm too jealous

Qt Mashi · #9 16th August 2005, 12:21 AM

wow u are soo lucky!!! reading ure report made me feel excited~!!!

get to see ayu so close!

Gunblitze · #10 16th August 2005, 12:37 AM

wow thats awesome!

AyuGAME · #11 16th August 2005, 01:17 AM

MY GOD i want to see ayu live
amazing report, thx for sharing
can you describe her voice

AngieChan · #12 16th August 2005, 02:20 AM

woah... what happened to u ,, will be my dream come true

except, i will just catch the train that ayu caught to stalk her

evechoco · #13 16th August 2005, 02:54 AM

u r so lucky, i wish i had the money to see ayu live

mika · #14 16th August 2005, 05:37 AM

that's a nice experience

kournikova · #15 16th August 2005, 05:55 AM

whoa... nice experince ^^

~AyUsIcK~ · #16 16th August 2005, 06:58 AM

WOW!!! I HOPE I WERE U!! not only watch ayu LIVE concert.. BUT STILL STANDING STEPS AWAY FROM HER!!

Jennie Mae · #17 16th August 2005, 09:30 AM

You're sooo lucky!! Oh, if only I could see Ayu live... someday.

.:.AYU.:. · #18 16th August 2005, 10:28 AM

cool~~hqahahaha

kirika · #19 16th August 2005, 01:29 PM

Oh my gosh, it must be terrific to see Ayu live!
~dreams...~

SiGma3 · #20 16th August 2005, 02:15 PM

Ayu's voice was fantastic- I thought Carols was really well performed and moving! It's also incredible to see the amount of energy Ayu had especially when she got the audience to interact- sing, dance, etc. She's a natural entertainer!

Unfortunately that was the only photo I took- sorry

I was more concerned about getting our seats at the time!

I couldn't remember what Ayu was wearing back at Nagoya station (always something flash anyway!) but she had her shades on and kept looking straight silently, not responding to fans calling out to her! I recall a guy recording the whole thing with his handycam, which just so conveniently happened to be available! He must have been expecting her already.