ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2015 A Cirque de Minuit ～真夜中のサーカス～INFO II

[YukiUsagi]

Can someone tell me about Ericque? I don't see him in those pics?

[hidekirby]

Originally Posted by YukiUsagi

Can someone tell me about Ericque? I don't see him in those pics?

He recently left.

[SKYia]

Since she's already the empress of recycle I wish she would re-use her Satine (from Moulin Rouge) head piece from AT 2005 / Inspire, it fits the circus theme.

Spoiler:

[Yoake]

OMG an Elephant O.O

[Deep snow]

Originally Posted by tokyoxjapanxfan

So, I went to today's concert without having looked at the setlist. My impression isn't really a positive one, so just a warning lol.

Spoiler:

I was honestly extremely, extremely bored. It was literally like, "rock rock ballad ballad ballad rock ballad ballad rock ballad rock rock rock -encore-".

The song choices were great, but all at once was a huge mistake imo. It was extremely drawn out. Very little variety, and I appreciated each song less and less as time went on because it was just "another" rock song or "another" ballad song with heavy organs and violin. I was waiting and waiting for some up tempo songs.

By the time Immature came on I was super excited, but then the entire arrangement of the song was changed. It went from being a really light, electronic song with synth, to another circusy organ utilizing song. forgiveness too. The ethereal feeling of the original song is gone. It starts out with super heavy organs.

All the songs were really, really heavy.

But honestly this is probably my least favorite tour she's put out based on song selection.

I felt more and more...uninterested? as time went on. And I feel like the general energy of the audience was different than usual. I think they took the concept of a circus, which is joyous, and just went the complete opposite direction. This was probably the intent, but it just felt like a rehash of Party queen's concept, imo. And honestly very little correlation to a circus. It felt similar to Hotel Love songs.

Just...there was truly no uptempo section until the encore! Like...come on now. You don't pump up the audience only to send them home...

Not to mention only 3 new album songs were performed. JUST 3!

And all the songs that she'd performed in the past were generally the same choreography or performance style. This only added to the drawn out feeling.

Like... I don't want to sound ungrateful, because her vocals were AMAZING. Probably the best overall vocals I've heard from her. Truly. Her high "ii" notes were on point.

But just...wasted potential I guess. I could see that she worked hard, but for song selection alone I can't really say I enjoyed it that much. Because they were so similar to each other. By performing so many similar styles songs, they lost their magic for me, I guess. There were no breaks to bring the tension up, so it just stayed really flat for me.

I feel like I'm just complaining. But that's really how I felt.

Also, the screen malfunctioned. The left side stopped working between Anything for you and forgiveness and wasn't fixed until Movin' on without you. Therefore it was black for awhile haha. But, that's unpredictable so I'm not basing my judgment on that haha.

Costumes were good too.

I probably won't go to the final date unless my feelings change (or the setlist).

So...you can take all that as you want haha.


p.s. I saw her husband. haha he was walking around the arena area before chatting to some staff and then ducking backstage, haha.

Thank you for your review. I honestly got the same overall bored feeling watching the Bluray of the CDL I couldn't imagine how the audience members who were actually present at Yoyogi must have felt there. The song selection (of the CDL, at least) makes for a reeeeally drawn-out main show, and only at the encore did things really start heating up.

I hope she adds more uptempo, lighter, and circus-esque songs into the set list as the tour progresses. (And I hope the circus arrangement is not statutory-rapey like Duty) (ugh) (UUUUGH)

[melissalove]

That giant elephant looks like the giant tiger katie perry used at the super bowl. But oh well go ayu.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

I really wish NOW AND 4EVA was after mirrorcle world as the song before the encore.

[Deep snow]

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN

I really wish NOW AND 4EVA was after mirrorcle world as the song before the encore.

I always feel NOW & 4EVA out of place anywhere in the concert

[SKYia]

Originally Posted by Deep snow

Thank you for your review. I honestly got the same overall bored feeling watching the Bluray of the CDL I couldn't imagine how the audience members who were actually present at Yoyogi must have felt there. The song selection (of the CDL, at least) makes for a reeeeally drawn-out main show, and only at the encore did things really start heating up.

I hope she adds more uptempo, lighter, and circus-esque songs into the set list as the tour progresses. (And I hope the circus arrangement is not statutory-rapey like Duty) (ugh) (UUUUGH)

I was the at the CDL in Yoyogi and the atmosphere was amazing (and any other concert I saw live was Rock 'n' Roll Circus, the early show without the additional songs) but I have the same worries as the person you quoted toward Arena Tour, it feels like AT2013 which was perfect in many aspects and yet I didn't feel it at all. CDL was amazing and I love that she used the same concept for AT15, I love that she performs Secret and Happy Ending but I wish she performed A ONE songs instead of the CDL songs, these are great songs but we already saw them in amazing (truly) concert and now we have a great album which has been ignored. I wish she changes that. Visually I already love the photos but the setlist is bad for me and I'm afraid I'll have similar feelings after watching it.

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN

I really wish NOW AND 4EVA was after mirrorcle world as the song before the encore.

It has become one of my fave Ayu songs of all time after hearing it live (though I didn't find it that great during AT14), all that 'let me love you forever' is awesome live, it would be a perfect song to finish the encore.

[DonkeyKongRemix]

I've barely kept up with this Arena Tour but it looks like the costumes and setlist are great. I'm loving the white dress and the elephant sculpture. Very pretty!

I hope everyone who goes to the concert enjoys it!

[JinHamasaki]

Originally Posted by Aderianu

Poor ayu, seems this pollen bothers her more that anytime before


lol. she'll write them week before printing album

Ayu's best works seem to be when she is in a rush

[mi|kshake]

How was the new bassist?

[adantatu2]

'Cause everybody knows that circus = casino.'

LOL. This killed me ! Hahahahaha.

It seems the elephant saves the show.

[Delicious n Bold]

wait ayuma is giving us elephants now?
Damn the other divas have to step up their game. Watch namie give us dancing dolphins and Kumi kehova give us pole dancing gorillas.

But in all seriousness, I have to see how she used the elephant.

[kotora]

Katy Perry = Tiger
Ayu = elephant
Namie = Dolphins
Koda = gorillas

coincidence? i think not

[Refix]

I thought my eyes deceive me, it is a glass elephant. Cool. Ayu wearing tight jump suit never failed me.

[truehappiness]

Originally Posted by kotora

Katy Perry = Tiger
Ayu = elephant
Namie = Dolphins
Koda = gorillas

coincidence? i think not

Ayumi. I Am Ayu... The Elusive Elephant of J-Pop

[kotora]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Ayumi. I Am Ayu... The Elusive Elephant of J-Pop

If that is the theory, BoA would ride a snake.

[Earth_maiden]

Originally Posted by Deep snow

Thank you for your review. I honestly got the same overall bored feeling watching the Bluray of the CDL I couldn't imagine how the audience members who were actually present at Yoyogi must have felt there. The song selection (of the CDL, at least) makes for a reeeeally drawn-out main show, and only at the encore did things really start heating up.

I hope she adds more uptempo, lighter, and circus-esque songs into the set list as the tour progresses. (And I hope the circus arrangement is not statutory-rapey like Duty) (ugh) (UUUUGH)

I went to CDL14-15 and at no time was I bored or unimpressed. I felt really proud of Ayu and the setlist was amazing. I can appreciate your opinion though, as it's not as typical a concert as people are used to.

[hayasaki]

Actually even though I find the concert amazing, I realy thought of that fact that some might be bored, since many parts are the exact copy paste of CDL. I overplayed the CDL already so I am kinda meh to some parts. LOL

I'll never ever DL a tv version ever again. LOL