Yumi Matsutoya - Live Tour 2016-2017 moved me so much

[orbitalaspect]

Here's a link: https://www.bilibili.com/video/av18065548/

I know many of you may not be familiar with or enjoy her music or her voice I absolutely loved her 2016 album, Uchū Toshokan (Universal Library). (Some of you may remember she became the oldest solo artist to hit #1 on the Oricon album charts when it was released in 2016.)

Goodness was this entire performance worth it. I loved so many of the tracks she performed.

I absolutely loved that she opened with "Uchu Toshokan" and closed the show performing "GREY" in the same dress. Considering she saved the actual album cover dress for "AVALON", and the similarity between the outfit she chose instead and her 2009 album And I Will Dream Again..., it just nailed it home for me.

I loved the caricature of the clown and the dancer, especially the animated story of them that played during the performance of "Midnight Scarecrow", a song she released in the 80s. This was my first time hearing "Midnight Scarecrow", as well as the track she included from DELIGHT SLIGHT LIGHT KISS, released in 1988.

I can't believe she managed a completely different look and feel for each and every song that was performed. This whole performance feels like a masterclass in how to put on a show. From the aviator outfit to the pink dress she wore for the jazz numbers, it's such a wacky selection, but she makes it all fit so beautifully.

Major kudos to her drummer and bass player, who are both demi-gods of hotness.

At 60+ years old, she has so much energy but timeless maturity on that stage. Her voice cracks quite a bit, but for a woman who's been doing this for nearly 50 years, I can honestly say that she really gives Ayu, Kuu, Namie, and certainly Utada a massive run for their money as far as live performances go.

Anyway, I wanted to share this with you all. It's hard to make me smile these days, but there were so many moments during this concert that made me lean forward and really enjoy the performance. Yumi Matsutoya far exceeded my expectations for watching a live of hers. I hope you enjoy this too.

Here's the link again: https://www.bilibili.com/video/av18065548/