[News] Ayu to perform at Music Station 19 September

[js_surrealism]

Originally Posted by Diego-kun

Please stop complaining about Ayu always singing the same songs. These specials are made for artists to perform their hits and songs that are popular for all audiences. If you wanna watch other stuff you have her concerts (Arena, CDL, TA, a-nation) where she always changes the setlist. Seiko Matsuda has released more than 50 albums and she always performs Akai Sweet Pea or Anata ni Aitakute on TV and the first one is 33 years old...

I will complain all I want. God forbid a fan has an actual opinion about what he likes more or likes less about an artist he is a fan of. If you don't want to engage with the actual argument that's fine, but don't tell me what I should or shouldn't like.

She could have performed Mad World, or even You & Me, I don't know. Was Dearest not a hit? Was Voyage not a hit?

I would be completely okay if I never have to hear her perform SEASONS again. Ever.

The only reason I am 'comparing' is because it was a talking point to begin with - that both Ayu and Hikki would be on the show; it was interesting when you consider their rivalry back in the day, and it's equally interesting when you look at how different their careers are right now. (also, other things like musical integrity, etc)

[~angel*ayumi~]

Anyone has the talk parts as download link?

[AyuCanada]

I think Ayu And Hikki both did well and delivered really authentic performances. I also think it is useless to compare them because they both had success in the same decade.

[EndOfTheWorld]

I wasn't able to see Ayu or Utada because of the time difference sadly.
But I was able to watch most of the beginning of the show. I was happy when they showed Seiko Matsuda performing Akai Sweet Pea. I also remember them showing Glay a little bit.
After seeing both Ayu and Utada perform, I think they both were awesome.
I think Ayu was mostly consistent vocally, a few dips here and there but I think she did well. I think it will have a positive impact on her career and image.
She looked great too. The white dress is my favorite.
If I had to criticize something, it would be the evolution portion. I thought the violin thing was awkward as well as the random classical music breakdown/interlude. The dancers weren't really needed either, it would have been nice if Ayu was the one star of the show. The kanariya make up was also strange to me. Why was it used? Ayu always wants to ignore everything kanariya related but randomly it appears now? Not a bad thing but has me wondering.
I wish Utada could have been there in person so they could be reunited.

[Refix]

Decent performance, nice costume. That's all.

[ExodusUK]

I'm surprised Ayu didn't spoil us with ANOTHER performance of MOWY.

[truehappiness]

Wasn't Utada also prerecorded elsewhere?

[EndOfTheWorld]

It was prerecorded, but I don't know where exactly.
Does anyone know why she couldn't be there live?
I wanted her and Ayu together again at Music Station like years ago.

[pedronekoi]

^ I'm speechless

Originally Posted by EndOfTheWorld

It was prerecorded, but I don't know where exactly.
Does anyone know why she couldn't be there live?
I wanted her and Ayu together again at Music Station like years ago.

She lives overseas now. I read somewhere that she recorded the live in August when she was in Japan. Something like that.

[Bigtop]

Originally Posted by EndOfTheWorld

It was prerecorded, but I don't know where exactly.
Does anyone know why she couldn't be there live?
I wanted her and Ayu together again at Music Station like years ago.

It was prerecorded...in the same Music Station studio.

[kaled kalil]

The live was super cute, even tho I still don't like how many dancers she has doing all kinds of cr*p taking the focous of her. I'm not here for Cirque du Soleil.

Btw, her voice was fine, it could be worse... It could be like this:

@0:32

[AyuGAME]

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

oh wow..that's really flat and no emotion whatsoever..

[oaristos]

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

@0:32

Listening to her singing hurts a little bit.

[Evan Odinson]

At this point of her life she probably doesn't care AT ALL about her career, I mean with all the achievements, records, fortune she has made she doesn't need to care at all, I mean, she likes to write and sing, and that's what she does, she's just having fun, she doens't need more money, without promotion her albums still charts, she just makes new music for fun and for the fans to enjoy, she doesn't need to prove anything to anyone, if you want to listen, great, if you don't, great, also she's probably releasing as much music as she can before to get completly deaf, idk, that's what I think at least.

[pommy48]

She sounds like a bad anime character singing X_X

[clover_bali]

'white swan' (ayu for 'M - SEASONS') and 'black swan' (Lico opening act for 'evolution') concept? really like it ayu's concept

really like new arrangement for 'evolution' ; nice intro

awesome!

[pedronekoi]

I'm ok with her song choice. I mean, I would love to see her singing different songs but (as everyone said before) the program was about HITS that were important through the 30years of its broadcast. Even tho we may not accept this, Ayu is not as famous as she used to be, some japanese don't even know her (new generation) or don't know that she releases new music. I was in Japan last year and made two japanese friends. When I told them that I was going to Ayu's concert, they were surprised asking me: "Does she still releases new songs?? / The last song I heard from her was 'Days' / I used to love her when I was 13yo (almost 10 years ago)". So that's why she sang those old songs that we, as old fans that follow her career and new releases, are so tired of. But not the general audience of Music Station.

_

Originally Posted by clover_bali

'white swan' (ayu for 'M - SEASONS') and 'black swan' (Lico opening act for 'evolution') concept? really like it ayu's concept

really like new arrangement for 'evolution' ; nice intro

awesome!

hmmm interesting! Didn't notice this concept. (it wasn't Lico tho. It was Marico, one of her aero dancers)

_

Interesting that she did a reference to "kanariya" with the numbers painted on dancers' arms. Maybe she'll sing it for the first time during TA Tour?

[stivenoto]

Originally Posted by pedronekoi

I'm ok with her song choice. I mean, I would love to see her singing different songs but (as everyone said before) the program was about HITS that were important through the 30years of its broadcast. Even tho we may not accept this, Ayu is not as famous as she used to be, some japanese don't even know her (new generation) or don't know that she releases new music. I was in Japan last year and made two japanese friends. When I told them that I was going to Ayu's concert, they were surprised asking me: "Does she still releases new songs?? / The last song I heard from her was 'Days' / I used to love her when I was 13yo (almost 10 years ago)". So that's why she sang those old songs that we, as old fans that follow her career and new releases, are so tired of. But not the general audience of Music Station.

THIS....

My japanese teacher asked me who your fave singer? I said hamasaki ayumi... you know what he said, is she still releasing new song?? Its exactly the same question that you got... So, i guess if she chose M, SEASON and evolution.. because some japanese people still recognized those songs...

To be honest i don't care what song she will perform, as long as she let the world know she still exists. I think its the right thing to do, until she can get her second peak...

[js_surrealism]

Originally Posted by stivenoto

To be honest i don't care what song she will perform, as long as she let the world know she still exists. I think its the right thing to do, until she can get her second peak...

How did Namie get her second peak again?

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by js_surrealism

How did Namie get her second peak again?

By getting longevity with the sales of Play, that didn't manage to get all that much sales but charted for over an year, and with her 60s70s80s tie-in. It's not like Namie was ever that big on TV performances since her 90's tragedy.

Originally Posted by Aderianu

I read many comments here that japanese didn't know that ayu still active. I don't understand how they didn't notice her. Yes, she didn't appear on TV that much as before, and don't have and advertisement contracts. But she's still on the radio, her new music videos still on TV. If they watch TV, they'll see her, if they don't, it doesn't matter how many tv-show she attend or miss.
Also magazines. Now it's only 2-3 at year (except regular Vivi deji deji diary), but again, if someone is interested in beauty magazines and buy it everytime, this person will see ayu.

Her songs haven't got an airplay top 20 for some years now. As they aren't that popular I doubt they got that much airplay on TV either and her maganize appearances lately are for a niche audience.

Originally Posted by dreamalley

I wonder if Ayu is actually aware of her career situation.

It feels like she's in a bubble. Surrounded for years by the same people who only compliment her and make her feel like the best thing ever.

Since she's their boss and she's sensitive they can't say anything bad. Their jobs depend on it. But she, in turn, considers them as friends and thinks they're honest.

Just my opinion though.

When she almost lost her streak back during the release of Blue Bird or Glitter (I can't remember) she thanked TA for buying the song. She also add dates to her tours based on the public demand and the only time she actually put far more dates than she could decently sell was AT13. So, if anything, unless she is extremelly dumb, she is aware her tours are shorter than they used to be during early 2010's and knew that she almost didn't get a #1 when breaking the record was still a thing.