Visual Kei Heaven brings you a red hot live report D=OUT's first tour of Asia, "ASIA DISCO". D=OUT made a stop in Hangzhou on June 16 and performed a diverse set of songs from their new album along side a number of their old hits. The show took place at the relatively new but well proclaimed billiard hall and live house called 9-ball Club.
Before the show
A few fans had already arrived around 2pm, when staff from Free Planet, the tour promoter, just began to set up the ticket booth and souvenir table. Those who came out early were in for a treat as D=OUT was doing rehearsal. The band was practicing "Harukaze Shalala", "Psychedelico∞Psychedelico", and "Kabuki Disco".
The following souvenir items were available at the venue:
Live report
Fans started to enter the live area at around 5:30 pm for the 6:30pm show. The wait did not seem to be that long as D=OUT emerged on stage shortly after an opening video was shown on the screen at the set time for the show. Ibuki, Minase, Reika, and Hikaru showed up on stage first, before Kouki made his grand entrance. The band began their night and diverse set of new and old materials with two tracks from their new album Kabuki Disco – the title track “Kabuki Disco” and “Killer Tune”. Fans immediately got on their feet, jumping to the music, but jumped a little bit higher when the next track “Taichikaze Yokocho” began, as fans waved behind the "Odore Odore" intro.
After the third song, Kouki greeted the fans in Chinese. Ok, so a cheat sheet was in front of him, but everyone could understand what he said and was delighted. The band then played "Kachoufugetsu Sakura Fubuki", another track off their new album, before alternating songs between their past and more recent work. The head banging started when D=OUT started playing "T.S.G", yet another track from the Kabuki Disco album. Quite a number from the audience, 98% of them females, started swirling their hair around, a scene which often occurred during live shows in Japan. When the song ended, Kouki began to introduce the band members which, of course, was done in Chinese. Kouki and Reika did it smoothly, but Hikaru messed up with saying "Gang" instead of "Guang". Kouki tried to help out, but he did not fare too well either. At last, Hikaru said it right. Ibuki followed before the shy Minase could complete the introduction by saying in Chinese "Wo shi shui? Wo shi Minase! (Who am I? I am Minase!)".
Following the band introduction, D=OUT played some more harder songs, including "Juliana" from the Kabuki Disco album. The atmosphere then changed to a matsuri (Japanese festival) mood as Kouki then put on his happi (festival wear, refer to the top left item of the souvenir picture above) and started waving towels around. The matsuri became more impressive when Kouki led the Nippon chant for the song "Music Nippon", the title track from their last album of the same name. The climax of this matsuri was reached when the band played "Kimon", during which, the band members took a few steps forward to give the fans a chance to mob them, literally. D=OUT finished the pre-encore set with "Hikou Shojou" from the Kabuki Disco album.
When D=OUT reemerged for the encore part, Minase and Reika jammed for a bit before the band played to some of their hits. Perhaps the best moment for the fans was when D=OUT led the audience to sing "Ai Suru Hito" in Chinese lyrics for a big sing along. The Chinese version was recorded last year, when D=OUT performed a show in Taiwan. The encore part also featured more interaction between Kouki and the audience, including his proclamation ,"Wo Ai Dongborou," which translated to "I like Dongbo style braised pork" (a famous Chinese dish originated from Hangzhou). Everybody started jumping and at that moment the floor literally bounced! The night ended in a happy mood as D=OUT finished with their enlightening single "One", and got off the stage to shake hands with everyone in the audience!
Setlist
Following the band introduction, D=OUT played some more harder songs, including "Juliana" from the Kabuki Disco album. The atmosphere then changed to a matsuri (Japanese festival) mood as Kouki then put on his happi (festival wear, refer to the top left item of the souvenir picture above) and started waving towels around. The matsuri became more impressive when Kouki led the Nippon chant for the song "Music Nippon", the title track from their last album of the same name. The climax of this matsuri was reached when the band played "Kimon", during which, the band members took a few steps forward to give the fans a chance to mob them, literally. D=OUT finished the pre-encore set with "Hikou Shojou" from the Kabuki Disco album.
When D=OUT reemerged for the encore part, Minase and Reika jammed for a bit before the band played to some of their hits. Perhaps the best moment for the fans was when D=OUT led the audience to sing "Ai Suru Hito" in Chinese lyrics for a big sing along. The Chinese version was recorded last year, when D=OUT performed a show in Taiwan. The encore part also featured more interaction between Kouki and the audience, including his proclamation ,"Wo Ai Dongborou," which translated to "I like Dongbo style braised pork" (a famous Chinese dish originated from Hangzhou). Everybody started jumping and at that moment the floor literally bounced! The night ended in a happy mood as D=OUT finished with their enlightening single "One", and got off the stage to shake hands with everyone in the audience!
1. Kabuki Disco
2. Killer Tune
3. Taichikaze Yokocho
MC
4. Kachoufugetsu Sakura Fubuki
5. tattoo
6. Satellite TV
7. Chuukyori Renai
8. Hanrukaze Shalala
9. T.S.G.
MC and band introduction
10. Barairo no Jinsei
11. Julianna
12. Music Nippon
13. Kimon
14. Hikou Shojou
ENCORE
1. Reika and Miyase Jam
2. Shula
MC
3. Aisuru hito (Chinese Version)
4. Psychedelico∞Psychedelico
5. Shangri la
MC
6. One
Promoter comments
Visual Kei Heaven caught up with the manager of D=OUT Asia tour promoter Free Planet, Adachi Takuo, before the start of the encore.
VKH: Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Visual Kei Heaven caught up with the manager of D=OUT Asia tour promoter Free Planet, Adachi Takuo, before the start of the encore.
VKH: Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Adachi-san: I am the representative of Free Planet, Adachi Takuo
VKH: What is some unique experience in organizing D=OUT's tour?
Adachi-san: The D=OUT, Kiryu, and Royz Asia tour are our first experiences working with Visual Kei bands. What I find surprising is the time D=OUT spent on preparing their appearance. They have, so far, spent from three hours to as much as 5 or 6 hours. I also have never seen such excited fans before.
VKH: What are the upcoming plans for Free Planet? Who are you working with next?
Adachi san: The first one I just mentioned earlier, Royz, will come to China next week. We will also bring back Osakan rock band Okan, who just had a short China tour in April. We will also arrange bands to participate in this year's Zebra Music Festival in July. Two more Japanese bands will come to China this summer, so keep checking our website free-planet.net for updates!
Fans comments
Visual Kei Heaven spoke with Ah Lun, a devoted D=OUT fan from Hong Kong.
VKH: Why did you travel to Hangzhou to see D=OUT? Is this your only show going to see?
Ah Lun: Because I can't get enough of their music! I expected to attend every show on this tour, except that I have to missed the Taichung show because I have to take care of some personal stuff.
VKH: So you are basically doing a tour along with D=OUT.
Ah Lun: Yes (Laugh)
VKH: How long have you liked D=OUT?
Ah Lun: About a year and 10 months. I went to V-Rock Festival in Tokyo in October 2010, saw their performance, and started to love them. And then I saw their Hong Kong show.
VKH: Name a D=OUT song that you really like.
Ah Lun: "One". I really like the lyrics.
VKH: You already watched several shows on this tour. How do you feel about the whole tour?
Ah Lun: I think D=OUT tries very hard to please the fans. They practiced Korean and Mandarin really hard, and I look forward for them to speak in Cantonese when they come to Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau.
At the Beijing show, the atmosphere was very good. The size of the crowd cannot be compared to the ones in Japan, but everyone really enjoyed the show.
VKH: What are you expecting from the show tonight?
Ah Lun: I hope everyone will be very excited seeing D=OUT!
Another fan told Visual Kei Heaven how happy she was to shake the band members hand at the conclusion of the show. She also found out that Kouki favorite Chinese food is Xiao Lunbao (Soup Dumplings).
Reporter observations
1. Kouki is so generous about his fan service. I cannot remember how many times he blew kisses to the audience!
2. The venue does not have small platforms for the band members to stand higher. They found a solution by putting two benches together and tape them together with tape.
3. We spoke to a number of fans and they were happy to see live performances of Japanese bands again. Due to political reasons, Japanese bands were not granted permission to perform live in China for most of the past year. Lin, CeLL, and a few other artists had to cancel their live plans. Hopefully, the situation can remain stable so that more bands are able to come to China.
Statistics
Attendance: Around 100
Male: Female ratio: 2 : 98 (!)
Current residing location of fans: Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Japan, etc.
More information
Individual members constantly update their blog about their tour experience!
Kouki blog
Hikaru blog
Ibuki blog
Reika blog
Minase blog
Adachi san Weibo - D=OUT off day in Shanghai (Chinese only)
Male: Female ratio: 2 : 98 (!)
Current residing location of fans: Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Japan, etc.
More information
Individual members constantly update their blog about their tour experience!
Kouki blog
Hikaru blog
Ibuki blog
Reika blog
Minase blog
Adachi san Weibo - D=OUT off day in Shanghai (Chinese only)
Special Thanks to Adachi san, Nana and other staff from Free Planet for their generous help.
Visit them at: Free Planet
Give Away Contest will take place later this week
Additional D=OUT item will be available here
Additional D=OUT item will be available here
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