LIVE REPORT: METEOROID - Tour Final "DOMESTIC ALIEN at O-West"

VKH has been following the progress of up and coming powerhouse band METEOROID for some time. This time we were invited to cover METEOROID's tour final at Tsutaya O-West on September 17th. This live not only marked the climax of their first one man tour but was also the first major live since the release of their first full-length album GEMINI. With all of these firsts in mind, it promised to be a major milestone for the band.

With guitarist Yutori's recent departure from the band, this live promised to not only be the culmination of their first one-man tour but the last major live with Yutori as their guitarist.

The show itself began without much fanfare as the band members quietly entered the stage and took their positions. They opened with “エデンの園 (Eden no Sono)”, the first song on the GEMINI album as well as one of the quieter, more subtle tracks. The song, which is interspersed with melodic piano intervals and coupled with the minimal lighting, effectively drew the crowd’s attention.

Not a band used to keeping things low-key, especially after such a quiet opening, the energy in the venue exploded with the following songs. Waiting for their chance to audience immediately fired up once the intro to “GEMINI” began. Immediately followed by “STARGAZER”, . The flashing lights and full force head-banging, encouraged everyone to bring out their excitement.

During STARGAZER, the guitarists and the bassist all came to the edge of the stage, grabbing the fans' hands and singing along with GENKI and the crowd. The atmosphere among the audience was always friendly and familiar as everyone held hands during the last chorus. As soon as STARGAZER ended and the music died down, the fans immediately started cheering, alternating between screams and chanting the names of their favourite members.

There was a short MC where GENKI thanked everyone for coming and supporting the band. After that, the band transitioned into "DRACULA" with the crowd wildly spinning their towels to the beat.

Despite the knowledge that the band’s dynamic would inevitably change once Yutori left, everyone's interactions on stage proved that all the members were determined to give their best show. It showed throughout the live that nothing could put a damper on their enthusiasm.

GENKI’s voice remained clear and strong throughout the live. Especially during slower songs like “Pledge” and “いばら姫 (Ibarahime)” where his vocals were allowed to shine.

After “Pledge”, we were lucky to hear the band play their newest song. The song opened with a dramatic instrumental track which transformed the atmosphere in the venue making it more dramatic. It featured a piano solo, during which all the members stood with their heads down in silence.

Despite the brief periods of heaviness and dramatic effect, the feeling was consistently happy and upbeat. Yutori, normally being the live wire of the group, was even more active than usual. Throughout the entire live, he spun, jumped and ran back and forth across the stage with seemingly endless energy. All while still managing to find the concentration to play.

One of his more memorable antics was during the performance of “BALLERINA”. After screaming into the mic, he abandoned his guitar and jumped into the crowd joining the mosh pit at the center of the audience. Encouraged by his energy everyone else went crazy as well. “BALLERINA” ended with the lights going dim and the crowd screaming themselves hoarse.

After “BALLERINA” there was a break for MC with Yutori commandeering the mic to ask everyone if they were having fun. As usual, he teased the sparse male audience members for braving their mostly female fanbase.

“DOKU-SOW” was the song where the members all got to improvise and play with the crowd, egging them on and hyping them up after the MC. The crowd clapped along to the catchy beat as the band members divided the audience. Then each side of the audience competed against each other in who had the most energy.

Following “DOKU-SOW” was “ice world” and “I FEEL BLUE” with no-one showing any signs of losing enthusiasm.

Just when you thought the crowd couldn’t give any more energy, GENKI announced the last song for the set. “DIVER” began and proved that METEOROID fans can consistently go all out. The members crowded together on the platform at centerstage, laughing with each other before the song ended and they exited the stage. This time around, the fans were lucky enough to get two encores. During the first encore, the members all thanked the audience and spoke to Yutori.

Tomoya said he hoped that Yutori would become a fierce rival for them. Ral said they would all feel lonely once Yutori left. GENKI expressed the band’s wishes that Yutori kept smiling no matter what. Yutori expressed how happy he felt that he got to play at O-West and how much he valued the smiles of the crowd.

During the second encore, the members all emerged wearing tour t-shirts but Yutori was absent.

The crowd immediately started chanting his name and he ran out onto stage. He jumped onto the platform and noticed that he forgot his guitar. Everyone laughed while a staff member brought out his guitar. At this point GENKI screamed “LET’S GO” and the crowd went into a frenzy once more.

They performed “DIVER” once again. First acapella with the whole venue joining in, and then with the instruments. During the song, the members went over one by one to Yutori’s side of the stage to play next to him. At one point, both Machi and Yutori paused their playing to share a hug.

When the music finally faded out, the band and the audience all gathered for a photo. GENKI teasingly asked the audience members if anyone needed to fix their hair.

After a hilarious moment where everyone tried to hold hands and jump (but somehow got the timing all wrong), the live ended with a collective cheer and a successful jump into the air. When the other members left, Yutori was the last to leave, standing on the platform, soaking up the last of the audience's attention.  

SETLIST:

エデンの園 (Eden no Sono)

GEMINI

STARGAZER

〜MC〜

ドラキュラ (Dracula)

いばら姫 (Ibarahime)

Pledge

新曲 (New song)

BALLERINA

〜MC〜

DOKU-SOW

ice world

I FEEL BLUE

DIVER

AC1

desperado

Mr.famous

この愛を手放せば自由だろう (Kono Ai wo Tebanaseba Jiyuu Darou)

AC2

リトルボーイ (Little Boy)

DIVER

Special thanks to Nesshin Music for making this live report possible!

*Photo album coming soon...

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