Mei ManuelKonnichassssuu!
Well… well… well! This post is a little late because of the announcement of the ONE OK ROCK Eye of the Storm Asia Tour 2020 in Manila and since that crazy announcement, I’ved been spiraling back into the fandom with zeal. Hahaha, out goes my resolution to plan for my next travel destination and into the live preparations.
So far, the tickets for the Manila live is slowly dwindling away. First week of the ticket sales? All of the expensive seats are gone, with only the Box seats and Gold standing open. They did recently open new rows for Patron seats so it means the turnout will be a lot! I can’t wait to be reunited with my friends and everyone who will be watching. Crazy times are coming.
Now! While it is ongoing and today is the day we celebrate the anniversary of another ONE OK ROCK Live, I decided to post this. It was already drafted but I got distracted (Can you blame me?)
Let the hype begin below!!! (PS. I did not edit much of the draft, just added this new intro :)
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As I always say, the year will not end easily without me going to a ONE OK ROCK concert and here we are. I was fortunate enough to get tickets for the Osaka Day 3 and 4 lives for the Eye of the Storm Japan Tour. One is from the draw and one is from my dearest friend Ayra (who pretty much got mad at me coz I only fought for Osaka. To my defense, I haven’t been in her side of the world and Line Tickets was soooo hard to win through. Next year, I won’t be making the same mistake! SPECIAL LIVE I WANT TICKETS!)
We pick up the action from Day 2 Part 1. As always, check the descriptions of each photo below so you know the story on how the day went for me.
From the hotel, I decided to walk to the venue which was Osaka-jo Hall. According to Google Maps, it would have just taken me 10 or 15 minutes to go through but as i was approaching this place (Osaka Museum of History if i am correct), my boots were killing me (it turns out its the insole that I put in for insulation as I discover the next day that was causing the problems, as well as me walking all day) and everything was uphill. Argh!
NHK Osaka. I believe you can go in here.
This pic is the left side of Osaka Castle, uphill. It was a hugeeeee complex!
After a few minutes, found myself on the other side of this castle. I never got too close to it. And around this area… steeeep downhill (am I racing for some reason?!?!)
A shaky pic of Osaka-Jo Hall… I was so tired at this point and cold.
I wasn’t it too much of a hurry to find my line but man! This line is outrageous!
Bulletin for the day. I was in L-11 and we didn’t follow the order at all. Everyone was panicking and the lines were pretty crazy too.
Entrance gate, the ones which are seated have the other entrance on the other side of the hall.
When I got into the hall, wow, it was like being in MoA Arena. By comparison to Nagoya Dome, wow that one is massive but this one? Small scale but still big. I was in the back area but the stage was still visible. Of course it will be a given that the guys will be like ants. Although my only regret in picking this place was my feet. I may consider seated on my next live (although Ayra will likely torture me if I said that. Hahaha. But we were desperate during the ticketing especially in the first leg of it).
Down below are some thoughts for the setlist which I actually remember and boy oh boy, I cannot wait to see this again in the DVD/Blu-Ray. May or may not be totally accurate because man, everything was all a blurrrr!
Eye of the Storm – For this song, man, they went all out even if its the first one. The intro begins with some crazy sci-fi/techno lighting that will not be out of place in a visual gallery. Then Taka’s face suddenly pops in a 3D visual with him rapping and doing all sorts of facial expressions that matches the music. Then the beats for the song comes in with all four appearing in their glory. The intro reminds me of 35XXXV’s live version with the color scheme but the literal “Eye of the Storm” vibe and the dragon visual at the back adds a unique taste to this song. At the end of the song, a one-of-a-kind visual appears and welcomes everyone to the tour (for image reference, look at the newest Primal Footmark cover. I want it as a poster!)
Take me to the Top – Nothing much of note for me, but of course the crowd went on full sync as we sang the backup vocals. (Note to the Manila and Asia crowd, memorize all the backup vocals of each song in the EOTS album. Haha, you will need it).
We Are – One of my favorite OOR songs even though I find it completely out of sync since this should be something sung at the end. But, it is a different tour so can’t really complain that much. Lights were pretty much flashing around and in my area, people were singing even if it was the English lyrics.
Taking Off – Taka then welcomes everyone back to Osaka-jo Hall for their nth return for the tour. Yes, it is 3rd time back for the tour and it is like a homecoming for the Kansai natives Toru and Ryota so the energy is out of this world. Can’t remember what he fully said, but he was excited that they are back and off to Taking Off. Crowd cues to remember you guys? the off-vocals “I know I know” and “drag me all the way to hell”
Re:make – Rare song that you never really hear but they did perform this back in Manila in 2018. My memory is blank in this song, but I remember some slammin’ because of the “another way” “another day” off-vocals from the crowd. Hahaha. And my shoes were in agony.
Can’t Wait – Not really a favorite of mine from the EOTS Album and this one is a Japan exclusive. Not on the international album. Performance wise, a little meh for me because while it does get the crowd going when the off vocals come in, it doesn’t make an impact for me. The arrangement was fine, but it won’t be a fav performance of theirs I have seen so far (that’s my take. if you like the song, that’s good)
Introduction Time – Can’t remember much of this but I was just amused that Toru looks like a president with his stance. They called out to the Osaka crowd and said they were back in Osaka and they love the Osaka crowd (don’t quote me too much on this part because as I said, everything was a blur and I was focusing on something else.)
Clock Strikes – Always a crowd pleaser and damn, it just causes you to stop everything and just watch. Of course, Taka begins his salvo for the song and the audience answers him back by singing the off-vocals. His infamous vocals makes their appearance as the crowds sing the long off-vocals and boy, does this guy have a vortex in his vocals. No hitches, PERFECT! I can’t wait for you guys to see this live.
Head High – Ahh, for all Toruka fans, the rendition of Head High will definitely get your fantasies to life. The song starts in a slow acapella with Taka and Toru moving in the center stage. Despite my location, the screens were enough to give you ideas on how much bromance is in the air. Wait for the Blu-Ray to know how much bromance happened XDDDD
Grow Old Die Young – When I heard this live, I was a convert because it gave you a sense that he was singing Take What You Want to the point he’s getting his emotions somewhere else. Not so sure what that drive is but the vocals for this was inspiring. Of course, the VFX did add more to the raw-ness that this song has. Definitely better than the recorded version. And… there was also a bit of Toruka. Hahaha! Yes, it will be Toruka fest in EOTS Asia Tour if they ever pulled it off.
MC Time – After the previous song, we cheered as the boys walked up the stage to do this special part of the show. Ayra, who was right behind me, told me to raise my hand when Taka called off to fans whom they can interview. I just shrugged and laughed about it coz for one, there’s a lot of us. He picked four people, one was a foreigner but can speak some pretty good Japanese since she studies there (Forgot which uni but she was good). The guys also picked on one of them coz he was wearing a SEA shirt. Taka was pretty much the host of the proceedings and if i ever see him do this in Manila on May, CALL ME!
Change – After the photo ops, Taka made some segway as to what was coming next and like in the Dome Tour, it was one colorful and lively number.
Worst in Me– I’m 50-50 with this song, not because of how it sounded but like with Can’t Wait, something was just missing. The arrangement was ok, especially the live feels but yeah, I’m meh on this one too.
Be the Light – This song never grows old and I definitely find this one a classic. Taka begins with a short message and asked everyone to open their flashlights which we all did and wow. We just moved to the song’s flow as Taka sang in partial acapella. From my end, its like everyone is singing so it’s overpowering Taka’s voice but it was amazing to see and hear at the same time. Taka loved it so much and he even mentioned it during the second half of the song.
In the Stars – Out of all the songs from this live (aside from EOTS and the classics), this one has got to be one of my favorite performances. The song begins with a voice over of Kiiara talking about the message shared by Be the Light and connect it to this next song. The song is played in acapella with Tomoya playing the piano. As he plays (with Ryota and Toru playing their instruments and Taka on the center), one of the light projectors comes down from the ceiling and illuminates like stars. Light projectors also light up from the back to create an illusion that when you look up, you’d see stars and clouds. I had loads of fun listening and trying to reach up to the stars with Ayra, who was behind me, amused as she said I won’t be able to reach it. I was indeed unable to reach it but looking at it while listening to Taka sing the entire song (it was the Japanese version), it was soothing. Im surprised I didn’t fall asleep coz of how soothing it was.
Instrumental Rift – Ah, this one was Tomoya-country because he had his moment. Definitely his moment! Its a new arrangement so you guys will definitely love how Ryota, Toru and Tomoya handle this one. Toru’s hair was so lush and long. He is really internalizing his inner rocker. Got no complaints about Ryota but man, the stop and go beats were excellent!
Push Back – Not long after the instrumental, Ayra told me to turn around because Taka was going to pop from that side. I did and I ended up getting squished as Taka did appear like the Emperor that he is, singing the first lines of this song. Of course, we all tried to reach out (I was unable to do so because I was in the middle… sob… but I still saw him up close in his glory). But this reminds me of Stuck in the Middle, I Was King and The Way Back because of the transition. Taka sings this like he’s rallying the troops so there you go.
Kimishidai Ressha – Before this started, Taka mentioned that they rarely play their old songs even though the fans love it. I forgot they were singing this to be honest since there’s a lot going on. But, wow, rare classic and I am glad i heard it sung.
Jibun ROCK – If there are songs Taka is known to fall prey to, its this one. He sang it flawlessly in the Osaka live and hey, the rest of the boys were also amazing too. Tomoya fans got a lot of fan service too since he was killing it in the instrumentals for this song.
Giants – Taka started off this song with a little lookback about their career so far and pretty much how EOTS is now being heard across the globe. They all know that EOTS won’t be accepted by everyone considering that there were arguments that it was too Pop and not too Rock. But that doesn’t really make any difference because us fans are still with them. He thanked everyone for coming and said that it is thanks to our love and support that they are working their way through every single challenge and with Giants, they are letting us fans know that they are supporting us back to reach our goals and we have the potential to be Giants too.
The Japanese version was sung for this, which made it a little special. Fans also got to do the off-vocals “we can be giants”, which you Asia and Australia fans should remember too!
The Beginning – Aahhh! I wish this song never came during the live but it is definitely a favorite of mine. When the intro came over, the moshpit suddenly shifted around me and I find myself closer to the barricades. Hahaha! Everyone was jumping along and headbangin’. Energy was high up for Osaka and Yes I am there to live it!
Mighty Long Fall – Energy never drops after that and in comes this other anthem. Our moshpit was crazy as heck coz the circle pit came on so we were like squished sardines on the side and those in the circle pit just played to the song. The group headbangin’ was also a bonus and of course, we hit it off with a bang with Taka’s chilling end vocals for this song. Manila, get ready!
Wasted Nights – Final song for the main set and Taka thanked everyone for the love. They also hinted that there will be another live come 2020 which definitely hints to the Special Live (trends? how are ya!) I love the live rendition for this song and the Japanese version too. Taka also gave it a little extra with the last line with his iconic vocals. Sigh. Oh, there’s also clapping for this song for the end verse so get to clappin!
Encore – Osaka never had a clear encore chant when we were calling for it. Some had their phone lights open, some were just cheering, others sang the off-vocals for Deeper Deeper and just randomly calling the band.
Stand Out Fit In – First rift comes for this song and everyone was just dancing along as the band rocked this song out. Little bit like Change but I’m slightly reminded of the Orchestra arrangement for this song. I will need to see the Blu-ray to jog my memory about this song. Hahaha!
Kanzen Kankaku Dreamer – This live will never be complete without this (I think this will not be taken out unless something of this same caliber appears in the next album). Although, that thought may come true soon coz Taka had amusingly said before they started the song was they were all too tired of the song that they don’t need to rehearse it (ahem Taka, you still mess up the lyrics. May I point you to Orchestra Tour’s KKD?) The visuals were pretty much like the ones in Ambitions where the lyrics pops comically at the screen. But the energy in the moshpit was insane!
After that crazy encore, the guys did do their thank you greetings to the crowd and threw in some of the stuff they used.
Taka had even called one fan to hand some stuff over to them. Toru, meanwhile, pretty much acted like the president because he always had his arm up as if rallying the troops. But it is admittedly their home court so go figure. He was also the one who ended the live and said his thanks in behalf of the band (if memory serves me right)
After the live, well this is the view from where I am.
Since Ayra was a local and I didn’t really bring Wi-Fi with me (I wasn’t able to use my Roaming well coz the signal from Softbank was cutting off), she helped me get back to the hotel using the nearby metro (Which I totally missed when I was heading to the place). When I got back to the hotel, I passed by the nearest Familymart to get some dinner. This one was a gyudon, ahhh love.
Before I went up to my room, I decided to end Hannah’s misery coz she still didn’t get my tip about my hotel and just told her a room number (She originally thought it was the time we were supposed to meet the next day since she was going with me). I took a picture of myself in front of the hotel and sent it to her. She thought I was faking it because the other APA Hotel was actually a few blocks away so I could have indeed walked it. But, I amusingly told her to knock the room number in question to find out if I was faking or not. She did knock a few minutes later and I was laughing as she did freak out and saw me. We ended up exchanging gifts (Ayra had also given me my gifts from my dearest Cotton from the US) and talked about the live. I didn’t reveal that much and just told her to do some soundtripping because man she did not recognize some of the songs. Hahaha.
After she left, I just had my foot bath to cure my feet somewhat and went to bed. I love my bed.
Day 3 will be the second day of this mad live. It will be a short one but I think you will enjoy it.
