Same here.

I never found her MCs to be that fun anyway xD I am always happy when she doesn't do it or it's a short one. The 'interestig' topics never make it to the final show anyway :2
For me, Ayu is an artist, performer but not an entertainer in that way. :3 to each their own I guess.

sometimes? I stopped watching her shows for a while until I got used to the "Ayu & Friends" format. now I can enjoy her shows, but the amount of dancers still bother me

I also wish the focus would return to Ayu and the performance.:dead2

I gave up wishing for an Ayu concert that actually IS an AYU concert. I decided to send my wishes to the tooth fairy instead. More likely to happen.

Honestly seeing all the dancers is boring on DVD because the camera focuses on them too often but when i actually attended the show in 2016 it was different, i could only see Ayu, and the dancers were not overpresent, at least it didn't feel like it.

afterparty
now I see why cake was so huge =)

http://i.imgur.com/5KxMFQQl.jpg http://i.imgur.com/OVvRyKBl.jpg http://i.imgur.com/XymHsSGl.jpg

She looks incredible. a-nation '03 anyone?

Really don't like this hair style, I don't know it isn't flattering.
But you're right, 2003's vibes here!

Please tell me that isn't a wedding ring

^ Friendship ring, I suppose.

http://minuskakugo.blogspot.com.es/2...with-ring.html

New ring matching with Urata Naoya, japanese fans posted bout it

She's "You & Me skinny" in the first picture! She looks really cute and I loved the ring story. <3 Such a cute friendship!

The comments on this site are brutal

Everytime I read a nasty comment towards Timmy I admire Ayu even more.

it's soooo hard to believe that she's going to be 40 this year!

ayu u go girl!

Boxer Kōki Kameda went to the final date of the tour, and Ayu brought him up to the stage on the performance of "Shake it"
He said he's been a fan for 18 years already!

https://scontent.flim5-4.fna.fbcdn.n...55&oe=5B0A6691
https://scontent.flim5-4.fna.fbcdn.n...25&oe=5B012F6B

I don't know why people would dislike Timmy, he has been loyal to Ayu, never used her, never whored the limelight and is good at his job.

When Ayu does that hairstyle, all I can think of is Namie.:laugh

Because he's irritating.
He thinks he's very important.
Because of him and his costumes, concerts look cheap and ridiculous.

^ his costumes are blatantly chosen/vetted by ayu, blame her not timmy lool

She didn't force him. I think they chose together.

You guys have been living in dreamland or what?? lol

Nops, only Ayu. I asked him once on facebook

I think Timmy is a nice guy but I wish he would go back to being behind the scenes. I don't enjoy his stage persona or his costumes, whether Ayu chooses them or not. I second that he cheapens Ayu's live shows. In the Made In Japan tour I cringed when Ayu was about to come out on stage and he was like, Are you ready for the kweeeeen?:tipsy I also get that feeling of "importance" from him too. It's like he is Ayu's pet or something.

I honestly got the self-important vibe from Timmy more toward the beginning, but less so now. Earlier on he was composing more music for her, in a bunch of videos, all around much more prominent and "in your face" and that may or may not have gone to his head a little.

But, that said, I think he seems like a genuinely nice person. He is always interacting with the fans, both online and in person, stopping to take pictures with them. You might see that as feeding his ego, but I actually think it is gratitude that he has been so well accepted. And the Japanese fans DO really like him, across the board - even if only because he is a foreign novelty. Before I went to TA 2016 I put an IG photo up after my 4 AM wake-up call to get to the airport, and in advance on my 18 hour flight to Tokyo and he commented that he promised it would be worth it, and he liked another photo or two of me waiting for the line-up to start at Zepp. Just really nice.

Now, I don't like the overall costuming that he is given, but I do think that is completely Ayu. Her background singers have always had slightly out of place outfits, especially as the show progresses, since they tend to only have one outfit. But other than it being a little cringe-worthy, there really isn't anything wrong with it either. And some of his stage interactions are a bit much for me, but I think he's a really theatrical person and he's just playing a part. Some people will love it, others will hate it. You do you.

He is really nice! We chatted on facebook sometimes some years ago and he was always very sweet and funny.

Yes Timmy is very nice and his friendship with Ayu is genuine, it's not like Leslie Kee or Alvin Goh who always try (or tried) to get attention to them by using Ayu. It could be nice to see him toned down a bit and not always be on stage with ridiculous outfit/makeup, but well Ayu's the one to blame for that.

+ He writes really goods songs for her

I love Timmy!

Meanwhile, KO had uploaded a post with all the setlists (like aderianu did)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfgDiH4h...obenjamintokyo

^ I wonder if he took that from here LOL

I thought WE was a new song but then I realized it's just w (double) encore :-( lol

all of this!

About MC session, I think deep down Ayu or the producer of her concert, still can't let go of AYU READY!? And they think that this little session would be a great things to do to her fans who regret the show had to be ended. Although the topic sometimes didn't focus on her or what hype.

^the producer of the concert = ayu

Regarding Timmy, I really like him but I'm slightly confused why Ayu is treating a friend like a zoo animal on stage, to say the least.

And Max. So yeah, both.

http://i67.tinypic.com/2a4zpqd.jpg

昨日丸1日かけてマインドを来週からリハーサルが始まるPOWER of MUSICへシフトチェンジ。

ほんの少しでも笑ってくれるなら、まだここに生きる意味があるから。

Photo by masayuki kamo

Max has always told us that even though his name is there it means nothing.

^He is probably an executive producer nowadays, while Ayu is the creative producer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_producer

damn every post i see from you is so negative. Boo hoo

That aside tho, the only annoying thing about timmy are his costumes, other than that, he seems pretty cool and 8s an actual friend for ayu

I don’t get people who think her concerts aren’t about her because I barely notice anyone else during the shows. Albeit watching them on DVD might seem different, but in truth it’s far from it.

^I have only watched her on DVD and never got this whole "it's not about her" thing. The camera focus on her for the absolute most of the time, and when it focus other performer is usually very fast and to show a detail on the choreography or of the acting so we have enough context to understand Ayu's performance. It's something she envisioned, produced and directed herself and a integral part of her artistry.

Maybe I should be more concret with my criticism. For example, I absolutely love HLS tour and think it's one of her best, if not even her best show ever. As far as I remember, a lot of people don't like this one because for their taste there are too many dancers present. For me it isn't about how many people there are on stage, but that after HLS for me it feels as if her dancers are only there for the sake of being there. I didn't like any of the last tours because for me every one of them felt as if Ayu was desperately trying to bring a second show like HLS onto the stage but without having a real story to tell like she did with HLS.
I would simply wish that she would focus more on the music and less on a big and giant show when in the end the final product feels kind of "empty". Her latest shows weren't about artistry or even music anymore but only about being as grand as possible. Or at least that's how I feel.

That is the exact opposite of what all the post HLS tours were. She never really attempted to do a “story” like show. The fact that she dropped the videos which connect the sections of the concerts kind of proves that as well. CdM was 3 hours of her singing and performing amazingly and Made in Japan was pretty simplified in terms of costume changes as well. She dropped the wigs in recent years as well and held 2 stripped down TA tours. The last tour was also more about the music rather than cool performances and costumes.

^There is a loose narrative on CdM and, mostly, MIJ through the order the songs were performed and the themes of the acts, but as far as a whole storyline connecting the whole thing, that's only happened in HLS.

Yeah and that is exactly what I'm criticising here. There is so much going on on stage while she is performing that it feels as if she's trying to do a grand show like HLS again without having any vision whatsoever in mind. It's grand for the sake of being grand and the dancers are there for the sake of being there without adding anything to the performance. For me her concerts once were great because they weren't just pop concerts and now they are simply that and that makes it boring for me. During the last few years watching her concerts doesn't feel special anymore for me and is like watching any other pop artist perform. Also that she honestly didn't even cared to have a live band on stage and rather wanted all her dancers present during TA tour was very disappointing for me and gives me the impression that she doesn't care about a concert were the music is most important and prefers a show over an actual concert.
If that is what she likes nowadays, well there is nothing that can be done. But since Ayu once was the real Queen of Live for me, I would be happy to see something like either HLS, a show with a true vision, or PoM, a concert that actually really is about the music, again. CdM as well as MIJ are her worst tours for me. :laugh But I have hopes for the upcoming tour. =)

Before Hotel Love Songs Ayu's shows had a good balance between focusing on performing the music and putting on a conceptual show. These days she still does both but the drama and cast of dancers have become more prominent. When we say "it's not about ayu anymore" it is referring to this opinion. That the focus has shifted to putting on an entertaining show instead of a musical performance. It's not about Ayu not getting enough screen time on DVD. I still enjoy Ayu's tours a lot but I do wish some things were different. I really enjoyed Made In Japan though. I felt that it was a step up from some of the previous tours this decade.:)

The only thing I can say to both this and the previous post is that I disagree. I think CdM was the best tour she has done and opting to do a few bandless shows for the 2016 TA tour and Chapter 2 was probably a resourcing issue i.e. the band members we’re not available during the time rather than her wanting to showcase the dancers. Since she’s had a live band for so many years, even taking them to TV shows I believe Chibi-chan is totally wrong in regards to that.

I also like CdM and think it´s one of her best tours. Yes there is a lot happening on stage, but that is what a circus should be: overloaded. I especially liked the MW performance because there was so much happening on stage, just like the finale of a circus. And AsfXX/(m)u performance in CdM is everything!

She most likely didn't use the live band either because the stage was smaller and she focused on the performers or because a pre-recorded band would affect her hearing less than a live band.

Either way, pretty legitimate choice. Unless she starts using instrumental versions from singles during her tours, I don't see what the problem is.

Ayu does large scale theatrical concerts, and every single one of her tours had those elements to them. The Ayu tha just sings with a band in the back for 2 hours straight never really existed.

IMO the 2010's had her best concerts to date with POM, HLS, CdM and MIJ. Her current concerts also have a stronger identity unlike AT05-AT10 that were pretty much the same formula over and over again.

Not sure where to ask this, but is there any discussion regarding Ayu's February 4, 2018 TeamAyu post?

The discussion is going out of topic, guys. Could you carry on it in the Ayu-chat room and let this thread about what's happening on social media?

Yea should discuss bout her recents posts

Who is he?

So Ayu went to this restaurant in Tokyo and had pictures posted on their official account:
In the caption they did a little joke with the Boys & Girls lyrics lol They replaced "We began to shine... Someone can stop us, right?" for "Beef love began to shine...Someone can stop us, right?". lolol

https://i.imgur.com/3bsZ5JN.jpg
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfixqvIH...ken-by=ushikoi

Also Yuuki Takano posted a picture with Ayu, Timmy & friends.

https://i.imgur.com/hX9WUiF.jpg
https://www.instagram.com/p/BflO5tLl...en-by=yuuki019

That lyrics with "Beef love" is hilarious. :D

I wonder if mirror9 will collaborate with goods for the tour????

Also I'm really curious about Ayu's relation to the brand lol.

Well, when she started to do SUPREME all the time, we got the Supreme + Starter goods, so I think it's a good guess to think that Mirror9 will be involved with new goods perhaps

Wtf is on Timmy's head :laugh

Maybe mirror9 is sponsor of this tour and ayu just promoting it

Also bout the jimmy choo/oof-white boots, i kinda surprised to see that ayu wears it first before Jimmy Choo official Instagram post about it and then saw some other hollywood celebrities wear the boots after Ayu did haha shes so special to get those before they are being launched online

To quote myself from last page; who is he...
So he is mirror9 and a fashion designer? Haha, sorry.

Huumm i think it’s this girl https://www.instagram.com/pink_mirror9/?hl=ja
it’s scary how she looks like Ayu ... like she asked her surgeon to be a copy of Ayu o_0

o my...

omg..... she looks just like ayu! lol their style is almost the same. and also she posted a picture of ayu thta was exhibited in a restaurant (https://www.instagram.com/p/BfqajbwA...y=pink_mirror9). For me it looks like the girl was a fan of Ayu and had a nice brand and started sponsoring her with looks and stuff like that. I wouldn't be surprised if the goodies were related to mirror9.

I thought the same!! It's not released yet! I know she's a Jimmy Choo collector so she must have VIP treatment with Jimmy Choo Japan... but still surprising

http://i66.tinypic.com/v89bd.jpg

ayu×Leslie Keeの20周年コラボ第一弾解禁📸✨✨✨
まだまだお楽しみにっ‼️

Hair: Yoshiyuki Sukegawa
Makeup: Ryuji Nozaki
Nail: Yui Yamazaki
Eyelash: Yuuki Takano

#POWERofMUSIC
#ayu2018TOUR
LESLIE KEE

http://i63.tinypic.com/29db8et.jpg

New photo on IG

That one is so great! ♡♡♡

I think that it looks bad lol.
Well, not BAD but ...awkward?

I didn't recognize her. She looks so different here.

Really? :laugh
For me it's RAINBOW meets fierce Ayu or something and I absolutely love it. I also think it's an interesting pic with her eye being covered by the blue whatever as well as the font. (it's late and I spoke too much Japanese today, can't find the right words anymore. What is this blue thingy called? Wanted to look it up but can't remember the German word either. lol Does anyone else know this thing when speaking another language "too much" so that you can't even speak your mother tongue properly anymore. lol)

I'm dead. Amazing.

https://i.imgur.com/k4GbFq5.jpg

From Twitter.

Lol I understand! I interpret for a living and it really sucks when that happens xD
And it doesn’t look bad at second glance, but I was thrown off because it looked like her hair was short and that she had a rat tail.

I imagine there will be a pamphlet with a ton of these in different colors.

Oh and I ♡ the blue colour! It's my favourite colour. ♡


Oh haha xD That must be hard then lol
I think they only made her hair appear wet or something.

Also, the Twitter post says...

"Part 1" collaboration for 20th anniversary.

Album cover coming?

Maybe the goodies will have her face just like the A BEST Tour one

It kinda reminds me of the A Best shots

I was right. A BEST 3 announcement is coming soon.

That was PART 1 photoshoot collab with Leslie Kee. Part 2 will definitely be the cover for A BEST. The 20th anniversary is getting exciting now.

I hope she'll throw a new album at us too at some point, though. Or at least new material. At least the anniversary single. I am just not too hyped for a compilation but wouldn't mind her to convince me otherwise.

She looks amazing though! Finally some colour and not cream (altho I do like it, at some point it's "just" liking it) again! She looks good and I am happy to see the thick eyeliner again since she started "abandoning" (for most of the time) around 2011/2012. It was a fine decision of hers but it does feel fresh to see it again after a while.

Looks like Ayu is inspired by Namie's FINALLY cover haha. No matters though, it is a beautiful promo!

Even though she barely looks like herself... fishlips are back!

Red and blue fabric reminds me of speculation about A BEST 3 - red, blue and yellow xD

I think it's just been far too long since she's had a professional/editorial shot done of her.

It does look like the Just the beginning + dancers shoot and these ones were done in the same session though. The red fabric and now blue... is another color coming soon?

That's surprising as she teased us with red colour and suddenly revealed blue clothes. She looks stunning.

The pic is a bit awkward, but she's so cute anyway :heart

Ayu gave this backpack as a birthday gift to Riki Fujimaki (part of A troupe).

https://i.imgur.com/cnuqMjR.jpg
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfsemNKn...y=fujimakiriki

His post is so cute thanking her and telling that he will carry lots of memories on the bag <3

Im not excited for A complitions release but more for new album but somehow the hype os going down by this underwhelming promo and new stuffs for how long now? Meh

They're still in the process of actually promoting, I think. This is just the 'beginning' of whatever the blitz will be when it comes.

STUNNING pic posted via LINE.

https://i.imgur.com/i5H1TYy.jpg

Off shots soon please.

Omg! Love her hair)

I LOVE THIS SOOO MUCH. :luv2

Yaaaaaas that is much better than the blue one!!

Well THATS a photo. she looks great. cant believe ayu is celebrating her 20th anniversary in April. times flies bye ...

Great pic :luv2 Much better than the blue one!

I like her hair colour.

The text looks so much better aligned to the left!!!! Thank god <3 And she looks amazing.

Did you guys notice anything wrong with her earring? It looks like it was photoshopped there after the photo was taken. She looks stunning nonetheless

Love it!