[alternarist]

MissElin and Oji-san i didnt forget u 2! i was jus too excited that i left out u 2 =x I am sorry!!

Anyway, i am gonna type a super long review in segments!!

General Stuff

Spoiler:

1) Ayu's vocals were much better than Future Classics.

2) Video screenshots used were awesome!! and of cos suitable as they bring out the CIRCUS theme..

3) Most of the dancers had their "lead" moments. There were 6 new performers. 3 were the clowns and 3 were wearing checkered-outfits. I am gonna name the clowns as "clowns" and the other 3 as "acrobats" for simplicity sake.

4) Peco and Princess Yoko were wearing what i would consider "lolita-inspired" outfit. Peco even had a small party hat on her hair! and her hair was tied up in bun!

THE introduction, Microphone, alterna and About You

Spoiler:

Costume: Large dark grey dress

Initially, there was a suitcase on the main stage (just like there was an umbrella on the stage in AT09). One clown appeared and brought the suitcase onto the runway. He opened the suitcase and 2 more clowns appeared. They did stunts and tricks like somersaults, juggling and balancing acts. Circus-ish music was played. 2 of the clowns jumped into the suitcase and disappeared but one clown couldnt enter the suitcase and was thus "stuck in a different world". He was scared and disappointed and THE introduction played.

THE introduction
When the red curtains rose, dancers wearing silver robot-like outfits were lined up dancing robotic dance. They eventually moved to the circular stage where the ringed-screen (just imagine a ring flat on a table and the sides of it are SCREENS) descended. I would say the beginning of THE introduction suited the robotic dance and then the grand ending of THE introduction suited the clips showed on the screen, which was showing the opening of what seems like the ayu-casino??

Microphone
The ringed-screen rose back up to the ceiling and ayu appeared on the chair (like MSta performance). The entire performance was the same as Msta, just with more dancers. The large screens at the back of the stage showed the entrance of the ayu-casino. Entire song was done on the circular stage.

alterna
All dancers left and the 3 acrobats came and did some acrobatic-dances using glow-in-the-dark hoops. ayu eventually ended the song at the main stage. Vocals were good and ayu did mess up her lyrics slightly at the third-last chorus.

About You
It was only ayu + band, but she did it the way like A Song for XX. She did it with a mic stand. Vocals were average as the WOW-YEAH at the beginning and ending of the song with Peco and Princess were quite bad..

Modified tissue dance with About You music was used to end the first part of the concert. It wasn't a long piece of cloth, but it was a net.

rainy day and BALLAD

Spoiler:

Costume: White victorian dress
Lead dancers: Midoringu, Shuya and Maro

Special screen showed a picture of ayu, Midoringu, Shuya and Maro. But soon, it got stained black. (just imagine using the PAINT function on computers). Later, another photo showed the 4 of them but Midoringu's outfit was stained with blood and Shuya's was stained with blue.

rainy day
rainy day then started with the large screen showing rain drops throughout the song. ayu started the song lying down on the floor. All other dancers were in coats and holding on to umbrella. Just imagine the musical Singing in the rain and u get the picture.

BALLAD
ayu moved to the circular stage with Midoringu, Shuya and Maro in clean, white outfits. Midway the performance, Midoringu died and her outfit stained with blood. Shuya was too upset and drank the blue poison. Both of them died. ayu (still at circular stage) wanted to rush to Shuya and Midoringu (at main stage) but was stopped by Maro who carried ayu up. Shuya was tied to a harness and lifted to the top of the stage, carrying Midoringu in his arms. A red curtain fell (Mirrorcle World AT08 style) and a red moon was shone on the curtain (LABYRINTH AT07 style). ayu and Maro ended the song at the main stage.

Basically, its a 4-way love relationship. Maro loves ayu, ayu loves Shuya, Shuya loves Midoringu. New concept after many years of Shuyayu performances.

count down and Memorial address

Spoiler:

Costume: Large red dress with a strap across her left shoulder
Lead dancers: Suba-sama, Zin and Chisa

Before count down, Suba-sama appeared in the centre of the main stage with a big traditional drum. and the screen says "Wakaido show". I am not sure what it means. But apparently he is performing in this "show". Soon after, Chisa and Zin appeared on both sides of Suba-sama, IN THE AIR!! YES! the drums and both Chisa and Zin were suspended in the air. Then all other dancers joined them but they were on the ground of cos. The costumes and drums are quite similar to what we saw in CDL0910.. It was a fierce Wataido Show and then count down started.

count down
ayu appeared in the large red dress, barefooted. She was very emotional in this song and her vocals were good. Her dancers danced together with this song. Fire was used in this song (like appears AT07).

Memorial address
all dancers left and there was only ayu on the stage singing. Her vocals were perfect for this song! She didnt get too emotional for this song and she sang it without flaws. ayu didnt cry for this song.

Don't look back, INSPIRE and Because of You

Spoiler:

Costume: Silver studded sleeveless top with black split pants + purple scarf
Lead Dancers (for Because of You only): Kazuma and Maro

the music used for the special screen before Don't look back had arabic feel to it, but only 30%. it still feel a little pop-ish and modern. The video showed the outlines of ayu in different positions.

Then their dancers came out and danced with the music. Suddenly the screen showed a brick wall. (I think it was) Gomi "punched" the wall and the wall exploded to reveal ayu in this outfit.

In the screen, ayu was seen flying away......

Don't look back
The song started and just when ayu was about to sing "Moderenai..." ayu appeared. The entire song was done on the main stage with all her dancers. I would say ayu did some simple arabian-feel dance, or rather, hand gestures. Ayu's voice was very sexy when she said the "Don't look back" at the end of the song!! Throughout the entire performance, the large screens behind ayu showed an empty underground room to give a mysterious feeling.

INSPIRE
The screen then showed scenes of deserts. INSPIRE was around the same as what we have seen in CDL0910. Ayu and dancers moved to the circular stage and for the last 2 choruses, Gomi and ayu did the same dance as they did for AT05. Gomi's costume was simpler. I was absolutely surprised by the fact that ayu sung this song perfectly. Trust me, i wasn't being sarcastic. But she managed to hit all the high notes in the chorus perfectly without losing control!!

Because of You
My favourite song of the whole setlist! Ayu removed the purple scarf around her costume and all dancers left except Kazuma and Maro. They were topless for this song and were with ayu from the start of the song. the female dancers came out around midway through the song. Ayu used the same type of short mic stand (it cant even stand on its own haha). Kazuma and Maro did some hot and sexy moves with ayu and the female dancers. They eventually ended the song the same way like how ayu did in CDL0910, at the main stage. Vocals were much better than expected, though not perfect. I am happy that I get to listen to a good performance of Because of You!

Sexy little things and STEP you

Spoiler:

Costume: White bunny mini dress
Lead dancers: Gomi for the prelude of Sexy little things and Kayanocchi for Sexy little things itself

The red curtains came down and the word "Cabaret" was shone onto the curtains. Gomi appeared in front of the curtain, dressed up as a drag queen. He was fully clothed except his chest was fully exposed LOL. Peco and Princess Yoko joined him and sang a cabaret song. i am not sure of what the song title is. But it's definitely a cabaret-ish song. This performance was quite long. In the picture below, there are Gomi, Peco and Princess Yoko.

Sexy little things
When Peco and Princess Yoko were done singing, the red curtains were lifted up. Ayu and Kayanocchi were standing on this platform on the main stage. Both sides of it were sofas and the male dancers are sitting on it. Ayu and Kayanocchi were performing in a cabaret with the male dancers as "audience". Both ayu and Kayanocchi had the same outfit except Kayanocchi's wig was pink. Both did the same cute little dance 90% of the time so it was hard to distinguish between them from where i sat. Ayu was holding on to a mic used in M PV. Soon, the other 3 female dancers joined them. After the second chorus, ayu came down the platform and sat on the stage beside Princess Yoko and did the "uh uh uh! ah ah ah!" with her. When the song finished, all people left the stage.

STEP you
ayu was already in the wine glass when she ascended from the bottom. Midoringu and Kayanocchi were also in the same wine glass at both sides of ayu. i would say ayu left the "cutesy" image of this song but brought in the "naughty" image. The male dancers were acting as if they were very interested in the bunnies (ayu + 4 female dancers). Instead of using presents or gifts to impress ayu, the male dancers presented ayu with Poker chips! But at the end, ayu threw all the chips into the air! ayu eventually came out of the wine glass and ended the song standing up.

After STEP you, the special screen showed whats happening inside the cabaret itself. If my eyes aren't playing tricks, one screen showed ayu getting ready for performance in the make up room. While the other screen shows 2 female dancers seducing the customers. At one point of time, the male customers were seen groping Gomi, the drag queen!!

Aki (and probably 2-yan) was left out of the show. I can't see if 2-yan was left out because there were too many males but i know Aki was left out because there were only 3 bunnies other than ayu.

Jump!, Lady Dynamite and until that Day...

Spoiler:

Costume: A-best T-shirt with black studded jacket and red checkered print skirt
Lead dancers: Aki and 2-yan

Jump!
Jump! was played after the cabaret special screen and before Lady Dynamite. For Jump!, it was a play with lights and the lead dancers were Aki and 2-yan! So proud of them! They finally got some of the limelight haha. =x Just imagine them dressing up in English rock costumes similar to that of Greatful days (AT0304). The both of them danced on the circular stage.

Lady Dynamite
When the song just started, an electronic board ascended from the bottom of the main stage. Just imagine those large screens on top of buildings in Shibuya. That's it! The screen showed the words "Lady Dynamite" in many patterns and colours. When it was ayu's turn to sing, a few dancers turned the electronic board around and ayu appeared! I guess she was hiding behind the board. All dancers wore costumes simlar to that of Greatful days (AT0304). At appropriate timings in the song, ayu led the audience to do the "HOO! HA!". it is quite obvious if you listen to the song itself. Some objects related to circus was placed at the back of the stage. Objects like colour ful balls, hula hoops and those stands where lions sit in a circus. After the second chorus, ayu went behind the board again. The screen showed ayu's outline again. lol! When it was time to sing the final 2 choruses of the song, ayu, Aki and 2-yan appeared at the circular stage. To me, it was the highlight of the song. After the last 2 choruses, ayu led the audience to shout "HOO! HA!" and ran back to the main stage where the song ended. The entire song was really energetic and everyone was punching their fists into the air.

There were 2 parts in which ayu didnt sing. She was just moving her body with it. According to masa's lyrics, there 2 parts which she didnt sing were:

1) Hora mukashi kara yoku kiku ja nai Negoto nara nete iu mono yo tte
2) Hora mukashi kara yoku kiku ja nai Otoko no roman da toka tte ne

And for the video shown, throughout the entire performance from Lady Dynamite to ending of SURREAL, it showed a robotic clown. It was doing dances together with ayu. And in the picture below, you can see the small electronic board in the centre of the stage. The words shown on the board at the bottom right corner is "LADY DYNAMITE".

until that Day...
similar to the performances we have seen so far in various concerts. I would say the dance was modified a bit. Aki and 2-yan took centre stage as well and followed everywhere ayu she went. The entire song was done on the main stage and there was an explosion just before the final chorus. Vocals were very good. She managed to control her voice and not let it go haywire. =x

SURREAL ~ evolution ~ SURREAL

Spoiler:

There was no change in costume for ayu.

SURREAL
All the dancers left the stage and it was only ayu and band. It was similar to SURREAL (AT07). Ayu started the song on the main stage and went down the runway. When ayu was on the circular stage, remember the ringed-screen i was talking about? the ringed-screend descended and it eventually stopped below ayu. Just imagine Days (AT09) but instead of the translucent cloth, it's the ringed-screen. The entire performance can be said to be exactly the same as that of AT07.

evolution
the dancers came back with costumes of their own lead performances.

Maro, Shuya and Midoringu: BALLAD clean white outfits
Suba-sama, Zin and Chisa: Wataido Show I am... (CDL0910) inspired outfits
Gomi: Cabaret Drag queen outfit
Kayanocchi: Sexy little things bunny outfit
Aki and 2-yan: Lady Dynamite English rock outfits

The 6 performers (3 clowns and 3 acrobats) were also out to dance with ayu. With their respective outfits, they danced to evolution. I found it quite funny to see dancers of different kind of outfits for evolution.

SURREAL
Totally the same as SURREAL (AT07). But the ending was exactly the same as Boys & Girls (AT07). After the song, ayu usually does the wow-yeah with Peko and Princess Yoko. As this part was about to end, the red curtains descended, without ayu saying arigatou or whatsoever. Then, the red curtains ascended again and ayu did the wow-yeah with Peko and Princess Yoko once more. This time, they did the 3-way bow (left, right, centre) and ayu shouted arigatou!! The red curtains descended for the last time.

MC

Spoiler:

Songs performed: MOON, Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~, Boys & Girls and RED LINE ~for TA~

For the A-symbol video, surprisingly, there were nothing special about it. Mostly, they had enrique and Yocchan (in A-symbols of cos) to guide us to shout some stuff. It was Japanese and i couldn't remember it. But finally, they had us to shout "ayu! ayu! ayu! ayu!" all the way till the video stopped. I would say the video started around 10 minutes after SURREAL ended and the video lasted for about 5 minutes.

MOON
After the video stopped, the 2 small screens at the side showed the word "MOON". The red curtains rose and ayu appeared to sing the song. I believe the full lyrics are out already. So u guys can take a look. The big screens at the back of the stage were divided into 5 smaller screens. Each screen showed ayu singing from different angles! So we can observe ayu from anywhere!

MC
Then, MC started. It was entirely in Japanese DUH! As I am not a pro in Japanese yet, i can only catch the gist of some parts. ayu did the YEAH! YEAH! thing to open the MC.

1) ayu talked about how she was excited to be in Yokohama. (I bet she says this everywhere she goes. ) She also mentioned that she see a lot of girls wearing similar blue ribbons on their hair. I immediately LOL-ed as I was telling Lee-chan "i wonder what will ayu say about her seeing a sea of blue ribbons on every girl's head!" HAHA!

2) ayu then brought out her 2 MCs, Zin and Suba-sama. For the entire concert, Yocchan didnt get to say a single word. I was quite surprised and disappointed. But i guess ayu wanted to show case her dancers in this year's tour perhaps?

3) ayu brought out 2 of her little puppies!! I duno their names but according to one of MissElin's post, they are called Pino and Papico. They were very cute and they couldnt bear to leave ayu. When it was time for the puppies to leave, they just stayed beside ayu's leg. They wouldnt budge even when Zin pulled the leashes. Ayu had to literally walk to the exit of the stage, then the puppies followed her.

4) ayu introduced her new performers. the 6 new performers came out and were introduced one by one. I thought they were new dancers initially. But they sounded very awkward when ayu prompted them to speak up so I guessed that they wouldnt be with ayu permanently.. One of them is only 19!! that's 13 years younger than ayu ZOMG. The 3 clowns were introduced first. Then, they did some stunts they did it for the opening in slow motion. =x After which, the 3 acrobats were introduced. Too, they also did some actions which they used for their performances in the concert.

5) ayu talked about Avatar. The camera even featured a girl holding on to a sign she made herself saying "アバター”. I dunno whats up with Avatar. I guess people were saying that Shuya looks like Avatar? i really duno.

6) Shuya then came out to teach us the dance of RED LINE ~for TA~. It is a very simple dance and he taught us within a matter of minutes. There wasnt many recaps like what ayu did for MY ALL in previous concerts. So i guess that was a pity! After that, Shuya went back and ayu prompted us to remember the dance steps for the last song of the concert.

Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~
1! 2! 1, 2, 3, 4! and Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~ started. same as AT09. Animations were shown on the ringed-screen on top of the circular stage as well. Also, the screens also showed A-symbols swinging the towel.

Boys & Girls
Most parts of the song were done on the runway and circular stage. When introducing the band members, the screens at the back of the stage and the ringed-screen showed some animations that reflect their names. Something like "Bass Enrique!!"

RED LINE ~for TA~
It was a normal performance. Similar to that of CDL0910. Ayu also thanked her band members, dancers, PERFORMERS and all staff! Red streamers were shot out of the stage and the concert ended. Standard Operating Procedures to end the concert were applied. LOL!

All in all, i felt that the concerts didnt have many WOW-elements. I guess ayu said that its her best concert was because she really put in a lot of effort to make it look like a circus, and not just ayu performing. Be it the clowns, acrobats, special screens or even the cabaret. And very luckily, i managed to meet some of the fellow AHS members. They are all nice people. I like it when Chocopockymaster and MissElin were down there shouting "ayu!" *clap clap clap* while waiting for the A-symbol video to start, with no one else doing the same thing LOL! I also managed to see the ayu-vans. There were so many of them. I was totally embracing the entire atmosphere in Japan where the Japanese would do anything to attract ayu's attention.

I have seen girls cosplaying these outfits.

Depend on you (AT08)
STEP you (CDL0910)
In The Corner (AT09)
Microphone PV
Sexy little things (AT10) I even saw a (approx.) 5 years old girl in white wig, bunny ears and mini dress. EYE OPENER.

It was truly a memorable experience and i thank Misa-chan for purchasing the tics, and making my dream come true!