Been lazy and copied and pasted my review from another forum. Though I may have more to add later:
I got to the O2 around 3pm to grab something to eat and the joined the queue where I was numbered 233. (What number were you btw Irodori Though the numbering system was a good idea. Got chatting to some other fans which was fun.
It seemed a long wait once 7pm hit but we were soon in. IndigO2 is a really nice venue, though I must admit compared to Le Zenith it felt like we were more "packed in". They were playing some instrumentals of L'Arc's songs but they sounded kinda different - more orchestral? The XXX one was really nice and I want it! Gotta admit when it comes to standing gigs for me I always get quite impatient waiting for the singer/band to come on - I'm not good on my feet lol, but once they appear I forget about my sore feet! It seemed like an age before they were on, but it was worth it!
I didn't have as quite a good view as in Paris - there seemed to be a lot of heads around lol, so I had an "OK" view throughout. (I'm glad you remember the setlist Irodori cause I can never remember any setlists so I'll just nick yours).
Overall the setlist wasn't hugely different from Paris and they didn't perform Flower, Shine, Wild Flower or Dive to Blue but despite this I wasn't left feeling disappointed.
Ibara No Namida was a cool song to start off with and I was looking forward to Chase which was fun! I could only mainly see Hyde at first - I am always surprised that he looks as good, or some cases of his heavily photoshopped pics, better in real life! Wasn't too sure about the dreads look at first but now am loving it! It was nice once everyone started moving around a bit and I could see Tetsu and Ken too. (Only realised after watching footage on Youtube that Tetsu was wearing a rather nice Union Jack jacket) Sadly the only point I could see Yuki properly was when he was doing his drum solo - which was great!
I am starting to enjoy Good Luck My Way - liked the instrumental and the performance was fun!! Loved hearing Drink It Down again as I really enjoyed this performance in Paris. Then was XXX which was the highlight of the night for me. I would love to hear this song live again - it was amazing!! Again Daybreak's Bell reminded me of Paris so this was good and it was nice to have a change of pace with Forbidden Lover. Then came My Heart Draws A Dream which was one song I was really looking forward too - loved singing along at the end though I'm crap at remembering lyrics in English never mind another language but I tried my best!
Ken's MC was cute and funny - though I think I just loved him saying the word "arse" lol. I couldn't always understand what he was saying at first but he seemed to be quite confident at speaking English I thought. Loved he he introduced Seventh Heaven like he did in Paris, though luckily when the streamers were released he didn't get hurt this time. Chuffed I got another streamer which I can add to my Paris 2008 poster. Driver's High and Stay Away were fun - I thought all 4 of them were going to do Stay Away so it was nice to hear Hyde sing it. (Nitpicking - but I didn't like the screen with the robots dancing - wasn't as impressive as the screen with the clouds or the water for Daybreak's Bell)
I enjoyed Ready Steady Go more than I thought! Loved Anata as it was such a brilliant ending song in Paris. I was glad they put the lyrics up, cause I'm the person who stands in English language concerts barely standing along. I just have an an inability to listen to lyrics! Or maybe I just don't listen at all lol. So that lyrics screen was helpful and it was a lot o fun singing along - it was a fun bit of audience participation.
Wasn't expecting Winter Fall so it was nice to hear this again. Link was fun as always, I loved when Hyde was telling us to "Jump UK!" (at least I think it was during Link). Love Tetsu's bass solo too!
I was wondering if Hyde's MC was a reference to an earlier one in the US when he was on his solo tour. Although his English was understandable he didn't sound too enthused lol or know where to place the emphasis so it was quite funny when he asked us if we were having fun and replied "me too" but sounding a bit bored. Though I wonder if he knew this was going to get a few laughs and he did it purposely like at his earlier US shows.
Niji has actually never been a favourite of mine - there seemed to be a lot of classics I don't rate as highly as I should! - but Hyde's vocals were spot on and it was a great performance!
Just a shame now that it's all over - I want to go back!
I read on Facebook that there's going to be a tribute album with Western artists covering L'Arc songs. (Source:
http://blog.livedoor.jp/rikoxxxlec12/):
01.READY STEADY GO by ZEBRAHEAD
02.New World by Daniel Powter
03.HONEY by Clementine
04.Caress of Venus by TLC
05.Link by Orianthi
06.Metropolis by Boyz Ⅱ Men
07.STAY AWAY by Maxi Priest
08.HEAVEN'S DRIVE by Vince Neil
09.Hitomi no Junin by Eric Martin with John 5
10.Niji by Matthew Bellamy
Not seen anything announced from CDJapan or Yes Asia yet so unsure if this is the final/official tracklist. Could do with some Flower, My Heart Draws A Dream, Kasou, Dive to Blue, Drink It Down or Daybreak's Bell on there though.
Looking forward to hearing Matt Bellamy singing Niji, even if it isn't one of my fave L'Arc songs.
mi|kshake~