[News] Just the beginning -20- TOUR 2017 [dates announcement]

[AyuCanada]

Originally Posted by Xianghua

Hall tours doesn't mean it will necessarily be cheaper production. Many artists deliver high quality performances in halls. Example: Koda Kumi

Actually... that is exactly what i fear ... I find her tours way cheaper looking than recent Ayu's Arena tour.

[Xianghua]

I suppose it's all down to personal taste then. It's a grey area between personal style and production value.

EDIT: Oh I should mention, I'm not trying to compare ayu's tour style and kuu's style. What I mean is I don't see a decrease of Koda's production value between her own area tours and hall tours. So I expect that Ayu will not have a decrease in value between her own arena and hall shows either. If that makes sense.

[AyuCanada]

Originally Posted by Xianghua

I suppose it's all down to personal taste then. It's a grey area between personal style and production value.

EDIT: Oh I should mention, I'm not trying to compare ayu's tour style and kuu's style. What I mean is I don't see a decrease of Koda's production value between her own area tours and hall tours. So I expect that Ayu will not have a decrease in value between her own arena and hall shows either. If that makes sense.

I can understand your point. I love Kumi unconditionally (even if I dislike her recent releases) But I always felt her live concert felt underwhelming. She is a great performer... Vocally stronger than Ayu and a better dancer... but I find her staging, tour concepts and stage design way below Ayu's ones. Is it because Ayu has a bigger budget... or better ideas... better team... or because Arena tours gives her more potential... I can't tell.

Also, Ayu's Hall TA tours are way less impressive than her Arena tours.

[Xianghua]

Originally Posted by AyuCanada

Also, Ayu's Hall TA tours are way less impressive than her Arena tours.

Ah, I see your concern about the TA tours. I can't speak for all the venues in those tours but only the ZEPP ones. Much more restricted due to the "small live house" type building. But, if she performs for example in halls located in convention centers (as I suspect) she shouldn't have that problem. Here's hoping ^^

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by AyuCanada

Also, Ayu's Hall TA tours are way less impressive than her Arena tours.

Those aren't hall tours though. Those venues are literally clubs, very, very different. Halls are much better music venues and are specifically designed for music and stage plays, so you usually get far better sound than at Arenas actually, which are built more for sporting events.

Now, obviously she can't do things like cat walks out into the audience, but you can still do a lot of production at halls, just smaller versions of the same things you would get at arenas.

The reason it's hall tours this time though I suspect is because the various Tokyo venues are going to be closed off an on leading up the next Olympics for renovations and Tokyo area venues are the majority of where she plays.

Originally Posted by Cahz-

"What is her intension of starting "Just the beginning", is this countdown to her 20th anniversary or..."

This intrigues me.

Honestly, all the language around this has been hinting at retirement at the end of the tour -- that's been the connotation the Japanese gives about something ending. I would be surprised if that's actually the case though; I think it's just language to try to drum up interest.

[~angel*ayumi~]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

The reason it's hall tours this time though I suspect is because the various Tokyo venues are going to be closed off an on leading up the next Olympics for renovations and Tokyo area venues are the majority of where she plays.

Plus she seem to want visit more citys and think Citys like Oita or Kumamoto have no Arenas?

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by ~angel*ayumi~

Plus she seem to want visit more citys and think Citys like Oita or Kumamoto have no Arenas?

Yeah, most parts of Japan only has halls. So usually fans from out in those areas need to travel to places like Hiroshima, Nagoya, etc to see her.

[Chris85]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

The reason it's hall tours this time though I suspect is because the various Tokyo venues are going to be closed off an on leading up the next Olympics for renovations and Tokyo area venues are the majority of where she plays.

And you don't count 2 Yoyogi and 2 Yokohama arena shows as Tokyo area why exactly? And it's not like she can't add Saitama Super Arena if she wants to. How many more shows do you think she needs there?
I think it's simple: it's her 20th anniversary tour, she wants to reach out to as many fans as possible, so she's adding halls this time.

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Chris85

And you don't count 2 Yoyogi and 2 Yokohama arena shows as Tokyo area why exactly? And it's not like she can't add Saitama Super Arena if she wants to. How many more shows do you think she needs there?
I think it's simple: it's her 20th anniversary tour, she wants to reach out to as many fans as possible, so she's adding halls this time.

That's why in a 60 date tour she is doing those very early on, because they aren't going to be available later. It's getting to be a fairly large problem for artists to find large places in Tokyo to play right now; what is available is pretty booked solid, but I think they've been trying to do better with having them being unavailable on a more rotating basis.

Sure, wanting to be able to go to more places, see more fans et cetera, I'm sure it is part of it, but the loss of income from Tokyo area shows I'm sure factors into the decision as well. 4 total Tokyo arena dates, isn't bad but also isn't near what she usually does. The last two years were exceptions, once again, because of various closures.

Many artists are doing hall tours, because it's kind of the only option right now.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/201.../#.WNdX1qK1thE

[voguehoney]

Originally Posted by AyuCanada

Also, Ayu's Hall TA tours are way less impressive than her Arena tours.

er...TA tour is zepp tour (above 1000-1500 pepole) , not hall tour (above 2000-5000 people)

Actually most of japanese singers (example Koda Kumi) is like hall tour because the sound effect and sound equipment is better than arena/stadium/dome

[EndOfTheWorld]

I don't get the feeling that Ayu is retiring at all. I think that may be over analyzing things. But I guess it is always a possibility.
Perhaps this tour is "just the beginning" of the 20th anniversary. It would make sense since it's only 2017. As more time passes, I keep wondering what is going to happen. There is still quite a bit of mystery going on here.
She still doesn't have an album to support this tour. So she may only be performing previous songs? Then a new tour next year for the official anniversary with a supporting album?