Ayu at 2018 FNS Uta no Natsu Matsuri July 25th

[primavera♥]

I appreciate that she is giving a throwback to her early days. It seems she was pretty thoughtful in presenting herself in this performance in terms of styling but also her vocal performance.

I actually have never been a fan of that style of clothes from that era in her career and the similar trends that went on the time. But I feel that many fans do and I hope it's taken well outside of the haters.

Her vocals! I'm really impressed. I feel like she hasn't been this vocally sound on tv in over a decade but honestly I get to a point where I can't recall. It really shows her vocal potential. Whatever she did in preparation for this needs to continue.

[rainbow_smile]

It's not just her face, her body looked puffy too. Maybe she takes more medications before TV lives to make sure she doesn't feel that much pain while on TV? She seems to be more nervous on TV lives than at concerts. I don't really mind her looking puffy though.

She sounded great. I enjoyed the performance so much

[jiarongisme]

Other than the 58 dancers on stage, I think this performance is her best in a while.

[mizuki-7]

What a throwback !!! If I didn’t know I would definitely think that’s a pic of 2002 ! She is damn cute ... people are so hard on her ... obviously she has gained more muscles since some times but she looked good I can’t be believe that people call her fat ...

Btw she was on point vocally just like before I’m really satisfied.

[YUKARI]

Originally Posted by mizuki-7

What a throwback !!! If I didn’t know I would definitely think that’s a pic of 2002 ! She is damn cute ... people are so hard on her ... obviously she has gained more muscles since some times but she looked good I can’t be believe that people call her fat ...

Btw she was on point vocally just like before I’m really satisfied.

omg sooooo 2002!!

I'm so happy she's still here

[Machiko]

I saw bits and pieces of it on an instagram account that posts random Ayu performances and it took me a while to realize it was new! Even her clothes scream 2000s in a good, nostalgic way!!!

Edit/ People talking about her weight again?

[love in music]

I remember she wore this dress sometime back in the early 2000s although I can't pinpoint exactly where, I think it may have been a live or photo shoot or both. Anyway, she looked great and did amazing! I feel like I was transported back to 2003, even her vocals sounded about as great as they did back then! Awesome job ayu

I really just don't understand the point of Timmy's outfit though. I get it if he wants to express himself through his clothes or lack of clothes.. that's all fine and good but what in the world does that outfit have to do with any of the songs performed? Absolutely nothing.. Also, if you're in the background of a performance I don't believe you should be wearing something that could distract from the main act, and that's what he was doing.
I'm not really mad or anything though, the performances were still amazing and I'll still rewatch them. It has been a while since I wanted to rewatch ayu performances!

[Andrenekoi]

^Timmy doesn't decide what he wears on stage... No one in the troupe does.

[love in music]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

^Timmy doesn't decide what he wears on stage... No one in the troupe does.

Oh okay. I figured he did because it doesn't really make sense for any stylist to pick that outfit for him for this performance.

[Andrenekoi]

^Ayu probably is the one deciding what everyone wears on stage.

[summerain]

I don't want to sound too activist, but... I found funny people feeling uncomfortable about Timmy's qu-ee-rness* in a performance that we barely can see him, unless you really pay attention to the background.

Speaking for myself, I had some issues with Ayu's over-the-top q-u-ee-r* performances (like the carnival section of Tour of Secret or Bold & Delicious at AT06) back then and seeing these performances nowadays I understand my discomfort with that was related to looks and "qu-ee-rness*" of everything. Now I'm in good terms with that (and with myself).

*I didn't know these words are offensive in English, I see a lot of people talking about qu-ee-r culture and qu-ee-r studies at academy. Sorry if it's offensive.

[Ahi_max91]

so happy can see ayu again

[thinkingoutloud89]

hmm glad everyone likes it, I do not. She ruins every song for me with her TV-lives. But its okay I guess.

[Chris85]

Originally Posted by thinkingoutloud89

hmm glad everyone likes it, I do not. She ruins every song for me with her TV-lives. But its okay I guess.

What did you not like?

Originally Posted by Machiko

How they weren't that great? She pretty much sounded like she was just lip syncing, pretty much perfect vocals here

Exactly. Her technique might not be perfect, but in terms of pitch her vocals were perfect.

Originally Posted by Machiko

I mean compared to the recorded track itself, I couldn't hear any off notes.

Indeed, there were none.

Originally Posted by yamadashun

She really sang well! For 1 sec I thought it's pre-recorded. But her lack of big movement made her look uneasy or something. Maybe this is the reason she had a better vocal?

It was pre-recorded. Performances that were broadcast live had "LIVE" logo on the screen, pre-recorded ones didn't.

[Aderianu]

Originally Posted by Chris85

It was pre-recorded. Performances that were broadcast live had "LIVE" logo on the screen, pre-recorded ones didn't.

didn't pay attention to what. So maybe she recorded both shows at he same day

[Mirrorcle Monster]

I hope the last things she is thinking about is apologizing for her clothes (which were good) or her weight (which is good, and even if it wasn't wtf), she has paid her dues already so many times

[SunshineSlayer]

Mixed feelings about it.

The good: She sounded all right. Not great, but pretty good for her. Maybe my expectations were too high after people were commenting that she sounded like her 02/03 lives again (she does not). I like the throwback clothes. I liked that she was the focus of the performance.

The not so good: The clothes, again, made her look heavy. She did look bloated, which I just don't get because she looks totally normal in all the private photos and videos we see. Whatever she is doing before TV lives, she should stop.

[ayumi_croatia]

Maybe it's period bloat

You can't really avoid that, and of course, they won't show in private photos & videos lol

[KittyKathy]

^^I 100% agree.

[Minttulatte]

Her vocals weren't that great in my opinion but she has sounded worse. Her outfit is love for me, I adore the 2002 Ayu so much haha.