Imagine, if you would, a concert hall with golden cream colored walls and an array of glass tiles hanging from the ceiling like crystal wings. Multiple tiers, three in number including the orchestra floor, hold thousands of seats. A stage in the heart of the hall holds a deep crimson piano, a DJ's setup, and a half-dozen chairs. A multitude of people mill about before being led by ushers to their seats.
"These aren't our usual concert-goers," remarks one of the staff. She's right. Wealthy socialites in evening gowns now sit alongside girls in colored wigs wearing lolita fashion. The age range is decidedly younger than usual; most of tonight's guests have probably never stepped foot in a concert hall and I'll admit that I've only been on a handful of occasions. My usual haunts are the mosh pits and the press of the crowd at heavy metal shows like those of X Japan.
It's a packed house with only a few seats available. The orchestra is filled to the brim and the upper tiers are not far behind. There are no bad seats in the house tonight; Davies Hall usually plays host to the San Francisco Symphony so its acoustics are top tier. A few lucky guests sit on the terrace to the sides of Yoshiki and company. While technically behind the performers these seats are the closest to Yoshiki. Wherever your seat might be you have a commanding view of the stage.
As the lights dim a group of musicians file on stage and take their seats. There are six in total and each holds a violin, viola, and for one, the cello. A video begins to play on the screen behind the stage introducing Yoshiki. For many in this room there is no need for introduction; his name is the sole reason they've entered the hall. They wait patiently as the opening notes of the song "Forever Love" begin to fill the room. Soon a man walks on stage and takes his place at the head of the piano. The moment he enters is the moment the crowd erupts.
This is definitely not your usual concert.
The set list spans many years and many albums. Yoshiki's opening song "Forever Love" is a X Japan classic. This was followed by the one song that a large number of Americans have heard whether they knew its origin or not: The 2012 Golden Globe Awards theme. Yoshiki's side project Violet UK makes its appearance with the song "Rosa" accompanied by a woman whose voice rivals the angels.
Toshi, one of Yoshiki's bandmates and vocalist for X Japan, appears on stage during "IV." For some this is not a surprise; the April 25 stop in Costa Mesa had Sugizo appear and lend his violin talents and word of Toshi's guest appearance was leaked as well. A short exchange between Yoshiki and Toshi occurs:
"What are you doing here?" asks Yoshiki.
"I wanted to see you," Toshi replies.
"What song do you want to do?"
"Well, we only practiced one song."
That song was "Tears," a song Yoshiki originally wrote for his father who had died. Following this Yoshiki spoke about X Japan's breakup and how lead guitarist Hide died not too long after. X Japan has faced many tragedies over the years and they took their toll on the group. Yoshiki entered a deep funk and was only roused from this slumber by his homeland, Japan. The tenth anniversary of the Emperor's reign was nigh and Yoshiki was asked to compose a song. This song would come to be known as "Anniversary."
Something more unique to this stop was "The Birthday Song." "Happy Birthday to you." Yes, that birthday song. One of Yoshiki's friends and his family are in the very front row of the concert. The clan matriarch's birthday is very near and what better way to celebrate it than a special serenade? How many people can boast that they've been sung to by an international superstar?
Yoshiki again spoke of the dearly departed X Japan members Hide and Taiji, in addition to his father. This time he had a message: "Before it's too late, please give your love to someone you care for." We often take the presence of others for granted and any reminder to open up and give a bit of thanks is welcome. This led into the 2006 tribute song "Without You" which played alongside video from the days showcasing some of X's highest points.
Following this was a seamless transition to "Art of Life." The effects board and laptop that had been next to him all night came into play with an overdub style as he took a section of piano playing, warped it, and played it back just to play on top of it. The original "Art of Life" is almost thirty minutes and is something all fans should listen to if they have not. This abbreviated version starts at about the midway point in the song and clocks in at ten minutes. I started to headbang a little when Yoshiki begins his piano solo. Not full headbanging, more of just a nod, but it really gets to you. Powerful stuff.
Now nearing the end of the concert, Yoshiki introduced his accompaniment. Unofficially, they are the "Yoshiki Sextet." He added his thoughts: "Sextet? Am I hearing things correctly? *laugh* I really like that name." It was at this point that he announced a X Japan show in the heart of New York entertainment, Madison Square Garden. Although this won't be the first time that X Japan will have played in the arena, you can be sure that come October 11th, they will not disappoint.
The night was finished off by "Endless Rain," a sorrowful power ballad about lost love. One part of the song spoke of a dream being over. Just like that the entrancing night ended and normal lives resumed. There were many bouquets thrown onstage and even a US flag bearing San Francisco upon it which Yoshiki picked up and held aloft. Toshi returned onstage and the two of them stood flanking the flag. Yoshiki may have been born in Japan, but he calls the United States home all the same. The customary cry of "We are X!" reverberated throughout the crowd as we rose our hands crossed above our heads. I'm sure some of the newly minted fans were a little confused at the sight.
As people streamed out into the lobby there were many well-wishes from the crowd and selfies to prove "I was there." Groups took photos of each other with Yoshiki's trademark grand piano in the background. Certainly a true mark of a metal concert, or in this case, a metal-turned-classical concert. A lot of the venues I have been in are clubs or the odd ballroom; none have been quite as nice as this was.
Of course, there's one other thing that was on my mind and I had the chance to ask the man himself. "Will you return to San Francisco in support of X Japan's new album?" He replied "We'll definitely try." Yoshiki, I'm holding you to that.
Many thanks to Yaz Noya and Chase Wang for making this all possible.
The full set list:
Forever Love (X)
Golden Globes Theme
Rosa (Violet UK)
IV (X)
Tears
Anniversary
(Intermission)
Amethyst
Swan Lake
Birthday Song
HERO
Without You (X)
Kurenai (X)
Art of Life (X)
Endless Rain (X)
Here's the full list of concert dates:
April 25 (F), USA - Costa Mesa - Segerstrom Center of the Arts
April 28 (M), USA - San Francisco - Davies Symphony Hall
May 3 (Sa), MX - Mexico City - Blackberry Auditorium
May 21 (W), RU - Moscow - Crocus City Hall
May 23 (F), DE - Berlin - Tempodrom
May 26 (M), FR - Paris - Le Trianon
May 29 (Th), UK - London - Royal Festival Hall
June 6 (F), CH - Beijing - Beijing Exhibition Center
June 8 (Su), CH - Shanghai - Oriental Arts
June 10 (Tu), TH - Bangkok - Royal Jubilee Hall
June 13 (F), CH - Taipei - NK101 Taipei
June 16 (M), JP - Tokyo - Metropolitan Theater
June 17 (Tu), JP - Osaka - The Symphony Hall
Please check out yoshiki.net for more info and to buy tickets.
