author: Bow

© Avex Entertainment Inc.

April 7th, 2007 saw the 10th anniversary of Sakura-Con, in Seattle Washington. Also celebrating their 10th anniversary was Japanese band m.o.v.e., who performed that afternoon to a packed 6th floor hall. Approximately 3,500 fans had come together to see this incredible live band return to the US for the third time.

The crowd had been previously warmed up by the opening act, LiN CLOVER, and they were ready for more.

From the time the support musicians stepped out on to the stage, the crowd was in a frenzy. Once m.o.v.e. founder t-kimura took the stage, the screams were deafening. Last on the stage were vocalist Yuri and rapper Motsu, who came bouncing out on to the stage and got the crowd bouncing with him.

The concert began with WORLD’S END –Rebirth-, and the excitement and energy in the air was tangible. The band poured themselves whole heartedly in to the performance, and the audience worked just as hard to return that energy. Next up was Ramei-OUT OF KONTROL-.

By this point in the show, the entire crowd was on their feet and jumping up and down in time with the music. Needless to say, 3,500 people jumping up and down caused the building to literally shake. Members of the press tried to stand still to take pictures, but found themselves bouncing off the floor, even though they themselves had stopped moving. Con staff members had to hold on to backstage equipment to keep it from tipping over, and con goers and office workers on the 4th and 5th floors later reported that they thought they were experiencing an earthquake.

The show continued with a brief MC by Motsu, during which the crowd shouted out to him. One audience member even asked how old he was, to which he replied (with hands on hips and shocked expression firmly in place) “I am 18 years old!”

The show continued with such crowd pleasers as DISCO TIME and Noizy tribe. Many audience members sang along and cheered when their favorite songs began. At one point, a female audience member took advantage of the brief pause between songs to shout out “Takashi, Aishiteiru!!”, and was rewarded with a blown kiss from t-kimura, that set the women in the audience into screams.

M.o.v.e. was joined on stage that afternoon by some fairly impressive support members. Band master Charlie K., who works with Otsuka Ai, and guitarist Yonezawa, who plays for Kumiko Yamashika. On drums was Okazaki Katsushige from Age of Punk and LUCY. And on bass was Hiroki, who has worked with HYDE and Gackt. Naturally, with a band as talented as m.o.v.e., they would attract equally talented support members.

Towards the end of the show, Motsu took off his shirt and began to swing it around, eventually tossing it out in to the audience to massive cheers. The band then left the stage, and almost immediately, the crowd began to scream “m.o.v.e.!! m.o.v.e.!!” in hopes of an encore. They didn’t have to wait for long.

The band retook the stage to cheers and applause. Motsu, still shirtless, shushed the crowd and said “Does anyone have a Sakura-Con shirt? I am shamed!” There was a frantic scrambling as everyone in the crowd looked around for a Sakura-Con shirt. One male fan passed up one of the custom made shirts Sakura-Con was offering, with a picture of his friends cosplaying printed on it. Motsu put it on, and the encore song, blazin’ beat was played.

The band left the stage once again, but the crowd was not finished with them. After just a few minutes, they came back and Motsu asked the crowd which song they would like to hear. Many fans screamed out their favorites, but Motsu shook his head and said “No, no, that’s not it," until someone called out for DOG FIGHT.

Motsu nodded and said that the band already planned to play that one, he just wanted someone to say it. The crowd and the band jumped and danced together for this one last song, and then it was time to say goodbye. M.o.v.e. left the stage for good, leaving the crowd well satisfied.

The m.o.v.e. show that day was a wonderful celebration of 10th anniversaries, and a great chance for old and new fans alike to join in and lend their energy to that celebration.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set list

Opening music: GOTHICA (SYMPHONY NO.1)
WORLD’S END – Rebirth-
Ramei -OUT OF KONTROL-
DISCO TIME
How To See You Again
Romancing Train ~come together
Noizy Tribe
GHETTO BLASTER
Gamble Ramble
Encore 1- Blazin’ Beat
Encore 2- DOG FIGHT


JaME would like to thank the members (and support members) of m.o.v.e. for an amazing live, and Avex and Sakura-Con for their assistance.
Photos by Bow.