UNISON SQUARE GARDEN at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM

author: Beata

© UNISON SQUARE GARDEN

The smallish club venue Ebisu LIQUIDROOM was almost bursting with people that had gathered for this event that was originally planned for March, but had been postponed by a few weeks due to the impact of the earthquake. A couple of minutes past seven, guest act THE BACK HORN came out on stage, and their melodious rock music got the crowd warmed up. About fifty minutes later THE BACK HORN left the stage, leaving the crowd to catch their breath for a few minutes before the main act.

When the lights in the venue were dimmed again and spectral lights cast upon the stage, there were loud cheers from the audience as they welcomed the members of UNISON SQUARE GARDEN who came jumping out on stage one by one accompanied by quiet piano music. A sudden guitar riff marked the end of the piano music and the beginning of rock as the band launched into an intensive instrumental intro. After this, singer/guitarist Saito Kosuke introduced the band and the first song, Gyakuten sayonara, started.

Both this and the next song had a bouncy sound that got the audience dancing, but the real action started when the techno-like beat of the fan favourite MR. Andy was heard and the whole crowd started cheering and jumping. A short break followed and then singer Saito Kosuke, despite his cute, boyish looks, had a chance to show some attitude in Hakoniwa rock show. The sweet pop tune Scarsdale that came next created an interesting contrast.

The ballad Kimagure zattou started with only bass and guitar, and when drummer Takao Suzuki joined in he used wrapped mallets instead of drumsticks to match the soft atmosphere. A dim spotlight on the band was the only light in the hall and the audience listened quietly to the beautiful song. Then, almost like an explosion, the lights came on and the heavy rock sound of Bachigai hummingbird roared through the hall, giving everybody a positive energy shock.

The fans were jumping and clapping their hands both to this song and the next. The band also seemed to gear up a bit, especially so for bassist Tabuchi Tomoya who played with an energy that was nothing short of impressive. A bit short of breath, Saito Kosuke thanked the audience for having waited for this postponed concert, and then went on to introduce the new song Orion wo nazoru. The audience seemed to warm up to the new song immediately and danced happily to the catchy tune.

With the next song, 23:25, the party started for real and both band and audience seemed to enjoy the fun song. Takao Suzuki played a drum solo in the end and when it was over, Tabuchi Tomoya could not be seen on stage — while everybody had their eyes on the drummer he had jumped from the stage and was now standing down by the audience with a cheeky grin. As the next song started while he was still standing there, he had to run quickly to get back up on stage and find his instrument in time as the audience cheered him on.

In the beginning Counter identity, Saito Kosuke played the guitar and sang solo while the other members stayed quiet, but by the end of the song the whole band had joined in and played to their utmost, encouraged by the audience clapping their hands to the rhythm. With a "bai-bai" the band left the stage, but the audience did not seem to want to stop dancing and just continued clapping.

Soon, the band came back out on stage and Saito Kosuke caused everyone to laugh by looking at a manuscript for his MC. After presenting their next concerts, he introduced another new song, Protract Countdown. The audience listened quietly in the beginning, but it was evident that this intensive rock song will become a live hit in the future. At last the time had come for the very last song, which as usual was the well-known Full color program which already had the crowd screaming with excitement at the first notes of the intro.

Everyone in the hall went positively crazy during this last song and spent the last of their strength jumping and pumping their fists in the air to the speedy beat. With a last greeting from Tabuchi Tomoya, the band left the stage to the loud cheers of the audience. Yet again UNISON SQUARE GARDEN has shown what an energy kick they are, and with this small club live they truly lived up the concert title fun time HOLIDAY.


Set List:

01. Gyakuten sayonara
02. kid, I like quartet
03. MR. Andy
04. Hakoniwa rock show
05. Scarsdale
06. Kimagure zattou
07. Bachigai hummingbird
08. cody beats
09. Orion wo nazoru
10. 23:25
11. Galileo no showcase
12. Counter identity

Encore
13. Protract countdown
14. Full color program