D Tour 2011 Torikago goten ~L’Oiseau bleu~

author: Diana

© D

Akasaka BLITZ hosted a unique show that brought together D’s Japanese and international fans in a fiery performance immortalized in a live online broadcast. The live certainly made a lasting impression with the band’s newly released single Torikago goten ~L’Oiseau bleu~ serving as the theme for the show that included four encores and over twenty songs. Flowey green fabric adorned the walls, transforming the stage into a dark remote forest in the center of which a giant bird cage stood alone. Fans of all ages gathered for the show despite the summer heat, black gothic dresses and blue accessories a must amongst the crowd as the fans drew inspiration from the single for that night’s attire.

The band made their entrance as the audience clapped in time with the intro. The drummer, HIROKI, was the first on stage, loud shouts invading the room as he took the central platform to welcome the crowd. Bassist Tsunehito and guitarists HIDE-ZOU and Ruiza followed one by one, striking dramatic poses as they greeted the audience. Green lights twirled in a frenzied manner when vocalist ASAGI took the stage, moving slowly towards the center. Stepping inside the massive steel cage, ASAGI immediately got into character, moving his arms up and down like a swan for Torikago goten ~L’Oiseau bleu~. Guitars and drums blasted off, the light show adding intensity to the performance which was visually stunning. Fans were carried into D’s fantasy world under determined drums, fiery bass and powerful guitars.

The mood heated up with 7th Rose, the crowd moving as one like a giant black wave bending back and forth, male and female fans more than familiar with the complex choreographies. ASAGI’s performance was very strong, displaying good voice control and working the crowd with ease. Tsunehito and Ruiza’s energy was palpable, head banging zealously without ever neglecting the performance. A blood-red veil engulfed the forest for Hanatsumi no otome ~Rosova Dolina~. Tambourine in hand, ASAGI took the central platform, the crowd mimicking his every gesture. ASAGI moved around the stage, throwing red rose petals in the air. As he approached the other members, Ruiza’s fingers flew over the acoustic guitar.

With the crowd on fire, it was time for an old favorite Guardian which gave the band an opportunity to move around and interact. The song started and HIDE-ZOU and Tsunehito wasted no time jumping to the beat, immediately followed by the crowd. Bright white lights flashed like machine guns, accompanying the drums and heralding head banging. ASAGI commanded his army of vampires with ease, handing the microphone to the other band members as he moved around the stage. Ruiza once again took to the center for a heated guitar solo, wildly thrusting his head back and forth as he played. Tsunehito gave everything as he jumped and twirled tirelessly in an ardent performance which literally left him on his knees.

After a short MC in which ASAGI thanked everyone for their support, the lights dimmed. Again, he flapped his wings in invitation to Hane wo hitohira. The smooth bass lines were intoxicating, causing the crowd to swing. The drum and bass work were impressive and the song refreshing, mingling heavy and soft sounds skillfully. All hands shot up, welcoming Yami no kuni no Alice with its lively choreographies before ASAGI addressed the audience again to introduce the classic Night-ship “D” . “Are you having fun? Let’s show the world! Raise your flags!” the vocalist said and immediately, hundreds of black and red flags took over the room. Visually, the flags made for a unique sight, the crowd moving as one with the tune in a sea of red and black with the band putting their hearts into the performance and moving with the crowd.

HIROKI was left alone on stage for a vigorous drum solo that got the audience clapping and cheering. The lights darkened, save for a dim white one falling on the lonesome drums and the forest transformed into a cave, the drum beats echoing throughout the room to the crowd’s cheers of “Hei” Hei! Hei!” Under green lights, Ruiza, Tsunehito and HIDE-ZOUreturned, diving into a fiery instrumental performance that preceded Densho sa reshi sora no monogatari. “Come on! Let’s show the world!” HIDE-ZOU yelled, inciting the crowd to shout louder. Tsunehito’s powerful growls filled the room and the crowd immediately responded by pumping fists in the air. With the crowd blazing, ASAGI made his entrance – the forest now resembled an underground coven for the undead. While HIROKI vigorously marked the tempo for the pumping fists, ASAGI worked the crowd, the savvy bass and bassist’s death voice adding power to the song. Showing no signs of fatigue, the crowd head banged earnestly for Meteor, green and white lights flashing rapidly to the beat. The audience received the guitar solos literally with open arms as Ruiza took over the riser, soon joined by HIDE-ZOU, the five men moving around and demanding more and more from the spectators.

The next couple of songs gave the audience a chance to restore energy. Day Dream and GOD’S CHILD from the album The name of the ROSE were accompanied by puissant guitars and industrious drums. HIDE-ZOU did a nice job helping with the chorus and taking the lead for GOD’S CHILD intro solo under purple lights. The forest was dyed in blood for the heavier parts of the song, HIDE-ZOU, Tsunehito and Ruiza head banging with the crowd and spinning unflaggingly.

Red enveloped the venue and ASAGI, in character, summoned his coven of vampires to welcome Yami yori kurai doukoku no a cappella to bara yori akai jounetsu no aria. Arms rose and descended slowly before all hell broke loose and hair started flying as heads were thrust from one side to the other determinedly. ASAGI’s voice was clear and powerful, matching his performance. Tsunehito and Ruiza displayed unflagging energy, HIDE-ZOU keeping it cool as he kept to himself and swung to the beat. The song reached its end and ASAGI surprised everyone by revealing a short blue riding crop when introducing Independent Queen. Thrashing the whip in the air, the vocalist moved around the stage, inciting the crowd to pump fists to shouts of “Oi! Oi! Oi!” Every time he swung his riding crop down, the audience bent forward in an enormous black wave, only to rise again, mimicking the whip.

With the night approaching its end, the band kept asking for more and the crowd complied eagerly, head banging and shouting loudly for Toki no koe. HIDE-ZOU and ASAGI gathered all their energy for the song, interacting with the crowd. “Let’s go to the next song!” ASAGI shouted, interrupted by Ruiza’s determined yell of “Wait!” With the crowd crying out “Happy birthday,” Ruiza knelt and handed the vocalist a bouquet of red roses. ASAGI seemed half amused and half embarrassed with all the attention and after thanking everyone for their support, he announced the last song — Day by Day. It was a beautiful sight with the crowd and the band singing as one, the lively choreographies mingling perfectly with the pumping fists. With a blast, hundreds of shiny blue strings swirled down from the skies for the grand finale. With the crowd shouting the member’s names and shooting arms in the air welcomingly, the band members said their farewells, throwing picks and water bottles before leaving the stage.

Wasting no time, the crowd demanded an encore and didn’t have to wait long. The band returned to excited cheers, ASAGI announcing the release of a new maxi single in November and a Japan tour to the fans' delight. The crowd danced and swirled with Dearest you and its frisky choreographies, the whole BLITZ joining hands for a memorable collective jump. Again, the flags were brought out for Fanfare and its outrageously complicated choreographies – which the crowd had no trouble following! Tsunehito and HIDE-ZOU gave a hand to the few who had trouble following the furi, moving in time with the flags between smiles and head banging while ASAGI used his own flags to teach the flag dance to new comers. HIROKI head banged cheerfully behind his drum set.

For the second and third encores D> brought out some of their older songs. First came Eguru shodo and Sleeper, the band and fans visibly moved during the latter. Without faltering or showing any signs of tiredness, the band put their hearts into the performance, the crowd responding with the same passion. Before leaving, the five men threw picks and water bottles in recognition for the audience’s support – some of the bottles almost reaching the second floor! Hanamadoi and EDEN followed, pumping fists and fun hand gestures giving way to a one-voice chorus as the whole venue joined efforts to sing EDEN in a clearly solemn and emotional moment.

With the stage now empty, the lights were turned on and the announcement of the end of the show echoed loudly. But the fans weren’t ready to end the night yet, and shouts of “Encore!” overcame the voice on the speakers. Despite the staff's request for the crowd to disperse and leave the premises, the crowd stayed put and for the fourth time that night D returned to loud cheers. “It will be two months until our next live!” ASAGI stated. “Give me all your power to make up for those two months!” With Lost breath, D bade their farewells to the fans present at Akasaka BLITZ and all those watching the live broadcast.

It was a warm and powerful live that surely delighted all those watching with a set filled with songs for all! Holding on to their roots, D kept exploring different sounds while maintaining that uniqueness that has kept old and newcomers surrendered to the D world. Let us look forward to the new release and upcoming tour and wish D the best of luck in their future adventures!


Set List:

-SE-
01. Torikago goten ~L’Oiseau bleu~
02. 7th Rose
03. Hanatsumi no otome ~Rosova Dolina~
04. Guardian
-MC-
05. Hane wo hitohira
06. Yami no kuni no Alice
-SMC-
07. Night-ship “D”
-Drum solo-
08. Densho sa reshi sora no monogatari
09. Meteor
-SMC-
10. Day Dream
11. GOD’S CHILD
12. Yamiyori kurai dokoku no a capella to barayori akai jonetsu no aria
-SMC-
13. Independent Queen
14. Toki no koe
-SMC-
15. Day By Day

EN1
16. Dearest You
17. Fanfare
EN2
18. Eguru shodo
19. Sleeper
EN3
20. Hanamadoi
21. EDEN
EN4
22. Lost breath