heidi. +alfa [FINAL] February 16th at SHIBUYA-AX

After rocking over thirty venues across Japan, heidi. brought their A game to SHIBUYA for their +alfa tour grand finale on February 16th.

The crowd clapped effusively as the intro kicked off, announcing the start of the show. With a veil of white smoke dramatically covering the floor Nao, Kiri, Kohsuke and Yoshihiko made their entrance. White lights twirled to welcome Shoudou and the crowd proceeded to pump their fists while Kiri set the beat with swift blows to the cymbals. Yoshihiko did a great job firing up the crowd, moving zealously across the stage while Kohsuke punched the air for emphasis between hot riffs.

The rhythm built up for Gekkou Showtime. The fast lyrics got the frontmen hopping and twirling with the fans who shouted “Hei!” in unison as they punched the air. The rhythm section stood out with Kohsuke drowning in the hot notes he plucked from the strings, legs wide apart as he thrashed his head vigorously. Nao took the lead for Little Garden in which the strong instrumentals, filled with fierce guitar riffs, mingled interestingly with the mellow vocals.

“Welcome to the +alfa tour final! We want you all to have a blast here today!” Yoshihiko greeted and smiled warmly before getting back into character for the dramatic opening of Melt. One with the tune, Kohsuke sang to himself before moving forward to fire up the crowd. While the bassist kicked the air between twirls Nao kept it cool, fingers effortlessly plucking some fierce riffs from the guitar.

The hall seemed to be having a blast for Another Fish, jumping and clapping in unison while Yoshihiko danced freely. Nao followed his example and hopped from one foot to the other. Jets of steam blasted from all corners, covering the stage in a thick veil of smoke for Sixth Sense. The smoke turned red under the crimson lights and the instrumentals speeded away in a fast, wild ride. The fierceness of the tune materialized through the crowd’s pumping fists, all contributing to make the number visually strong. Yoshihiko was unstoppable, showing his versatility as he went from sweet to harsh growls while dancing freely across the stage.

“Let’s go AX!” the vocalist demanded and the pumping fists rose again. The fun and contagious choreography of Twilight Town brought the hall together and moving to the funky beat. Be warned, the chorus will stay in your head for days to come!

The atmosphere changed considerably for Tsuioku. Purple lights fell on Nao and the lonesome guitar took the honors for the dark ballad. Vocals pierced the air, Nao adding his own cries to the chorus in a very dramatic fashion. A mirror ball descended from the ceiling for Ao no sekai and immediately tiny white stars washed over the venue. Drums pounded fiercely, like a racing heart, under sweet yet determined vocals that saw Yoshihiko at his best. Rem closed the slow set, its intricate dances warming up the crowd for the feisty numbers ahead.

Jumps and dances returned for Monochrome Gradation, the bass standing out through skillful riffs. To welcome Landscape, the curtains parted and on the screen a series of different landscapes materialized, bringing the song to life yet adding to it a somewhat darker tone.

“AX, are you having fun? We are having a blast!” Yoshihiko guaranteed, twirling back to his spot as he fired up the crowd for Aware haijin. Drums went wild and the crowd followed the beat, thrashing heads right and left. Yoshihiko moved his arms wildly as he danced across the stage, suddenly falling to his knees and reaching an arm towards the crowd in a half cried verse that took the song home.

Bodies kept moving for the funky Yuuyake to kodomo before the three men in the front stepped forward, welcoming Utakata. The crowd pulsed, hopping in their spot, the choreography ranging from cute clapping to fierce fist pumping.

With three songs to go heidi. brought out the heavy guns with the classic Omaesan. The crowd went wild, twirling in an unruly fashion before flashing arms up as they received each member with open arms. The song stopped and Yoshihiko addressed the crowd solemnly, “I really appreciate all your support! This is for you!” He was unable to hide a grin as he sang into the microphone, “Omaesan…” and the song resumed in full power, smoke dashing up once again.

The tone eased once more for the hopeful Kumorizora ni ha koi moyou, the dim soothing lights somewhat transmitting the idea of a new start. “Thank you all for coming! This song is to convey our feelings here today!” Yoshihiko said as he announced the haunting Kanata. Yoshihiko and Nao’s voices mingled perfectly, adding intensity to the song. Yoshihiko’s desperate cries took over the hall while Kiri violently crashed the sticks onto the cymbals, headbanging fervently through the song.

“It’s been seven years since we started and we have to thank all of you for your support! It was a super fun tour!” After sharing some thoughts on the tour that was ending Yoshihiko proceeded to announce an upcoming tour to celebrate the band’s seventh anniversary, and what better way to thank the fans for their unconditional support than with a brand new song? Pumping fists accompanied the vocalist’s shouts of “Oi!” for Ryuusei dive , the hot guitar/bass riffs and powerful drums combining perfectly in waves of strong and sweet. The crowd had no trouble following the furi and half way through the number the whole venue moved in sync.

“Are you ready for some headbanging?!” the vocalist yelled out for Tsuta tsuta, the smoke jets coming back to life while the crowd moved their arms frantically to the fast beat. Hakuchuumu was next and heidi. continued making full use of the stage as they moved unflaggingly to interact with the crowd.

The band started the final encore, sharing some warm thoughts on the tour, each member taking the microphone to thank the crowd for their support. Tsubasa brought the hall together, conveying the band’s determination to continue their ride alongside their zealous fans and made for a warm addition to the night’s repertoire. The ride became faster with Sentimental, the wild dances from the beginning ceasing as Yoshihiko pointed the microphone to the crowd and the hall joined voices for the chorus. “I love you all!” the vocalist yelled and the instrumentals came blasting one more time, Kiri unstoppable behind the drums.

“It’s not over yet! Maria!” the vocalist grinned at the fans’ enthusiastic reactions as he introduced the final song. The hall moved frantically, Yoshihiko’s growls bringing him to his knees. Band and crowd gave it all for the grand finale, instrumentals rocking AX and leaving the crowd craving for more.

What surprises will heidi. have in stored for their seventh anniversary commemoration? We look forward to the band’s future releases and wish them all the best for the years ahead.


Set List

01. Shoudou
02. Gekkou Showtime
03. Little Garden
04. Melt
05. Another Fish
06. Sixth Sense
07. Twilight Town
08. Tsuioku
09. Ao no sekai
10. Rem
11. Monochrome Gradation
12. Landscape
13. Aware haijin
14. Yuuyake to kodomo
15. Utakata
16. Omaesan
17. Kumorizora ni ha koi moyou
18. Kanata

Encore 1
01. Ryuusei dive
02. Tsuta tsuta
03. Hakuchuumu

Encore 2
01. Tsubasa
02. Sentimental
03. Maria