The return of guitarist Mayu was announced at show's end. Once again, DaizyStripper will step out as a five-man band.
Visual kei band DaizyStripper has dared to continue its career, despite guitarist Mayu taking a temporary leave of absence since late 2013. However, the trial seems to have only made the band, which has been active since 2007, even stronger. The band has indeed become more aggressive than ever. They dazzled their foreign fans at their Canadian live show in May, and released its sixth full-length album TRAGUS the following month. In July, DaizyStripper set out on a nationwide tour consisting of 22 shows in total. The tour final was held in Tokyo’s Akasaka Blitz on August 30th. At the end of the show, the long-awaited return of Mayu was finally announced.
A loud ovation greeted the members onto the stage as an instrumental number EMBREM of JAIL boomed out. Drummer Kazami, guitarist Nao, bassist Rei and finally vocalist Yuugiri took up their positions. The band unleashed their passion and aggression from an opening number G.Z.S.K.K, the opening track on TRAGUS. Kazami’s high-speed drumming, with relentless bass drum kicks and Rei’s throbbing bass line, released a sonic boom from the stage. Nao, who’s sound has gained strength over the tour, added gut-shaking rhythm to the song. At the center of this stormy groove, vocalist Yuugiri sung in his signature transparent high tone voice, exhibiting both strength and fragility. Even the songs with feminine lyrics like MISSING were met with violent headbangs by fans. The crowd got physical from the start; shouting, pumping fists, and even rushing to the front row. “Hello, we are DaizyStripper! Let’s make this day the best day ever. Break out of your limitations!” Yuugiri shouted to fans.
Later, the band gave Kazami the stage, who’s not only a drummer but also a pianist. Spotlights shone on him and the piano whilst dim blue-green light illuminated the stage. Yuugiri returned to the stage as gentle sounds of the piano filled the silent venue. “This is the song for you”, Yuugiri told the fans. Then, SMILE WORLD started to play. Yuugiri’s voice was at its best in this emotional love song. His falsetto and beautiful harmony with Kazami gave a pure grace for fans to carry on with their lives. Even a silent pause during the song conveyed warmth from the two men on stage. Shortly after, Rei and Nao rejoined their bandmates.
Throughout the live, the band continued to display their resourcefulness. They played QUALITIER LATIN, a pop number infused with an elegant accordion melody. “Merci beaucoup”, Yuugiri thanked fans in French, striking a pose with the tambourine he used during the song. A popular song off the album GIRL HUNT was next up. During this cheerful party song, fans held each other’s hands as they swayed side to side. Suddenly, all of fans turned around whilst hand-in-hand and shouted out at the top of their lungs. All the energy was released during BLACK DROPPer. This rampaging number had fans moshing, shouting and jumping to the front row where the members poured out bottles of water from the stage. Frenzied guitarist Nao played his instrument so hard as if he was trying to break it in half. Finally, he threw the guitar away, unleashed a series of stirring shouts and even stage-dived multiple times. Kazami joined in the crowd surfing and Yuugiri filled in for him at the drums. The bassist Rei, however, kept his composure, orchestrating the chaos with his deep voice and low-end bass sound. After this long, highly physical number, Yuugiri took time to thank fans: “Thank you for believing in us, and we believe in you”, said the vocalist with tears on his face. “Thank you for finding us.” As the lyrics say, the band and fans celebrated a miraculous encounter with each other in the last song: Kyuso Neko Kami.
The show actually had two encores. During encores, Yuugiri took time to do an MC: “Thank you. Your loud voices are giving us the strength to live. Let’s continue to share our joys and sorrows together. I am really proud of my bandmates, especially Nao, who’s made an enormous effort to play the guitar parts alone. I am confident that this tour has made us and you guys really strong.” Then, Yuugiri introduced the closing song decade. “This is the song we created when we started. Back then, our goal was to continue with our band career for 10 years. To be a band we can be proud of for decades to come. We will play this number for you and also on behalf of Mayu.” The last song decade made a grand finale of the tour. “You guys are awesome! Thank you!” The members hugged each other at the end of the encore and bade farewell to fans.
After DaizyStripper had made their exit, the stage curtains descended and a video message started to roll. Fans screamed wildly as the return of Mayu was announced. A long-missed guitarist will rejoin the band for the winter tour Winter Box Disorder starting November 2nd. At end of the video, silhouettes of the five members appeared on the screen. This unexpected announcement completely overwhelmed fans; some were holding each other whilst crying, and others literally sank to their floor. This emotional end to the tour must have surely created great anticipation for the bright future awaiting the band and its fans.
Set List:
1. G.Z.S.K.K
2 .MISSING
3. Manekin
4. Risou
5. Zery Crysis
6. Uso to Kagerou
7. Shooting Star
8. MOONLIGHT of JAIL
9. Vo&Pf (SMILE WORLD)
10. Majime Complex
11. PRIDE
12. Seaside Avenue
13. QUALITIER LATIN
14. GIRL HUNT
15. BLACK DROPPer
16.Kyuusonekokami
Encore 1
17. Derringer
18. STARGAZER
19. HELLO, again
Encore 2
20. Dandelion
21. Tresor
22. decade
