The streets were filled with fireworks, but inside Zepp Tokyo there was a different spectacle to behold...
The muggy streets of Odaiba on the 10th of August were crowded with men and women wearing Japanese yukata who had come to see the annual fireworks display. However, at the venue of Zepp Tokyo, men and women wearing T-shirts, jeans and towels around their necks were instead looking forward to the upcoming concert. The event was to feature abingdon boys school, HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR, Ikimonogakari and INORAN. With such an interesting lineup, this was definitely going to be something to look forward to.
When it was abingdon boys school's turn, the venue became dark and the band's logo appeared on the back wall of the stage. Blue lights shone brilliantly into the audience like search lights with loud and mysterious sound effects. Then the members of abingdon boys school appeared on the dark stage one after another. When the vocalist Nishikawa finally came onstage, the audience cheered wildly.
The live started with the English song Fre@K $HoW. Nishikawa's powerful voice combined with the heavy rock sound of the band flooded the venue. In an orange light, the audience raised their fists all together and the venue quickly heated up. Instead of formally introducing the members one by one, they each took a moment to play a brief solo: Shibasaki on guitar, Ikuo on bass, Kishi on synthesiser, Hasegawa on drums and a brilliant guitar solo by SUNAO. During this, Nishikawa stood on top of a Mini Cooper which was on the stage and looked over the audience with his bright eyes.
The heavy guitar and upbeat sound effects of HOWLING really got the audience going. They raised their fists, jumped up and down and joined in call and response with the members. "Let’s go! Tokyo!" Nishikawa shouted, before plunging into BLADE CHORD. Kishi's exquisitely-timed scratches and Nishikawa's rap-style vocals worked brilliantly on top of the thick, heavy guitar. Their great sound filled the whole of Zepp Tokyo and the audience loved it.
"Good evening! We are a.b.s.!" said SUNAO and Kishi, who had apparently been given the role of MC as they had lost when drawing straws. Together they made the letters a, b and c with their arms on stage in front of the fans. They then instructed the audience about the actions for their new song and everybody raised their hands and clapped. Then, accompanied by the audience's clapping, the upbeat new song started. It was a bright, pleasant song, once again featuring Nishikawa's rap-style vocals and SUNAO and Kishi sang in the chorus as well. After this song, MICRO of Home Made Kazoku appeared on stage, signalling the beginning of LOST REASON. Nishikawa and MICRO took their vocals alternatively, walked around on the stage and really warmed up the audience. Shibasaki's guitar solo showed off his fast fingers and SUNAO head banged to the heavy music. The audience raised their hands together and waved them about to the music.
"Thank you for creating such a great mood. Let’s not be beaten by the fireworks outside and go home covered in sweat. Sing, Tokyo!" shouted Nishikawa and INNOCENT SORROW started. Nishikawa stood on top of the Mini Cooper and sang enthusiastically with lots of gestures. The audience sang along with him during the chorus. SUNAO and Shibasaki showed brilliant guitar solos in turn and Kishi played the keyboard while singing in the chorus. The loud, catchy melody combined with the burst of drums and rolling bass shook the audience to their bones.
"I believe in you. So this is for you." With beautiful keyboard playing, ATHENA started. Clear guitar sounds were scattered over a beautiful melody like jewels. The audience raised their hands and jumped together in the upbeat main melodies. "I hope our light reaches you all." With this, their performance ended and just the voices of Nishikawa and the audience could be heard in the venue. "I’ll be your answer" was last message of Nishikawa for the night.
The out of breath members then said thank you to their fans, cheered "Banzai!" hand in hand and looked really happy. Great songs and a marvellous performance were of course a big part of what made this such an enjoyable concert and it was great for the fans to be able to clearly see just how much abingdon boys school had enjoyed performing for them that night.
Set list:
01. SE
02. Fre@K $HoW
03. HOWLING
04. BLADE CHORD
05. (new song)
06. LOST REASON
08. INNOCENT SORROW
09. ATHENA
