X JAPAN WORLD TOUR Live in Taipei

May 30th turned out to be a cool early summer evening, perfect for a concert set outdoors. Fans gathered hours ahead of time around the stadium; many cosplayed their favorite band members while some girls came dressed in bridal gowns. Upon entering the stadium, many couldn’t help but squeal in excitement and joy. As they waited, soft music and the occasional X JAPAN video clip entertained them.

The live began with the entire stadium rising to greet the band in a standing ovation, waving their glow sticks and making X signs. The opening SE went on for some time, but finally, as the emotions reached a climax, a giant X lit over the stage and the members of the band appeared on stage. TOSHI, wearing a white jacket, was the first to be introduced. He was followed by HEATH, who looked amazing in a red trench coat, PATA and SUGIZO, who both wore dark colors. hide’s introduction came next and was met with cheers from the crowd. Then, YOSHIKI took his turn in the spotlight, taking his seat behind the drums, shirtless as always.

Red fireworks exploded from the stage, making everyone scream in surprise and delight, and the band dove right into Rusty Nail. There were three runways leading from the stage, and the members took time to walk down each one to get closer to the audience. The open-air arena made X JAPAN seem larger than life; all the sound seemed to expand outwards and swell in power.

As the song ended, TOSHI screamed, “We missed you!” This signaled the beginning of WEEK END. Images of hide filled the screens framing the stage, and the background lighting in the videos matched the live setting perfectly, making hide’s presence even more real. SUGIZO helped sing the background vocals while HEATH played bass like he hadn’t aged a day since 1999. TOSHI was in full form, roaring into the microphone as he threw his arm around SUGIZO.

Halfway through Silent Jealousy, YOSHIKI shrugged on a black shirt and played the piano. He was accompanied by SUGIZO on violin. The two created a beautiful atmosphere, and the audience was completely silent as they watched. Then, the rest of the band returned to close out the song with a bang. TOSHI took the opportunity to pour water over YOSHIKI during the thundering finish, and the two grinned at each other while headbanging to the beat.

The band left the stage after the song, but PATA soon returned for his solo. As he made his way down the middle runway, he amazed the audience with his shredding skills, and the cheers of the crowd lent a swagger to his walk back to the stage. The other members joined him for DRAIN, and the sinuous, dark melody had everyone entranced. TOSHI, bookended by HEATH and PATA, cried the lyrics in overwrought fashion, and after an abrupt ending, they all left the stage once more.

However, just minutes later, TOSHI returned. He called for PATA in an unexpectedly cute voice, and PATA quickly came on stage with HEATH and their instruments in tow. The three sat down on chairs set up at the middle of the stage, and TOSHI picked up an acoustic guitar. He asked everyone to sing together because hide was also listening, then announced Say Anything. A waving field of glow sticks met the gentle guitar and bass playing, and the entire stadium radiated peace under the night sky. TOSHI encouraged the crowd to sing louder and louder until the end of the song, which saw him hugging his band mates before they all left the dark stage.

A short SE announced YOSHIKI’s return to the stage, this time wearing a red coat. He held three bouquets of red roses, which he threw to the audience as he ran down each of the three runways. As the fans screamed appreciatively, YOSHIKI took a seat at his piano for his solo. It didn’t last long as TOSHI soon joined him for Tears. The simple piano and vocal duet became a power ballad when the rest of the band came back on stage. Fans waved homemade pink pom-poms, creating a sea of pink, while TOSHI shouted hide’s name during the guitarist’s solo. As the song died down, YOSHIKI whispered the last line in a broken voice, causing everyone to immediately cheer to support him.

Breaking up the somber mood was Kurenai. The screens showed a video of hide playing the deceptively soft intro, and when he blew a kiss, the stage exploded with noise and silver streamers flew across the stadium. The fans jumped about in a frenzy to the hard, pounding beat, and everyone rocked all the way to the end of the main set. After the band took their leave, the fashion show began. Green lasers filled the air, and thunder and lightning SE welcomed Chinese dragon dancers on the left and right runways. The models also had their moment to shine, many of them dancing and doing acrobatics, but YOSHIKI stole the show at the end as he appeared, standing over his drums. He wore a white coat that, under the spotlight, made him look angelic, but he quickly stripped it off and took a seat behind his drums.

Columns of flame shot up around the stage for YOSHIKI’s drum solo. Like always, YOSHIKI gave his all, drumming madly until his entire body gleamed with sweat and he collapsed off his seat. He repeated this as the drum platform rose above the stage and glided down the middle runway. At the end of the runway, YOSHIKI stood up and triumphantly made the X sign over his chest, high above the roaring crowd. He then attacked the drums once more, pounding wildly until the platform lowered to the runway. His final beats were accompanied by more fireworks; then YOSHIKI slumped off his seat and collapsed while the audience chanted his name proudly.

TOSHI then appeared on the stage to announce WITHOUT YOU. With the fans shouting encouragement, YOSHIKI picked himself back up and walked to the stage to embrace the vocalist. The piano and vocal duet graced the stage once more, and images of X JAPAN’s old lives flashed across the screens while TOSHI sang to YOSHIKI’s soft piano playing. When the song ended, the other members returned, and TOSHI asked everyone to scream for I.V. During the song, he also asked each member of the band to scream. However, YOSHIKI refused, leading to an impromptu chase down the runway. The drummer eventually ran through the crowd before returning to his drums. He rode his drum platform back to the stage, and the song continued on full throttle until TOSHI sang the last notes.

The floodlights went on after the band left the stage, leaving everyone slightly confused. However, the concert was not over yet! TOSHI and YOSHIKI, dressed as groom and bride, respectively, ran down the middle runway to shrieks from the audience. YOSHIKI ripped off his veil and gown, throwing the scraps of white fabric into the crowd, while TOSHI gleefully screamed “Happy wedding!” Then, as YOSHIKI smashed the gong, the other members were reintroduced and X began. TOSHI led the crowd in the classic “We are! X!” call and response before YOSHIKI drenched him with water. The drummer then took over, chanting until he doubled over.

As TOSHI regained control of the audience, YOSHIKI ran to the gong and began whipping it…with a leather flogger! A dazzling pyrotechnic display lit up during PATA and SUGIZO’s guitar duet, and everyone had spots dancing in front of their eyes when the song was over. To give the audience a slight break, YOSHIKI pulled on a red coat and sat down at the piano. With a disco ball glittering overhead, he and TOSHI led the crowd to sing ENDLESS RAIN. The fans serenaded the band until they left, then continued singing to the empty stage, never doubting that X JAPAN would come back. YOSHIKI rewarded their faith by eventually returning to start Art of Life. He played the piano like a man gone insane, alternating between pounding the keys and delicately tapping them; the audience listened raptly in the dark stadium.

After he exhausted himself, the other members reappeared for the last, thunderous hurrah. TOSHI screamed his goodbyes, and Say Anything filtered through the speakers as the band tossed picks and water bottles to the crowd. YOSHIKI managed to find the strength to run the length of the stage, lift SUGIZO off his feet and jump into the audience to accept gifts. With the hide doll, the members arranged themselves on stage to hold hands and jump, signaling the end of the concert. Then, in an extremely cute role reversal, YOSHIKI helped the hide doll wave before giving it a piggyback ride off stage.

It had been many years since X JAPAN last came to Taiwan, but the love they received from the fans had not lessened with time. The band clearly felt it and reciprocated in kind, creating an unforgettable night under the stars.

Set list:

01. Rusty Nail
- MC -
02. WEEK END ~ Silent Jealousy
03. Silent Jealousy
PATA Solo
04. DRAIN
05. Say Anything
SE (largo) ~ PIANO Solo
06. Tears
07. Kurenai
Fashion Show
Drums Solo
EN01. WITHOUT YOU
EN02. I.V.
EN03. X
EN04. ENDLESS RAIN
EN05. Art of Life