MELLO: La Collection au MELLO de Couture 2009

The weather left much to be desired although despite the rain, eager fans still queued round the block, waiting for the opening of the doors to Shibuya Vuenos. Most of the crowd were young women, from teenagers to those in their early twenties. The fans expressed their love for the songs, looks and images, which the band creates. One remarked, "The lyrics are good, of course, and I like his beautiful voice." Another said, "My first impression was that he was a teller of fairytales."

Once inside, down an aristocratic spiral staircase was the stage, the audience packing themselves tightly into the space. As they were waiting for the show to begin, a music video of MELLO was played, although it was a little strange as far as videos go. In the video, the singer Amonn wore a giant panda costume while he danced. It seemed that he wanted the crowd to practice a dance while waiting. The night before, Amonn had posted the video on YouTube, and he linked it on his blog. He wanted to show the new choreography to fans, but for those who hadn`t noticed his post, he repeatedly projected the video on the stage screen. It was strange but somehow fun, enchanting both longtime fans of the band and newcomers for whom this was their first concert.

Then the concert began. A bewitching blue light shone on the stage reminiscent of the moon or rippled surface of the sea. The fans cheered and cheered, shouting the members' names with arms outstretched. Bassist Sato appeared in a glittering outfit, while guitarist Shun appeared wearing a rougher style of clothing and a hat. Fans continued to cheer the support drummer U-YA. Once the three had tuned their instruments, the singer Amonn finally appeared in a smart suit and tie, presenting quite an aristocratic image.

It is difficult to find the perfect word to express their performance. It was like a waltz, but also included the strength of visual kei. Amonn's voice was sexy and sensual tinged with a slightly melancholic air. The first song EpiLogue in a reddish purple light was just appropriate for the beginning of a party that night. The bassist boosted the second song, Melloncholy. The place lit up with stars from a mirror ball, and the audience waved to the rhythm. Amonn swung to and fro, moving and singing. Once the song Saigeki no Vector began, a music video was played in accompaniment. Sato and Shun came almost to the front of the stage to play as the fans answered Amonn's shout to headbang, jump, hop, and simply go crazy with their arms. The sound had a nostalgic feel, and it made us forget both age and place. His vibrato was intoxicating, so if there was anyone who had not paid attention to their music until this moment, they suddenly listened with rapt attention.

In the song Katamichi Kippu, Amonn sang with his clear voice waving his arms in time with the music as Sato picked at his bass strings. He stood smiling from beginning to end, seemingly enjoying the live as much as the fans. In the touching song EnVee, Amonn turned his eyes to U-YA and kept singing while they faced each other. U-YA smiled and answered with his light drum sounds. The next song was To Such You. It began with powerful drums, merging with harder guitar lines and all three displaying impressive technique. After a short break to reset the stage, a spotlight shone from behind creating silhouettes of the four figures. Fans clapped their hands excitedly to the clear and beautiful sounds of their music, and everything came together beautifully. Shun seemed to use his whole body to play the guitar while Sato pleasantly and delightfully played the strings with his black manicured nails.

Amonn then addressed the audience, saying, "Good evening, we're MELLO." He thanked the crowd and told them that he was the giant panda in the video projected at the start. "I did the choreography just before filming and made mistakes again and again, so I think you can dance better than me." The fans and the band members each put a glittering ring on their finger, to get ready. "It's a trial, indeed," the vocalist continued. "This is the first time for Vuenos Tokyo! Are you ready!?" Amonn loosened his tie and jumped violently. The fans performed the new choreography with enthusiasm, their rings twinkling and sparkling in the dark. The next song, With the Modern, saw the audience raise their hands as they wore their rings and shout along. Sato came to the front of the audience, and the fans stretched out their hands to answer him. Reminds Me had a power to make the body move almost without thinking, and the audience shouted the members' names louder than before.

At the end of the show, Amonn undid his suit and raised his hand high. Lights blinked violently with a tune that began from drums sounds but became calm and beautiful. Jisei no Catastrophe was almost the heaviest song that day, yet it was also dignified and beautiful. Amonn was caught in the sound of the rain and shouted, "You guys must go on! Keep moving on! Hey, guys!" He jumped and shook his hand up and down. The next song, Labyrinth, had a very fast rhythm; and the fans shook their heads to follow the members' performance, all seeming to move as one body.

After the band left, the audience shouted for an encore. The band acquiesced and came back to play Mourning. The deeply atmospheric song touched the heart with its sad feelings and with a magnetic hold that stunned the audience into silence. The crowds erupted into applause as the band ended their performance.

As the second encore began Sato and Shun, wearing T-shirts, came back to the stage and thanked the audience for coming. "It has been four months since January when we held the last one-man concert. Thanks a lot indeed." Sato said that he had received a doll from a little girl called Rio, who had appeared in their last music video and who was present in the audience that day. Afterwards Amonn returned, wearing his tie around his head. They talked for a while about merchandise and related a funny story of how Amonn was called "crayfish" by the little girl, Rio.

Normally they would have played Fugiri no kuni no Alice at once, but Shun suggested they ask the audience's opinions. As a result, Sato said he wanted to play the new song Silent Night again, in which Amonn had made a mistake in its choreography. This time Amonn sang and danced better and harder than before. A mirror ball sparkled as the audience moved with fervour. Rio, the little girl in the music video, was jumping and dancing hard. Amonn, embarrassed by his mistake while dancing, stuck out the tip of his tongue at the audience who responded with more energy to the point that it seemed the roof was near breaking. The final song, Fugiri no kuni no Alice, then began in red and white blinking lights. Sato and Shun stepped onto footstools and lay down on the floor while playing. Once they jumped so hard, the floor almost gave away. "Thank you, guys!" U-YA was smiling and playing drums, and Sato asked for shouts while Shun headbanged until the end.

The audience enthusiastically shouted for an encore again and again but to no avail. Amonn addressed the crowd: "Sorry, guys. Today is finished. I had many complications until this one-man show today. But thank you so much. I'll keep going on from now so I hope you'll follow me. Thank you very much!" With that he bowed to the audience and left.

MELLO's performance was stunning, emotional and beautiful. The words of the fans at the start rung true: "My first impression was that he was a teller of fairytales." During the performance that night, they were indeed storytellers of beautiful music.


Set list:

1. EpiLogue
2. Melloncholy
3. Saigeki no vector
MC
4. Katamichi Kippu
5. EnVee
6. To Such You
7. Good bye Halphas
MC
8. Silent Night (New song)
9. With the Modern
10. Reminds Me
11. Jisei no catastrophe
MC
12. Labyrinth

EN1
1. Mourning

EN2
1. Silent Night
2. Fugiri no kuni no Alice