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VF25-F

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    May'n - The Galactic Fairy

    in Movies and TV Series

    Posted · Edited by VF25-F

    May’n Symphonic Concert – Twenty Four Seven

    As with the previous concert, we went to the venue (Tokyo Metropolitan Theater, Ikebukuro) a day earlier to look around, we meet our friend ‘Andy’ and proceeded inside. We were all awed by the architecture and layout of the venue. This place is really classy! There was no info on when the merchandise for the event will start selling, so like many fans, they planned to go at first light. As my friend wasn’t feeling that well, he decided not to go there early as planned and get some good rest for tomorrow’s event.

    The next day, we got a text from 'Andy' that he was already there at 5.00am and some other fans were there too. Nothing yet from the organizers. As the hours passed, more and more fans gathered. Finally at approximately 2pm in the afternoon, the organizers moved in and set up a lining up area. I returned at 4pm (4.30pm enter, 5.30pm concert starts) and looked for my friends who had lined up earlier but they were not there. I assumed they had already gone in (the merchandize were sold inside the hall entrance) and probably already seated. When the usher showed me to the seats, they were still empty, my friends were still at the merchandize area!

    The setup of the hall was special (never been to a Symphonic concert before). All the layout was angular, like on a stealth fighter. It felt like I was on some kind of a space ship. In the center and above the Orchestra was a giant oval structure in a standing position flanked by what looked like wings. Instead of feathers, it had organ pipes patterns. Only when the concert started that I’ve learn that they are actually the organ instrument! While waiting for the concert hall to fill up, a few members of the Orchestra test out the big kettle drums and they ‘played dangerous notes’.

    One more thing I immediately noticed was, there was only one camera recording the event. That meant, there probably won’t be any B-disc or DVD of this concert. Hope I’m wrong though.

    The lights dimmed and the Orchestra members started to take their places. A female silhouette entered wearing a dark colored gown – it didn’t looked like ‘Bucho’ (May’n nick name). She sat down on the Grand Piano, which was the center piece.

    Then Bucho entered and immediately the clapping got louder as expectations begin to rise. Bucho looked like a ballerina (minus the fluffy skirt), she was in white with shiny silvery patterns on both of her shoulders. The unmistakable tune of ‘If you wish for…’ (OP from Valkyria Chronicles 3) started to play. Everyone was kind of looked at each other – to see if anyone would stand up and start waving their lights sticks. None. So we all sat down quietly and listened intensely to the music and Bucho’s vocals.

    Next up was ‘Love is like the falling stars’ and the illumination changed to a yellow/orange mood with patterns projected on to the concert walls. May’n then introduces herself and welcomed everyone to her Symphonic Concert and introduces the Orchestra members. She was happy to see so many faces and amazed that there were people seated to the rear aisle as well! (seating capacity was around 2,000) Next is ‘Today colored in Love’ (OP for Inari Konkon Koi Iroha) and ‘Grand Piano’. After the song, she explained that even she had a song named after the instrument, she never had actually touched one, and so when the opportunity came, she helped herself to it and it was fun.

    I was thinking to myself, was this how the whole concert was going to be played out? Only the slow songs? Names of songs with slow tunes began to run through my mind in anticipation of what will come next.

    No way! Came the answer as Bucho dished out ‘Scarlet Ballet’ symphonic style! Because they had to rewrite the music arrangements to fit the Orchestra’s existing instruments, the tunes were refreshing and the big changes were usually during the 2nd verse of the song. After that, two Macross F songs – Oberlisk and the awesome ‘Diamond Crevasse’! The latter sounded epic with the inclusion of the kettle drums! I like this version!

    A break! I was thinking ‘this early and after only 7 songs?’ Probably it was a good time as almost the entire concert hall went to the toilets. I came back and it was quite a long break. I began looking around and noticed there were also some Senior citizens in the crowd (arena and 1st floor) – probably people in the industry or relatives of May’n which came to see her perform. While lining up to go in, a senior couple came to ask the ushers which artist is performing at the concert hall, and I thought they might be at the wrong venue (there were other venues in the same building).

    Up till now, you could feel like everyone wanted to stand up and cheer, and wave their light sticks, but somehow, maybe due to the venue or ‘rules’, everyone just sat down quietly. On her usual concerts, you would see Bucho make full use of the stage, but here she seemed to be confined to the center area, and moved around in a 3ft x 3ft space! Even her arm movements are more reserved.

    Break over and Bucho returned in a stunning Dark green (top) and Black (bottom) outfit with a Dark pink/black sash running from her right shoulder down to her right thighs. Next up ‘Yousei’ from Macross F and Aozora (ED from Btooooom!) All perfectly balanced by the music and her perfect vocals.

    As it was her Birthday just a few days ago, she shared her experience with us. She explained, she was still on the train at 11.58pm on the 20th October 2016. By the time she stepped out to the platform it was 12.02am (the next day, 21st October). So symbolically, the train took her from the 26th to the 27th (years old). And when she got down from the train, the speaker announced ‘Welcome!’, which added more significance to the event.

    Song no. 11 – Belief (OP for Taboo Tattoo) I’m not sure of the arrangement of this song but there were gaps of 1 or 2 seconds where there was no vocals or instruments playing. While this was happening you could hear Bucho’s high heels hitting the stage as she changes position! Song no.12 – Northern Cross (Sayonara no Tsubasa ver.) The first part of the song, Bucho sang without the mike! That was awesome! (Actually with the mike, she just sounded a little louder, maybe just one notch higher). Normally, she would do that Northern Cross sign during the chorus, but here she didn’t. Only at the end of this song she did it once. I like this one also at it sounded epic!

    As throughout the entire concert and up to this point, we could feel the audience was holding back like a coiled spring waiting for a chance to be released and ‘Bucho’ knows us best! For the last song – she called everyone to stand up! Everyone jumped to their feet! You could see the surprised looks on the musicians faces as if they were saying – ‘you’re allowed to do this?’ Then May’n announced the name of her last song –May’n Space! And everyone just let out all their penned up energy! They swayed left and right and chant the song’s title as well as the longest clapping session in all of her concerts!

    As usual, once the song has reached the chorus, she would invite the audience to join in – starting with the guys, the girls, the arena, 1st Floor and 2nd Floor. Not forgetting the audience who are sitting at the rear left aisle and right aisle, whom for the entirety of the concert could only see Bucho from the back, she gives them a special spot. Bucho said – ‘I want to hear your individual voices!’ Because there were only around 20 people on each side, we could all clearly hear their voices – nice! The rest of us gave them a loud applause.

    Then the fun part came! Bucho suddenly called on the musicians in the Orchestra to sing along! Clearly this caught them by surprise as you can see the expression on their faces! Being very sporting, they sang and we all gave them a loud applause in appreciation! And the musicians enjoyed it, as this is probably the first time they have ever heard their own voices and being appreciated not by their talents in playing their instruments! I would not be surprised if May’n made some new fans from the members of the Orchestra!

    One last round by everyone and the concert drew to a close. May’n thanked the Orchestra, the organ player who sits alone -2 floors above the Orchestra, the lead violinist and the maestro on the grand piano. We applauded as they left the stage. May’n stayed back and as usual she thanked everyone block by block. She sounded out of breath as she moved around the stage. The fans in the front would sit down after waving to her, so that the ones behind them could be seen by May’n. Finally she returned to the center of the stage - 'Vokal wa! May'n deshita! Arigato!' Everyone clapped until she left the stage. An announcement came informing the concert was over and everyone left. The time was around 8pm.

    The first 2 songs had an imbalance at one part where the music was too loud and drowned out her vocals but for the rest of the concert, it was perfect. It was an unusual (16 songs only but went to 2.5 hours long) concert, the rewrite of the notes to fit the orchestra instruments were refreshing and epic, we all left the concert hall with sore palms from all that clapping and a wide smile!

    Special thanks to 'Andysken' and 'Sin You'

    SONG LIST

    1 - Moshimo Kimi ga Negau no Nara (If you wish for)
    2 - Ai wa Furu Hoshi no Gotoku (Love is like the falling stars)
    3 - Kyou no Koiiro (Today colored in Love)
    4 - Grand Piano
    5 - Scarlet Ballet
    6 - Obelisk
    7 - DIamond Crevasse

    BREAK

    8 - Yousei (Fairy)
    9 - Aozora (Blue Sky)
    10 - Eien (Eternity)
    11 - Belief – OP for Taboo Tattoo
    12 - Northern Cross – Sayonara no Tsubasa version
    13 - Yoake no Logos (Dawn of Logos) – 2nd OP for Aquarion Logos

    ENCORE
    14 - Hikari Aru Basho e (To where there is light)- ED for Shuumatsu no Izetta
    15 - May'n Space

    May'n - The Galactic Fairy

    in Movies and TV Series

    Posted

    Thanks for the posting darkgiver and welcome to this page eXis10z.

    Pix from the Twenty Four Seven venue (outside the concert hall) and (the concert hall itself). It's one really classy place!

    http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/jameswmc88/media/DSCN1976_zpsdlo39zpf.jpg.html?sort=3&o=8

    http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/jameswmc88/media/DSCN1958_zps3ncydrdd.jpg.html?sort=3&o=13

    http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/jameswmc88/media/DSCN1959_zpsf6mcllfb.jpg.html?sort=3&o=12

    http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/jameswmc88/media/DSCN1964_zpsp6ddncdf.jpg.html?sort=3&o=11

    http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/jameswmc88/media/DSCN1970_zpsav6h15gf.jpg.html?sort=3&o=10

    http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/jameswmc88/media/DSCN1973_zpscj30sxrs.jpg.html?sort=3&o=9

    The last pix '=9' has some optical illusion, the circular painted domes are not on the roof of the building but a reflection on the glass in front of the camera.

    Inside the concert hall

    http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/jameswmc88/media/DSCN1996_zpslzdpowfj.jpg.html?sort=3&o=7

    One thing I noticed was, there was only one set of camera mounted on a tripod to record the event and throughout the concert, there were no cameramen running around to capture the action. I guess there are some regulations against doing that. Would love to have some form of recording for this event as the rewrite for the music is refreshing.

    May'n - The Galactic Fairy

    in Movies and TV Series

    Posted

    May'n conquers the Philippines!

    Last year, she was scheduled to be in the Philippines but just days away from the event, a devastating typhoon struck the area and caused massive flooding. It was not a good time and the event was cancelled. But this time they're made it despite another typhoon (I guess it wasn't that bad but flights were cancelled)

    https://www.facebook.com/MaynPH/

    Do check out the Mango video and the Phonic Nation chorus.

    May'n - The Galactic Fairy

    in Movies and TV Series

    May'n - The Galactic Fairy

    in Movies and TV Series

    Posted

    May’n – AFATH 2016

    Due to the time schedule of some of the artiste, all interviews have been cancelled. May’n first appearance was during the signing and handshake event to all the VIP ticket winners. Unfortunately no photography was allowed. Some were emotional as they finally got to meet their idol for the first time, close up and some almost fainted/break into tears. Someone gave her a large Mango cushion (see pix), she really liked it but unfortunately the person who gave it wasn’t around as she wanted to thank him/her personally.

    Next, was a talk show on the AFA Akiba Stage (see video) and talked about her eating experience and the wonderful fans from Thailand. Ending the talk with a free performance – Hidan No Aria.

    There was an unscheduled visit to the NHK booth to try out some of the games and taking photos there (see pix). Unfortunately I was waiting for the next event at the Akiba Stage, my fellow MFM member Rafe, who came with me alerted me but by then we have lost sight of her.

    Concert Time (Saturday 20th August)

    Today’s artiste line up were : Livetune +, followed by Aimer whom just arrived today, Lia and finally May’n. Oddly, while waiting for Lia to perform, we heard ‘Lion’ played next door which was the Akiba Stage and Exhibition Hall! We were like ‘What? May’n doing a last minute rehearsal?’ Once Lia has sang her last song for the evening, many like myself ran out of the hall to relief ourselves. When we got back in, the stage was still black. Some more waiting and then, the screens on both sides of the stage began to play, only then we noticed there are people already standing in the stage. The lights came on and we could see May’n and her 4 dancers (2 Male and 2 Female). First song – Chase The World. Followed by Yamaidare Darling from Aquarion Logos 1st OP. Next, she sang for us her latest single ‘Belief’, from Taboo Tattoo and we were lucky enough for this was the first time the song have been sung live outside of Japan. Next up was a song well received everywhere – Northern Cross!

    A short break as she sipped some water. She was telling us: Atsui! Atsui! (Hot) – probably from all the impressive stage lights. Someone from the audience shouted ‘Oishi desuka?’ – (Earlier, during Lia’s performance, she also said that it was Atsui! She then went to have a sip of water and remarked ‘Oishii!’ which probably meant ‘Refreshing’ rather than ‘Delicious!’. But everyone thought of the latter.) Everyone laughed. May’n came back and asked us to participate in her next song. She gestured ‘Goooo Fight!’ and jumped! Everyone agreed and she sang a song she wrote – ‘Number 1’. It was fun as everyone waited for the gesture and jumped up at the right moment.

    Next, another fun song – ‘Gira-gira Summer’. This one was really fun as she got everyone doing all kinds of hand movements, on one occasion she ‘swarm across the stage’ and even managed to get everyone to do the wave effect with no practice (right to left and back). She thanked us for being such a great audience and so happy to perform here in Thailand.

    For her final song of the evening – Diamond Crevasse. Even after ten years, this song still hits you in the spot. As she sang the last few lines, all the lights converged behind her – a spectacular sight. She thanked everyone for coming, she will certainly come back to Thailand again and bid everyone good night. Everyone stood still and shouted Encore! Encore! (in Japanese). But it’s already 11.29pm and the mall is closing down. The MC had to announce the concert is officially over to get everyone out of the concert hall. Well, I guess that’s because even though each artist sang the same number of songs (7 in total, 5 minutes each song) but May’n part felt like it lasted just 5 minutes! That made everyone to think there’s more. Well, there’s always her full concert tour next year.

    https://www.facebook.com/mayn.official/photos/a.891321694227656.1073741828.179806428712523/1398754213484399/?type=3&theater

    https://www.facebook.com/mayn.official/photos/a.891321694227656.1073741828.179806428712523/1398756466817507/?type=3&theater

    https://www.facebook.com/mayn.official/photos/a.891321694227656.1073741828.179806428712523/1398756476817506/?type=3&theater

    https://www.facebook.com/mayn.official/photos/a.891321694227656.1073741828.179806428712523/1398756503484170/?type=3&theater

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