GACKT CONCERT IN TOKYO: JAPANESE COSPLAYERS OUTSIDE SAITAMA ARENA, J-ROCK CONCERT, VISUAL KEI BAND MERCHANDISE.
Gackt’s July 12 concert at Saitama Arena was a 4+ hour marathon, so my report will take place in several parts. We’ll start with the story of how I got tickets literally last-minute. Count de Sang (right) called me when his friend backed out due to a fever. I had thirty minutes to get ready, fifteen of which was spent on grabbing a latte and veggie sandwich. I threw on clothes, seemingly at random, and ran the park in front of Studio Alta. Made it on time!
Flower ribbon in hair: from a New York fabric store. I painted the yellow centers black and red with nail polish.
Tank top: a Hong Kong sample, customized by moi.
Clear-striped knee highs: from a sock store on Takeshita Doori, Harajuku.
On the subway to Saitama Arena, we spotted fellow concert-goers carrying Gackt bags. Whenever we lost our direction, we looked for Lolitas and followed their parasols! Gackt Camui’s fans, however, dress in every style under the rainbow. If you were there, you would have witnessed slinky prom dresses, yukatas (summer kimonos), and these three style icons dorks. Yes, Yukiro’s T-shirt reads “Flippin’ Out!”
After a long line-up for band merchandise, we learned that our first choices – the cat paws and T-shirts – were sold out. Count de Sang managed to buy a towel, red wristband, and chibi-Gackt cell phone dangle (it’s remarkably well made, down to the little fang). It looks great next to his silver Lord Camelot jewelry.
There was a palpable buzz in the air outside Saitama Arena. Gackt’s fans waved flags, squealed, hugged, compared mementos, and of course posed for photos.
I was impressed at the cosplayers, who dressed as Gackt from various eras (far right).
Quite a few fans wore his current look: the Nazi-esque, military jacket with a red armband. Those hats are hot, aren’t they? As Count de Sang and Yukiro said, “Why aren’t we dressed like that all the time?”
Tomorrow, I’ll post pictures of Lolitas at the concert. What is your favorite Gackt era? What do you think of the latest CD?
Song of the Day #153: Hyde – Shining Over You (Ronan: “Check out the fade-out at the end. It’s great. It’s so sad.”)
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OMG! You have no idea how much I tried to repress a squeal when I saw the post. Lucky lucky you, although unlucky for the friend who came down with a fever…
As for the Gackt eras… hmm favourites favourites… I don't know hahaha the current one's black, white, and red military theme looks prettiest and most wearable of them all though.
OMG! You have no idea how much I tried to repress a squeal when I saw the post. Lucky lucky you, although unlucky for the friend who came down with a fever…
As for the Gackt eras… hmm favourites favourites… I don’t know hahaha the current one’s black and red military theme looks prettiest and most wearable of them all though.
The military look is super hot… wait til you see VIDEO of the performance. Some fans got the look down to a T, including a realistic scar on the cheek!
Aww, how exciting! :D
I haven't heard any of Gackt's latest music.
I missed this blog!!! I sort of wondered if I could enter it from Cuba, but I never gave it a try… I guess that depends whether Japanese fashion is against the revolution or not!
Aww, how exciting! :D
I haven’t heard any of Gackt’s latest music.
It’s great… it beats Diabolos!
I missed this blog!!! I sort of wondered if I could enter it from Cuba, but I never gave it a try… I guess that depends whether Japanese fashion is against the revolution or not!
The blog missed you! How was Cuba? What type of scrapes did you get into? ;)
I had to climb a gate with spikes because somebody locked the church area while we were still inside – and I also managed to get parasites! It was all extremely glamorous. ;)
Haha sounds like a mad time! Hope the parasites didn’t travel home with you. ;)
btw i could of gotten you guys tshirts when i went~
though im willing to sell my cat paw to someone if they want it.
i love gackt….love too mana…..gackt is unique….
i love gackt….love too mana…..gackt is unique….
oh I soooo want a chibi Gackt! I could keep him in my pocket at all times! I don't have any one favorite era, I lurves them all!
One of my friends has several chibi Gackts on her cell! SO cute. One of them got into a fight with my deer ring. :P
There is also an insanely cute takoyaki Gackt that was available at the Osaka show…
I hope I can get tickets to Moi dix Mois… then I can see both!
The blog missed you! How was Cuba? What type of scrapes did you get into? ;)
The military look is super hot… wait til you see VIDEO of the performance. Some fans got the look down to a T, including a realistic scar on the cheek!
It's great… it beats Diabolos!
btw i could of gotten you guys tshirts when i went~
though im willing to sell my cat paw to someone if they want it.
can u sell me the cat paw please?
i love gackt….love too mana…..gackt is unique….
omg!!!!! I liked when he was in Malice Mizer the best!!!! I would love to see him live though now!!!! ^_^
I hope I can get tickets to Moi dix Mois… then I can see both!
oh I soooo want a chibi Gackt! I could keep him in my pocket at all times! I don’t have any one favorite era, I lurves them all!
One of my friends has several chibi Gackts on her cell! SO cute. One of them got into a fight with my deer ring. :P
There is also an insanely cute takoyaki Gackt that was available at the Osaka show…
I loved when Gackt was in Malice Mizer<3 I think that was truly the greatest band he was in. Klaha was cool too, but I think Gackt was better XP
It's funny because in Japan, GACKT-O is crazy popular and a lot of teen girls don't even know about Mana or Malice Mizer! Funny how outside Japan, people are only starting to go wild for Mana. However, I love Gackt-era Malice Mizer best of all too. ^^
I loved when Gackt was in Malice Mizer<3 I think that was truly the greatest band he was in. Klaha was cool too, but I think Gackt was better XP
It’s funny because in Japan, GACKT-O is crazy popular and a lot of teen girls don’t even know about Mana or Malice Mizer! Funny how outside Japan, people are only starting to go wild for Mana. However, I love Gackt-era Malice Mizer best of all too. ^^
I had to climb a gate with spikes because somebody locked the church area while we were still inside – and I also managed to get parasites! It was all extremely glamorous. ;)
I think I'm with you guys in that I love MM era Gackt. of course I like it all lol but that to me just had that showmanship thing that I love. and it trips me out to thing that Mana is more pop here than there o-0 sadly I don't have the latest cd but I will eventually. the military thing he's doing now puts me in mind of something he did a bit earlier I'm thinking..::ponders, tries to remember::
in honor of your song of the day (cuz ˆlove me some Hyde too) I had to link to something very random and very kawaii…enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iATYaspLPio
Awww kawaii! It's very odd how Mana is bigger overseas now… his Moi meme Moitie shop even closed down in Tokyo *__*
I think I’m with you guys in that I love MM era Gackt. of course I like it all lol but that to me just had that showmanship thing that I love. and it trips me out to thing that Mana is more pop here than there o-0 sadly I don’t have the latest cd but I will eventually. the military thing he’s doing now puts me in mind of something he did a bit earlier I’m thinking..::ponders, tries to remember::
in honor of your song of the day (cuz ˆlove me some Hyde too) I had to link to something very random and very kawaii…enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iATYaspLPio
Awww kawaii! It’s very odd how Mana is bigger overseas now… his Moi meme Moitie shop even closed down in Tokyo *__*
now that is surprising! and what I wouldn’t do for a Chibi Gackt
do you know anyone who got to see Kanon this weekend?
Kanon Wakeshima or DJ Kanon at Tokyo Hardcore? If the latter, I saw her play this week at Alamode, and several of my friends went to the hardcore event.
If Kanon Wakeshima, I saw her this weekend and interviewed her.
You guys look real gothically cool. You all nailed it. This is not without irony, obviously.
You guys look real gothically cool. You all nailed it. This is not without irony, obviously.
now that is surprising! and what I wouldn't do for a Chibi Gackt
do you know anyone who got to see Kanon this weekend?
Kanon Wakeshima or DJ Kanon at Tokyo Hardcore? If the latter, I saw her play this week at Alamode, and several of my friends went to the hardcore event.
Haha sounds like a mad time! Hope the parasites didn't travel home with you. ;)
I'd love to see Gackt live. I'm not a pop guy…but its Gackt!
I’d love to see Gackt live. I’m not a pop guy…but its Gackt!
I’m going to post a video review – with concert footage – tomorrow! Check back!
I'm going to post a video review – with concert footage – tomorrow! Check back!
If Kanon Wakeshima, I saw her this weekend and interviewed her.
those hats are pretty hot
those hats are pretty hot
Love the military styling :) Count De Sang is HAWT! And Yukiro as a hippy? Well, I never.
Love the military styling :) Count De Sang is HAWT! And Yukiro as a hippy? Well, I never.
can u sell me the cat paw please?
can u sell me the cat paw please?