Category Archive for Visual Kei + Music
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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J-NEWS #3: HELLO KITTY IPHONE, MANA'S MOI DIX MOIS @ LA ANIME EXPO, NEW VISUAL KEI BANDS @ HEARJAPAN, PHOENIX WRIGHT MUSICAL.
Time for a long overdue round-up of Lolita/Visual Kei/J-pop news! If you want to receive J-news in real time, you’re welcome to follow me on Twitter. Whenever I receive press releases, store specials, invites etc, I immediately share the news on Twitter.
† Hello Kitty iPhone application launched! You can dress her in Gothic Lolita & Harajuku fashions, and there are more Sanrio wallpapers and skins on the way.
† Mana-sama is coming to Los Angeles! His Visual Kei project, Moi dix Mois, will perform at the July 2-5 Anime Expo at the LA Convention Center. Will any of you be there?
† Poketo, designer of cute limited-edition art products and accessories, is camping out at Royal/T Maid Cafe in LA from June 27 to July 18. You’re invited to the Pop-Up Shop opening and a Karaoke Dance Party on July 10.
† Japan’s three “cute ambassadors”, which you may remember from this post, are raising some eyebrows among Japanese Diet members. What do you think – could there be “unwarranted criticism against overseas tours by ‘pretty ambassadors’ wearing very short skirts”?
† Digital music label HearJapan now has over forty Visual Kei artists under its umbrella! These include Deathgaze, Dolly, Ghost, Otokage, Angelique, Hizaki’s solo project, Versailles…
† Japan & Anime event promoter Sakura Syndrome recently had two successful parties in Greece, and will be announcing more soon. Their featured band for June is DARKSIDE MIRRORS – check them out!
† Lady GaGa wears Sweet Lolita dresses while on tour in Japan. What do you think – does she pull it off? Video here.
Finally, here are some funny “only in Japan” tidbits that I found on the Net…
† How to hide from the Yakuza? By flipping your skirt over your head and laying your bag on the ground. The criminals will think you’re a vending machine and mistake your purse for a pothole!
† I wish I saw this in Tokyo… a takarazuka production of Phoenix Wright. Yes, the DS video game… with singing and dancing and an all-female cast! Check out the video; “character designs and characters and music and settings all faithfully reproduced… pretty spectacular” according to Ronan.
† Above: the Happy Phantom meets Lolita Princess Mihoko and Goth Princess Zoe. Featured films include: Satan’s Bed, Scare Their Pants Off, The Best of Burlesque! (all by ‘Something Weird Video’) and even The Beatles ‘HELP!’
† And finally, in La Carmina news… if it fancies you, my Theme Restaurants book can be pre-ordered online (it comes out in July). You’re welcome to browse my garage sale for neat clothes ($10-20). And I just got exciting news about a potential appearance… on a major TV show… with someone hardcore… cross your fingers for me!
Did I leave out any exciting J-news? Comment below or Twitter me – I promise to reply!
Song of the Day #137: Max Him – Japanese Girls
LA CARMINA
