 WagakkiBand by Tomina Staeger (A-To-J Connections, 2016) I feel the need to apologize for just how personalized this live report is going to be as I continue to write it. I am by no means a journalist or anything, really, just someone who was lucky enough to have a band I like actually come overseas to perform. Being roughly 155 centimeters tall (around 5’1”), I wasn’t really able to see much of the stage despite wearing platforms. I stood on the right side of the stage, by shamisen player Beni Ninagawa and the guitar player, Machiya, so forgive the apparent bias towards them this report is going to have. About the venue: the place (Club Bahia in Los Angeles) wasn’t packed, but it was nice and cozy. A normal club setting, snazzy lighting, food and drinks available for purchase. Next to this huge mural was the band’s sign on the wall:  Snazzy, right? Here’s the setlist.
The concert started right on the dot I think, or maybe a few minutes after the clock hit eight. The songs I was anticipating, personally? Hanafurumai (‘Flower Behaviour’) and STRONG FATE - the full PV of STRONG FATE was recently uploaded to YouTube and can be watched here. The former was left out of the setlist, but they opened with STRONG FATE. This happened conveniently after I turned to the friend I attended the concert with and said, “I really hope they play this song!” Funny, right? About the crowd: Definitely more than a hundred people, maybe less than two hundred? Lots of phones and cameras out recording video, so the headbanging was quite minimal, from where I was standing, at least. Back to the concert. They began the song with their backs turned, only turning around as soon as they hit the chorus and beginning a slow, synchronized sort of headbanging. It sounded identical to the studio version, not a single note missed, but vocalist Yuko Suzuhana’s voice had this raw sort of quality to it; combined with the impact written into the actual song, it was enough to send a shiver down one’s spine. Next was Tengaku (‘Music of the Heavens’), which I sensed as soon as I heard that funky bass riff in the beginning, played by Asa. Possibly WagakkiBand’s second most popular song, if you’re going by YouTube views. Originally a VOCALOID song, this version can be found on their first album, ‘VOCALO Zanmai.’ Now, guitarist Machiya’s a wild one on stage. By this I mean spinning, running around, and dancing in place. It was at that point that I noticed he was barefoot, which isn’t much of a surprise if you’ve seen their live videos. After running up to the crate for his guitar solo, he decided to spin back into place, nearly beheading an unsuspecting Beni in the process. The two were laughing about it after since all was well and the show went on.
Another fast-paced song followed, this time an original: Valkyrie. I don’t remember much, sadly. It was around that point where I decided to move forward a little for the sake of having a better view, and there was a big spot open next to me. ‘Why?’ I wondered. And I figured it out soon after moving: it was right next to the speakers. And I mean, one foot away from them. Every time Kurona hit one of his taiko drums, I could have sworn my bones were rattling. After Valkyrie came the first MC of the night. Yuko was the member who talked the most - come to think of it, koto player Kiyoshi Ibukuro didn’t really utter a word, nor did Machiya, Asa, Beni, or Daisuke (be it English or Japanese). In near-perfect English, Yuko went on to say it was her second time in LA with WagakkiBand, and definitely not the last, expressing genuine happiness for being overseas yet again. Moving on a bit came another one of my favourite songs: Hangeki no Yaiba (‘Counterstrike’s Sword’). I have a habit of silently (?) singing along assuming I at least know some of a song’s lyrics. I did this for most of the concert regardless, but Beni Ninagawa and I repeatedly made eye contact thanks to it. She was all smiles, maybe the happiest looking out of the entire band, hardly able to keep in one place. I would mouth the lyrics, headbang along, she’d smile, I’d smile too, and then her smile got wider. And it kept happening throughout the entire concert, so I guess we vibed!  WagakkiBand by Tomina Staeger (A-To-J Connections, 2016) Onto the next MC! Yuko spoke again, this time introducing the WagakkiBand members individually. She started off by explaining the meaning of the word ‘wagakki,’ which is quite literally the word for traditional instruments. Wait... Wagakki instruments + rock band = WagakkiBand?!?!?! Pretty straightforward, huh? She started off with the traditional instruments and introduced shakuhachi player Daisuke Kaminaga first, then Beni Ninagawa, Kiyoshi Ibukuro, and lastly Kurona on wadaiko. Moving onto the rock instruments, she introduced drummer Wasabi (whose back had the kanji for ‘angel’), Machiya, and then Asa. Each member played their own little riff of their choice. Yuko saved her own intro for last, specifying that her voice was also a traditional instrument, and that she is a shigin singer (she has been, for quite some time).  WagakkiBand by Tomina Staeger (A-To-J Connections, 2016) Cue the next song, which I also don’t know the title to. I’m sorry! Kiyoshi and Daisuke came forward to stand next to Yuko for her shigin demonstration, which I can only assume is a song by Hanafugetsu, a sub-unit of Wagakki Band featuring the three of them together in an acoustic setting. It was beautiful, of course. And next came a ballad, played by all eight of them. An original, Fuurin no Utautai (‘Wanting to Sing of Wind Chimes’). This was in stark contrast to the songs that came before, for the most part, as the rhythm section’s playing during this song was quite minimal. And then there was one. Seven members left the stage, and so Machiya decided to play a song on his guitar. Drawing a stool to the crate, he had a seat and fingered along for about a minute or two, a sad melody without any words. Another melody…? Not really. After numerous shifts of his capo on his guitar, he suddenly stood up and started slapping at the strings. Kurona came back onstage with a smaller taiko drum, stood up on the crate with Machiya as they messed around a bit. Machiya ran backstage while Wasabi came back for the next demo - and returned wearing that porcelain mask of his. He was back to dancing side-to-side, kicking his feet up in what I can only assume is his odd form of a polka. Asa came to join in on the instrumental fun, and then Beni came along too, playing Machiya’s song Homura (‘Flame’). I think that was when Asa decided to turn on the red LED lights on his red bass guitar.
The next song was a blur, and I have no excuse other than the fact that my memory is about as good as a goldfish. Another mini MC came, and then Yuko pulled out her wagasa, or traditional umbrella, for the song after. It started off with a cute, catchy little shamisen riff from Beni, who couldn’t keep still a moment longer. ‘Yoshiwara Lament,’ written by Asa. She took to the left side of the stage, sharing a microphone with Asa as he took over the backing vocals for that particular song (Machiya sang on almost all of the previous songs for the choruses, in perfect harmony with Yuko). She held over the umbrella over the both of them as they sang in unison; it was an adorable sight, really. The song ended with another solo by Beni, all spotlights on her.  WagakkiBand by Tomina Staeger (A-To-J Connections, 2016) They played Akatsuki no Ito (‘String of Daybreak’) next. Then came Yuko again - I think that was the song where she drew her sword. I’m starting to suspect it was a real, hefty sword, considering it didn’t exactly look and shine like a cheap plastic prop. And then there was the drum battle! Maybe my favorite part of the show, other than the, well, entire show. Kurona took out his zils (finger cymbals), and Wasabi and him played an imaginary game of catch with sound. They went back in forth taking turns hitting their own cymbals, watching it go up into the air, and then ‘catching’ the other’s sound with their own instruments. Hard to explain. They also played a rhythm game with the crowd where they’d repeat a saying to the crowd (‘Ta ta ta ta ta ta!’ and ‘U! S! A!’) and we’d all clap along and chant together. The back-and-forth sped up gradually until it became a full-blown drum war with Kurona dropping the cymbals and brandishing his bachi sticks. The lights went down and they both decided to turn on their light-up sticks. Kurona’s were a pink-red colour, and Wasabi’s were cotton candy blue, matching his hair. Kurona was the one who talked more, though the two of them both talked plenty, and some of his parting words were ‘Excellent!’ and ‘You’re fucking amazing!’  WagakkiBand by Tomina Staeger (A-To-J Connections, 2016) And then……… two more songs… that I didn’t know. The second one was one of the most intense songs there, complete with Machiya growling and spinning like a whirlwind. I think that was the song where it was easiest to hear his backing vocals, solely due to his voice just being deeper than Yuko’s. The entire band was headbanging to their heart’s content, right until the very end. Next song up: Ikusa (‘Battle’). Yuko’s introduction to the song was met with collective ‘boo’s from the crowd due to her calling out, ‘Last song!’ Machiya looked like he was crying when I saw him - maybe it was just sweat? And then the band left.
The crowd immediately began to chant. ‘Wa! Ga! Kki!’ ‘One! More! Song!’ Thanks to me being right next to the speakers, I was also near the staff members working the sound systems backstage. They jokingly began to chant along with the crowd until the members came back on stage for encore. Yuko began to talk about unity. She started clapping the same rhythm repeatedly until we all learned it (Sanbon-jime), and then explained that the Japanese do it to show unity. Kurona started the song off by playing the same rhythm on his taiko… Another song I didn’t know. Gosh, I’m terrible! It was at that point when I was wondering when they were going to play their most popular song since the concert was clearly drawing to a close: Senbonzakura (‘One Thousand Cherry Blossoms’). I think the entire crowd was anticipating it, or most of us were, because Yuko asked: ‘Do you know what’s next? I think you know what’s next!’ Cue collective screams of ‘yes!’ There were some people that were a tad confused, but Senbonzakura is arguably the song that brought WagakkiBand to fame; the YouTube PV has 43 million and a half views and counting. It was the first song I ever heard by them. Even through the ballads, the entire band was expressive and energetic, but it was during Senbonzakura that the eight of them decided to spend the last of their energy for the night. Asa, Machiya, Beni, and Daisuke all ran up to the crate together with Yuko, where their time was largely spent for the duration of the song.
About the outfits: they were wearing an entirely brand new set of yukata-based outfits. The color motif was blue black with flecks of white and gold. Yuko wore a high ponytail with her kimono, a blue and white fan to match and then red, white, and blue nail art. Yuko and Beni wore platforms and seemingly were taller than Machiya, who was barefoot and in a men’s yukata, like Asa. Daisuke swapped out his trusty geta for plain white flip flops, and Wasabi was, well, naked. As per usual. Wasabi’s metallic gold shoes were a blinding sight, almost as blinding as his abs. Kurona and Kiyoshi were both brandishing their bicep muscles.
Last kudos goes to the staff! I really don’t see this kind of thing written in live reports, but the staffing was superb. The sound team was particularly amazing with the mixing - I prefer the live versions of WagakkiBand’s songs to the studio versions, solely due to me being able to hear each individual instrument. At the concert, I was able to hear certain parts that I didn’t even know were written into the songs, and no one instrument powered over another. I purchased a T-shirt at the merch table - the women working there were very friendly and helpful, and as we exited we were asked to answer surveys regarding the concert (what songs we liked, how we found the band, songs we wish they played, et cetera). The guys handing out the WagakkiBand stickers were also nothing but friendly, even cracking a few jokes as they took pictures. Random highlights:
Shoutout to WagakkiBand, avex staff and Club Bahia for the amazing night! What did you think of the concert? Any observations you’d like to add? -Dia Photography by Tomina Staeger WagakkiBand Is: - Suzuhana Yuko (鈴華ゆう子) - Machiya (町屋) - Ninagawa Beni (蜷川べに) - Ibukuro Kiyoshi (いぶくろ聖志) - Asa (亜沙) - Kaminaga Daisuke (神永大輔) - Wasabi (山葵) - Kurona (黒流) For More Information: Official Site: wagakkiband.jp Official Facebook: facebook.com/WagakkiBand Official Twitter: @WagakkiBand Official Instagram: instagram.com/wagakkiband Official Fanclub: global-fc.net/wgb mu-mo Shop Listing: global-fc.net/wgb On iTunes (USA): itunes.apple.com/us/album/ba-zou-hui-juan/id1031872724 |
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