X JAPAN - BW&BK Report From New Year's Eve Show In Tokyo Available
January 4, 2009, 15 years ago
BW&BK;'s Japanese source has checked in with a brief report on the reactivated X JAPAN's New Year's Eve show in Tokyo, which was dubbed the Japan Countdown Gig - Back To Basics and took place in an intimate club setting in front of 1,500 fans at the Akasaka Blitz. The band traditionally played Tokyo Dome on New Year's Eve prior to their 1997 break-up. The show was broadcast live in 13 TOHO Cinema theaters across Japan as well as televised via Fuji Television 721 and Fuji Television CSHD.
According to BW&BK;'s source, "the band started off the show with a short piano version of 'Blue Blood' before going into original version. 'Orgasm', which they usually play in latter half of the set was played as the third song, and that was a quite a thing because the Tokyo Dome show sets started off with slower tunes like 'Rusty Nail' and 'Week End'."
"X always try to play trick on their fans and this time was no exception. The show did start as scheduled at 10:30pm but the guys were not at Akasak Blitz. They were at the TOHO Cinema theater in Roppongi (which is about 10 minutes drive from Akasaka). Yoshiki (drums) and Toshi (vocals) played 'Endless Rain' in front of stunned fans who believed they were unlucky ones who couldn't get tickets for the Blitz show. This was shown live on Blitz's stage screen and TOHO Cinemas across Japan. Though not televised, Pata (guitars) and Heath (bass) showed up at other theaters in Roppongi."In addition, LUNA SEA guitarist Sugizo performed with the band as a supporting musician, stepping in for late guitarist Hide, who passed away in May 1998.
Finally, it was revealed that X Japan are planning a four night stand at Tokyo Dome, two shows elsewhere in Japan, and shows in New York, Finland, Germany, Los Angeles and Beijing. Their tour schedule is currently as follows:
January
17 - Asia World Expo - Hong KongFebruary
14 - Taipei World Trade Center - Taipei, TaiwanMarch
21 - Gymnastics Stadium (Olympic Park) - Seoul, Korea22 - Gymnastics Stadium (Olympic Park) - Seoul, Korea
(Thanks Takashi)
