Blog - Weekly revue: 2018 week #37 (September 8 to 14)

Weekly revue: 2018 week #37 (September 8 to 14)

Outing: Spent a day in Yokohama to catch the movie "Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama" at Cinema Novecento, an Indo-Japanese anime film from 1992. Also went for a walk in Chinatown, ate gyōza at Santon, bought moon cakes at Kaseiro, and visited Crazy Ken Band shop Suzie Wong ran by Yokoyama Ken's parents! They always treat customers with Ken's favorite candies (Lioness Coffee & strawberry milk). :)

Food: - Curry at Anjali, Shimokitazawa
- Lunch set at Daylight Kitchen, Shibuya. Daylight Kitchen will close at the end of September.
- Lamb burger at Megan, Shibuya
- Muscat of Alexandria and coconut ice cream at Sincerita, Asagaya

Music events: - On Sunday September 9 was a show of Juicy Fruits and SOLEIL at Rock Joint GB in Kichijōji! Juicy Fruits is a band that was formed in 1980 and is most famous for its debut single "Jenny wa gokigen naname" (later covered by Hi-Posi, Perfume, etc.), since a few years they've been very active performing live, and they released new album "Bittersweet" this year. In this show organized by them, they invited SOLEIL to share the stage. Juicy Fruits' singer and lead guitarist Iria wrote lyrics of two SOLEIL songs, "The Fruits Who Dream" from 2nd album "My Name is SOLEIL" and "Late Summer Silhouette" on new album "SOLEIL is Alright".

SOLEIL was first on stage, this time accompanied by drummer Sasai Kyōsuke and chorist Shirai Mariko. They played a selection of songs from the first album plus two from the new one (incl. the Takanami K-taro/Iria song "Late Summer Silhouette", and the Sally Kubota-written "My Sweet Fifteen"). The new songs are great, and I can't wait to hear them! For "Late Summer Silhouette", Juicy Fruits' Iria joined and sang in duet with Soleil.

Then Juicy Fruits performed a rocking set of songs. Like last time I saw them, I was amazed that singer Iria plays all (or almost) guitar solos on her own despite the presence of two other guitarists! Yet the band's three guitars have an essential role in making great harmonies. Another particularity is that all five members sing, also creating delightful harmonies (think Beach Boys). They played many songs including "Jenny wa gokigen naname". For the encore they invited SOLEIL members on stage and sang a cover of The Peanuts' "furimukanai de".

SOLEIL set list: Do You Believe in Magic? / Guitar in Love / Pieces of Candy / Late Summer Silhouette / The Fruits Who Dream feat. Iria (Juicy Fruits) / My Sweet Fifteen / Marine I Love You / Are You Happy?

- I went to an in-store talk & mini-live event by Vanilla Beans at Shibuya Marui (8F). It was my first time to see them since they announced that they will be splitting up in October. They are releasing a last single "going my way" this month, and it happened that despite there was still a whole week before the release the CD was already pressed so they began selling it in advance at this event! Of course I got a copy, and by doing so I had the chance to shake hands with the two after the show!

Having been a fan of Vanilla Beans since their debut (the release of single "U ♥ Me" in 2007), the news of their split-up was quite big for me. I'm thankful for all the great songs, their great visuals, performances and personalities, but also that they're the first artists in the "idol" category that I ever really liked. For me Vanilla Beans was the first winning combination of idols and great music, and thanks to them I also started looking for and enjoying more great music in the idol scene. Actually I feel that they opened the door to more variety and coolness in that scene. Anyway Vanilla Beans remain my personal idol starting point and will always keep a special spot in my musical history. I'll definitely be catching them several more times until their official last day on October 7.

Set list: tokeijikake no Wonderland / koi no Theory / Tic Tac / Summer Vacation

- I went to Wakita Monari's release party for new album "Ahead!" at Shibuya WWW X. She sang most of the new album (including my favorite right now: "CUTi-BiL"), and also several favorites ("Est! Est!! Est!!!", "Irony", "In The City" and "Boyfriend"). For the whole show she was accompanied by her great band, and for most songs Smooth Ace also sang chorus! Great show!

A new single titled "yasashii uso" (a song she had been performing live for a little while) was announced to be released on November 28. Also a new remix by Arai Toshiya of "Callin' You", titled "Callin' House", will be released for download on October 17. Can't wait!

Set list: Dear / yasashii uso / ai no Decadence / Est! Est!! Est!!! / Peppermint Rainbow / yūsei kara no I Love You / Gozigen Lover-Joi / CUTi-BiL / yoake no VIEW / hashiru boku / ao no yume / Take It Lucky!!!! / Irony / Callin' You
Encore #1: In The City / Wingscape
Encore #2: Boyfriend