Image from Utada.com
Now February 12 was quite an important day. Why? It marked the first time Utada Hikaru performed live in London. When tickets went on sale back in November, they were sold out within the first 5 hours. An extra show date was even added. Was it worth it? Oh yes.
First notes, Utada has a great sense of humour. She regularly interacted with the audience, making jokes and responding to the many questions shouted out from the crowd. She even shared some personal thoughts regarding the weather and her short time in London – at one point saying she’d like to live here (as you can imagine, that caused for some loud whooping!).
The music too was very, VERY good. The live band were excellent, adding some extra flair to her songs, and her voice was amazing too. I wasn’t sure about some of the newer songs on her newest album, but the live versions were much, much better. So much so, that I went out and bought the album afterwards x3
Music wise, there was a selection from across her career. Newer stuff like ‘Apple and Cinnamon’ and ‘Come Back to Me’ was intermingled with older favourites like ‘Automatic’, ‘Simple and Clean’ (“Sugoi~”) and an awesome Japanese/English mix of “Passion” and “Sanctuary”. There was even an incredibly awesome rock song that I didn’t know the name of – I was later told that it was a cover of Placebo’s “The Bitter End”. Holy crap!
At the end, Utada threw out some balls which she’d signed, as well as drawing her Kuma mascot on them. I would of liked to get one, but the crowd managed to be too tall. It’s hard being at the middle-back T____T
The crowd… hmm, kind of lifeless for most of it. I was stuck behind two rather large people who didn’t really move. Not once. Madame Tussaud’s renting crowds out now? There was the occasional fist pumping, and the crowd towards the front seemed to be going crazy. But towards the back, it was really hard to get energetic with so much lifelessness going around. *shudder*.
Overall though, a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY good gig, and a fantastic first appearance in the UK. I would of liked to get photos, but the people at the O2 Academy were pretty strict – every camera was confiscated I believe. Still, a live DVD is supposedly coming of the event, which should be pretty awesome. I hope she comes back some time!
EDIT: Found a tracklist for the concert – might have to make this into a playlist, much like I did with abingdon boys school.
1 Crossover Interlude
2 On and On
3 Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence – FYI
4 Poppin’
5 This One (Cryin’ Like a Child)
6 Passion/Sanctuary
7 Sakura Drops (keyboard)
8 Stay Gold (keyboard)
9 Devil Inside + Kremlin Dusk
10 You Make Me Want To Be A Man
11 The Bitter End (Placebo Cover)
12 Apple and Cinnamon
13 Come Back to Me
14 First Love
15 Can You Keep A Secret
16 Automatic
17 Dirty Desire-ENCORE-
1 Simple and Clean
2 Me Muero
Popularity: 4% [?]
