My concert report:
Two days after the concert and I still ache all over...but it was worth it!
We got into Slim's at about 8:20 pm (had been in line since 1:20 pm), we were near the middle number-wise and slightly off to the left side in the pit. We had an excellent view of the stage. I think I was in shock during all of the pre-show. Then, at roughly 9, Blacklist Club took the stage. Oh, sweet pressure but I was NOT about to pass out during just the opening act. Anyway, Blacklist Club was okay, they were not brilliant, by any means, but they weren't horrible. Their vocalist was super annoying though, he kept threatening the audience into screaming etc. instead of earning it from his performance. That irked me. And he kept calling Hyde "a band." What the f**k? Hyde is a solo artist not a band, dumbs**t. You're touring with him how could you not know that?! Oh, well.
Around 9:30 Blacklist Club left the stage and instantly crew struck the set and got it ready for Hyde.
We waited and waited for what seemed like hours. And I also had a slight problem, I needed to go to the bathroom but I was NOT about to give up my hard earned spot for a potty break. I decided to hold it and pray for mercy.
And then...Hyde's band started filing on stage. The crowd surged forward and we all screamed like there was no tomorrow for any of us. Suddenly, a small-purple-and-black-clad-half-masked-by-way-of-bandana-ball-of-engery-with-a-guitar-and-fantastic-hair exploded onto the stage. It was HYDE!!! He and the band instantly struck up a heavy, heavy, like Deg heavy, riff and Hyde kept leaning over the audience. The riff morphed into "Made in Heaven" as he reached the mic and ripped down his bandana to sing. That's when I just lost it and stopped thinking, I moved with the crowd and sang with Hyde without thinking about any of it. His voice was in perfect form and I do mean PERFECT. His energy level was through the roof and therefore so was ours. He was also so gorgeous, I'm sorry people, but he really IS that attractive WITHOUT photoshop. Deal with it. His hair is getting long again (think "666" tour) and he was wearing, of course, eyeliner. His outfit (I could only really see the top half of it most of the time) was black and purple and was a death inducing mix of cloth and leather (according to my mom, his pants had skulls on them). He also had the "Dune" eye-thing going on during this song (and a few others) but it actually worked and didn't seem fake.
Side note: the second Hyde came on stage I forgot completely that I needed to pee like nobody's business. I didn't feel it at all actually until after the show.
I think "It's Sad" was next, which is an awesome song to rock out to. Hyde messed up the lyrics on one of the last choruses but it almost wouldn't be a Hyde performance if he didn't have trouble with the lyrics somehow. And I don't mean that as a bash, I think it's completely adorable and makes him human.
Then came "Jesus Christ." This song hit me really hard Live. When he said, "I'd do anything to save this life" I realized, with an odd pain in my chest, that Hyde is going to die before me, I'll out live him in all likelihood. And so when I sang along on the line, "Take me instead" I really meant it.
The disturbing realization of Hyde's mortality aside, his performance on this song was all-consuming, gut-wrenching and heartbreaking.
And then the MC, it was a good length and his English was amazing. "Why do I see my name everywhere here??" *audience cheers* "Are you welcoming me?" *audience goes insane*
Okay, after that I don't remember most of the song order too well but I think I've got it all figured out now. And I'm only going to write about the songs to which I have something intelligent to say. 1. to minimize fangirling and 2. you don't need to hear me say, "it was awesome" a thousand times because I can't think of anything else.
During the MC before "I Can Feel" there was a moment were the audience was calmer and Hyde was quiet and I realized there was something I HAD TO DO. "Ai shiteru!!!" I yelled it and Hyde heard me, he heard MY voice. It was adorable and sad at once because he was like, "Woah!! Who said that???" but it was almost as if he didn't believe he deserved to have that said to him, like it completely shocked him that someone would say that. With that same look on his face he scanned my side of the audience looking for the crazy person who could possibly love him. I know he saw me (I had worked my way towards the front by this point), now if he knew I'd said it or not I'll never know but I know he both heard and saw me. After a moment he continued with his MC saying the next song was about when "love connects to the universe."
"Faith"--This song made a real emotional impact on me Live. "To you I entrust my will" when I heard that I thought, "Christ gave his will to Hyde, Hyde gave his will to us, and now we're giving our will to him in return." It was somehow bitter-sweet.
"Hello"--I was so happy he played this song! It's one of my favorites. Also, he let the audience sing 60-70% of it which was so awesome (glad I listen to it obsessively or I might have tripped up on some of the harder Japanese). He ran around the stage a lot, since he was letting us sing the song.
"Masquerade"--Being my favorite song off "666" I naturally went insane during this one. I sung the second verse very loudly because it shows some of my exact issues with Christianity. Hyde's English was much cleaner Live then on the recording of this song too.
"Unexpected"--In the MC before the song he said, "Let's make love" the effect that statement had on the crowd was unbelievable. Hyde has always compared Lives to sex. But when he said that it was a serious moment for me unlike everyone else, who were fangirling shamelessly (it was kinda cute). The reason I was so serious about it was because I realized a good Live IS like making love. With all the sweat and heat, the passion, and both partners (in the case of a Live, the singer/band and audience) crying and reaching out for each other desperately. A great Live should be like a 2 hour orgasm and this one was.
Hyde also asked that we sing with him and I got pissed because as soon as he asked them to sing pretty much everyone stopped. >.<
Anyway, that was the last song before the encore.
The encore began with "Mission" I know that for a fact. The chorus was amazing 1. because Hyde's voice was divine and 2. the audience sang along (oh, sure, yeah, sing "Mission" but not "Unexpected" the f**king easiest song in the world to memorize the lyrics to -_- Oi).
"Countdown"--Hyde had us countdown from 13 before the song, which was fun...well, 'cept for the fact that I forgot how to count in English. *cough* Anywho, the song ROCKED! It's much heavier Live then on recording. I truly headbanged for the first time in my life to it actually.
"Midnight Celebration"--Ya know, Haido-san, it would have been nice if you'd said that was going to be the last song. Oh, well. They rocked so hard on this song and on the last chorus Hyde handed off his guitar and ran to the front of the stage singing his little heart out. And then, just as suddenly as he came, he was gone. The shock kicked back in. Oh. My. God. I just saw HYDE!!! And I'm never going to see him ever again...
That concert was the most emotional and orgasmicly spiritual experience I've ever had. I will remember that night 'til my dying day.
Haido wo hounto ni ai shiteru, zutto ai shiteru.
The whole set list (as best I can muster):
Made in Heaven
It's Sad
Jesus Christ
Season's Call
Dolly
Prayer
I Can Feel
Faith
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
Hello
Masquerade
Hideaway
Unexpected
Encore
Mission
Countdown
Midnight Celebration
I think that's right. Someone tell me if it isn't.