Original post updated with pictures! I stole a couple of them off Facebook. If any of you are uncomfortable about having your picture used, let me know and I'll remove it!

Great pics! Once again, glad you had a great time! I'm insanely jealous, and that guitar is amazing.

That is all.

So, almost a week ago I saw the pillows. Live. For the first time. In Japan. With fellow busters. Even if I am writing this down, right now, it sounds like a dream I have dream t.

The day of the concert was October 4, 2014. It was on a Saturday. For one, it felt like just another morning, but at the same time I also realized this would be the grand day. If only nothing would go wrong. So, I got out of bed, dressed myself up and Brye and me would be meeting with Philip (Bebop) to go to Tokyo Dome City. There we would meet up with Tomoyuki (the buster who had bought the ticket for Philip). We waited outside the station for quite some time, but that was alright. The weather was nice, we listened to some pillows I was playing on my phone and we saw people with pillows shirts walking by. Then Tomoyuki finally came and we could get on the move. Then we waited for a little while for Cody and Dany (Mafu) to meet up with us. We met up and the six of us went to the venue.
[img]http://s21.postimg.org/v0ardoayv/SS852330.jpg[/img]

We hadn’t eaten yet, so first we had our lunch, while Danny and Cody went ahead. After lunch we went to the merchandise sale. Seeing that line with all those people wearing all kind of different pillows shirts, bags and more, was quite a surreal sight. After standing in line for at least 2 hours, (which was still a fun thing though), we were about to get into the building for the merchandise, when one of the crew members said that the sales would stop now. That was quite a bummer. However, we had not much time for mourning, because the lines for the show were already being formed. Brye and I had number 366 and 367.
[img]http://s21.postimg.org/j8mw2vgcn/SS852348.jpg[/img]


Then a man called the numbers through a megaphone in Japanese. Two busters eventually helped us out on when we could proceed into the building. Then we went into the building. And before I know it I was in the ‘arena’. We managed to get a place quite up front. I didn’t leave my bag pack in a locker, because we were hurrying to get a good spot in front of the pillows. Later on, I regretted not putting my bag in a locker, because I put it on the floor and it was quite troublesome to have it there, because it restricted my movement a bit during the show.
Anyway, I couldn’t believe that I was so near the stage. Even a seating place would have been nice, because it really is a small venue, but I was glad that I was so close to the stage. The decor was minimal, but solid, it was an abstract depiction of a tree. It was in white, and it reminded me of the tree on the album cover of PML and also of the Scarecrow PV.
[img]http://s21.postimg.org/5szvdf7uv/SS852359.jpg[/img]

The music they played prior for the show was of the Stone Roses. It was okay, but I couldn’t wait the moment Kelly’s Duck would start playing. Unfortunately they didn’t play Kelly’s Duck this time. What was very nice however, is that, prior to the actual show, they had two screens up at both sides of the concert hall, where they showed pictures of baby Sawao till current Sawao, and the same with Manabe and Sato. I started feeling emotional by then, I felt a lump in my throat. Didn’t expect that one coming.
When the pillows finally showed up, I think about ten minutes past six, the crowd went crazy. They started off with Scarecrow, which was spot on. I couldn’t believe I was seeing them live, I wasn’t crying, but I sure had a huge lump in my throat lol. After Scarecrow they played Midnight Down, at first I didn’t recognize it, but later on I did. The song followed very nicely on Scarecrow. After that they played I think I can, a great song, though not as good as the previous two. It was great singing along with the ‘I think I cans’. Then they had an MC, which was okay lol. After that they played Happy Bivouac, I didn’t see that one coming. It was nice to have an oddball like that in the list. Never had much with the song, but it was definitely nice to hear it. Oh yeah, so far, Sawao sounded really great live.
Next up was ‘Another Morning’, before the show I was hoping they would play this one, now they did and I was very happy. Then they played Babylon tenshi no uta, I know you, Sariban ni naritai, RUSH and Hibi no uta. They were all okay songs, nothing mind-blowing really. I liked I want to be Sallivan quite a bit. There was a MC again, if I recall correctly, Sawao was announcing a song, it was in Japanese and I had no clue which song it was. It turned out to be ‘Let’s see if that’s true or not’. This song really made my day. Woah, just woah. In the middle of the song I was really almost crying. For a moment I ‘hid’ behind someone’s back just for not seeing Sawao sing. If I had looked at him during the whole song, I would definitely have cried. Jezus Christ, that was an intense experience. After this song they played About a rock'n'roll band, Terminal's heaven rock and Boku wa kakera. At ‘about a rock’n’roll band, I got myself together again. I like this song, just a straight on, honest rock song. Terminal’s heaven rock was just okay. Boku wa kakera was nice. Then there was another MC and next up were Funny bunny, GOOD DREAMS and Quarter bakugeki no tomo. Funny Bunny was just okay, it was nice that the crowd sang along with the chorus, surprisingly Good Dreams didn’t do that much for me as I may have expected. Quarter bakugeki no tomo was just okay, they could have done with another song imo (Swanky Street, Sono Mirai wa Ima, One Life), but okay. I think it was around this point of time I was thinking like, okay, you’ve got some nice songs playing there, but when does shit becomes real. It was like they were just playing mostly medium-tempo, regular songs. Another thing that bothered me was my bag lol. As soon as the public started being rowdy again, I had to focus a part of my attention to my bag and I could not really jump up and down. Anyway, the next couple of songs were all great songs: Strange Chameleon, TRIP DANCER, Please Mr.Lostman, Kono yo no hate made, Hybrid Rainbow and No substance. Strange Chameleon didn’t really pulled at my strings, actually it didn’t do that much at all to me, to be honest. Trip Dancer was really nice as I know all the lyrics to it. Please Mr. Lostman was solid as was Kono yo no hate made and Hybrid Rainbow. No Substance had the crowd going crazy again and was a really nice up tempo song.

Then they already left the stage… and I was like…wait, what. Now, this soon already? I thought they were just in the middle of their show. It really felt so short. They still played Happy Birthday, Little Busters, Ready Steady Go and Advice, but before I knew it the show was over. And yeah, no kidding but Advice was great live. So overall, Sawao’s vocals were great. The one worry I had prior to the show was that Sawao would not sound that great, but he did, and that was awesome. I did not have much worries about the setlist, but while I was there at the show and looking back at it, I wished they had it spiced up a just a little bit. I really wished they had played Sono Mirai wa Ima, because it is one of my favorite song, they played Good Dreams which was still nice though. If I had a say in the setlist I would also have included Swanky Street and at least one 2nd movement song. Nevertheless, I am so grateful that they played ‘Let’s see if that’s true or not’. Also Scarecrow. These two songs made the show for me and were the songs that stood out for me. No Substance is also an honorary mention.

Hanging out with fellow busters and the pillows after party was really hella fun also. That and listening to the bootleg around 6 in the morning in addition to the show made for an awesome day.

Sawao has been a better singer every goddamn time I've seen them, I'm not surprised to hear he was sounding really good.

And the shows in Japan always ended up feeling shorter than the ones in the States, despite longer setlists, for me. Must be just how perfect it all was, you get that whole feeling of soaking in each individual moment, but then suddenly it's over. Great write-up!

Thanks for the report, Ashinow! I'm glad that you were able to snap a picture of the stage. I wanted to, but was paranoid because I was standing right in front of a bunch of staff people and cameras.
Bummer about having to mind your bag. A coin locker is usually a good idea. I shared one with Minami. He's a chill dude.

It was really cool how the crowd sang the first chorus of Funny Bunny. And yeah, it did seem like a pretty short concert, but it's the same with every concert I have attended and really enjoyed.
I was hoping that they would play one of their epic ballads like Fool on the Planet, Bokura no Haree suisei or even Moondust, but I was pleased with the setlist enough.

Some random details that I haven't posted about...

When we got in to buy stuff from the concession stands, we could hear the sound check a bit. They were performing the instrumental introduction that they often play before Please Mr. Lostman (see the 15th anniversary live). They played it during the concert as the intro before Lostman.
Takatano Yumechan was with the rest of the contest winners backstage and entertained us while we waited to meet the pillows. She poked the busterkun on my bag and showed me that her star wand thing had busterkun stitched on to it as well as "the pillows". She gave each member of the pillows gift bags and the wands, and they gave her the bluray set.
We had a small exchange with Kashima as he walked past us in the corridors (I think he was leaving). Melonote and I bowed and Kashima bowed too in return. When I checked Facebook the next day, I saw that he had "liked" some of the pictures I took from the concert. I think he realized that the crazy foreigners who recognized him were his buddies from Facebook.
From where I was standing as we waited to meet the pillows, I could see Jun sitting in a chair and chilling out in the room where all the cool guests were. I wish we could have met him. He came out and gave everyone a wave. He seems like a cool dude.

I know I was supposed to post an epic, epic write-up of events. But I just finished up my latest cover project and am tired out from that. Gonna nap now. Then... maybe. haha

Mafu, I didn't notice you guys interacting with Kashima! Mad jealous. I just nodded at him respectfully, as he was far off in the distance. Then again, I was super tired from the craziness of the show, and also missed Jiro from Glay walking right pass all of us.

[quote="Tidusauron12"]I know I was supposed to post an epic, epic write-up of events. But I just finished up my latest cover project and am tired out from that. Gonna nap now. Then... maybe. haha[/quote]

*pokepoke*

[quote="Mafu"]Takatano Yumechan was with the rest of the contest winners backstage and entertained us while we waited to meet the pillows. She poked the busterkun on my bag and showed me that her star wand thing had busterkun stitched on to it as well as "the pillows". She gave each member of the pillows gift bags and the wands, and they gave her the bluray set.[/quote]

So cute!!

[quote="Mafu"]We had a small exchange with Kashima as he walked past us in the corridors (I think he was leaving). Melonote and I bowed and Kashima bowed too in return. When I checked Facebook the next day, I saw that he had "liked" some of the pictures I took from the concert. I think he realized that the crazy foreigners who recognized him were his buddies from Facebook.
From where I was standing as we waited to meet the pillows, I could see Jun sitting in a chair and chilling out in the room where all the cool guests were. I wish we could have met him. He came out and gave everyone a wave. He seems like a cool dude.[/quote]

Amazing.

Oh. I totally forgot to do this. haha

AND THE VIDEO YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!!!!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0txakdLghhw

I already said it on facebook, but really SO great. And I just noticed that you made it 9:16 in length. NICE!

Thanks, I really appreciate it! Yeah at first it was something like 10 min but I knew I had to make it 9:16

Haha you got ready steady go in there.

This video makes me supremely jealous (again) and happy and teary at the same time.

Love the dancing in the rain and the goofy karaoke dancing. Looks like you guys had a blast.

Oooh, nice video Brye. Yes, I also like the Ame ni Utaeba part very much, with the dancing in the rain. Also the part of 'Where are we Philip?'..haha. And I did not know I pulled off that James Brown yell so well, haha. I always find it hard to pick some karaoke songs, but now I know 'I got you' is a pretty fun karaoke song to do.

Hell yeah dude, that was the best song out of the three times we went to Karaoke. You owned that song