TWISTED LOVE: Concert Reports
yuyushii's Report
Well, I'm back from Berlin. And Dir en Grey rocked the Halle to the next universe!!!!!!!!! I'm a bit jet lagged at the moment, but it's only just hit me that I saw Dir en Grey live yesterday, so I'm completely hyper and can't sleep at all. So, here's my accounting of what happened. It may need to be updated again tomorrow, as I'll have forgotten some thing in my sleep deprived state.
First things first. We set off to Berlin on Friday. Our plane was delayed so I only just made it to NeoTokyo in time. I was picking up my ticket and as soon as I left the guy locked the door. That's how close I was. I could've picked them up on Saturday, but I didn't know if there would be a queue and I didn't particularly want to be queuing all day.
After that, I met up with Jun for the first time. As I'm only 15, I wasn't exactly allowed to go into the concert by myself, so Jun and I had previously arranged for me to tag along with her. She's awesome, by the way. One of the nicest people I've met in a long time! And her English is much better than she thinks it is.
Saturday. Concert day. We were woken up one hour earlier than we had asked for the alarm call. Don't know why, but we got the call at 6 instead of 7. We hung around the hotel for a bit, whilst Jun and I texted each other arranging what time we would meet etc etc. My Dad decided to take me on a tour bus around Berlin. We only got through 4 of the god-knows-how-many stops before I had to go and meet Jun in the queue. Well, I say queue, I mean a bunch of people sitting in front of Columbia Halle. I had my flag in my hand, to show Dir en Grey that they had English fans at the concert.
I arrived at the Halle at about 3 o'clock. Entrance was at 7, so we had 4 hours to kill. Now, let me say that 4 hours in 36 degrees C weather surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of people in quite warm, black clothes is not exactly the coolest thing in the world. We. Were. BOILING. I went through my large (very large) water bottle and some squishy juice packets. I also got sunburn. It itches. I would've put sun cream on, but I hadn't thought to take any as the average maximum temperature for this time of year in Berlin is 18 Degrees C. Not really sun cream weather.
Anyway we all ended up squished like sardines in a can. Some guys were on the roof taking pictures of us. I can only assume they were for Dir en Grey's magazine, or to show the guys just how many of us were queuing already 9this was still quite early on). We got to hear the guys sound checking as well. We got hear Shinya' drums more than anything, and Kyo's screaming from time to time, but it certainly built up the excitement in the crowd.
A few minutes before the doors were due to open, everybody was chanting "Dir en grey! Dir en Grey!" or "Open! Open!" in many different languages" not at the same time though). As soon as the doors did open everybody rushed forwards. The guy checked our tickets and then we ran forwards into the Halle. Me, Jun and Jun's friends ended up quite near the front. Only 2 or 3 people between us and the divider/fence/thingies. We were told to sit down whilst we waited. I assume this was to make sure everybody had enough space when they stood up (not that it made a difference, because as soon as we stood up, everybody moved forwards and we all felt like sardines again!) Unfortunately I was not in the best place. There was a slightly raised section in front of the barriers, and I was half on/half off it, so whenever anyone pushed I almost fell over. I felt very faint for this part up. I really didn't like it. I told Jun that I was going to have to move to the back of the Halle because I didn't feel very well. She persuaded me not to, and I'm quite glad I didn't.
Well, the concert started after much more chanting ("Dir en grey! Dir en Grey") and the guys walked on stage. I have never heard a group scream so loud. Hell, I have never screamed that loud before, but I seemed to manage it, although my throat is paying for it now! I was slightly towards the side. Kaoru's side, actually. He was right in front of! I could also see Toshiya quite clearly (who looked slightly like Lestat on crack...odd...) and I could see Kyo most times, or all the time if I tilted my head. It was quite hard to see Shinya, his drum kit was in the way. All I could see was his arms. He has VERY powerful looking arms, but I'm sure that was obvious! Die was at the other side of the stage, so most of the time all I could see was a mop of red hair flying about like a hyped up --something already thought of as quite hyper--!! It made one hell of a good show though.
Kaoru really played up to the audience. Whenever someone shouted his name, he'd through his arms up, accepting the admiration and motion for more, getting the whole crowd screaming for him. particularly this one girl behind me. She would not shut up. Every time they stopped playing all I could hear was "KAORU! KAORU! KAORUUUUU!" over and over again. It got quite annoying. He didn't seem to mind though. However, I retaliated and screamed "SHINYA!!!" as loud as I possibly could. A few other people joined in and I was quite pleased at that. Shinya didn't seem to hear us though, or he was just too tired and hot. Not that I blame him. 3500 people jumping around like maniacs + band being maniacs + technicians + the Halle staff + big arse spotlights + 36 Degree weather = HOT!!! So many people fainted during that concert. There was a crowd of ambulances outside afterwards, and loads of people had to be lifted out because they didn't feel well. I can't say I was that upset when the tall girl in front of my had to leave. As long as she was ok. I got a much better view of Kyo and Die, without having to have my head at an angle.
By this time I was enjoying myself much more. All the crazy people had pushed in front, and I had moved backwards (only slightly. Just 1 or 2 more People in front), but I had much more breathing room and people weren't shoving me from side to side and I had both feet on the same level! It was much better. I actually had a better view as well! Most of it is just a mosh blur. I remember Kyo's solo was awesome!! As too was his "dancing". Naturally, he had blood running all down his chin at one point, and he decided to take his shirt off in the first part of the concert. The crowd did scream. Loud. Both me and Jun were happy to see Kyo smile at times in the concert. Kaoru too! Again, I couldn't exactly see Die or Toshiya for all their hair, and Shinya's cymbals were slightly obscuring him. To be expected though. We were also happy that they didn't just play songs from Withering to Death. it was an awesome experience to hear some of our older favourites live. They played 'Child prey' and the whole audience was singing along with Die, Koru and Toshiya doing the backing vocals. Is backing vocals the correct term? Oh well, anyone who has ever heard 'Child prey' knows what I'm talking about! I believe they also played Mr. Newsman and Amber. I'd have to ask Jun for confirmation on that though.
Towards the end of the concert there was the ritual of throwing stuff into the audience. At one point, Kaoru flicked his cigarette into the audience. Shinya of course threw his drumsticks, Toshiya, Die and Kaoru threw their picks/plaques/I'm too tired to remember what they actually are/the little strummy things and I believe it was Die who threw his water bottle. Kyo was the last one to leave and he soaked himself with his water bottle, after drinking some and spitting it at the crowd. There was also a big bucket of water, so he picked that up and flung it over himself, which received a huge scream from the audience. The off went a drenched Kyo. Of course scream followed for more. It continued for a while, but eventually they did come back on stage, welcomed by 3500 fans screaming their heads off, and they performed once more for us. After this, they threw even more of their stuff into the audience. Shinya was armed with a whole pile of drumsticks. He threw some to the balcony, which I thought was nice of him (again, powerful arms!!!). One of the drumsticks ended up quite near behind me (not near enough for me to grab it though T_T) and I could see two girls squabbling like rabid dogs over who got to keep it. One of the girls was an obnoxious person who's elbowed me to get nearer to the front, so I was quite glad when she didn't end up with the drumstick, even if it is mean of me to think so.
I summary DIR EN GREY ROCKED THE SOCKS RIGHT OFF BERLIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But I'm sure you already knew that!
(Especially since I said something similar at the very start XD)
And I seriously hope my parents will let me go to the concert in France! Even if it is mainly balcony seats available to me now, I might have a better shot at catching one of Shinya's drumsticks!!!
I would also love it if I could get them to sign my Union Jack. Now that would rock!
P.S. I forgot to mention earlier that it was so hot, the Halle staff had to come around pouring water into our mouths and throwing bottles of water around for the whole crowd to share. We all just drank it and poured it on ourselves! Anything to cool down! We all came out drenched. And by this time it was quite cool outside, so I started to get very cold. I knew something like that would happen. From one extreme to the other, eh? It was also so warm that I had to take my trousers off (I was wearing a skirt as well, so it's ok!)
I apologise for my bad spelling/grammar/lack of knowledge/etc Again, I'm very tired. Ifll have forgotten something, so expect updates tomorrow! And hugs to Jun! Thank you so much for letting me leech onto you!!
Thank you Yuyushii!