Plastic Tree’s Asia Tour in Taiwan 12/19/2009
It had been a year since they last visited Taiwan.
Upon their arrival at the airport, many fans were waiting to welcome them.
The venue for 12/19/2009 ‘The WALL’ is an unusual type of a place that you can’t find anything like it in Japan. It’s in the basement of a building filled with a variety of unique shops, CD shops, tattoo shops and a bar. This was the 4th time for Plastic Tree to hold a one-man live in Taiwan, but there was one thing that surprised everyone. The day of the live was rainy all over. The weather even surprised the leader Tadashi Hasegawa, who’s infamous for calling the rain (Ame-otoko in Japanese literally means ‘rain man’). In the midst of the rain, they were hoping that the audience would take it as if it was part of the special effects for the live.
When Plastic Tree’s live began, the energy level of the audience was already at their maximum. The shouting from the audience was so loud that it was hard to hear Akira play the guitar in the first song “Fujunbutsu (Impurities).” The shout sounded somewhat different from that of the Japanese audience that it was a moment to realize that they were actually in a different country.
By the 2nd song “Tetris,” there no longer seemed to be any national boundaries between the members and the audience. As Ryutaro started to speak to the audience, he greeted them, “Ni-hao!” The audience replied in a louder voice, “Ni-hao!!!” From there on, the live went on nonstop all the way to the last song “Melancholic.”
For the encore, the members wore a special T-shirt made exclusively for this Asia Tour and got back on stage. “Thank you for the encore! Shei-shei!,” they thanked the audience.
“Christmas tree and Plastic Tree…,” Ryutaro began to speak in his own way of expression. “…and now we’ll play a song that’s also related to ‘trees,’ “Rira no Ki (Lilac Tree),” he continued on with a laughter in the end. Their unimaginable power didn’t seem to drop down at all until they finished the encore with “GHOST.” As they came down from the stage, Ryutaro sent out his last message to the audience, “We’ll come to Taiwan again next year! Shei-shei!”
Plastic Tree’s Asia Tour in Shanghai 12/20/2009
For each individual member and Plastic Tree as a band, this was the first time to visit Shanghai. Although both are in Asia, Shanghai’s air felt completely different from that of Taiwan the day before. Also, it was surprisingly cold.
The highlight of the live venue ‘MAO’ was the entrance. It was shaped into a big letter ‘M.” The ceiling of the audience space was really high and a huge LED monitor was in the inner part of the stage. With so much difference in the stage environment compared to Taiwan, a bit of tension was around during the rehearsal. They carefully checked the sound one by one. Before the live, the members were interviewed by a local magazine. Around the same time, PV of “Sanatorium” was played on the LED screen for the audience while they were waiting. Among the shouts of the audience, many started to sing along in Japanese, which pleasantly surprised the members.
After hearing the cue “Prep complete,” they entered the stage as the SE played.
They went with the same set list as the day before, but they were welcomed by the audience just as much. Audience shouted out each member’s name so sharply that it was almost like a shriek. As if trying to even out the endless shouts, the first song “Fujunbutsu (Impurities)” started.
During the 3rd song “Paranoia,” away from the audience who were mimicking Ryutaro’s gestures with big smiles on their faces, there were some who were enjoying the music in their own ways in the free space zone. The live continued on with unique lightings that hyped up the mood. Ryutaro had some difficulties expressing himself because he now had to speak a different type of Chinese, but managed to speak to the audience with much effort. Having a live in a brand new environment is extremely stimulating and valuable that it helps the band move on the next step. After the live, the members mentioned, “Shanghai was stimulating and fun,” which was the very proof that the live was a success. It may not be too long until Ryutaro’s message “Next year again” will come true.
Plastic Tree — Official MySpace http://www.myspace.com/plastictreeweb
Plastic Tree — Official Website http://www.plastic-tree.com
English | 日本語
Plastic Tree アジアツアー in 台湾 2009.12.19
約一年ぶりに訪れた台湾。
降り立った台北空港にはたくさんのファンが出迎えてくれた。
12月19日「The WALL」は日本では類を見ない不思議な場所である。
音響系CDショップ、個性的な雑貨屋、TATTOOショップ、BARなどが集まる地下の一角にある。Plastic Treeとして、台湾での単独公演は今回で4回目となるが、驚くべきことが一つわかった。公演当日、すべての天候は「雨」・・・。
雨男、雨神様ともいわれ続けるPlastic Treeリーダー長谷川 正にその旨を伝えると、驚きを隠せない様子だった。連続の雨模様に見舞われながらも、それもPlastic Treeの“演出”の一つとして受け取っていただければ是、幸い。
そして、Plastic TreeのライブはSE前から観客のボルテージはマックス状態。
1曲目の「不純物」が始まればアキラのギターの音もかき消される程の歓声。日本で味わ
歓声とはまた一味違って、ここが異国だと思い知らされる瞬間でもあった。
2曲目「テトリス」からはもうメンバーと観客との間に完全なる国境という言葉は無くなっていた。そして、MCで竜太朗は覚えた台湾語で挨拶「ニーハオ！」。その言葉に答えるかのように観客席からは一層大きな声で「ニーハオ！！！」。ノンストップで進むライブは本編ラスト、「メランコリック」まで続いた。
そしてアンコールでは、今回のアジアツアーのために作られたTシャツを身にまとい、再び現れたメンバー。「アンコールありがとう！謝謝！」
「クリスマスツリーと、プラスティックトゥリー（ツリー）・・・」と少し苦しい感じにも似た表現で「ま、そんなツリーつながりで、送ります「リラの樹」（笑）」照れくさそうに曲紹介をする竜太朗。そこからラスト「GHOST」までの勢いは想像を絶するパワーに満ち溢れていた。ステージを去るメンバー、竜太朗からのメッセージ「来年、また台湾に来ます！謝謝！」
Plastic Tree アジアツアー in 上海 2009.12.20
メンバーにとって、Plastic Treeにとっても初めての上海。
同じアジアとは言っても、前日の台湾とは空気が全く違う。
そして、驚くほどに寒い。
会場であるライブハウス、上海「MAO」のエントランスは圧巻。名前にもなっているMAOの“M”の文字が大きく装飾されている。
客席の天井は高く、ステージの後ろにはLEDでの映像が流れる大きなモニター。
台湾とはまた違うステージ周りに、やや緊張感がかったリハーサル。一音一音を確かめるように音を合わせて行く。そして、開演前には地元誌による取材を受け、仕事をこなしていくメンバー。その頃、メンバーの登場を待つ各席では、LEDのスクリーンにPlastic Treeの「サナトリウム」のプロモーションビデオが流れた。歓声に包まれた観客の中から、日本語で歌を歌う声が聞こえてきた。それを聞いていたメンバーは一様に驚いていた姿が記憶に新しい。
そして、「準備完了」の声を聞き、SEが鳴る中、観客が待つステージへ。
前日と同じセットリストではあったが、ここでもまた歓声がすごい。悲鳴にも似た声で各々メンバーを叫ぶ。鳴りやまない声をかき消すかのように「不純物」がスタートした。
3曲目に披露された「パラノイア」では竜太朗の振りを真似し、とても嬉しそうな笑顔や、ステージ前の客席とは別に、フリースペース自ら設け自由に思うがまま音に酔っている姿が印象的であった。また、個性的な照明に煽られるかのように、ライブは激しく進んでいく。似ているようで、実は全く違う中国語に悪戦苦闘しながらも竜太朗はMCで観客に話しかける。
未知なる世界でのライブは非常に刺激的であり、次へのステップへと繋がる大事な経験。
ライブが終わった後、メンバーから「上海、刺激的で楽しかったね」と公演の成功とも言える言葉を口々に発していた。
「また、来年」と竜太朗がMCで口にした言葉が現実になる日も近いのかもしれない。
Plastic Tree — Official MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/plastictreewebPlastic Tree — Official Website
http://www.plastic-tree.com
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