Visual-Kei’s renaissance time has definitely arrived to Europe, because within the past year there has been multiple visual-kei artists touring here. At this time the demand for this scene has only grown past years and the scene has changed and grown from the 2000’s and 2010’s to this day.
This tour ”RENGOKU”, is BLAZE’s first time touring outside of Japan and the concert in Bucharest is indeed their first show outside of Japan. The atmosphere in Expirat Halele Carol was full of anticipation and excitement from the crowd. Definitely something the people in the crowd were waiting for. Start of the show was blazing, the energy was high right from the moment everyone came on stage. Heavy riffs caught everyone’s attention as the first song of their set, DiCTATOR started playing. People in the crowd did furitsuke (振り付け), which refers to audience members doing specific choreographed moves in tune with the music. The band’s fascinating way of performing captured the crowd’s attention for the whole time they were on stage. Even the stage banter really captured people’s attention. The band’s guitarist Kururu and drummer Hotaru had taken some English classes to prepare for the tour, according to them so that they could talk with their fans while in Europe.
The gig continues, music is loud, crowd even louder. BLAZE played some songs that they haven’t published to streaming services yet, but have performed before in Japan. Vocalist Mio has such charisma to wow everyone, just as every member of the band and their support bassist Kakeru. While Mio dives into the crowd, the other members do take the moment to mesmerize the crowd. Guitarists Nero and Kururu keep capturing everyone’s attention. All of those melodic guitar riffs balanced perfectly with every screamed and clean vocals. The amount of happiness from the band was something to see and feel. You could feel how the band wanted to be there and how present they were while playing. And the band gave the crowd their best.
It was wonderful to see how this scene brings people together across countries and continents. Since BLAZE describes their music being for the irredeemable, the meaning behind song’s lyrics and instrumentals touch the listener in a way that makes them feel seen or understood; That they aren’t alone. Community around heavier music is already welcoming and warm, but the community around visual-kei take it to another level. The experience from this gig is definitely something you don’t get often, even if you’re an avid live concert enjoyer.
While I haven’t been to any lives in Japan and in that way have nothing to compare this to within the same genre, as to how similar or different the concerts are in Europe and in Japan. Though almost every visual-kei artist in Europe don’t really assume people to know their furi, yet they seem to appreciate when they see it. If I was to compare BLAZE’s live energy and the feel to some other band, first thing to come in mind is early 2010’s Bring Me The Horizon, but with even higher energy!
Text & photos: Veera Hyppänen (IG: ingoresof_photography)
