Lia

This was my first Lia concert. I took a chance on getting tickets since it seemed like she doesn't perform often in Japan. An album was released about a month before the concert, so I tried my best to prepare by listening to it. My preparation period was short, though. Thanks to that, I knew all the new songs! The stage was minimally decorated, with only rolled-up curtain-like illuminations. I saw something similar in her previous live videos, so I guess that's the default. The show started about 5 minutes late. The members and Lia appeared as the SE played, and the opening was a triple threat of opening themes: "Bravely You," "My Soul, Your Beats!," and "Tori no Uta." I wondered if it was okay to play so many representative songs right away. I think the member introductions were during this MC, or maybe after? The most memorable story was from the keyboardist, who said they were addicted to ice cream, eating one or two every day. I understand in the summer, but during this time of year? Aren't you cold? After the MC, they played "Kizuna-Kizunairo-Iro" and "JUSTITIA." The latter was a bit vague in my memory, but based on the setlist up to that point, I had a feeling it would be this song, and I was right. Talk about insufficient preparation. After two songs, GOOD之介, who worked on the new songs, appeared. My first impression was that he looked like Ken Yokoyama. His appearance and way of speaking were reminiscent of him. Then they played the new song "Reborn," and after a Q&A session (quite long), they performed three new songs. After that, Lia and GOOD之介 left the stage, and the band members began playing. In terms of key, I thought they'd play "Life is~", but it was "Hoshi no Fune." Throughout the song, I kept thinking, "I've heard this before, but what's the title?" Also, the audience's reaction was a bit subdued? They didn't seem very excited. Well, it would be strange to get excited during a ballad, but since it's a Key song, I thought there would be a little more cheering. After the song ended, an acapella version of "Aozora" started. I was listening in a bit of a daze, thinking, "This is almost exactly how it sounds on the recording." She's just so good. During the MC, she said it was the final stretch, and after a talk about a special cover, she sang "Ichiban no Takaramono." It's a classic song now. I guess "Angel Beats!" resonated the most with her among Key works since she seems to especially like covering it. And then they ended the main set with "Toki wo Kizamu Uta" and "Light colors." I don't think "Light colors" has been the closer very often. But if you think about how Tomoya and Tomoyo walk towards hope and the story ends, it feels like a happy ending. Since "Tomoyo After" is a bit of a bad ending... The encore started with "TORCH," and during the MC before "Sagarihana," she talked about the feelings she put into the album and songs, and she teared up. Perhaps this 25th-anniversary album, her first in 16 years, allowed her to convey feelings that she couldn't express in live performances. After that, "Farewell Song" began, and I thought it would end with this song, but then came "Life is like a Melody." The lineup of masterpiece endings was very good. I've always listened to Lia's songs and watched her videos, so it was good to see her live. She's surprisingly talkative and a great singer. However, if you're going to a concert, you have to get used to it, but I just can't get into the otaku's chants? I've seen live videos before, so I went expecting it, but yeah, I still can't get excited with them. I prefer to enjoy each song by listening to the singing and clapping where appropriate (honestly, I don't even need the clapping) rather than waving glow sticks and chanting. That suits my personality better. Her singing ability hasn't declined at all. She was amazing. What I thought about her singing during this concert was that she reminded me of Ayanaka Hirahara with a higher voice. Lower notes seem difficult, but her high notes were very stable. Well, Hirahara's high notes are stable too. However, to preserve her voice, she had quite long MCs, drank water after each song, and even ate candy during the MC. She took a lot of care. It must be hard to maintain... The setlist was like the Asia tour but with "Natsukage" removed and new songs + α added. The solid lineup of classics is appreciated by beginners, but it would have been nice to have a few rare songs like at the previous SUPER LIVE. Personally, I wanted to hear "Birthday Song, Requiem," "doll," and "PRIDE ~try to fight!~". Also, completely unrelated, the audience was quite different from the concerts I usually go to, which was a bit interesting. There were a lot of gloomy-looking people who looked like they play games, like me...(laughs). I usually go to concerts with a lot of older men and women, so it was refreshing. As expected of the game song and anime song scene. She mentioned that she will release new songs and go on tour next year, and if she releases an album, of course, I will buy it! I want to participate in live concerts again!