GACKT CONCERT IN TOKYO: JAPANESE COSPLAYERS OUTSIDE SAITAMA ARENA, J-ROCK CONCERT, VISUAL KEI BAND MERCHANDISE.
Gackt’s July 12 concert at Saitama Arena was a 4+ hour marathon, so my report will take place in several parts. We’ll start with the story of how I got tickets literally last-minute. Count de Sang (right) called me when his friend backed out due to a fever. I had thirty minutes to get ready, fifteen of which was spent on grabbing a latte and veggie sandwich. I threw on clothes, seemingly at random, and ran the park in front of Studio Alta. Made it on time!
Flower ribbon in hair: from a New York fabric store. I painted the yellow centers black and red with nail polish.
Tank top: a Hong Kong sample, customized by moi.
Clear-striped knee highs: from a sock store on Takeshita Doori, Harajuku.
On the subway to Saitama Arena, we spotted fellow concert-goers carrying Gackt bags. Whenever we lost our direction, we looked for Lolitas and followed their parasols! Gackt Camui’s fans, however, dress in every style under the rainbow. If you were there, you would have witnessed slinky prom dresses, yukatas (summer kimonos), and these three style icons dorks. Yes, Yukiro’s T-shirt reads “Flippin’ Out!”
After a long line-up for band merchandise, we learned that our first choices – the cat paws and T-shirts – were sold out. Count de Sang managed to buy a towel, red wristband, and chibi-Gackt cell phone dangle (it’s remarkably well made, down to the little fang). It looks great next to his silver Lord Camelot jewelry.
There was a palpable buzz in the air outside Saitama Arena. Gackt’s fans waved flags, squealed, hugged, compared mementos, and of course posed for photos.
I was impressed at the cosplayers, who dressed as Gackt from various eras (far right).
Quite a few fans wore his current look: the Nazi-esque, military jacket with a red armband. Those hats are hot, aren’t they? As Count de Sang and Yukiro said, “Why aren’t we dressed like that all the time?”
Tomorrow, I’ll post pictures of Lolitas at the concert. What is your favorite Gackt era? What do you think of the latest CD?
Song of the Day #153: Hyde – Shining Over You (Ronan: “Check out the fade-out at the end. It’s great. It’s so sad.”)
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 at 01:27 and is filed under Fashion, Visual Kei + Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
July 16th, 2009 at 08:54
Ria says:OMG! You have no idea how much I tried to repress a squeal when I saw the post. Lucky lucky you, although unlucky for the friend who came down with a fever…
As for the Gackt eras… hmm favourites favourites… I don't know hahaha the current one's black, white, and red military theme looks prettiest and most wearable of them all though.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:16
megan says:Aww, how exciting! :D
I haven't heard any of Gackt's latest music.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:12
Emma says:I missed this blog!!! I sort of wondered if I could enter it from Cuba, but I never gave it a try… I guess that depends whether Japanese fashion is against the revolution or not!
July 16th, 2009 at 15:41
Michelle says:btw i could of gotten you guys tshirts when i went~
though im willing to sell my cat paw to someone if they want it.
July 16th, 2009 at 15:53
Maleva says:i love gackt….love too mana…..gackt is unique….
July 16th, 2009 at 15:53
Panda Kitteh-Chan says:i love gackt….love too mana…..gackt is unique….
July 16th, 2009 at 15:58
Anime Attic says:oh I soooo want a chibi Gackt! I could keep him in my pocket at all times! I don't have any one favorite era, I lurves them all!
July 16th, 2009 at 16:11
lacarmina says:One of my friends has several chibi Gackts on her cell! SO cute. One of them got into a fight with my deer ring. :P
There is also an insanely cute takoyaki Gackt that was available at the Osaka show…
July 16th, 2009 at 16:13
lacarmina says:I hope I can get tickets to Moi dix Mois… then I can see both!
July 16th, 2009 at 16:13
lacarmina says:The blog missed you! How was Cuba? What type of scrapes did you get into? ;)
July 16th, 2009 at 16:15
lacarmina says:The military look is super hot… wait til you see VIDEO of the performance. Some fans got the look down to a T, including a realistic scar on the cheek!
July 16th, 2009 at 16:16
lacarmina says:It's great… it beats Diabolos!
July 16th, 2009 at 21:22
Annthy says:I loved when Gackt was in Malice Mizer<3 I think that was truly the greatest band he was in. Klaha was cool too, but I think Gackt was better XP
July 16th, 2009 at 21:24
lacarmina says:It's funny because in Japan, GACKT-O is crazy popular and a lot of teen girls don't even know about Mana or Malice Mizer! Funny how outside Japan, people are only starting to go wild for Mana. However, I love Gackt-era Malice Mizer best of all too. ^^
July 17th, 2009 at 01:01
Emma says:I had to climb a gate with spikes because somebody locked the church area while we were still inside – and I also managed to get parasites! It was all extremely glamorous. ;)
July 18th, 2009 at 21:39
Dragonswyng says:I think I'm with you guys in that I love MM era Gackt. of course I like it all lol but that to me just had that showmanship thing that I love. and it trips me out to thing that Mana is more pop here than there o-0 sadly I don't have the latest cd but I will eventually. the military thing he's doing now puts me in mind of something he did a bit earlier I'm thinking..::ponders, tries to remember::
in honor of your song of the day (cuz ˆlove me some Hyde too) I had to link to something very random and very kawaii…enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iATYaspLPio
July 18th, 2009 at 21:41
lacarmina says:Awww kawaii! It's very odd how Mana is bigger overseas now… his Moi meme Moitie shop even closed down in Tokyo *__*
July 20th, 2009 at 09:13
MESABoogie says:You guys look real gothically cool. You all nailed it. This is not without irony, obviously.
July 20th, 2009 at 14:14
Dragonswyng says:now that is surprising! and what I wouldn't do for a Chibi Gackt
do you know anyone who got to see Kanon this weekend?
July 20th, 2009 at 14:14
lacarmina says:Kanon Wakeshima or DJ Kanon at Tokyo Hardcore? If the latter, I saw her play this week at Alamode, and several of my friends went to the hardcore event.
July 20th, 2009 at 14:16
lacarmina says:Haha sounds like a mad time! Hope the parasites didn't travel home with you. ;)
July 21st, 2009 at 00:38
shichi says:I'd love to see Gackt live. I'm not a pop guy…but its Gackt!
July 21st, 2009 at 14:02
lacarmina says:I'm going to post a video review – with concert footage – tomorrow! Check back!
July 21st, 2009 at 19:43
shichi says:If Kanon Wakeshima, I saw her this weekend and interviewed her.
July 23rd, 2009 at 07:21
C is for Coutney says:those hats are pretty hot
July 23rd, 2009 at 09:28
trashtastika says:Love the military styling :) Count De Sang is HAWT! And Yukiro as a hippy? Well, I never.
August 4th, 2009 at 09:01
sylvia says:can u sell me the cat paw please?
August 4th, 2009 at 16:01
sylvia says:can u sell me the cat paw please?