Dreams Come True concert in NY at Highline Ballroom

This Monday I went to Highline Ballroom for Dreams Come True Concert.

Dreams Come True is one of most popular musician in Japan.

They have been singing for 22 years. And still they are so popular in Japan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreams_Come_True_(band)
They have English version too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0Npjzodl9A&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL2F9F24673705AB71

And a few months ago I got commercial email from Highline Ballroom about them so I could get the ticket.

If I want to go their concert in Japan, they do concert in big stadium or huge venue. And still those tickets are usually sold out. So this is really rare chance to see them in this size of venue.

They released CDs in US too so I thought there would be some American or non Japanese also in the venue but when I got there, I was so surprised.

Usually I go to concert 1 or 1.5 hours before the show starts. But this time, I knew that there would be many Japanese so I planned to go there 30 min before the door would be opened.

But when I got there, already there was really long line. And they were all Japanese!! 99.5% all Japanese!!! 

It was the first time to see that many Japanese on one street in NY. And I didn't need to say "Excuse me" but I could say "suimasen" to everyone when I move. Actually when I use English it was weird there. 

Even in the restroom there was the lady who was serving guests and she wasn't Japanese but everyone talked her in Japanese. Of course she didn't understand them but that much all Japanese in there.

And while I was waiting starting the show with my friend, I got many information from the conversation of other audiences. There were many people who came from Japan with tour for this concert. And some of them toured all of the venue in US with Dreams Come true. They said they did go all of 5 concerts in US and of course in Japan too. I could get into pretty front side so most of the people around me was like that. For me it was first concert of them and I felt a little bit sorry for them that I was there. Because their energy was different. But still I wanted to see them from close so I didn't move though. 

And when Dreams Come True came onto the stage, I was so glad that I could get that position.

They are performing in stadiums usually but this time they brought all band and dancers on this small stage. But still they perform the same as usual. Miwa Yoshida was singing, dancing all over the stage. And around her there were 3 dancers dancing everywhere. And 2 guitarists, 6 hones, one back singer, one drum, one keyboard, one percussion and Mr. Nakamura bassist...  Their energy was amazing.

And when Miwa told us that they came her because of earthquake in Japan. They wanted to come and show us to cheer up us who is away from hometown and they wanted to bring our energy back to Japan.

When I heard that I couldn't stop tears because it was so hard to be here when everyone in Japan was surviving. And sometimes I thought I should go back to Japan. But my going back to Japan didn't change anything. And I was struggling for a while between Japan and here. But when I heard her words. I felt relieved. And she shouted us "Tonight we will sing only in Japanese and just enjoy all night!!!!" 

That was the moment I felt "I am happy to be Japanese!!" 

And they performed with unbelievably amount of energy and they grabbed our hearts at once:)

I knew most of songs and enjoyed a lot.

I wasn't crazy fun of them but when I grew up in Japan, then automatically I knew their songs. It was so easy to sing their songs together. That much their music is spread into Japan. When I thought that I knew how they are amazing again.
And when they sang this song, it made me cry.
Read the sky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd4gMAbcYnU&feature=related

When I was listening their music in Japan I was too young to understand their message. And after I had more experiences in my life, I like their music more than before. When she sang for us with her heart and with her clear words, those touched my heart. 

Miwa was singing all songs just in front of me, just 3 meters from me, it was like a dream. 

This happened because it was in NY for sure. I thank them to come to NY and I thank NY to make it happened:)

And what was funny that night was nobody was taking pictures of them. They announced a few times before the show not to take picture nor video. But when I went to other concerts in NY everybody was taking pictures even they said so but this time, nobody was taking. So I heard "Japanese likes to obey the rule" before and I thought it was so true!!

Oh and I almost forgot about GATZ!! He was guitar and back singer this time but long time ago I had chance to see the concert of himself. I have his CD in Japan actually. I really liked his funky voice and songs. And it was surprising for me:) Good to see you, GATZ!!

せっかくなので、今回は久々に日本語でも。。。

先日ドリカムがニューヨークにやってきました。

数ヶ月前に会場となるハイラインボールルームよりいつものコマーシャルメールをもらい、ドリカムがくる事を知り、早速チケットを取りました。日本でもドリカムのコンサートは行った事がなかったのですが、こんな機会は又とある訳がないと思い、行って参りました。

びっくりするくらいの日本人の量に少し腰が引けてしまいましたが、コンサートが始まってしまうと、自分が神戸のチキンジョージにでもいるような気分で、ライブに熱中していました。美和さんが今日は日本語で歌いまくるぞ〜！！って叫んだときは、なんだかとってもうれしく、心底楽しめているのを感じました。普段日本語を一日も話さない日も多々ある中、この日は日本人の友達と一緒に行った事もあり、待っている間もずっと日本語、周りの人もみんな日本人なので、聞こえてくるのも日本語、そして昔からずっと聞いている日本語の歌。久々に日本に帰ったような、なんだかとても居心地のいい夜になりました。

そして、なによりも彼らの歌が、昔ラジオで聞いていた頃と同じ歌詞なのに、ナマで聞いている、それも３メートルほどの距離のところで歌っているのを聞き、そして自分も成長し、いろんな経験をしてきたなかで聞くのもあり、一曲一曲がとても新鮮に聞こえ、とても感動的でした。パフォーマンスもそれぞれの迫力がすごく、小さなステージでも踊るわ、走るわ、叫ぶわで、なんだかもう、目で追いかけるのが大変でしたが、ほんとにこれが、ドームなんかを回りながら磨き上げられた彼らのステージなんだと、それが小さなステージになっても彼らのパフォーマンスは小さくなる事なく、凝縮されて、そのままのパワーで表現されている事に圧倒され、パワーをもらいました。

２時間なんてあっという間でしたが、とても濃い２時間、声がかれるまで歌って、踊って、最高の時間を過ごすことができました。

ニューヨークまで来てくれたドリカムに感謝！！

そして、これは、余談ですが、当日、会場では写真撮影禁止だったのですが、これをみんなが守っていたのには、感心しました。日本では、カメラとかを荷物チェックで取りあげられますが、こちらでは、そんあチェックをされた事がないので、カメラは一応持っていっていたのですが、あまりにも誰もとらないので、やはり、私も…。さすが日本人！！！
そして、もう１つ驚いた事が。バックコーラスとギターを担当していた中沢さん。
昔GATZさんとしてのライブに行った事が。あの迫力或る声が好きで、その会場でCDも買いました。まさか、こんなところで彼に再会するとは！！！今度またソロを聴ける事を楽しみにしています！！！