MIYAVI's NEO TOKYO SAMURAI BLACK WORLD TOUR

U.S. and Canada Circuit 2010

Live Report

Venue: The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA

Date: 2010 June 15

Doors: 8pm

Show: 9pm - 10:30pm

Line -up: MIYAVI

      Guitar: MIYAVI

      Drums: Bobo

      Keyboard: Coba84

Setlist: n/a

Live report:

   For those who have ever been to any type of concert, you know what it's like to wait in a line. But have you ever been to a concert where fans are sleeping on the sidewalk one to two days in advance for any specific artist? I can think of a few bands that would have a following like this, but none as charismatic as Miyavi. For the show at The Fillmore in San Francisco on 2010 June 15, that is exactly what I ran into when I showed up to wait in line.

   The streets of San Francisco are friendly during the day time, but just like anywhere, once the sun goes down, anything can happen. According to fans who had stayed the night on the sidewalks outside the Fillmore, Miyavi and on of his crew members exited their tour bus with a few cups of tea for sleepy, shivering fans. The next day, those that had been awake and had received tea were more than happy to share their story with others in line, and the excitement didn't stop there. The interaction between fans in line was entertaining to watch, and everyone waiting for the show to begin seemed incredibly excited to be waiting for hours on end just to spend two hours with the Samurai Guitarist. Strangers in line for Miyavi's show soon became friends, and after an afternoon of getting to know everyone, the doors opened up at 8pm and fans bounced inside to wait another hour before the show finally began.

   Miyavi came out onstage, after a few of his crew came out and teased the audience with a brief sound check and returning of Miyavi's guitars, and needless to say, the audience screamed and the venue started to shake with excitement. 

   The Samurai guitarist kicked off the show with the heavy beats of "SURVIVE," his latest single, and after rocking the crowd for the next two songs, he introduced his supporting artists. Bobo, a drummer from Brazil threw out some pretty awesome beats and Coba84 backed up Miyavi's vocals and guitar-playing on keyboards. After a brief MC where Miyavi spoke about his excitement for being back in the United States for the first time in two years, the show continued. Miyavi's style of guitar playing is incredibly unique, and even the older folks working the show and in the audience couldn't help but want to groove along with Miyavi and his fans during "Kimi ni Funky Monkey Vibration". Being the entertainer that Miyavi is, he set about working up the crowd's enthusiasm even more by spitting out the contents of his water bottle over the top of everyone's heads.

   The crowd screamed and rocked out until things took a mellow turn. Miyavi spoke for a few minutes about his daughter, and how his love for her has affected him as a musican and as a man, but most importantly as a human being. His attatchment to his fans could be seen as he thanked everyone for waiting for him and for being so faithful to him throughout his career. His emotions were riding high, and in turn, the audience seemed extremely touched by his words, some people even crying and shouting out, "We love you!" At this, Miyavi cracked a smile and said, "I love you, too," before Coba84 started to play an all-piano acoustic version of "Kimi ni Negai wo". Miyavi didn't once touch his guitar during the entirety of the song, singing along with his loving fans who encouraged him when he seemed to become emotional. From where I was standing (I was pretty close to the stage) it seem that Miyavi was fighting back tears as he sang, and it was obvious how touched everyone was. It was an emotional performance to say the least, but Miyavi immediately kicked things back into high gear and got the crowd grooving and rocking out as he whipped out three new tracks from his single to be released on September 19 and his album due out in October.

   In my opinion, Miyavi is an incredibly talented musician and entertainer, his showmanship skills surpassing so many acts that it hard not to place him on the top of the list. His ability to enthuse and engage audience members is amazing, and it comes so naturally to him. The guitarist, keyboardist and drummer were all s miles throughout the entire show, and by the end of it, it seemed that everyone inside the venue had something positive to say about their experience at The Fillmore. The crowd was loud the entire time, and it was easy to see how attached Miyavi was to his audiences emotions throughout the entire show.

In the words of the Samurai guitarist himself, "San Francisco, u guys (are) insanely loud!! My ears still hurt man!! Hot show indeed!!"