hotcocoa

LMAO for real? I've seen girls give some pretty interesting insights about the musical aspect and guys fanboying all over Mana's "perfection".

> lynch. /「XXX for YOU」
 
 
NO

I have to agree with @jaymee that when you have a problem with a specific person at the live you shouldn't confront them directly. If you don't know anyone there talk to the staff if the problem is really bad, or at least relocate. It's better to enjoy the band from the other place than spend time fuming being close to the stage.
 
Personally I had more good than bad experiences with other gya. My Japanese friends sometimes joke about me getting more attention, but never in a bad way.
Nice thing to do is also to remember about the whole give and take rule. For many gyas exchanging small gifts at lives is part of the culture, so you can have some small sweets for the time in the line (especially if you can bring something from your home country), if your band was ever abroad and you have some pictures from that time many girls would love to see them. 
 
Wouldn't not paying for a reserved ticket make that account not worth keeping? I think some sites have penalties (as in getting a worse number or less chances of winning the lottery) if you don't pay for the ticket?
 
And also agree about jouren - when 9GBO was still around no matter in which city I went to see them I always saw the same few women in saizen...
The other thing I really disliked about their concerts was that the first few rows would have so much space when the fans in the back would be absolutely squeezed. No matter how many times venue staff might ask for fans to move the first few rows would never do that. I know gya want to look all pretty and pull their awesome moves, but it's counterproductive for getting their favorite band new fans and is very inconsiderate towards other gya. I guess this is similar for many other bands as well.

I have to agree with @jaymee that when you have a problem with a specific person at the live you shouldn't confront them directly. If you don't know anyone there talk to the staff if the problem is really bad, or at least relocate. It's better to enjoy the band from the other place than spend time fuming being close to the stage.
 
Personally I had more good than bad experiences with other gya. My Japanese friends sometimes joke about me getting more attention, but never in a bad way.
Nice thing to do is also to remember about the whole give and take rule. For many gyas exchanging small gifts at lives is part of the culture, so you can have some small sweets for the time in the line (especially if you can bring something from your home country), if your band was ever abroad and you have some pictures from that time many girls would love to see them. 
 
Wouldn't not paying for a reserved ticket make that account not worth keeping? I think some sites have penalties (as in getting a worse number or less chances of winning the lottery) if you don't pay for the ticket?
 
And also agree about jouren - when 9GBO was still around no matter in which city I went to see them I always saw the same few women in saizen...
The other thing I really disliked about their concerts was that the first few rows would have so much space when the fans in the back would be absolutely squeezed. No matter how many times venue staff might ask for fans to move the first few rows would never do that. I know gya want to look all pretty and pull their awesome moves, but it's counterproductive for getting their favorite band new fans and is very inconsiderate towards other gya. I guess this is similar for many other bands as well.

I have to agree with @jaymee that when you have a problem with a specific person at the live you shouldn't confront them directly. If you don't know anyone there talk to the staff if the problem is really bad, or at least relocate. It's better to enjoy the band from the other place than spend time fuming being close to the stage.
 
Personally I had more good than bad experiences with other gya. My Japanese friends sometimes joke about me getting more attention, but never in a bad way.
Nice thing to do is also to remember about the whole give and take rule. For many gyas exchanging small gifts at lives is part of the culture, so you can have some small sweets for the time in the line (especially if you can bring something from your home country), if your band was ever abroad and you have some pictures from that time many girls would love to see them. 
 
Wouldn't not paying for a reserved ticket make that account not worth keeping? I think some sites have penalties (as in getting a worse number or less chances of winning the lottery) if you don't pay for the ticket?
 
And also agree about jouren - when 9GBO was still around no matter in which city I went to see them I always saw the same few women in saizen...
The other thing I really disliked about their concerts was that the first few rows would have so much space when the fans in the back would be absolutely squeezed. No matter how many times venue staff might ask for fans to move the first few rows would never do that. I know gya want to look all pretty and pull their awesome moves, but it's counterproductive for getting their favorite band new fans and is very inconsiderate towards other gya. I guess this is similar for many other bands as well.

I have to agree with @jaymee that when you have a problem with a specific person at the live you shouldn't confront them directly. If you don't know anyone there talk to the staff if the problem is really bad, or at least relocate. It's better to enjoy the band from the other place than spend time fuming being close to the stage.
 
Personally I had more good than bad experiences with other gya. My Japanese friends sometimes joke about me getting more attention, but never in a bad way.
Nice thing to do is also to remember about the whole give and take rule. For many gyas exchanging small gifts at lives is part of the culture, so you can have some small sweets for the time in the line (especially if you can bring something from your home country), if your band was ever abroad and you have some pictures from that time many girls would love to see them. 
 
Wouldn't not paying for a reserved ticket make that account not worth keeping? I think some sites have penalties (as in getting a worse number or less chances of winning the lottery) if you don't pay for the ticket?
 
And also agree about jouren - when 9GBO was still around no matter in which city I went to see them I always saw the same few women in saizen...
The other thing I really disliked about their concerts was that the first few rows would have so much space when the fans in the back would be absolutely squeezed. No matter how many times venue staff might ask for fans to move the first few rows would never do that. I know gya want to look all pretty and pull their awesome moves, but it's counterproductive for getting their favorite band new fans and is very inconsiderate towards other gya. I guess this is similar for many other bands as well.

It's a cool idea to start a thread like this!😊
Few comments from me:
 
#1. I've never felt like buying more tickets at once gives you better numbers. People who get saizen that I know usualy make multiple applications (one or two tickets) and keep the best ticket and sell the rest. Very often gya actually organize and they do 'hoken kakering' - insurance applications for each other. If it's a rare event then often people get their family members to help too.
 
#2. some bands/venues might have a 'cloak service' - which means you will get a big clear plastic bag (often they use rubbish bags for this 😁) and you can leave your things in this bag with the venue staff. Bags have numbers (or number ticket) or/and staff will ask your name and phone number which you must tell the staff to pick up your bag. Usually it's possible to use the service before the door time, but it might take some time to be able to get your bag if it's a big show. So don't use this option if you're in a rush to catch last train. The cost is usually 500 yen.
 
#4. In 6 years I've only been to a live that didn't allow bringing drinks twice. Most of the time you can bring your own drink in, but you will have to pay the drink ticket fee anyway. Also, at the shows of some bands gya leave their bags on the floor to 'reserve their spot' and go to get their drink before the live starts or between bands after gya of different bands swap places. But if it's your first live of the band don't risk this unless you know that's what fans do.
 
#10. I do the same - book my hotels as soon as I know tour dates. Recently the number of tourists keeps increasing and if you don't book a hotel early it might be hard to find something affordable/convenient. If my plans change I can always cancel the reservation. I sometimes travel with friends and we stay in the same room, but compared to Europe I think many Japanese are not so comfortable with that.
 

It's a cool idea to start a thread like this!😊
Few comments from me:
 
#1. I've never felt like buying more tickets at once gives you better numbers. People who get saizen that I know usualy make multiple applications (one or two tickets) and keep the best ticket and sell the rest. Very often gya actually organize and they do 'hoken kakering' - insurance applications for each other. If it's a rare event then often people get their family members to help too.
 
#2. some bands/venues might have a 'cloak service' - which means you will get a big clear plastic bag (often they use rubbish bags for this 😁) and you can leave your things in this bag with the venue staff. Bags have numbers (or number ticket) or/and staff will ask your name and phone number which you must tell the staff to pick up your bag. Usually it's possible to use the service before the door time, but it might take some time to be able to get your bag if it's a big show. So don't use this option if you're in a rush to catch last train. The cost is usually 500 yen.
 
#4. In 6 years I've only been to a live that didn't allow bringing drinks twice. Most of the time you can bring your own drink in, but you will have to pay the drink ticket fee anyway. Also, at the shows of some bands gya leave their bags on the floor to 'reserve their spot' and go to get their drink before the live starts or between bands after gya of different bands swap places. But if it's your first live of the band don't risk this unless you know that's what fans do.
 
#10. I do the same - book my hotels as soon as I know tour dates. Recently the number of tourists keeps increasing and if you don't book a hotel early it might be hard to find something affordable/convenient. If my plans change I can always cancel the reservation. I sometimes travel with friends and we stay in the same room, but compared to Europe I think many Japanese are not so comfortable with that.
 

I figured it would be cool to have a thread like this for people just starting out going to lives, or maybe even some of you veterans out there that are always trying to make the most of your time and/or maximize efficiency getting in and out.
 
Hack #1: Getting Good Ticket Numbers
 

Hack #2: Getting a Locker
 
 
Hack #3: Have Everything Ready
 

Hack #4: How to Bring Your Own Drink/Keep It Out of the Way
 
 
Hack #5: Buying Goods
 
 
Hack #6: Trying to See Better if You’re Short
 
 
Hack #7: Showing Your Spirit
 
 
Hack #8: Making gya friends
 
 
Hack #9: Saving Money on Transportation Costs
 
 
Hack #10: Finding Cheap/Close Accommodation
 
 
Hack #11: Buying Tickets
 
 
Hack #12: Bringing/Giving a Gift
 
 
If you know of more tricks, please add to the list by replying! 
 
EDITED 5/23/2018 with suggestions from the replies  Also, thanks mod @platyfor the sticky!

sukekiyo is heaven-sent and nobody can tell me otherwise

It's already out, but I doubt there's any info like that there 😆

Hazuki's selling pitch is 'each one of you should bring a friend, or even better a few friends. I will go shirtless'.
 
Also, about different versions - apparently DVD will have all songs, but no MCs, while blu-ray will be an uncut footage.

Hi! I'm from Russia. I introduced to visual kei fandom in 2015. I like dark and aggressive kotekote >•< My favorite bands (active): Grieva*, La'veil MizeriA, Crucifixion, Ru:natic and many more; (disbanded): gossip (VARYL Hiro's old band), Azalea, MerCurius, Beata, Pyuera, Sadiesmarry, etc. 
 
I'm still hard to speak English. For me, staying in an English-speaking forum is a kind of test.
 
I hope that I will not be useless. Peace )))

Mika is definitely one Of the most impressive drummer out there. Of course people tend to be more impress by show off drummers... Like Yoshiki.
But Mika drummin is very subtle and dynamic, he follow the energy of the song, he can play softly with a lot of small details to hitting the hell out Of the drum. I really admire that.

Way late, but I'm just now seeing this since I don't check outside the news forum very often; Mika's brilliance has always been there. Now, granted, within the context of Sukekiyo (especially on Adoratio) he's given more room to experiment and breathe, per se, but even in Rentrer en Soi it was obvious he wasn't the average VK drummer. He could go balls out metal, but he was able to groove too. And his patterns and fills were creative. 
 
What DIDN'T help his case is that most of RES' albums weren't mixed that well. He tended to get buried, and just check out The Abyss of Despair for a perfect example. The speedy double bass licks in the second chorus are reduced to a barely audible rumble underneath the muddy production. I didn't even realize they were there until I watched the DVD of their final live. Also check out Gira Gira, which is the song (along with the orignal Secret Scars) that made me really take notice of Mika. He goes absolutely batshit bonkers in Gira Gira! 
 
So I dunno. Maybe it's just me because I play drums and my ear has always naturally picked out the rhythm section, but Mika's performance in Sukekiyo doesn't surprise me. He's one of my favorite drummers in music. Period. 

I'm a little bit disturbed...o_o

It sounds a bit like a problem of dir not meeting your personal political view even though they don't have a political view as a band.
 
They have an art director and staff who work on the videos prepared for the shows, so you're firing your gun in the wrong direction anyway.
 
The whole stage was brilliant, how they've made everything work together, music with background videos, lights etc. It was a feast for the eyes and ears live, I bet it will be a feast while watching it at home in autumn as well

blonde Kaoru looking like shit is a way bigger problem than whatever failed political message they've been trying to squeeze over this tour

That live is next week actually
 
Time to really invest in blu-ray player x.x

But how about just experiencing the moment? Though I kinda regretted not recording today's Gotcharocka live since they played some acoustic songs and it sounded great.
 
but I agree with the others. Video recording is annoying as fuck. 
I'll tell you who I am to dictate how other people should enjoy a concert. Today everyone goes on and on about rights but they forget that a person's rights stop once they step over someone else's, and their annoying recording is interfering with my right to enjoy a performance without seeing a bunch of cameras.

The real Ruki died in 2004 and the'Ruki' we've known ever since then is a paid impersonator hired by the management.

Interesting discussion. First off, I think you might be exaggerating the change of his vocals, as you see it. Even looking it at the live clips you cited, let alone all of the other recordings from 2002 to this point, I don't think there was ever some drastic 'switch' where he got better. (I don't think he was ever 'bad' as many people believe.) You could maybe argue that about his screams, but I'm mainly addressing the clean singing voice.
 
Also, something really key to consider (especially with live performances) is the circumstances of the sound setup at the venue. As a vocalist, you are desperately depending on monitors, either on the floor in front of you on via in-ear headphones, to allow you to hear yourself. Standing on stage with the band, you often can't hear the sound of your own voice. This makes your performances at shows vary a lot based on how the venue can accommodate this. Most small venues will have sparse to nil monitoring options. Even in higher budget tours where you have monitoring equipment, you are presented with a new problem: bigger venues have even louder sound systems. Even among same size venues, the acoustics differs wildly, so the live sound team is facing a new set of challenges every show. And on top of that, the house guy doing the mix might put you too low on X night at X venue, and do the opposite at Y venue on Y night. My whole point is that for Ruki, or any vocalist in a loud band, each show will not be a level playing ground for their performance. It's very plausible that at one concert he could hear himself fantastic, while at the other he had insufficient monitoring or was in a crazy reflective room that drowned everything out.
 
Additionally, the idea that someone can improve very suddenly at a discipline is generally a fantasy, imo. Even if you are practicing something for 6 hours a day, progress is usually steady, but diminishes over time. For instance, imagine there are two people who practice singing for 6 hours a day. One of them only started singing yesterday and the other one has been professionally singing for 3 years. The newbie will make a considerable amount more overall improvement than the veteran in a month's time. This is what makes it so difficult to be in the highest echelon of skill in a certain field. If it takes 100 hours to become 'okay' at something, it might take 1000 to become good, and 10,000 to become very good.

Ugh, I love Deadman and wish they'd never disbanded. I also regret never being able to see them live. I had really hoped more of VK would have gone in the direction they were taking it.  Perhaps not their best song, but my favorite:
 
 

They are definitely reliable, but the shipping cost is a bit high as others mentioned. What some of my friends do is shipping to tenso address and when they have more items they ship it to their address abroad.
Customs really depend on the value of your order and your country, not on the shop.

Can we just talk about how this new audio and video collection is a game changer for all VK?
 
Seriously, I'm only on track 5, and it's the most interesting thing I've heard from these guys ever.