I found this band only recently (regrettably), and was immediately convinced that this band has the highest level of musicianship (musicality/virtuosity) and showmanship (visual/theatrical effects) Actually, I think this band is among the best fusion bands ever existed, and the very best when it comes to originality and showmanship. Moreover, they can play so effortlessly with smiles on their faces! Simply amazing and entertaining! As a live performer, this band is peerless.
This is from WagakkiBand Premium Symphonic Night Vol.2 Live & Orchestra in Osaka-Jo Hall February 2020. One nigh show only. The acoustics in Osaka-Jo Hall are very suitable for orchestras, so they held the concert there even though the WGB is in Tokyo. Evanescence vocalist Amy Lee joined WagakkiBand as a special guest. The song after this they performed "Senbonzakura" where Amy Lee came in for the last verse. As you can see, Machiya (the guitarist) is a good vocalist too. He takes the role of lead vocalist when Yuko has a break or they do the duet as in "Episode 0", "Synchronicity" and the version of "Doppo" as they do at this concert. He is also the one who accounts for at least 50% of the songs, arrangements, and has the last word, even though it is Yuko who is the founding band. The bamboo flute "shakuhachi" played by Daisuke Kaminaga is extremely difficult to play. Not an unusual comment after practicing a month is "I got a clear tone" Highly recommend the 2017 version of "Episode 0", "Doppo" from this concert or a technically difficult one "hakushu kassai" from Daishinnenkai 2018. You can find them on the YT channel of "CC W" with English subtitles. They also wrote a song together "Sakura Rising". The song took shape in the studio the day before this concert with Yuko, Machiya and Amy. It was recorded one or two days after the concert. It was performed live on the Tokyo singing tour, then with Amy on the backing track and on the big screen. You can find it on Wagakki Band's YT channel. Nice reaction 👍
Nice & thanks from Japan 有難う💛。 This was filmed at Osaka-Jo (Castle) Hall with capa. of 16,000. As Dr. Acula commented below, this venue is known for its good acoustics for this kind of huge multi-purpose arena (reverberation time = 1.45 sec. etc.). It is very important to appreciate the beauty of Amy Lee's voice, and Yuko's as well.
I was here and listened to 'Bring me to life' for the first time. I was stunned and frightened by such a wonderful song, and shouted in my heart "I'm asking you to stop.Please STOP!!" , but at same time I wanted this every moment to continue forever. Seeing your reaction, that time will come back vividly. Wagakki Band is a really great band. I think any of their songs will satisfy you. Thank you for your reaction.
This song itself is epic in original form but this was masterpiece!. Loved it from first time i hear it in 2004 to this day. So glad Wagakki band made this version with Amy Lee.
Yuko Suzuhana and Wagakki band and WGB Premium Symphonic orchestra - conductor Masaru Nishiyama Osaka-Jo Hall 2020 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qX9l1CHkWeA.html .... and Yuko Suzuhana solo project - Campanula ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I5ypHvc0wOc.html .... and Wagakki band - Hakushu Kassai ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5sJnveBvoLw.html Wagakki band - Ignite ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_uxpHq3inUA.html Wagakki band - Sun Wheel ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wr7oHjMXpgs.html Wagakki band - Hana ni nare (Become a flower) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Nugj6QN1p3I.html Wagakki band - Guernica ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QnKTwuwe6E8.html Wagakki band - Synchronicity ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UzYOb5KGGj8.html separate ASA bassist projects (ASA he plays the Mayones bass guitar of the Polish family company Halina Dziewulski from Gdańsk) Man of Destiny ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-N02xlCXaaiE.html Tokio ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EtKnmzaJ_8Q.html ASA & Sachiko Kobayashi Yoshiwara Lament (also plays with Wagakki band) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VAbxmfD9eBY.html
If you want a real showcase of Wagakki Band at the absolute top of their game try the double Kyoka Suigetsu & Tsuki Ni Sakebu Yoru from the REACT tour 2019. Honestly, as good as her performance was in this, it was completely within Yuko's comfort zone. While I really enjoy all the performances from the Premium Symphonic Nights, the presence of a full symphony orchestra makes them less than ideal as tasters for WGB.
Hello Jacqueline-san from Tokyo! Thanks a lot for your brilliant reaction and analysis. Your smile, vivid expression (dance too) makes me happy. I'm a big fan of Wagakki Band and very glad that you could enjoy their instrumentation. Well, Official Music Video of ''Evanescence - BringMe To Life'' has gotten over 1 billion views today on 2.2.2022, Wow!!! Congratulations to Amy!!!!! May I recommend you here Yuko's beautiful vocals in ballad songs? Yuko Suzuhana is the singer's name. Overture+Okinotayuu (Albatross) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qX9l1CHkWeA.html Yuko sang them on piano. These were the opening numbers of Premium Symphonic Night Vol.2 as same concert of 'Bring Me To Life' you reacted. English subtitles are available in this video. Two more of Wagakki Band. Hanafurumai ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ri5ZEKDK6Lg.html Dai Shinnenkai 2018 Yohama Arena Homura+Akatsuki no Ito ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ponTbDDMYjw.html 1st Japan Tour 2015 Hibiya Yagai Ongakudou
Great reaction! If you want another awesome duet to react to do Evanescence and Lzzy Hale. Evanescence and Halestorm were on tour together and Lzzy joined Evanescence to sing the Linkin Park song "Heavy". The video here on YT is from a concert in Portland on 11/5/2021. It will blow you away!
There's an unofficial companion video to this. It's a compilation of the behind the scenes stuff, I believe mostly from Amy's Instagram. I'm not requesting a reaction to it or anything, just putting it out there for anyone who'd like to see a little more of the before and after of this performance. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-za3oN79qkPo.html My suggestion for next Wagakki band video for this channel is "Overture" + "Ame Nochi Kanjouron, " the opener from an amazing show in 2018. The crowd is hot from the moment the video starts, and it's a good video to watch while you're still in the beginning phase of your exposure to WGB. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-teh2ryRaPtk.html
A digression about Tsugaru-Shamisen. I remembered a story related to the topic of Tsugaru shamisen played by Beni. (Sorry, it has nothing to do with WGAKKI-BAND ....) Tsugaru shamisen is a traditional performing art that has been passed down in Tsugaru in Japan. Tsugaru is a very cold place in Japan. The visually impaired who lived there had to play and sing the shamisen as a way of life (to protect themselves from hunger and cold). Tsugaru shamisen is a musical instrument and playing technique born from a miserable history. In Japan, there was a famous singer named Michiya Mihashi about 50 years ago. He is famous as a singer who plays the Tsugaru shamisen, and everyone knew his name. I explained the points of playing Tsugaru shamisen as follows. "The shamisen is an instrument that you hit and play!" At the same time, there was a person named Takahashi Chikuzan. He is a blind performer who devoted his life to playing the Tsugaru shamisen. He is said to have been probably the best performer in Japan. He was angry when he heard Michiya Mihashi's words. "Don't hit the shamisen! You have to treat it lovingly and gently." It is interesting that the two specialists made the opposite claims about playing the shamisen. Perhaps both claims tell the truth. Shamisen seems to be a mysterious instrument. from Japan * Sentences written using translation software. Please laugh if it is a strange translation.
You should Check Out "hakushu kassai" (great Bass Solo from Asa), "yoshiwara lament" (written by the Bass-Player Asa) or "Hoshizukiyo" (awesome uplifting Song) next.
A digression about KOTO. This is a story about KOTO played by IBUKURO. (Sorry, it has nothing to do with WGAKKI-BAND ....) * As an aside, IBUKURO is his real name, but it is a rare name in Japan. The Japanese word "i-bu-ku-ro" simply means stomach. But his name has nothing to do with the stomach. (Hahaha ..) In Japan, KOTO is recognized as an instrument with many female performers. Playing KOTO in historical culture seems to be due to the fact that it has been educated as a basic skill for women in aristocratic and upper class samurai families. About 150 years ago, there was a person named Michio Miyagi. His presence is known as the greatest contributor when considering the current world of KOTO. He is blind due to an illness he suffered from his childhood. (There are a surprising number of visually impaired people with genius musical abilities, such as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, or Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii.) Miyagi has endeavored to incorporate elements of Western music into KOTO, a folk instrument with a history of more than 1000 years. He is also the one who enthusiastically improved KOTO. Currently, the 17-string type, which is the mainstream of KOTO in Japan, is his invention. KOTO, which is mainly used by WAGAKKI-BAND's Ibukuro, is a type with 25 strings. This is a large piece of KOTO, and I rarely see anyone using it as an amateur player. I feel the magnitude of his skill. from Japan * This is a sentence using a translation app. I hope that the intention is conveyed correctly.
Hey JVB! This is the song that introduced me to the great Wagakki Band. For your entertainment, Amy also helped out on their song "Senbonzakura" at that show. I know you've heard it before, but this one's extra special, live with Amy and the orchestra. Check it out! Catch you later! 🤘😎👍
A digression about Shakuhachi. This is a story about Shakuhachi played by Daisuke Kaminaga. (Sorry, it has nothing to do with WGAKKI-BAND ....) Shakuhachi is made from naturally occurring bamboo. The bamboo is dried and processed to make Shakuhachi. Since it is a natural material, there is no guarantee that it will be a good-sounding instrument. From dozens of bamboos, only a few can satisfy a professional musician. The structure of the shakuhachi is a simple bamboo tube. It doesn't have the reeds or valves that control the sound that many wind instruments have. The work of the performer's mouth and lips determines the tone. (Sounding itself requires a lot of training ... tone training is a subsequent step) There is a famous word that has been passed down in Japan for a long time about the practice of Shakuhachi. "Kubifuri-3nen, colo-8nen" If you translate it literally .... No, it's difficult to translate it directly .... This means the following. "It takes three years to train to move the neck and head to control the strength of the sound." Then, "it takes eight years to train the fingers to make a good sound." Having only mediocre spiritual power, I just run away. It is said that Shakuhachi is not good at low and powerful sounds. By the way, super player Daisuke also seemed to have a tense face in the scene where he played a heavy sound ... Is it my illusion? from Japan * This is a sentence using a translation app. I hope that the intention is conveyed correctly.
To see Amy Lee at the top of her game backed by a full orchestra, I would suggest to react to EVANESCENCE - Lacrymosa Synthesis Live ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KaOHTtxLzH4.html
This is how you control the audience BABYMETAL - Road of Resistance - Live in Japan (OFFICIAL) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zTEYUFgLveY.html
