Okui Masami Live Tour 2010 ~i-magination~

A pretty late report since I spent the past 3 days travelling back home.

So yeah on my last day in Japan, I went to Makkun’s i-magination live in Osaka. My very first Makkun’s concert! It was held in Umeda AKASO, a small live house near Umeda station that made me ask for direction 10x before giving up and google-map it on an internet cafe. ^^;

I can’t think of who would be interested in reading this report other than omo, but anyway writing it~ xD

There should be about 600 people in the free-standing live. I thought I was so lucky for getting an entry number #6 which usually means front row …….but apparently there were 150 FC, 100 class A, and 100 class B tickets before the normal number. So mine’s actually #356 orz.

It only took 30 mins to let everyone in. Makkun’s new album i-magination was playing during the waiting. I spent the time observing her fans, who mostly wore Makkun’s old live shirts or Jam’s. As expected most of them are NOT young. I’m sure I was one of the youngest ^^;

At 6pm sharp, the live begun.

Makkun started appropiately with the album opening Starting Over, followed by energetic Wagamama no Cho. Damn I’m SO amazed how she looks younger and younger every time I see her. ^^;

After briefly welcoming us to the live tour, she sang the first “old song”, Shu-AKA-.

I’m impressed with how close Makkun is to her loyal fans (those who keep coming to her live). She calls them veteran, and she does recognise them, pointing to some and said “ah, you again!” ^^;

Makkun also asked if there’s any first-timers, and very few (including me) responded. She was quite surprised lol. It really felt more like an old school reunion, with warm welcome to new people (or old fans who just had the chance to go *cough*).

Band intro made me giggle. Makkun’s band members are all young bishonen, as opposed to Nana’s uncle group. I recognised Macaroni☆ rightaway cos he’s really cute THE Animelo guitarist. The other guitarist IMAJO is one of Psychic Lover. Bass Tabokun looks more girly than Makkun ^^; and there’s Jun (keyboardist) and Kyoichi Sato (drum).

4 songs from the new album followed. I particularly like Pure DIAMOND. Makkun said that Jounetsu no Cantare was a song for her female fans. Surprisingly there were quite many of them –two exhibits stood in front of me lol.

When the intro to Koishimasho Nebarimasho started, I screamed my lung out. ;A; Freaking awsm!! One thing about Makkun’s concert is that the older the song is, the fans get crazier.

The surprise got much better with Futari. Srsly ancient from 2nd album V-sit. The last time she performed it was… 14 years ago? I was like 7 lol.

Futari started the ballad section, since she followed with an equally sad Regret from the new album. For some weird reasons I love Makkun’s slower ballad more than her rocker side. I’d cry if she sings Wasuregusa.

During the MC, Makkun said she did lots of cover songs. The moment she mentioned Masami Kobushi album, we screamed like crazy. ^^; Apparently she just wanted to promote Self Satisfaction, a cover album of songs she wrote for others. Aww no Cutie Honey for me. T__T She then did Fuyu no Himawari from the album.

HAPPY PLACE was definitely a fan favourite. ♥

Another self plug for Gundam tribute from Lantis album, before performing DREAMS (Gundam X OP). Almost made me want to get the CD, but hey it was my last day, I’d be surprised if I still have enough cash.

Towel song was Never die!!! Kyaa. I was expecting Shuffle, but Never die was totally fun.

Closed the setlist with Divine Love, a cover from JAM Project song which she also composed.

After a short encore break, Makkun performed the best ballad of the day: Flower. At one point, the song brought tears to Makkun’s eyes… and actually to the big guy next to me too. ^^;

The 2nd encore started with MC session of each band member.
- Macaroni☆ was looking for a wife, so Makkun asked if anyone in the crowd wants to marry him. Surprisingly(?) some male fans responded! Makkun went LOL on stage.
- Tadakun got loud cheers, mostly guys shouting “kawaii yo!” .. understandable, really.
- It was Jun’s birthday! Makkun and everyone sang Happy Birthday to him ♪ though only me pronounced it properly *runs*

Megami ni Naritai was another great choice, but Key was totally an unexpected nostalgic song from 5th album Her-Day. The concert really ended with THE ultimate Makkun song: Rinbu Revolution. Finally I got to hear the full original version, better than the Minorin duet one lol.

Setlist

1. Starting Over
2. ワガママナチョウ (Wagamama na cho)
MC
3. 朱 -AKA- (Shu -AKA-)
4. TO DIE FOR xxx
5. Pure DIAMOND
MC
6. 情熱のカンターレ (Jounetsu no cantare)
7. その時誰もが女神となる (Sono toki daremo ga megami to naru)
8. 恋しましょ ねばりましょ (Koishimasho nebarimasho)
MC
9. 二人 (Futari)
MC
10. Regret
11. Good-bye Good luck
MC
12. 冬の向日葵 (Fuyu no himawari)
13. HAPPY PLACE
14. 乙女心無限 (Otomegokoro mugen)
MC
15. DREAMS
16. PHASE
17. 虹色Shooter (Nijiiro Shooter)
MC
18. Never die
19. Divine love

ENCORE #1
20. Flower

ENCORE #2
21. 女神になりたい ～for a yours～ (Megami ni naritai)
22. Key
23. 輪舞-revolution (Rinbu-revolution)

Makkun performed all songs from the new album except Miracle Upper WL, which might be kept for her birthday live 2 weeks from now, when a “secret guest” will appear (not really a secret huh). Shimoda Asami and Faylan are confirmed guests. Damn it’s nice to be Makkun, surrounded by young girls. ( ;A; )

There were only 3 different live goods. THREE. Makes me wonder, when will Nana make me save this much money? I guess never with her 25 types of goods orz.

I got the pink limited shirt, cos the blue one sold out. ^^;

All in all I was really happy with my first Makkun experience. Will definitely go again if I have the chance.