#2 - [REVIEW] MIYAVI live in London

The day which many fans in Europe had been waiting for since the announcement of the EU leg of MIYAVI tour 2015 “WE ARE THE OTHERS” back in June, had finally kicked off on 27th of September 2015 at Shephard’s Bush Empire in London.

There were fans who had queued up since early AM and fans who had travelled from all over the globe just to see their favourite artist – MIYAVI. With London's Live, MIYAVI started his fifth European tour. Since the first time was back in 2008 with “This iz the Japanese kabuki rock world tour” MIYAVI has never missed the chance to stop by London and make sure his fans witnessed his continuing evolution.

The evening first kicked off at 8pm with the support act Erica Nockalls. After the support band had wrapped up their great performance it was time for MIYAVI and his drummer Bobo to take over the stage and fans. The lights were switched off and the powerful intro of MIYAVI’s song Cruel from his newest album The Others started to play, haunting the fans minutes before MIYAVI and Bobo made their appearances. First one to come out was Bobo, he walked on stage greeted by happy fans and took his “battle” place at the drums set, and then MIYAVI “the Japanese Samurai Guitarist“ entered in the scene followed by lots of loud cheers welcoming him back in UK. His heavy guitar sound and the displeased lyrics of his song filled the atmosphere stating “The world is Cruel”. The mood changed when MIYAVI shouted “Are you ready London?” hitting his guitar as each beat carried through the crowd making them want more of it, the beats got faster and it was time to ask What’s my name? The MIYAVI label - song carries a powerful and next-level guitar playing skills that sums up greatly his essence as a performer. Each time MIYAVI sang “What’s my name?” the fans screamed “MIIIIYAAAVIIII”.

The song ended with an electrified vibe and MIYAVI was ready to take a moment to speak with the audience: “What’s up London? Having a good time? Alright, my name is MIYAVI and on the drums Bobo. This is my fifth time to have an EU tour. It’s too many but every time I come back to London I’m so proud and so happy to be here. Please enjoy yourselves tonight ok?” Come alive a fresh and vibrant track from “The Others” album was the song next on the setlist. The crowd was feeling alive together with MIYAVI, sharing the same moment filled with happiness and positive energy. The next riffs from MIYAVIs guitar was instantly recognised, it was time to celebrate one of human’s instinct, it's a Secret though. Then to make fans go even wilder MIYAVI went back in time to 2006 and played Selfish love a track loved by many and that has his signature guitar slapping that he’s known for.

A talk from MC cooled down the air and allowed everyone to recharge until the next song:

“Every single time I have a concert in London it makes me nervous, just speaking in English. And it’s really hard to understand the British accent but anyway, thanks for coming today” MIYAVI then added:

“Today is the first day of this EU leg, so hard to deal with the jet lag. I don’t know why Bobo is totally fine.” Making the fans laugh. He then talked about his latest album – The Others: “I recorded my new album in Nashville last year, did you get it? That experience was very precious in my life because I learnt many things from the experience. The concept is the others, we’re all the others, and we’re all migrants. Now from the TV there are many sad news are coming on. Anyway, we are having a good time and we are able to play music right here - that’s something we need to appreciate. We’re all different, we’re all the others, we’re all different colour, we’re all different but the key to unite is to understand, accept and respect each other. That’s why I’m so happy to be here as an Asian. And that’s the responsibility of culture – be it music, fashion or whatever. Nobody listens to music to be sad - sometimes yeah. But we need music to feel positive, to feel the bright future. That’s why I’m so happy to be here to share the moment with you tonight – thank you. The next track is also a track I wrote in Nashville – Calling” The track allowed the audience to know what the world is widely recognized samurai guitarist following to be who he is: the call of his soul.

Then MIYAVI said to the fans “the next track I need you to sing along with me ok?” He started to play Cry like this from “MIYAVI” album sharing the same energy and vibe of the fans. Everyone waved their hands in harmony to MIYAVI’s singing as he guided them through the song. He finished “Cry like this” and asked “You want more rock right?” and at this moment both MIYAVI and his drummer turned into samurais as they battled each other before starting the next track – Survive.

The following song was Let go, with powerful lyrics resuming his attitude to deal with the struggles while acting in the movie “UNBROKEN” as the sadistic prison guard Matsuhiro Watanabe. The Others song – the lead track of the album from Nashvielle was the next on the list. Fans who had travelled from France, Spain, Hungary, South Korea, Japan and many other countries were in the same venue, under the stage, sharing the same moment and making MIYAVI’s concept of “the others” come true as he stated “We are the others, we’re all different, we’re all every colour, and we’re right here to be one, to unite, to feel the future”.

Horizon was the last song which had fans jumping, singing, dancing and cheering together. MIYAVI and Bobo then left the stage thanking the fans.

During the waiting for the encore, fans kept screaming “MI-YA-VI!” but they did not have to wait for long as MIYAVI and Bobo were fast back on stage to rock on. MIYAVI said to the hyped crowd that it was Bobo’s birthday, so fans sang happy birthday together and made the first night of the European tour be more special.

MIYAVI then got in his position to play the next song Mission Impossible theme rearranged by himself for the latest M:I Movie; the venue turned into a spy film location but at the same time the strong and elegant MIYAVI beats was showing off his rock star aura.

What a wonderful world a catchy and a favourite amongst many MIYAVI fans was then played by the more than samurai guitarist, making everyone think about the incredible and victorious steps he reached so far by never stopping to challenge himself.

Last song for the night was Day 1 making the fans feel sad that it’s was the over but at the same time filling them with a futuristic power. Before leaving the stage MIYAVI thanked everyone for coming to see his show and shook hands with the fans in front row.

“Thank you so much London, I’ll be back soon okay? I love you, goodnight!”

The kick off of the European leg was powerful, intense and energetic – making it unforgettable for many fans seeing MIYAVI for the first time and for those who have witnessed this before. It was a night where fans were united as one. We are the others and MIYAVI achieved to portray that through the London show.

MIYAVI photos

Review written by: Narine and KanMisa

Photos: Narine

Oppertunity given by: Najinsan

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Narine Chalabi

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