LIVE REPORT ~ Versailles ~Philharmonic Quintet~: October 11, 2008
Arlington, VA
The mass of fans crowded into the Hyatt Regency's main ballroom screamed as Versailles Philharmonic Quintet played the opening riff to zombie. It didn't take long for bodies to be moving and heads banging to the music, and it was easy to see why zombie is a fan favorite. As a heavier song, it's great to throw yourself into it, and it was definitely needed after all the complications that Versailles Philharmonic Quintet had faced that night.
Frustration was high for everyone at Anime USA as the time to open the doors to the ballroom for Versailles Philharmonic Quintet's performance came…and passed. An hour passed, and another. Convention staff members were busy trying to keep con-goers cool, hydrated, and pacified. Even with the explanation of problems with the sound check (apparently the acoustics of the room weren't good), Anime USA's staff had their hands full with fans that were angry about having to wait. And who could blame them? The doors weren't opened until nearly three hours after the scheduled time. And even then, they had to wait, and for a rocky start, at that.
Tension filled the room as Roger, CEO of Tainted Reality, strode onstage and introduced Versailles Philharmonic Quintet. Yuki, Jasmine You, Teru, and Hizaki took the stage, picked up their instruments, and began the riff to Aristocrat's Symphony. Kamijo strutted onto stage and gazed into the crowd. Yet there was one more problem before the band could begin their set: the front row of the audience was full of the members of the press with their cameras. There's no delicate way to put it: Kamijo was pissed. Fans further back might've thought it was part of the show when he jumped down to the edge of the crowd, but those closer up will probably have a different story. Whatever actually happened, in the end, Kamijo had to struggle to get away and climb back onstage.
When Kamijo finally began singing the opening lines of Aristocrat's Symphony, he still looked angry, but it was as if some of the frustration started melting away and out of the ballroom. Bad energy steadily leaked away as Yuki's drumming launched into Shout & Bites, and gradually the net woven with the addition of Jasmine You's bass, Hizaki and Teru's guitars, and Kamijo's voice pulled the audience into the glittering world of Versailles Philharmonic Quintet. Beast of Desire was next, strengthening the bond between the five musical aristocrats and the crowd before them.
Kamijo gave a brief MC next, preparing everyone for what was next: zombie. If ever there was a song to get everyone into the spirit, zombie is it for Versailles Philharmonic Quintet. Hizaki and Teru both exhibited their excellent guitar skills as the overall mood escalated from good to amazing. The show had started on a bad foot, but by the end of zombie, it was all but forgotten.
Wrapped around the band's fingers, it was easy to get lost in the beautiful elegance of the next block of songs. Beginning with PRINCE, the band showed off their soulful side. Next up was WINDRESS: Hizaki and Teru with guitars singing, Jasmine You laying down a lovely bassline, Yuki backing it up on drums, and Kamijo's vocals, all coming together to create a memorable harmony. Through AFTER CLOUDIA and History of the Other Side, Versailles Philharmonic Quintet made it quite clear why they had chosen to add “Philharmonic Quintet” to their name. Five musicians, a quintet, and with the audience, the experience is a complete melody.
The members were introduced next, and tension built again in anticipation for the next song, The Red Carpet Day. Another great song for headbanging and getting the temperature up, Hizaki and Teru really glowed, their fingers dancing on the strings of their guitars, and Jasmine You dancing along with them. Yuki furiously pounded his drums, and Kamijo fronted it all, his presence powerful and just short of overwhelming. The Red Carpet Day came to spectacular end, and Versailles Philharmonic Quintet left the stage, much to everyone's dismay, but the cry came up for an encore almost immediately.
Their cry was answered by the gentle opening of Sympathia, a song that, in its own way, cries, too. The final song from Versailles Philharmonic Quintet's first album, Lyrical Sympathy, it seemed a fitting place for Sympathia: it pulled the ballroom together into Philharmonics once more. The Revenant Choir followed--our last melody with the band, the last chance to become one. Voices rang out in a chorus, singing the lyrics with Kamijo, "if you wish I will become a rose" rising to the ceiling. As the notes were finally dying away, Versailles Philharmonic Quintet bid everyone farewell, and reluctantly left the stage.
Better late than never, they say. And in this case, it was true. Despite a lengthy delay and a less-than-admirable start, Versailles Philharmonic Quintet delivered a memorable performance that, in the end, was definitely worth the wait. Given the circumstances, it was a great show. Thanks for sticking it out, VPQ.
SET LIST
-SE-
Aristocrat's Symphony
Shout & Bites
Beast of Desire
-SMC-
zombie
-MC-
PRINCE
WINDRESS
AFTER CLOUDIA
The History of the Other Side
-member intro-
The Red Carpet Day
encore
Sympathia
The Revenant Choir
report by Melony; set list compiled by Kara; photos copyright Versailles ~Philharmonic Quintet~
Thanks to Tainted Reality and Anime USA for making this possible. Also thank you to Versailles ~Philharmonic Quintet~ for putting up with all the complications and still giving us a good show.
links
Versailles ~Philharmonic Quintet~ Official Website
Versailles ~Philharmonic Quintet~ Official MySpace
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