the GazettE at the Playstation Theater, NYC April 29, 2016 live report by namelessliberty
Wow, what a day. A tremendous, memorable day.
My friend and I got in line at around 3:15pm and by then the lines were pretty full. They had a couple separate lines for VIP and GA. We were told that VIP were supposed to get in the venue at 5:30pm but we actually got in at 6:50ish. the GazettE North American Street Team came around and gave us the flag to sign!! That was exciting. The venue staff checked our bags and gave us our blue wristbands. Heresy members got a black and red rubber wrist band. The wait was irritating all of us actually. We waited a long time after the checks too.
When we finally came in, we headed down and they gave us our shirts and then the merch stand was around the corner. The merch stand was disappointing! There was only black shirts with white designs ($35), bandana ($15), black tote with bunny design ($15), and hoodie ($65). All black with white designs. There were also gift boxes for them. One for the group and then individual boxes. I went ahead and put my gifts in. I got in the venue and stood right behind the railing in the center behind the mosh pit and got a perfect view!
The concert started at 8:15 (at the beginning of the show where was an announcement about there being no photos or videos). A staff member recorded the audience first. Wow, it didn’t feel real. It felt like I was watching them on a screen but the quality was clear. They are AMAZING live. I felt like they weren’t doing the fan service they do in the Japan shows though. Some of the songs they played were Vortex, The Suicide Circus, Ominous, Cockroach, Agony, and Tomorrow Never Dies. I will get a full setlist later. I think Ruki was staring straight at me a couple times because I wasn’t headbanging and the girls around me were.
There were a couple troubling things though. There was a total of four crowdsurfers who got kicked out and a mosh pit that was pretty violent. I was getting really worried when I saw them. Also with the exception of a staff member, there were quite a few people recording and taking pictures.
The second half of the live was SO fun.They took a short break and Kai, Uruha, and Aoi changed their shirts and that’s when things got hot because they were playing old songs. We were going crazy. I almost pissed myself when they played Agony. I was jumping and singing along, it was so fun. Ruki is an amazing performer and Aoi, Reita, Uruha, and Kai have an amazing stage presence. Ruki said in English: “you guys are fucking crazy!!” and “what’s up New York?” and in a singsong voice: “New Yooorkk”. Sometimes I thought he thought we were too crazy.
It was a short live, disappointingly. It ended at like 9:45ish? Ruki pulled out the American flag from the street team and it was a pleasure to see it. Aoi and Uruha threw guitar picks, Ruki spit water and threw the water bottles, and Kai threw his drum stick. Aoi and Ruki took pictures of the crowd too! They also held hands and bowed. I wish there were more MCs though.
After the live we waited in the seats for the meet and greet. There was a guy filming for the documentary I think? He asked this girl how she liked the live, and then he filmed us. I think if that part gets in the documentary, I will be in it! We only waited like 10-15 minutes, and I was near the beginning so it was really fast. I got out and they were like RIGHT THERE. There was no curtain or anything. I was on the phone and I almost walked past them lol. First was Aoi, then Reita, then Ruki, then Uruha, and last Kai. In real life they look so perfect. They have big heads and look like wax figures with no blemishes. They have REALLY soft hands and they said thank you to me. I took both of their hands in mine and gave them a firm handshake. I wasn’t nervous because not only was I meeting them, but they were meeting me so I was very confident (also because I have no reason to fear anyone). I said to Ruki: “great show!” and he laughed and said thank you. Then I said to Kai: “I love you!” and istg can we just talk about Kai? He is literally perfect and has sunshine in his smile and is so happy and smiley. A beautiful guy all around. I was in and out in two minutes. There were guys selling posters for $5 outside, which I didn’t buy.
In all I am very satisfied. I cannot believe that just happened. I’ve been waiting so long and I know I wasn’t emotional unlike other people, but I truly am happy. I want to see them again and again. It was perfect and amazing. I’m grateful that they came here, and I hope they come again. I really do.
Also it was so great to meet many of you namelessliberty followers!