L’Arc~en~Ciel Play New York In A Big Way

For those of us unlucky enough to miss L’Arc~en~Ciel’s only US performance at Otakon 2004, the announcement of the 20th Anniversary World Tour seemed like a fabulous opportunity for J-rock fans. Unfortunately, the only date for the continental United States was in New York City at the famed Madison Square Garden. The show would also go down in musical history, as L’Arc~en~Ciel would be the first Japanese band to headline at the Garden.

J-rock fans were not dissuaded by the limited show options. They flocked from the arena from all across the country and even overseas; a girl in line behind me confessed this was the third show she’d seen this tour.

When the show began, there was no opening act. This was Hyde, Tetsuya, Ken, and Yuki’s show, and they were going to own it completely. The opening song, Ibara no Namida, showed that the band was truly going to give us everything they had. Band members Ken and Tetsuya provided their own monologues. With a coy look, Ken told of his trip to the Museum of Natural History based on his love of the movie “Night at the Museum,” and presented drummer Yuki with American souvenirs – a “Nightmare Before Christmas” Monopoly set and a New York City mug. Tetsuya did his banana routine to the delight of the fans, calling out, “Do you want to eat my f**king banana? Do you want to lick my lollipop?”

It went on as a two-hour performance of L’Arc~en~Ciel’s greatest hits and a four-song encore, including a sing-along of Anata, Blurry Eyes, and a finale of the Rurouni Kenshin theme Niji. The most powerful performance was L’arc~en~ciel’s most popular song in the US, Fullmetal Alchemist theme ‘Ready Steady Go.’ Fans were treated to a real J-rock arena show, comparable to the shows in Japan with confetti cannons, streamers, and a fireworks display as they sang along.

And of course, Tetsuya reappeared with his basket of bananas and a glittery banana-shaped water pistol, kissing the fruit and throwing it and dousing the crowd with his water gun.

At the close of the show, it was clear that band was overjoyed with their achievement. An emotional Hyde blew kisses and addressed the cheering crowd: “New York. It has taken us twenty years to get here. Will we meet again?”

I certainly hope so.