Anime Diet

Anime USA deserves the loudest ovation for making the concert standing room. While I understand that concerts are not the forte of an anime convention, the seated format for concerts really subdues the experience. Here’s hoping that Anime USA set a precedent for others to emulate. (I am looking at you Otakon =P)

Staff divided the line waiting outside the hall into three sections – press, sponsors and regular attendees. When doors opened, sponsors were allowed in first, followed by press which caused some members of press to voice displeasure. I am on the fence because I straddle both sides in that as a music fan, I would be furious to not get good seats that accompanies the purchase of sponsorship. At the same time, I am disappointed that my press duties would be hindered by attendees. Doors were closed to the rest in line which certainly adds to the appeal of a sponsorship.

With only a few rows of seating along the rear and side walls, the empty Marshall Hall felt desolate. I took a spot near the corner of stage right in the second row before doors opened again. I was surprised to note that turn out was rather weak. The pit extended maybe six lines deep with several who prefer personal space and stood as scattered islands. Then there were some who I surmise wanted to rest their feet in choosing one of the aforementioned seats.

It’s an incredible shame that on the occasion of a standing room concert, so few were in attendance to take advantage of it.

After the MC wasted everyone’s time in his efforts to excite the crowd, I witnessed the entrance of my first visual kei band to the deafening noise of those around me. Photos on the internet does not prepare one enough. Like the gentleman next to me wondered earlier, it seemed rather troublesome to rock in such costumes (exhibit A).

Exhibit A

Aya

Mix Speaker’s, Inc. made it look like a cake walk.

I think I am in love with Aya. He wore a wedding white dress complete with matching stiletto heels. It was his mannerism that stole my heart. The way he stood allowed the slit in his dress to part, revealing his titillating calf. The way he hovered his feet over the pedal in those heels would cause anyone to develop a foot fetish. The way he projected himself, in a smug, I am too sexy for this guitar and dress combo left me mesmerized. Above all else, the way he solemnly stuck his tongue out randomly multiples times during his guitar solo just… excuse me, I have to change my underwear.

Suffice to say, I spent most of the concert staring at Aya and his deft fingers caressing the length of his firm fretboard to notice much else. That is until something unexpected happened. Each member of the band held a heart shaped wand then proceeded to dance in rehearsed tandem.

Am I at a Backstreet Boys concert?

Then it occurred to me that all this time Yuki and Miki have been making gestures as they sang. And those in or near the front row have been making the same gestures.

Did a rock band just go pop?

End of part one.