9 years I've been waiting for them, and the dream came true on May 2nd, 2012, at Lapangan D Senayan... L'Arc~en~Ciel World Tour at Jakarta!

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H-1
I'd been preparing all the things to bring to the location, from a small bag, a power bank (in case my BlackBerry died), a plastic bag (to protect my electronic devices if it rained), tissue (cuz people are talking about how nasty the toilets there in the venue), money, rain coat, and of course, my ticket. Everything was ready. I was ready.

H-day
I was awaken at 3.30 am. Couldn't sleep anymore after that, no matter how hard I tried. This really made me worried, since I hadn't had a good sleep for four nights in a row. How if I fainted during the concert? How if I can't concentrate? And many other "hows", showing my worries....

Around 6am, I checked my BB and found an sms from Renji, telling us that 1000 first people who come to the venue, either regular or premium, will be given a priority wrist band. This just made me panicking more, because my ride will be at 1pm. That would be so damn LATE. So I decided to find another ride, and thankfully, Dennis "Ahou" told me he went with Mbak Sandy, and I could go with them. At around 9am, I had already in their car, getting some sleep before a long, hectic day.

We arrived at 10pm. Lapangan D was already full with people! OMG, who actually guess they would come this EARLY?? I'm so worried I'd run out of priority band. But no worry, this band, in the end, didn't have any use at all. :)

Around 12, the Q for merchandise booth outside the prefunction area was sooooo long already! I went in to the Q, just for a pack of light stick (IDR 100.000) and the eco-bag (IDR 150.000), and I need around 2 hours to get them! Crazy! With the sun right above our heads, I think I was gonna blacked out! Then, after I secured my merchandises, I went to find a toilet with some friends before we Qed behind the Gate 1.

The Q for Gate 1 was beyond horrible. 30 minutes felt too long, while my back stiffened and breath was more difficult. Too many people there! When the gate was opened, people from behind were pushing like crazy! I REALLY THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE, but of course, that didn't happen, or else I won't be here, writing this report! :))

Btw, let's not talk about the Q, because, just trust me, the Q was totally dreadful, and you don't wanna know about it.

So after that, 6.30 pm, I confirmed my position right behind the Premium - VIP separator, although it was a bit to the left, but still okay. Certainly I would get quite a lovely view from there!

One thing that worried all people that time was the weather. The sky was dark and cloudy, sometimes it drizzled and some people put their rain coat (including me). Near 8 pm, the time which scheduled for the show to initiate, there was a startling announcement, which said, "If it rains heavily and thunder rumblings, the band will postponed the show until the weather gets better. Thank you."
DAMN HELL, of course this really scared us!!! So the crowds started calling the band name, "L'Arc~en~Ciel! L'Arc~en~Ciel! L'Arc~en~Ciel!"
and..... here it was, the show began!

THE SHOW
It opened with a video of Hyde being some kind of a robot, then continue to their opening video which shows the city they will visit during the World Tour 2012. When it comes to Jakarta, the audiences screamed! Then WHAM! The members appeared on the stage, performing "Ibara no Namida". The lights turned reddish, and kinda dark. The crowds screamed again, and I teared up, totally couldn't believe they were there. Hyde, Tetsuya, Yuki, and Ken. All were so real... Just as real as my own feet (which grew weaker and weaker every passing minute). So, even though I don't really like this song, I still jumped and screamed and swinging my light stick so excitedly. FINALLY!!!!!

The second song was "CHASE", which is one of my favorite from BUTTERFLY. Again, the people were going frenzy, we sang along everytime Hyde said, "I'm chasing you, CHASING YOU!". The rest were in English, so we weren't that familiar... Then the song continued to another rocking one, "GOOD LUCK MY WAY", and the audiences chanted all along one more time.

The fist break came right after that. The music stopped. The stage is getting darker. Suddenly, Hyde was highlighted, and my first thought was, "Wow, he was so......beautiful....and that cherry lips was soooo kissable..." I drooled in my mind. xDD

Hyde's first MC, he said, "Halo, Jakarta," followed with some kisses (OMFG). "Kami... Kami Raruku en Shieru (L'Arc~en~Ciel). Kalian senang bertemu aku? Aku? Aku juga. Selamat menikmati. Selamat menikmati." -we are L'Arc~en~Ciel. Are you happy to meet me? Me? Me too. Enjoy, enjoy.-
This made the fans cheered and clapping hands happily, cuz it was wonderful hearing him speaking in our language!

Without taking to much time, he continued to the next song, "Honey", stroking his guitar so sexy, and "DRINK IT DOWN", the song that made me kinda feel like a naughty vampire hahaha...

"REVELATION" came right after that. In this song, the fans went completely crazy, following the very upbeat and rocking song.

The next song was "Hitomi no Jyuunin". For a second, I thought it was going to be Kasou, since it showed some flower petals on the middle screen, but turned out it was HnJ. Hyde, Tetsuya, and Ken sat together in the middle of the stage casually....I cried again listening to this my favorite song of mine being played. Crowds were getting a bit more quiet, listening to this ballads... Really beautiful and emotional...

After that emotional part, L'Arc was getting naughty. They played "XXX ~English Version~" after that. The fans couldn't really sang along, since the lyric was different! xD

"FATE" came after that. And since I also dont really like this song, I won't give much comment. Sorry, but I was expecting Daybreak's Bell... :((

Suddenly, the stage grow darker again, and the drumbeat-marching-band intro played. I screamed. IT WAS "forbidden lover" !!!!!! This one is also my favorite from L'Arc, so I was really glad! For another surprise, Hyde CRIED during this song. OMMMMGGGG, I didn't want to cry, but seeing him being so emotional like that was really contagious. Again, I cried. This time, I took a tissue from my bag and wiped my tears cuz it couldn't be held anymore and my sight blurred.

Ken did his guitar solo after the song finished while the other members rested. His play was amazing, especially since it continued to "MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM". OMMMGGGGGG, these boys just wouldn't let us laid back a little, would they? Hahahahha! So the crowds sang along again, pouring down all their feelings and excitement. Yume wo egaku yo... Yume wo egaku yo... Yume wo egaku yo... Our hearts draw a dream...

After this song, it was Ken's turn to MC. This was his "speech", which made all the audiences laugh till our stomach had six packs! xD
See the video here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsVBYNc8owg (credit to an006)
 I will never forget this part, especially since Hyde looked so cute when he couldn't play that bamboo flute! LOL.
And BTW Busway Ken-chan, maybe next time I will really consider wearing bikini to the gig. Hahahahha...

"SEVENTH HEAVEN" went right after this MC. People said Ken played with his zipper during this song, up and down, up and down, LOL!! But I didn't see this part, cuz he's too far from my position, and the big screen didn't catch it. *sigh*

"DRIVER'S HIGH" came next. The intro was really easy to recognize, so before Hyde started singing, everybody had jumped and screamed! I guess everyone waited for this song, cuz we wanted to "clash!" and "flash!" together! For suprise, Hyde later gave the part of "mou kazoeru kurai de bokura wa kieusete makkura na asa ga kuru ne, o ki ni iri no fuku ni sae kigaeta nara, kakedashite!" to be sung by the fans. From what I've heard, he NEVER did this before. Sooo proud and happy being Indonesian Cielers! As a bonus, Tetsuya did his bass solo after this song.

The next song was "STAY AWAY". I WAS SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!! It's a vivacious song to be performed in a concert, so I was like OMG!!! They played it!!! I thought I digested some magic mushrooms or what, cuz I felt high and couldn't stop singing, and especially shouting "maybe happy, maybe happy, I dare say I'm happy" unstoppably! Only Laruku can do this to me, I swear!

Like STAY AWAY didn't enough to amuse the crowd, Hyde screamed, "JAKARTAAAHHH ARE YOU F***IN READY?!!!"
The crowds reaction was deafening! Fireworks blew after "READY STEADY GO" intro, then Hyde shouted "JAKARTAH!" and "JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!" so many times, really made us crazy! The song ended with Yukihiro's drum solo. We shouted "OI! OI! OI!" adjusting to his thumps, which was getting faster and faster. HE WAS SO COOL!!!

Yukihiro finished the session before encore. The lights were being turned off. Dark once more. Some people started singing BLESS, but not everyone chanted all along.

Suddenly, after a few minutes passed, the rain sprinkled. I was sure people were worried if the show was delayed, so some people sang "anata"'s chorus......then the lyric showed up on the big screen. Automatically, crowds were singing....and singing....and singing....until the band turned up once more on the stage. Yay!

"anata" was a very special song during this gig. It rained right before the song was performed, but when the song finished, the rain was gone! Like a magic, and so dramatic, and romantic, you mention it! No one will ever forget this "anata".... And for some folks saying that it was a 3D effect, I assure you, it was not. I feel the water hit my skin, and I got a bit wet. Thankfully, it wasn't a heavy one.

The next song coming was something really meaningful to everybody. "The Fourth Avenue Cafe", which can be described as the first song most of Indonesian Cielers have ever heard from the band. I cried again, feeling so thankful to them for singing it....really brought back the memories to when I was in elementary school, watching Rurouni Kenshin every afternoon...

"Link" went after, driving everybody crazy once more. Again, Hyde shouted, "JAKARTAAAHH! JUMP JUMP JUMP!", so we followed his instruction.
Then, as they did so many times before, the song stopped in the middle. Tetchan use this moment to MC. what made us laugh was when he said, "GUA SUJU, DARI KOREA" -I'm SuJu, from Korea-, which getting so much "BOOOOOOOO" from the audience. LOL!
Click here to see the video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3SBWApgHWg (credit: an006)
While Tetsu MC-ing, Hyde sat on the dark, in front of the left big screen. HE WAS SO CLOSE TO ME, FOR GOD'S SAKE!!! So I called his name, "HAIIIDDDOOOO, HAIIIDDDOOO", while the others concentrate on Tetchan. I hope he noticed me!!!!! >.<
Link continued right after, with Hyde kept screaming "JUMP JUMP" etc. I haven't eaten anything since 3pm (while it was nearly 10 pm already), and my feet felt like pudding, but I still jumped and swing my light stick with all my will!

And then, everything good must come to and end. Hyde said, "Ini lagu terakhir" - this is the last song- and "NIJI" was played. I remember crying so hard during this song, cuz how can it ended so fast?? I dont want it to end! But whatever it is, we knew it's time to say good bye. The good this is, Hyde said they're going to come again to Indonesia. He said, "Indonesia, kami datang lagi," which actually mean "Indonesia, we come again" but okay, let's said he's gonna visit us again! yay!
The feathers blew, I tried to catch some, but it was quite difficult! hahahha...

Hyde & Tetsu said a lot of "Terima Kasih", then Tetsu threw some bananas, and lollipops, and his banana water gun. So sad I didnt get any of it. Huuu...

And well, that wrapped the concert of the legend.

______


Susah melukiskan perasaan setelah konser selesai. Saya keluar dari arena konser dengan perasaan menggantung dan merana. Kemudian sekelompok orang sepertinya sedang direkam oleh LArcrew, they were shouting, "PLEASE COME AGAIN! PLEASE COME AGAIN!" so I followed. So sad it had finished. So unbelievable. Two hours that feels like a dream.......

Konser ini sangat berkesan sekali. Konser pertama di Indonesia, dan menurut om Peter Harjani selaku promotor, adalah salah satu crowd terbaik yang pernah dipunyai Laruku, sampai-sampai di backstage Hyde meneteskan air mata terharu. How can we not love them? With marvellous song, incredible performances, strong vocals by Hyde, etc.... This concert will stay in our heart forever.

Bahkan sampe sekarang, masih susah rasanya ngilangin bayang-bayang konser tanggal 2 Mei tersebut. Masih rindu rasanya berada di 'kebun' itu, menyaksikan mereka berempat beraksi dengan instrumen masing-masing...
Hyde yang kelewat cantik & tampan..
Tetsu yang manis & cute...
Ken-chan yang kocak...
Yukihiro yang pemalu tapi gebukan drumnya dahsyat...
They looked so happy during the show...

Please L'Arc~en~Ciel, please come again to Jakarta.....
And thank you for coming this time. We owe you too many happiness... Thank you, thank you...arigato...terima kasih! Love you always!

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The song list :
1. Ibara no Namida
2. CHASE
3. GOOD LUCK MY WAY
4. Honey
5. DRINK IT DOWN
6. REVELATION
7. Hitomi no Jyuunin
8. XXX ~English Version~
9. fate
10. forbidden lover
11. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
12. SEVENTH HEAVEN
13. Driver's High
14. STAY AWAY
15. READY STEADY GO
16. anata
17. The Fourth Avenue Cafe
18. Link
19. NIJI


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Pictures can be seen from

1. JPOPASIA : http://on.fb.me/IDnANm
2. IROCKUMENTARY : http://bit.ly/JE4Z1E
3. Viva News : http://bit.ly/IF41o1
4. id.omg.yahoo.com : http://bit.ly/JY0D47
5. KapanLagi.com : http://bit.ly/IB65d5
6. Natalie : http://bit.ly/J4mYgm

(credit : L'Arc~en~Ciel Indonesia Group)

Salah satu lagu favorit gw dari L'Arc~en~Ciel adalah Bravery. Lagu ini juga yang selalu jadi tempat kabur gw kalo ada masalah berat.

So here it is. Hope it can help you all too..


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L'Arc~en~Ciel - Bravery
Music and lyric by : Tetsu (now Tetsuya)

Romaji version

tarinaikotoba narabetemo
hontou no koto wa tsutawaranai
yasashii dake ja mamorenai
tadashii dake ja tsutawaranai
shashin ni wa utsuranai tsukuri
egao no shita no
kimochi nante zettai ni kikasenaide zutto
kowasanaide sotto
sore ga anatatachi no nozonda sekai sa
mukashi wa yokatta nante iwanaide
ano kirameku toki no naka no
nani o shitterutte iu no sa

kienai kizu ga aru koto mo
ichizu na kimi ni wa wakaranai
itsuwari no shinjitsu ni shigami
tsuite nigete soshite kokoro samayotte
iyashinai sa kitto
sonna hito zutto
sore wa anatatachi no
tsukutta sekai sa

mukashi wa yokatta nante iu keredo
sono hitomi no oku ni nani o
utsushitekitatte iu no sa
mitekita you ni nandemo iu keredo
tada omote shika mitenai anata ni
nani ga wakaru no
the truth will be never shared to anyone

konakutemo ii yo
minakutemo ii yo
jama shinaide zutto
kore ga watashitachi no kimeta koto dakara
mukashi wa yokatta nante iwanaide
ano kirameku toki no naka no
nani o shitterutte iu no sa
ijiwaru na koto bakari mou iwanaide
bokura ga eranda michi ga
ayamachi nara… mou inai
you have no bravery to know the truth
you will help us
we will help you

Indonesian translation

Meski kami mencoba mengatakan hal-hal yang tak jelas, kau takkan mengerti hal yang sebenarnya
Bersikap ramah saja takkan melindungi kita
Mengatakan yang sebenarnya saja tak berarti kau akan mengerti
Perasaan dibalik senyum yang dibuat-buat itu takkan nampak di foto
Jangan beritahu kami, jangan hancurkan
Itu dunia yang kalian inginkan

Jangan katakan “yang dahulu itu baik”
Memangnya apa yang kamu tahu mengenai apa yang terjadi di masa yang berkilauan itu?

Pikiranmu yang satu arah itu takkan mengerti bagaimana rasanya memiliki luka yang tak bisa sembuh
Berpegang pada kebenaran yang salah
Lari pergi dan merasa dihancurkan
Kami bukan orang seperti itu
Itu dunia yang kalian buat

Tapi kau akan berkata “yang dahulu itu baik”
Apa yang terpancar di balik mata yang indah itu
Kau akan berkata bahwa kau bisa melihat semuanya
Tapi hanya dengan melihat luarnya, apa yang bisa kau mengerti?

The truth will never be shared to anyone

Tak usah datang, tak usah melihat
jangan campuri urusan kami, ini keputusan yang kami buat

Jangan katakan “yang dahulu itu baik”
Memangnya apa yang kamu tahu mengenai apa yang terjadi di masa yang berkilauan itu?
Jangan juga katakan hal yang tak berarti
Bila jalan yang kami pilih ini salah, kami sudah tak ada lagi saat ini

You have no bravery to know the truth
You will help us, we will help you

CREDIT TO : http://darkvanilla.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/l-arc-en-ciel-bravery-indonesian-translate-lyric/

Klo denger lagu, apa yang bikin sebagian dari kita kagum sama lagu itu?

Apa itu komposisi musiknya? Atau melodinya yang enak didengar?

Semua itu terserah anda..
*halah, paan c luw Tiph!*

Yang iya, belakangan ini gw menyadari klo gw cinta banget permainan vokal dalam suatu lagu.

Oke?

Bukan sekedar suka lagi, tapi cinta.

That's why belakangan gw suka banget denger lagu RnB ato lagu" yang punya permainan vokal tinggi.

Contoh-contoh lagu yang gw sebut dinyanyikan dengan teknik vokal yang superb adalah Oh Happy Day yang merupakan OST-nya Sister Act 2. Anak cowo yang jadi lead vocal di lagu ini bener-bener punya suara dan vokal yang keren.. Gw selalu salut gimana dia bisa bermain dgn banyak nada dan variasi vokal di lagu itu.. Dan semangatnya kerasa banget.. Ini yang gw suka dari orang-orang yang bisa bermain dengan vokal mereka.

Akhir-akhir ini juga gw jadi sangat suka dengan penyanyi kulit hitam. They have really great voices.. Yg gw suka misalnya Alicia Keys [yg uda gw nobatkan sebagai dewi gw.. Belom pernah gw menganggap seorang penyanyi cewe dewi gw..], secara gw suka banget cara dia nyanyi di lagu-lagu dia kayak If I Ain't Got You, Like You'll Never See Me Again, dsb.. Begitu penuh jiwa. Soul abis pokonya.. Selain itu suaranya juga khas banget. Suka deh pokonya ma suaranya yang berat, serak, tapi seksi. Nyesel banget ga bisa nonton konsernya di Jakarta taon ini.. Tiketnya mahal banget c!!! Hixx..

Selaen dia, gw juga suka ma Rihanna. Cewe satu ini selaen punya mata yang kelewat seksi, juga punya suara yang rendah menggoda. Warna suaranya juga khas.. Pokonya keren abiz..

Yang laen-laen yang gw suka juga misalnya Craig David [permainan vokalnya jago banget! Meski artikulasinya ga jelas], Ne-Yo, dan Chris Brown..

Wah, pokonya para negro" ntu permainan vokalnya keren abis!!

Oia, lagu laen yang permainan vokalnya keren dan gw suka adalah Love Will Find a Way versi Kenny Lattimore & H. Heather. Sumpah, keren banget vokal mereka di lagu ini.

Oh, dan jebolan" American Idol juga biasanya punya vokal yang bagus". Meski dari semuanya, yang menurut gw vokalnya paling keren masih Jordin Sparks seorang. Vokalnya di lagu One Step at a Time keren abis!

Gara" aspek permainan vokal ini juga, gw jadi ga gitu suka lagu" yang termasuk alternative [like Saosin, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, LP, dsb] ato Punk [Simple Plan, Paramore, dsb] karena meskipun lagu mereka ga jelek, malah banyak yang bagus sebenernya, tapi tetep aja mereka ga main vokal.

Gimana klo dibandingin ma musisi-musisi Indonesia?

Ya ampunnn...
Menurut gw sih musisi-musisi Indo masih kurang banget deh vokalnya~
Emang sih mereka bisa bikin lagu bagus, hits di pasaran, dan ear catchy, tapi tetep aja, vokalnya masih kalah jauhhh...
Dan ini terutama bwt artis" jebolan Indonesian Idol.. Banyak banget yang menurut gw vokalnya ga bener..
Moga" penyanyi" negara kita bisa lebih baik lagi, dan suatu hari gw bisa banggain lagu" mereka ke orang" sambil bilang, "Eh, denger lagu ini deh! Vokalisasi penyanyinya keren abis!"


Ok..

Jya..


- r.a.i-c.h.a.n -