Watching a LIVE of ONE OK ROCK was farthest in my mind when the year 2013 started. Like most fans, I noticed their music when the credits of Rurouni Kenshin started to roll inside SM Cinema and Taka’s voice started singing the line, “Just give a reason.” His voice and the song literally stopped me in my tracks when I was just getting up from my seat.
When I heard and watched the music video in full, I was hooked and began fangirling over the band. As my One OK ROCK playlist grew, I knew it would be totally awesome to watch them perform live.
I wished hard and the universe listened and conspired to bring me to Malaysia in November in time for their Asian tour. I never thought I would get to watch them merely months after I first heard their song, “The Beginning.” Destiny came and was fulfilled on Nov. 22 in Kuala Lumpur and here’s how it went:
Around 5 p.m., after getting ready and waiting for my ride, I checked my Facebook page to find the latest Amuse post: A photo showing Malaysian fans already lined up for the 8.30 p.m. concert. Amuse also announced that the official merchandise store was already opened at 5 p.m. By then, I was already anxious to get to the venue and a bit worried that the official merchandise (merch) might sell out fast.
By 6 p.m.,I was on my way to KL Live at the Life Center. With a bit of traffic, I got there by 7 p.m. and was in line at the 2nd floor. While the line got longer, I was hoping to bump into fellow Philippine OORockers (were were you?), and wishing there were merch left ‘coz from where I was I couldn’t tell where the merch store is.
At 8 p.m., the doors were opened and the line started moving slowly. At the 3rd floor, I finally saw the merch store. I hesitated at first but eventually bolted out of the line to buy some fan stuff. This was part of the mission and I cannot simply fail a fellow fan who sent me money to buy her One OK Rock official merch. I was a wee disappointed that copies of the DVD were not available but really got excited when I saw the rest of the official merch. So, I ordered two sets of two shirts and Jinsei x Boku CD. Wheew, finally, I got them in my hands, stuffed them in my bag and went on my way.
Although wary that fans might get annoyed with me, I simply slipped back in line, got my stuff checked and went straight inside the dimmed venue. My ticket afforded me a place at the Yellow Zone, next to the one nearest to the stage. I was in the third row from the steel barrier but I knew I could get closer eventually.
By 8.45 p.m., the announcement said absolutely no recording of any kind are allowed and if the crowd fails to comply, the concert will simply and abruptly stop with no excuses.
The Band
THEN, the lights dimmed and walked in the awesome foursome! Immediately after they reached their places, the rocking music began filling the venue. Hands held high, heads banging with the beat and jumping on their spots with fans singing all their might, the ONE OK ROCK concert was into full swing.
Song after song, I cherished every moment. I was really elated with this experience, and got teary eyed for some time ‘coz I was still in disbelief that the band was right in front of me, singing the songs I grew to love. At one point, I did not know whether to keep my eyes open to record every moment in my memory or to close my eyes and let the music speak to me.
During his MC, Taka spoke in English but at one time he asked the crowd if it’s okay for him to speak in Japanese. Of course, the fans were with it. Ryota was really in his element when performing, singing to the crowd. Tomoya was incredible with all the energy he gave banging those drums. At first, I was somewhat disappointed ‘coz Toru was at the other side of the stage but there was no need to worry all along, for he walked to my side of the stage several times so I got a better look at him and soaking up in his sex appeal.
The energy of the band and the fans went a little higher when the song “The Beginning” began playing. This was really the highlight of the concert and my short fan life with One OK Rock. Months ago, I really wished I could hear them playing this song LIVE and finally here it was!
The Venue
It was really small compared to the Sky Dome at SM North Edsa and somewhat similar to Hard Rock Cafe in Makati in size. The crowd in attendance was big but did not really fill the whole venue. While those on the second floor got a better view of the whole stage, it is still better at the ground floor since the band interacts with the fans on the ground and rarely looks up. The stage is small in size but the band can move around plus, it provided for a better view of Tomoya behind his drum set.
This made me realize that if the same venue was in the Philippines and with VIP tickets just around P3,000 at cost, we could easily fill it up, right OORockers?
The Crowd
Although they were doing the stuff rock fans do in a concert, Malaysian fans are toned down. They were very disciplined and respectful of one’s personal space. After a few songs, I finally got hold of the railing and got a better of Ryota and Taka. (I was at the left side facing the stage.) Everybody was into it when Taka requested everybody to crouch and jump following his count to three and when Taka requested to sing WHOA OH OH several times for about two minutes.
At one point, the steel railing in front of me, fastened by two wires, got loose. The three male friends beside me began asking one another if they would like to go into the next zone. They all shook their heads. Noticing that I was watching them all the while, one of them asked me if I wanted to go in. I also shook my head. Hey, if the locals are not doing it, I might as well follow their example, right? Besides, I was already really enjoying myself from my vantage point. I did not see the point of rocking the boat any further.
Another remarkable thing I noticed is that, there are NO security guards or bouncers outside and inside the venue! The are no burly men in uniform or otherwise to ruin your concert experience. Isn’t that great?!
The Good Byes
Finally, I noticed it was almost two hours into the concert, a little after 10 p.m. I knew it was coming to an end. Taka took a break so Ryota and Toru made their guitars sang with the beats coming from Tomoya. Taka went up on stage again and sang with no trace of fatigue settling in. After the last song, the band bid their goodbyes and exited the stage but obviously, the fans did not let them off that easily. We shouted, “We want more!”, “One OK Rock!”, clapped, stomped, shouted/sang WHOA OH OH again and again until they appeared back on stage.
Taka held up his finger, saying, “We will sing one song, okay?” Then Toru began strumming the familiar chords of “Wherever You Are.” The fans sang all along while I took up the courage to record a bit of the band’s performance using my phablet. (Some fans were doing the same thing at this point.) Sadly, the techie God was not with me with this one and I ended up with a video recording sans the audio! What a bummer!
After the last song, Taka called for an interpreter on stage. Taka then issued an apology for not having the Malaysian band perform as their front act due to some technical problem. He did acknowledged the presence of band who watched the show. He also apologized for having to start the show late. Of course, the fans were very forgiving and gave them their thumbs up. I thought that was very sweet of them to ask for apologies. They are really down to earth rock stars!
After that, they said their final goodbyes: Ryota and Toru were busy giving away high fives, Taka draped the banner made by Malaysian fans on his back and Tomoya threw away his drumsticks.
THEN, they stepped off stage and were gone. Well, for now, at least for now and up until the next concert, hopefully, on Philippine shores this time!
Carla's Social Realism 