The International Forum
From: Yoshiko Ogiso
The first night in Tokyo, they were much better than either of the Osaka shows. Especially Snowy, he
played a great performance of Set the Controls, and other songs as well. The only
thing they were smiling bitterly about was Brain Damage. The tempo was much too
slow, such that Rog and the female vocalists seemed a bit embarrassed at the beginning.
It was the same set set list and from the 3rd row, Roger was so near
that I could feel his powerful music so closely. I believe as a whole, this
night was the best show of their 5 concerts in Japan. The venue in Tokyo had much better
sound and was twice as big as Osaka's Koseinenkin Hall,
accommodating about 5,000 people.
As stated in my reivew of the second Osaka show, I had a chance to talk to Roger on
Tuesday after the Osaka show, just for a short
moment though. I gave him a message on a card mentioning a bit about the REG fanclub
and having been a member for many years, along
with a small gift. He remembered me from my encounter with him in New York.
So Thurday night in Tokyo, at the end of the first set, he pointed me out and said "thank
you", though I at first did not realize he meant me. And he repeated "yes, you,
you!"... It was a wonderful experience.
I will surely enjoy the 2 more shows on Saturday and the day after. And yes of course,
I will surely pass out REG flyers before the show. I have already
prepared over 200 copies to hand out.
I couldn't miss any show given by Roger in my country, so I went to Tokyo on
Thursday by taking the afternoon train, I saw the show from the 3rd row (apparently
you can guess how I got this good seat ticket), and took a night bus back to
Osaka. Now I'm back to work... So I will see all of the 5 shows given here in
Japan. It cost a lot, but compared to going Europe to see him play, I can
afford it.
Yoshiko
Perhaps after the two Osaka concerts, Roger was somewhat prepared for the deafening silence, but it must still be off-putting to receive no reaction at all to the key-lines of a song like "Mother." "Mother, do you think they'll like this song?" NOTHING! (except a few cheers from the couple of dozen foreigners present) I well remember Rod Stewart threatening to finish without an encore when even "Do ya think I'm sexy?" couldn't get 'em going? Fair enough, there's a language barrier, but for some odd reason, this has never been a problem when Eric Clapton has performed here! Perhaps the nature of Roger's lyrics, and this inability to understand what he is singing about, just doesn't get them going, but that doesn't account for the fact that the place was sold out! Why did they buy a ticket in the first place, if they knew what to expect? (perhaps they didn't?)
Perhaps it's just part & parcel of the Japanese character. Uniformity. Don't stand out! It shows itself clearly at Japanese Pop & Rock concerts, where all of the fans act as one! It has to be seen to be believed! Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE is using the same hand gestures, wearing the same gear, and only screaming at the appropriate time!
I felt sorry for one poor guy a couple of rows in front of me last night. Obviously a big fan, he'd already donned his tour T-shirt & hat, and was conspicuous by the fact that his hands clapping over his head, were the only ones you could see! He had given up in frustration (or through group pressure) by the time "Dogs" arrived.
BUT, this lack of response also definitely has its benefits! You get to sit down for the entire three hours, because no-one is standing in front of you, plus it's fantastic for live recordings. No need to ask the audience to take it easy on the applause, they're already there! I tested them a few times, (a bit cruel) by clapping madly at anything that took my fancy, forcing everyone around me to clap too, in case they'd missed something! I better stop while I'm ahead in case this starts to sound too condescending and patronising!!
The show was simply marvellous. Having been a Floyd fan since '68, and attending two "post-Roger" Floyd concerts in Australia, this was a most important night..... a chance to see the Great Man. He didn't disappoint. The agony was still there. Oh Bliss! I thought Chester Kamen's playing was outstanding, considering his relatively short time with the band, but Snowy looked a bit jaded to me. Perhaps that's just his style. However, his playing was as great as ever, and they (almost) got the crowd onto their feet during the "Comfortably Numb" guitar duet! Unbelievably, the applause after this song was so subdued, you think they'd been watching a speech by the Prime Minister! I give up!
I'll be interested to hear if Roger has anything to say about his shows
here. I've heard some very interesting comments from various artists who've
been to Japan, and usually they sound bemused. Roger raised his eyebrows a few
times last night. I know, because I was watching him through binoculars, from
the 11th row! Phenomenal show, just wish I'd seen it a week later in my
hometown, Melbourne, Australia. The fans there know how to rock, and show their
appreciation! Thanks Roger. You brought a tear to the glass eye!
Steve Tracy, Tachikawa, Japan.
He should, because only then will he get the idea of how bad, how awful-no good, the music quality (tinny-echoing-abrasive to ones ears) sounded at the Tokyo International Forum throughout his concert on March 28, 2002.
I flew my son to Japan from Michigan ( U.S.A.) forthis special performance. Aconcert bythe PinkFloyd lyrics man was something my boy dreamed about for years. How could such a looked forward to thing cause nauseated stomachs and pained eardrums? We couldn`t move in our seats for we were frozen with disappointment as the music? played.
A ride on the Shinkansan from Kyoto to Tokyo thenhours of walking the streets before the show, unable to focus on any building or other activity, for all Greg could think of was Roger! This also happened to be the first concert experience in Greg`s life too.
Speechless and with hung heads we left the Forum, boarded the all night bus at Tokyo Station back to Kyoto, unable to talk or eat or sleep, then dragged ourselves off thebus at 6:30 am. and headed into Kyoto Station to ride back to Otsu, ShigaJAPAN.
Oh yes, the release of Flickering Flame didn't materialize here either. We
went to four music stores in Kyoto trying to find it before he flew back to
Michigan. Why didGreg want it anyway after such a heartbreaking concert?
Carol Phipps
2 - 15 Daimon dori
Otsu, Shiga JAPAN 520-0033
I want to tell you some of the differences from the 2000 tour. Another Brick 2 finished after the 1st guitar solo by Chester. The Wish You Were Here sequence was expanded, just like the album Shine On was divided into 2 parts. Wish You Were Here faded out but segued into Shine On 6-9. The acoustic guitar part of Dogs was played by Andy, and he sang many backup vocals. The 1st guitar solo of Dogs was played by Snowy. Roger played a great performance for the Tokyo audience.
I think that this is one of the best shows of the tour. Reaction from audience was much better and more energetic than the Osaka audience. The set list was the same and Flickering Flame was again the encore. I've listened to this song for the third time. So now I hoped Roger play Each Small Candle too. I always bring a lighter for this! But of course, I LOVE Flickering Flame. Anyway, I wanted to listen both songs for encore!
Now I'm a little tired. And tomorrow is off for the band before 2
more Tokyo shows.
