Ahh.. TOTALFAT. The only Japanese band that I have been listening to on a regular basis for several years now. I found them because one of their title served as one of the endings of an anime I was watching (Place to Try, in Naruto Shippuden). This band offers the sweet balance between the punchy beats from NOFX and catchy melodies from calmer bands.
Anyway.. The improvised concert from last Sunday (see this post) left made me want for more. So, early this week, I have a look at the next events in Kyoto, and I casually check the website of TOTALFAT, just in case. The stars align and I see that they are to come to Osaka this Sunday ! I try to book a ticket but it looks a bit complex.. this will be a task for the next day.
And I was right, the process is a nightmare. I need to use a smartphone, create an account on the vendor’s website, pay, then wait until the day before the show to see the ticket appear on the application installed beforehand. Of course, once a ticket has been booked, changing anything is simply impossible (booking more tickets for instance). From what I understood, this system is preventing mass buying and resale.
Here I am in the train bound for Osaka. 45 min, 410 yens (2,5€), that’s what I call incitement… I walk for 20min and I get to the concert hall. It is right under railways. A few fans are already waiting. They all wear the band t-shirt, I am in the right place. A staff member has everyone in by calling ticket numbers, even though there is no seated ones. The hall gets full in minutes, I just have time to drink something and buy a keyring. The band shows up right on time, 18h30.
It’s a slap in the face. Right from the first note, the audience starts moshing hard with no further warning. I start moshing too since I’m right in the middle of the pit. It quickly gets hot in spite of the air conditioning. But the danger comes from behind… soon enough slammers are rushing overhead to the stage, where two staff members wait and repel them non-stop. I go on the quieter sides after a few songs.
The audience synchronism is also surprising. It seems they have all agreed before the show to know what to do and when: clap hands, wave arms, jump. I did not get the memo but that’s funny anyhow.
The band is doing great. They are really good. Not a single wrong note, whether playing instruments or singing. Yet they don’t stop moving. Titles come one after another and that’s a real pleasure. I fully enjoy live versions of songs I know (Place to Try, Good Fight & Promise You, 宴の合図) and of those I hear for the first time (Smile Baby Smile, Walls).
The trio often talks between two pieces, I can’t grasp the details but the global meaning.
– photo by totalfat_japan –
I’m out at 20h, drained but glad !