Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Tonight I dropped by Tower Records in Shinjuku for a free in-store live by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, in promotion for her first single "tsukematsukeru" out this week! It was my first time seeing her.

Tower Records' 7th floor was more packed than I've seen it at any event before, I believe. I estimate there must have been some 500 people in there! I saw some people waving from almost as far as the large information counter at the other end of the floor! Poor staff struggled to keep free a narrow corridor for people to be able to enter the store... and also to prevent people from taking photos.

Kyary was accompanied by two energetic male dancers wearing colorful short pants, tiny tops and wigs, making Kyary look almost normal in a pinkish red dress (photo she posted on Twitter). I stood about 10 meters from the stage and could barely see her face directly once in a while, but thanks to the large screen above the stage everyone could watch the cute choreography.

The show opened with Kyary's march, the intro of first mini-album "moshimoshi Harajuku" and enchained with "Cherry Bonbon", still my favorite song so far. Kyary looked very cute and was all smiles for the vast audience of fans.

She then talked a little bit, about how the song "tsukematsukeru" was provoked by an email exchange with producer Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) in which she told him she had been into using fake eyelashes. Nakata liked the sequence of words she used, and the next day she was called into studio for recording the song! She also did a hint of promotion for orange taste i-lohas water, I wouldn't be surprised to see her on a commercial for it sometime soon..!

The show went on with "PONPONPON" to close with "tsukematsukeru", clocking in at about 20 minutes.Then followed a handshake session for everyone who had bought her CD, though I gave up since it was probably going to take an hour or more.

Set list: Kyary no March / Cherry Bonbon / PONPONPON / tsukematsukeru

The new single contains 3 good tracks produced by hit-maker Nakata Yasutaka, including an extended version of "Cherry Bonbon". The limited edition at first looks like a small magazine, but it's made of thick paper that unfolds revealing fun and surprising photos of the girl in crazy outfits.

If I could have shook her hand I'd have given her a word of encouragement for her singing career. I'm definitely looking forward to what's to follow this year!

Live information:
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will hold her first one-man live on February 25 at Club Quattro in Shibuya. Tickets go on sale on February 4 at 10:00 (Lawson 79174, Pia 154-955).

"tsukematsukeru"

"PONPONPON"