.jpeg)
4/5
The Reunion.
Day off in Tokyo and after getting bored and looking around at the 7Eleven, it was time to finally see Phoebe Bridgers take to the stage. Wrapping up her world tour, big in Japan for the first time since the pre-pandemic 2019. All to mark a big week of gigs after seeing the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the Tokyo Dome last minute on Sunday. Following Lady Gaga, Norah Jones, Bruno Mars and countless others welcoming the border open Far East back to the live show, you can bet our bottom merch dollar we've got our fix back. So almost being fourth in line to then get walked down to the t-shirt stand and be made to wait outside (could have used one of my skeleton hoodies to cover these skinny bones) as Zepp DiverCity invited you in by order of your ticket number (did they call 1930 yet?) can be forgiven. Besides, I'm the kind of idiot who waits outside with the Nirvana like boygenius cover of the latest Rolling Stone magazine with a magic marker from Family Mart (sorry, 7Eleven) like I didn't just read the part about her not liking 'Punisher' invasive fans. I ended up giving up the ghost.
None of that mattered as one of the best indie artists of our time came out to heavy metal, flames and a logo Black Sabbath would be proud of. Band baring their iconic jumpsuit bones. As soon as Phoebe bridged the gap that was keeping us at a social distance for so long across the Rainbow Bridge of Odaiba, looking over the bay like the massive DiverCity Gundam statue, we were right in her alien world of Halloween delights and ghost's in the machine like a seriously stellar SZA collabo. Although opening to the massive 'Motion Sickness' my old ass legs swayed with a feeling Maggie Rogers (rocking her Gatsby 'Surrender' tee) TikTok put best later. It's been a long, overwhelming time. Stay safe out there, people.
There's nothing like hearing 'Kyoto' in...erm Tokyo. But anagram aside, when a fan who asked for a picture of my Rolling Stone (that sounds dodgy) showed me one he snapped of him and Bridgers in Kyoto (or maybe it was Osaka) the night prior, needless to say the jealousy pangs hit me like waiting in line through dinner service. With tour teams asking for fans testimonials for a concert film, being here hit different. "If you don't mind telling us, how's your relationship with your Dad?" A fan opened up with courageous candour, as I was still nervous about being in front of a famous YouTuber just by chance. A YouTuber whose living in Tokyo videos helped me get to grips with moving to Japan. I hope she knows how much she helps. It's not often you get the chance to seize and say. And it's hard to put into words without looking like a complete creep. Through the cold and confusion, crowds felt connected. Especially to this evening's host who also full-circle felt close to this country. Bridgers sadly lost her Dad recently, telling us the last place she spoke to him was whilst she was in Japan.
Punishing storybook pages took us through this compelling and connecting concert like no other. Her silhouette being beamed up a spaceship, only to hit back down to earth like a saltine on the New Orleans sidewalk of Beale Street. If these pictures could talk, they'd sing. Because with artistic inspiration as well as integrity, they were part and parcel of a stunning set, crafted and curated, that told a story like no other. The heart breaks, but it makes for some magnificent music and a solidarity that soldiers on, wounded and weary, but willing and ready. We all felt it tonight. Bridgers brilliant dry humour watered the gig with comic relief to the feels we were all getting punched in. And a sure to be viral bit about a bandmate looking like Ed Sheeran was the shape of things to come on a beautiful birthday celebration for him. As this reunion tour wrapped up like gifts for an old friend, Bridgers belted out the epic screams like 'The End Is Near'. Getting into the crowd for the second time before leaving on the highest note. All before she revealed more with an encore that teased a song off her supergroup boygenius album ('The Record') coming in March. No longer stranger to the live show, this killer set was anything but punishing. Instead, for the record, it was the work of a genius, boy. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Set-List Picks: 'Kyoto', 'Motion Sickness', 'The End Is Near'.
No comments:
Post a Comment