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The first artist for the Japanese production of MTV『Storytellers』 is SCANDAL. Debuting a special live at Billboard Live OSAKA on their anniversary
The four-piece all-girl band SCANDAL held a taping for the popular program 『Storytellers』 on MTV at Billboard Live OSAKA in Osaka on 8/21. 『Storytellers』 features top artists who are leaders their scene showcasing a live show in a small, different-from-usual venue amidst an intimate atmosphere with the audience, while talking about how songs were born and their thoughts about songs. Since its inception in 1996, world-leading artists such as David Bowie, Alicia Keys, Green Day, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran have appeared on it.
This time, SCANDAL was chosen as the first Japanese artist. The day of the live taping was precisely when the girls celebrated their 11th anniversary (it's also RINA's birthdate!). From their major label debut up until now they have successfully held arena tours and a world tour, and these girls who have strengthened those skills challenged themselves in Osaka, the place of the band's formation, to a special night never seen before.
There was also a dress code for spectators who had premier tickets for this day, and everyone gathered at the venue with a stylish look different from the norm. While waiting for the members to appear on stage, they enjoyed food and the special cocktail 「Honey Eleven (derived from "8/21" and "11th anniversary")」, invented by the members before the performance.
As the members, clad in dressy outfits with an emphasis on black, appeared on stage with a relaxed look, they started the show with 「Shunkan Sentimental」 as the opening song. They started out with classic songs from the beginning and encouraged the audience to build their performance together. Additionally, when they said, 「We think this suits this venue」, they headed into their next song, 「Kimi to Yoru to Namida」. The lyrical melody flicked out by MAMI was prominent, and HARUNA's gorgeous singing voice seeped in even further. Also, with 「LOVE ME DO」, which they say is packed with their roots and experiences so far, seeing the audience being entranced by the versatile facial expressions of the band was also impressive.
Midway through the live, MAMI played 「Koe」 with a single acoustic guitar for this day only. Further continuing the special formation live, they said, 「When you're a band for 11 years, there are people who start SCANDAL cover bands. It truly makes us happy that we are their opportunity to start playing music」, they invited to the stage a fan who has been in a SCANDAL cover band and played their debut single 「DOLL」 in this special formation. Whether the girls' enjoying live together while supporting their nervous fans was due to their 11 years' experience of being a band or not, it felt quite trustworthy and dignified.
Additionally, when they said, 「Is it okay if we play our newest song that no one has heard yet? It's a song we'd like to grow together with everyone」, they debuted their new song 「Koisuru Universe」. It'll undoubtably be a huge initiator at future lives, and the audience who listened for the first time to the exhilarating rock number that runs right down the center happily responded to the music with claps.
During the MC, they spoke of how their feelings grow year-by-year as a live band. With 「This is a song we're proud of a band. We want more people to learn of it」, they began playing 「Take Me Out」. This song that highlights the individuality of the four instrument players as a whole increases their acidity, and TOMOMI and RINA's powerful rhythm greatly rocks the audience immersed in sound.
The live quickly headed into the second half. When they pledged to the band's new restart with 「Hachigatsu」, the song that recalls the day they formed and that they have decided to only play once a year, they said, 「How about closing with a song we've created with everyone?」, and played the live staple 「SCANDAL BABY」 as their last song. By instantly changing the Billboard venue with a mature atmosphere into a live house and singing in a large chorus with the audience, in the blink of an eye the curtain closed on the show consisting of nine songs.
The stage on this day with a view of the world of music that was a little different than usual was deeply delivered to the fans, and must have been new sustanance for the band. They already have continued to create new songs for next year. Expectations will increase for their future success by them vowing to make even further strides as a live band!
This performance will be aired as the special program 『Storytellers: SCANDAL』 by MTV on 10/21 (21:00～).
SCANDAL charms fans with chic outfits; debuts new song on their 11th anniversary
SCANDAL held 『Storytellers: SCANDAL』, a special live in commemoration of their 11th anniversary at Billboard Live OSAKA on 8/21, the day of the band's formation.
Last year, their 10th anniversary milestone, they played an outdoor live that drew in 10,000 people to Osaka's Izumiotsu Phoenix, but changed it up this year and held a live in front of an audience of only 300. A dress code fitting to the Billboard Live atmosphere was established for the audience, and the members dressed up with more chic, monotone costumes than usual and appeared on the stage.
Also on this day, they recorded for the popular program MTV series channel VH1 popular program 『Storytellers』 which showcases artists' live shows while they talk about the backstories of music production and personal stories. SCANDAL carried out a live recording of this day as Japan's first artist of the same program. HARUNA said, 「We are honored to have been chosen as the first artist for Japan's 『Storytellers』. Today's SCANDAL's 11th anniversary as well as RINA's birthday. We want to make this day a special one and have thought up of all kinds of different-than-usual attempts」, and they showcased arrangements and songs chosen to fit the atmosphere of the Billboard venue.
The live started from 「Shunkan Sentimental」. They headed into 「Kimi to Yoru to Namida」, saying about it, 「We chose this song thinking that it'd feel great to be able to perform it at this venue」. They affirmed their dance & vocal school experiences and roots and performed 「LOVE ME DO」, a song they were able to shape as a band.
Then, all of the members except for MAMI left the stage, and MAMI performed the popular song 「Koe」 that features her on vocals with the soft playing of an acoustic guitar.
HARUNA said, 「We've been a band for 11 years and have had many happy experiences, but what especially makes us happy is that there are SCANDAL cover bands both in Japan and abroad. Today, we would like to invite one person in the audience who's in a SCANDAL cover band and perform together with them」, and when they invited the person to the stage, the five of them performed their major label debut song 「DOLL」. Additionally, they said, 「After our debut song, is it okay to play a new song that no one has heard yet?」, and debuted their unreleased new song 「Koisuru Universe」.
During the final half they played their festival and event staple song 「Take Me Out」, as well as the song 「Hachigatsu」 they wrote while thinking about the summer they formed the band. Lastly, they played 「SCANDAL BABY」, a song important to both SCANDAL and their fans and was voted ＃1 in last year's fan poll, uniting the fans and bringing their 11th anniversary special live to a close.
This live will be aired on MTV on 10/21.
The new song 「Koisuru Universe」 debuted for the first time at this live will be released digitally from October 22 (Sun.). The tracklisting and details will be announced at a later date. Also, they will hold their annual Christmas live 『BEST★Xmas 2017』 at Akasaka BLITZ on 12/24. This year SCANDAL has held energetic lives nationwide such as a 47 prefecture tour, summer festival performances, and a joint band tour. Please witness their live performance.
