On January 14th, SID played their first live show since the beginning of the pandemic. SID LIVE 2021 -Band Formation Anniversary Concert Livestream- was held to commemorate the band's 17th anniversary. The performance took place in a concert hall without an audience and was broadcast live around the world.
The stage had a simple setup: metal scaffolds to support the lights and delimit spaces, a platform for the drums, and translucent panels that marked the distance between each musician. When SID entered, each member came through a different door, accompanied by an intimate light show while residence played in the background.
The first to appear was drummer Yuya, followed by bassist Aki, guitarist Shinji, and finally vocalist Mao. As expected for this special occasion, they were all dressed impeccably in black. Their outfits had unique details to help them stand out. For instance, Mao wore an eye-catching red velvet stole, and Shinji's suit had a subtle floral design in shades of purple.
The lights went out ahead of the first song Namidaame, from SID's latest album Shonin yokkyu. The nostalgic ballad, which features a sweet piano accompaniment throughout, started with subtle blue lights on each member. It was followed by a faster and more orchestrated tune: the classic Alibi. Whereas in the first song everyone was more reserved, here Mao began to smile at his bandmates and play a little with the cameras. He even left a space for the audience to sing the chorus.
SID paused very briefly to comment that the coming song was perfect for the occasion: ANNIVERSARY. LED spotlights that mimicked the effect of disco balls were turned on across the stage to celebrate the seventeen years of their career. It was remarkable how, despite this being both their first "no-audience live" and their first show in almost a year, they managed to transmit the intimacy and togetherness of a concert through the screen.
The hard-drumming V.I.P moved the concert from ballads to rock. Then came the first MC, where each member took a few minutes to speak. Shinji commented on this form of online concert and joked about how their moms might be watching. Aki asked how everyone was. For his part, Yuya wished everyone a happy new year and talked about starting 2021 with this concert and their previous rehearsals. Finally, Mao spoke of wanting to reconnect with everyone, a wish that last December gave rise to the following song: Kowairo.
Kowairo was one of three songs SID released in late 2020 and brought the show back to balladry. The lyrics speak of a soft voice, one that is so close but at the same time so far away that one can get used to not having it around, and eventually forget it. It speaks of rain that gives way to the sun, which lifts hopes while simultaneously crushing them, because it is still impossible to be close again. It states that it is that voice that still holds us together, despite the distance.
Ajisai and Doyoubi no onna took the audience back to 2004 and the dawn of SID's career. The latter's sensual harmony instilled Mao with a dreamy air. The next song, Monokuro no Kiss, represented a big moment in the band's career: it was their first major release and a tie-in with anime series "Black Butler". Shinji changed guitars again and Aki's high-tone voice accompanied Mao's during the choruses.
As often happens at SID's live shows, the time came to introduce each member. They did so by asking everyone to shout their names from the stage. During his turn, Mao asked the audience at home to scream until someone came to ask what they were screaming at.
Junkan arrived next with a playful air. Shinji climbed towards the drums and circled without stopping until he played himself into the ground. Mao, for his part, walked around the space with a smile on his lips. This time, it was Shinji who accompanied him during the choruses.
The atmosphere was already on fire by the time Propose began and Mao seemed to go crazy, unable to stop making faces at the camera. Aki and Shinji played thunderous solos. The guitar riffs and distortion were unending as hard strings took the night into dummy. Mao pumped his fist in the air with each scream while an excited Aki encouraged the audience to raise their fists and scream along.
Staying true to how it's usually performed live, Mao opened Dear Tokyo by clapping. His own voice faded in the harmonies and his three bandmates' voices came to the fore. An amused Yuya clapped along on the drums before Mao closed out the main set by shouting "I want to see you again soon!"
The encore was a roller coaster of emotions, full of hope and melancholy. Sono mirai e is the kind of soft pop song that manages to draw a tear when the chorus is left in the hands of the audience. Mao's voice is made for these songs, and before turning the microphone to the audience, the quartet sang together. The stage was lit in blue with lights resembling stars, a reflection of the future that the song seeks.
Houkiboushi is more pop-rock in nature and opened with a single golden light at the back of the stage, bringing with it the force of hope. The closing song live, on the other hand, is a full-fledged ballad. It started by showing SID in sepia tones, with Mao's sweet voice accompanying Shinji's acoustic guitar. It had the air of an unplugged session, intimate and rich with the spirit of SID.
The band started the performance with reservations and perhaps a little nervousness about playing their first concert in so long. However, by the end, it was clear that SID yearn for a reunion with their followers. You could feel the longing in every verse, in every riff, and in every drum roll. And while they wait, they will take advantage of every medium available to let their audience know.
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