A wonderful evening thanks to exceptional artists who gave 100% to move the public and share their love for alternative music.
On July 18th, Japan celebrated Umi no Hi (海の日), also known as Marine Day, a public holiday observed on the third Monday of July. While some people chose to escape the summer heat by heading to the beach, others opted to support their favorite bands and enjoy a day filled with music. VMJ, being passionate about live concerts, chose the latter option. So, let’s turn up the heat and make our way to the vibrant and trendy district of Kichioji, where the music club ROCK JOINT GB awaits us.
ROCK JOINT GB is an intimate concert hall, perfectly designed with optimal space and a high-quality sound system. As fans eagerly await the start of the show, they gather around the stage, creating a friendly and joyous atmosphere. Laughter fills the air as camaraderie is shared and excited chatter fills the room. At 6:00 P.M, the house lights dim, signaling the beginning of the magic. The concert starts off with a bang, courtesy of VERTUEUX. VERTUEUX is a duo consisting of singer Ken-ichi (VALENTINE DC) and guitarist HIDEKI (DE-LAX, FAR-EAST PHALLUS KICKER). Despite having only two albums to their name (premiere 2012, Angels 2013), the band is already making waves. Their intoxicating melodies, powerful guitar riffs, and infectious rhythm create a winning combination. The audience is quickly captivated by the world of these talented musicians. Moh-chan, the drummer, unleashes his instrument with incredible force, never missing a beat. Bassist Fumiaki Nishiyama and Keyboardist Toshimichi Isoe bring intensity and a contagious energy that gets everyone on their feet. Hideki, a charismatic guitarist with exceptional talent, delivers a flawless performance, captivating the crowd with his skills. Ken-ichi’s raw and seductive vocals move the audience deeply, as he pours his heart and soul into every note. The performance is nothing short of extraordinary. VERTUEUX leaves the audience in awe, as they unleash an unprecedented surge of emotions. The most dedicated fans, standing at the front row, let loose and dance as if no one is watching, fully embracing their wild side.
[ VERTUEUX | SETLIST ]
01. Sandy Weeds
02. Fantasy
03. Kiss of the sky
04. Don’t stare me
05. Through the Light
06. Beyond the Flame
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Photography by Yoann CLOCHON
After a brief intermission, the concert resumes with a darker and more intense atmosphere as the legendary band DER ZIBET takes the stage. Led by the enigmatic singer ISSAY and the talented guitarist HIKARU, accompanied by session musicians bassist Jun (VALENTINE DC) and drummer Kanze, the band immediately captivates the audience with a hypnotic, tribal rhythm. As the crowd becomes more tightly packed, a sense of anticipation fills the air. Some concert-goers close their eyes, fully immersing themselves in the band’s gloomy universe. ISSAY, dressed all in black and holding a bottle of wine, makes a dramatic entrance. The audience erupts in applause, warmly welcoming the band to the stage. ISSAY, a charismatic figure, effortlessly commands attention. At times, he strikes a frozen pose, while at others, he undulates his body to the pulse of the music. His presence is mesmerizing, and the audience can’t tear their eyes away from him. The band flawlessly performs hit songs from their extensive catalog, with fans singing along and getting swept away by HIKARU’s soulful guitar solos. On stage, ISSAY is in his element, like a fish in the sea. The stage is where he truly comes alive, and as the show progresses, his face lights up with youthful energy. Despite his immense talent, ISSAY remains humble, genuinely asking the audience if they are enjoying themselves. This humility and delicacy will continue to shine through during the after-party (read below).
[ DER ZIBET | SETLIST ]
01. INSANITY DANCE
02. DARK SAPPHIRE
―MC―
03. Dr.Real Love
04. LOVE SONG
05. Der Rhein
―MC―
06. Gekka Bijin (Queen of the Night)
07. POP MANIA
08. VICTORIA
―MC―
09. Yakusoku no Umibe
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Photography by Yoann CLOCHON
After a well-deserved break and a chance to quench their thirst, the audience eagerly awaits the next act. As the curtain rises once again, the stage is taken over by the punky quartet, FAR-EAST PHALLUS KICKER. The crowd, already filled with energy, immediately jumps to the infectious rhythm of the music. The atmosphere becomes even wilder, as singer Chuya (DE-LAX, ALLERGY) unleashes his boundless energy on stage. Like a child in a playground, he jumps, twirls, and even playfully shows his behind to the audience. It’s hard to believe that this man has just celebrated his 60th birthday. Bassist Ery and drummer Reiko hold the rhythm tightly, never letting go. Their powerful beats and pulsating basslines drive the crowd into a frenzy. HIDEKI (VERTUEUX), true to his nature, exudes undeniable stage presence and charisma. His guitar skills are electrifying, adding an extra layer of intensity to the performance. Together, the band delivers an unforgettable and exhilarating show. The fans, perhaps a little more intoxicated by this point, fully embrace the energy of the music. They dance, clap, and sing along, completely immersed in the experience. As the headlining act of the evening, FAR-EAST PHALLUS KICKER treats the audience to an encore, leaving them craving for more. To top it all off, the band graciously holds a signing session to celebrate the release of their second album, creating a memorable and personal connection with their dedicated fans.
[ FAR-EAST PHALLUS KICKER | SETLIST ]
S.E. Phallus-Kick
01. Ai no Purottaria (愛のプロレタリア)〜Love Proletarier
02. (ginga) ギンガ〜Galaxy
03. Candy Blue
04. Demon King (new song)
05. Love 2 Die
06. Tokyo Monogatari (東京物語) 〜Tokyo Story (森進一 Cover from Shinichi Mori)
07. kyoku hoku romansu (極北ロマンス) 〜Far North Romance (new song)
08. Zeee
09. 春夢 April Cool〜Spring Dream
10. 極東LOVERS〜Far East Lovers
11. Godspeed U
–ENCORE–
12. Tell Me (Cover from The Rolling Stones)
13. Dead Road
> SEE MORE PHOTOS
Photography by Yoann CLOCHON
This was a wonderful evening thanks to exceptional artists who gave 100% to move the public and share their love for alternative music. We humbly thank all the musicians and staff for their kindness and helpfulness. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the musicians and staff for their kindness and assistance throughout the event. We would also like to take a moment to acknowledge ISSAY (DER ZIBET), who recently celebrated his 60th birthday and generously treated us to a round of drinks. Happy belated birthday, ISSAY! We eagerly look forward to catching DER ZIBET’s acoustic show at Minami Aoyama MANDALA on November 22nd.
More info on DER ZIBET’s website.
Mandah FRÉNOT
(c) VMJ
