The band and the audience headbanged in unison, clapped to the rhythm of a shared heartbeat, jumped as one, and screamed until voices blended into the music. People sang together, every note binding them closer.
The final night of MUCC’s Love Together tour took place in the intimate and club-like setting of Yokohama Bay Hall, a venue steeped in history. With a capacity of a thousand people, Yokohama Bay Hall has been a cornerstone of the Japanese live music scene since its opening in 1995. The venue’s rich legacy includes its earlier incarnation as Prince’s Glam Slam Yokohama club from 1991 to 1993. Glam Slam, named after the second single on Prince’s 1988 album, Lovesexy, the song exudes passionate love undertones. With this legacy behind it, MUCC’s Love Together tour could not have found a better spot to land.
MUCC’s final Love Together tour performance began with an atmosphere that was both airy and electric as the band took the stage dressed as they did in the Ai no Uta video. The opening song Hoshi ni Negai wo set the perfect tone, with a heavy yet controlled tempo that drew everyone in. Guitarist Miya, already looking heated, delivered powerful riffs that resonated through the venue, while Tatsuro’s voice and gaze were expressive, immediately drawing the audience into the performance. The energy surged with Zanbaran as the tension escalated. The heavy riff ignited the crowd, who responded with a synchronized ‘hey hey’. As the chorus hit, both, the band and the audience, erupted into a unified jump, shaking the venue with their collective enthusiasm. Psycho took the excitement to another level. The instant the first notes played, the audience erupted with screams, fully immersed in the moment. The build-up was quick and intense, leading to a raw, powerful energy that filled the room. The heavy music pushed the crowd into a frenzy, the band feeding off their energy. For Siren, the sirens wailed and the stage was bathed in red light, creating a dramatic atmosphere. The drummer, supporting tour member Allen, unleashed a relentless, groovy rhythm that had the crowd moving. Tatsuro swayed to the beat, exchanging playful smiles with the audience, creating a connection that felt both personal and intense. Tatsuro’s final words perfectly leading into the song Ai no Uta. The stage turned a deep purple, and the vibe became sensual as Tatsuro sang from the floor, joined by Miya for a back-to-back solo that had the crowd entranced. During the MC, Tatsuro welcomed the crowd and expressed his love, setting the stage for the next song. Track G.G brought a tribal rhythm that drove the audience wild. Tatsuro playfully lifted his pants, much to the crowd’s delight, while the band members, Miya and YUKKE, constantly swapped places, creating a whirlwind of activity on stage. At one point, Tatsuro laid back into the crowd, who clapped in rhythm before launching into a headbanging frenzy. Miya and YUKKE took center stage, driving the energy even higher. Song Shougyou Shisoukyou Jidai Kousaikyoku was a rapid-fire explosion of speed and intensity. MUCC pushed the pace to its limits, with the crowd responding in kind. The fans at the front crowd-surfed, back and forth for a while, the music pushing everyone to the edge. Tatsuro, overwhelmed by the energy, shouted: “You are unbelievable tonight!”. Switching gears, 1979 brought a cabaret-style performance with a seductive contrabass played by YUKKE and guitar solo by Miya charmed the audience. The atmosphere felt almost swing-jazzy. The next two songs, including Violet, the B-side track of single Ai no Uta, and Betsusekai allowed for a brief respite. The crowd listened intently during the slower song, and the silence that followed the final note was profound—a reflection of the song’s deep impact. Ryuusei reintroduced a gentle riff, and Tatsuro took a moment to thank everyone for making the tour special. As the twelfth song, Suiren, began with its haunting intro, the tension in the room reignited. The pace quickened, the energy becoming almost dangerous. Track Bouzenjishitsu saw a group of girls climbing onto their friends’ shoulders, chanting: “hey hey hey hey” as Tatsuro climbed onto the platform, challenging them with his fierce growls and intense gaze. The band was in top form—Tatsuro fist-bumped fans, Miya headbanged while squatting, and YUKKE danced with wild abandon. As the night progressed with songs 14, Shoufu, through song 17, TONIGHT, the energy never let up. The crowd was swept along by a relentless wave of sound and motion. Miya and YUKKE played back-to-back at the center, their chemistry electric. Tatsuro and YUKKE had a playful moment where they nearly got stuck together, adding a lighthearted touch to the intensity. The final songs were a whirlwind of solos, heavy riffs, and nonstop action on stage.
After a lenghthy playful MC, YUKKE took the mic during the middle of the first encore song, his coarse voice rallying the audience as he moved to the center of the stage, heating up the atmosphere even further. For MAD YACK, Tatsuro descended into the pit, and the crowd parted for him, creating an intense and immersive experience. The music was heavy, and the energy was palpable as fans crowd-surfed repeatedly, contributing to the mayhem that had taken over the venue. Last song, Ranchu, was driven by an incredible riff that transformed the hall into a chaotic swirl of bodies and hair, merging in a scene of pure madness. At the bridge, everyone in the crowd knelt down, and with Tatsuro’s countdown: “Are you fucking ready, 3, 2, 1 jump”—the room exploded once again. It was a physical experience, demanding stamina and strength, as the audience pushed themselves to keep up with MUCC’s relentless pace. The encore was a perfect culmination of the night where the band and the audience headbanged in unison, clapped to the rhythm of a shared heartbeat, jumped as one, and screamed until voices blended into the music. People sang together, every note binding them closer. And ultimately, they LOVEd TOGETHER—through every chord, every beat, every breath.
Mandah FRÉNOT
(c) VMJ
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MUCC | Bay Hall, Yokohama [JP] (2024)
Hoshi ni Negai wo (星に願いを)
Zanbaran (懺把乱)
Psycho (サイコ)
Siren (サイレン)
Ai no Uta (愛の唄)G.G
Shougyou Shisoukyou Jidai Kousaikyoku (商業思想狂時代考偲曲)
1979
Violet
Betsusekai (別世界)
Ryuusei (流星)
Suiren (睡蓮)
Bouzenjishitsu (茫然自失)
Shoufu (娼婦)
SLAVE
My World
TONIGHT
–ENCORE–
You & I
MAD YACK
Ranchu (蘭鋳)
Photography by MUCC’s team
