Voice actor and artist Aya Uchida held “AYA UCHIDA SPRING LIVE ACOUSTIC DAY / SWEET POP NIGHT” at Kanagawa Kannai Hall Large Hall on April 28, 2024.
This live show will consist of two parts: a daytime performance with acoustic music (=ACOUSTIC DAY), and a night performance with electropop as the main focus (=SWEET POP NIGHT). Uchida once tried to separate the live concept for the day and night performances at “AYA UCHIDA Early Summer Party ~SUMILE SMILE~ / ~Everlasting Parade~” held in June 2017, and at that time he performed several songs such as “Haruka Kanata”. Only performed in acoustic format. During the performance and subsequent interviews, they have often mentioned that they would like to hold an acoustic live performance of the entire series, so this is finally a dream come true.
The footage from the day of the live performance will be archived on Niconico Live Broadcasting until May 12th (*ticket purchase required to view). Since it is still in the public release period, I would like to focus on the main points as much as possible in this article and look back on it so as not to deprive readers of the viewing experience.
Immediately after the opening of the afternoon performance, the first surprise of the day came. Uchida, who appeared in the song “Which is better, kick or punch?”, had an off-white acoustic guitar hanging on his shoulder, in keeping with the live title “ACOUSTIC DAY”. If you look closely, that guitar looks familiar somewhere? Yes, it was a gift from the music director during the 5th anniversary special broadcast in August 2020. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement in my heart, wondering if the plan that had been in place for about 3 years and 8 months would be repaid at such an unexpected time…
He grips the frets, puts his hands on the strings, and waits for the moment when the sound will be heard, but somehow he just puts the guitar down and places it behind him. Needless to say, when the song began, the song “I don’t care, I don’t care, I don’t care,” and the entire venue erupted in laughter and applause. From there, I sat down and was about to be moved by Uchida’s cute singing voice and the ensemble of Eiji Kawai (Banmas, Key) and Makoto Katayama (Gt), when I heard Uchida say, “What’s over is over.” “That’s what it is”, he said apologetically, pointing his hand at the guitar he was renting on stage and laughing out loud with the “Tendon”.
Is it resignation or compassion? “Calendula, swaying with a quiet sigh” at the end of the chorus, with the sigh-filled singing and the crescendo of the acoustic guitar just before it, swayed my heart just as the song’s title suggests. “Inferior Mirage” has a distinct bass and vocal edge that makes you think it’s being sung by a different person than the previous song. Given the slogan “ACOUSTIC DAY,” I expected it to be filled with laid-back songs, but when I opened the lid, I found that in the early stages of the show, there were songs that made me struggle in the dark. Once again, I am reminded that he is not an easy artist.
In the middle block, he played a warm and light arrangement of the upper tune, which is popular in everyday live performances. I’m not going to reveal the title of the song because I’d like people to check it out in the archive, but it’s a song sung with a nostalgic look at the time spent spinning stories, as if to foreshadow the upcoming 10th anniversary of the artist’s debut. Or there were songs where he sat on a chair, stretched out his legs over and over, proudly showing off the sneakers on his feet, and performing small steps. In particular, the vocals for these two songs seemed to focus on giving the lyrics a chilled, wavy feel, with a slightly distorted pronunciation of the lyrics, allowing the vocals to gradually permeate the performance. .
Overall, the songs in the daytime performance had a slower tempo than the original songs, and the number of notes was simpler, so looking back, there were many moments when I was able to appreciate the meaning of the lyrics more than usual. Along with the performance, Uchida’s vocals either scurry forward or lay back, creating a full charge. The way they played with the rhythm and moved their bodies freely symbolized what “ACOUSTIC DAY” is all about.
Toward the end of the show, after the first live performance of “It Wasn’t Destiny,” Uchida finally said, “I know, this is it,” during the encore. The “punch line” at the beginning was also a foreshadowing. The acoustic guitar that everyone was curious about is finally getting a plug. From there, he grabbed his guitar, sat down in the chair provided, and began playing the guitar live for the first time in his life, saying, “Please burn this moment into your memory.” Moreover, the support members are just watching over them. The song he chose for the big stage was “Matame Genki.”
During the performance, the guitar was played along with the song, matching the timing with a silent voice, and in the second half of the chorus, there was a difficult part where it was difficult for one person to sing the chorus of the original song, but the vocals were the best. It seems that Uchida didn’t waver at all. When he played the single chorus with all his might, the support members joined in for the full chorus. In the end, when he successfully communicated with the audience to “let me hear your voice,” he formed a big flower circle with his arms and smiled broadly. I really want this moment to last forever. It was a happy ending to the daytime performance that made me wish so.
On the other hand, for the night performance, the costumes and stage set were completely changed, creating a completely new atmosphere. The latter in particular had a cyber-feeling space that was reminiscent of a club, with a stage with stairs above the stage. The live performance began with “with you.” Next, from “Party Hour Surprise!” to “Candy Flavor,” the kick gradually increased in weight between songs, and the DJ-like production that seamlessly connected the songs excited the venue.
In this night’s performance, I feel that more emphasis was placed on dancing than in past concerts, especially in “Candy Flavor” where she traced the lines of her body and danced seductively while turning her back to the audience. I’ll turn around and show you. I would also like to add that in the performance during the interlude, the adultness was brought to the forefront.
In the middle of the live performance, they performed their new song “with me” for the first time. The song was just released on April 1st, and is like an “answer song” that pairs with the aforementioned “with you.” Before the song, Uchida seemed nervous, but in the end, she closed her eyes, relaxed, and said, “I love you!” The phrase echoed throughout the venue.
The peak time of the night performance was “What you want!” Uchida himself used his bottomless stamina to perform this song, jumping from beginning to end, stirring up the audience with joy. Uchida’s microphone must have been directed at each fan watching her broadcast, and her vibe must have been felt through the screen as well. She wants to believe that even if she wasn’t at the venue, she would be just as excited as the locals. And the person on stage was having more fun than anyone else in the venue. This is the “MUSIC” presented by Aya Uchida.
For the encore, Uchida, hidden in the silhouette of Gunma Prefecture’s mascot Gunma-chan, appeared singing “∞ Ribbon wo Gyutto ∞ (Gunma-chan Dance)”. After the interlude, Gunma-chan’s friends Aoma and Mimi rushed in and everyone performed a cute dance. After that, she performed a “replacement” of a “certain song” that she performed during the main part of the live show, completely forgot about the scheduled announcement part, and ended the day with a stage full of smiles that are typical of her.
Aya Uchida will hold “AYA UCHIDA Symphonic Concert 2024 ~Daydream~ / ~Moonnight~” at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall Takemitsu Memorial on September 21st, with a different set list day and night. Also, from April 29th, all 73 instrumental tracks of her songs, from her debut album “Applemint” to her latest album “MUSIC”, are being distributed all at once. On YouTube, a video of over 5 hours of all 73 songs is also available.
TEXT: Kota Ichijo
■AYA UCHIDA SPRING LIVE
“AYA UCHIDA SPRING LIVE ACOUSTIC DAY / SWEET POP NIGHT”
Niconico live broadcast tickets are on sale until May 12th (Sunday) 20:00!
AYA UCHIDA SPRING LIVE ACOUSTIC DAY / SWEET POP NIGHT
Performance date: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Venue: Kannai Hall Large Hall
[Ticket price]
animelo+ member: 3,650 yen (tax included) + service fee 365 yen
Regular price: 4,200 yen (tax included) + service fee 420 yen
animelo+ member: 3,650 yen (tax included) + service fee 365 yen
Regular price: 4,200 yen (tax included) + service fee 420 yen
[Bonus for purchasing viewing tickets]
【Sales period】
Until 20:00 on Sunday, May 12, 2024
[Timeshift viewing period]
Until 2024/5/12 (Sun) 23:59
*This program can be watched any number of times during the time shift period after the live broadcast ends.
*After the above period, you will no longer be able to watch the program even if you are in the middle of watching it.
[Distribution page]
https://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv344464173
https://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv344464190
[Distribution ticket purchase page]
https://dwango-ticket.jp/project/tVcQd6jQsV
■Playlist – AYA UCHIDA SPRING LIVE
The set list of “AYA UCHIDA SPRING LIVE ACOUSTIC DAY / SWEET POP NIGHT” held on April 28th has been released as a playlist! Please enjoy it together with the live archive video that is available for a limited time!
https://AyaUchida.lnk.to/SPRING_LIVE_ACOUSTIC_DAY
https://AyaUchida.lnk.to/SPRING_LIVE_SWEET_POP_NIGHT
■Digital Release
Delivered on April 29, 2024
“AYA UCHIDA Complete Instrumental -Apple Mint-“
Delivery URL: https://AyaUchida.lnk.to/Inst_AppleMint
“AYA UCHIDA Complete Instrumental -Blooming!-“
Delivery URL: https://AyaUchida.lnk.to/Inst_Blooming
“AYA UCHIDA Complete Instrumental -Sweet Tears/Bitter Kiss-“
Delivery URL: https://AyaUchida.lnk.to/Inst_SweetTears_BitterKiss
“AYA UCHIDA Complete Instrumental -ICECREAM GIRL-“
Delivery URL: https://AyaUchida.lnk.to/Inst_ICECREAM_GIRL
“AYA UCHIDA Complete Instrumental -Ephemera-“
Delivery URL: https://AyaUchida.lnk.to/Inst_Ephemera
“AYA UCHIDA Complete Instrumental -MUSIC-“
Delivery URL: https://AyaUchida.lnk.to/Inst_MUSIC
(YouTube)
(Playlist)
https://ayauchida.lnk.to/Complete_Instrumental
★Digital New Single now available
Aya Uchida Digital Single “with me”
“with me”
Lyrics/Composition/Arrangement: hisakuni
(Click here for distribution URL)
https://AyaUchida.lnk.to/withme
■AYA UCHIDA Symphonic Concert 2024
“AYA UCHIDA Symphonic Concert 2024” will be held at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall Takemitsu Memorial on Saturday, September 21st. The daytime performance will be titled “Daydream” and the evening performance will be titled “Moonnight,” with different setlists for the day and night. Pre-sale tickets for all seats will start from today, and day and night tickets will be sold with bonus goods. This performance is not scheduled to be streamed live, so please enjoy the spectacular orchestral sound at the venue.
Title: AYA UCHIDA Symphonic Concert 2024 ~Daydream~
AYA UCHIDA Symphonic Concert 2024 ～Moonnight～
Performance date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
[Daydream]Doors open at 13:30 / Start at 14:30
[Moonnight]Doors open at 17:00 / Start at 18:00
Venue: Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall Takemitsu Memorial
Cast: Aya Uchida
Music director/conductor: Keiko Ohsaki
Performance: Grand Philharmonic Tokyo
★Aya Uchida OFFICIAL WEBSITE special advance tickets start
All seats reserved: ¥9,900 (tax included)
All seats reserved day and night ticket + special goods included: ¥19,500 (tax included)
*Preschool children are not allowed to enter/Limited to 4 tickets.
*Tickets for day and night tickets will have the same seats.
Aya Uchida OFFICIAL WEBSITE Special advance notice for paid members
April 28, 2024 (Sun) 21:00-May 12, 2024 (Sun) 23:59
(Click here to apply)
https://aya-uchida.net/contents/744432
Sponsor: AXIS Inc.
Planning: Nippon Columbia/Arts Innovator Japan
Production: L’ÉQUIPE TROIS.INC
■Profile
Aya Uchida
Aya Uchida
Belongs to Across Entertainment
[BIRTH]Born on July 23rd
[Birthplace]Gunma Prefecture
Aya Uchida OFFICIAL WEB SITE
Aya Uchida music information website
https://columbia.jp/uchidaaya/
Aya Uchida -Aya Uchida- Music Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@AyaUchidaOfficial
Music staff official Twitter
https://twitter.com/uchidaaya_staff
Music staff official Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/uchidaaya_staff/
Aya Uchida official LINE
≪DISCOGRAPHY≫
On November 12, 2014, she made her debut as an artist with her 1st album “Apple Mint”.
On July 22, 2015, the 2nd album “Blooming!” was released.
On February 10, 2016, the concept albums “Sweet Tears” and “Bitter Kiss” were released.
On November 30, 2016, the 1st single “SUMILE SMILE” was released.
On September 13, 2017, the 3rd album “ICECREAM GIRL” was released.
On May 9, 2018, the 2nd single “So Happy”, which includes the ending theme song “So Happy” for the anime “You Still Don’t Know Gunma”, was released.
On July 18, 2018, the 50-song 3-CD set “AYA UCHIDA Complete Box ~50 Songs~” was released, which includes the opening theme song “Bright way” for the anime “Hyakuren no Haou to Seiyaku no Valkyrie”.
On March 6, 2019, the 3rd single “Sign/Candy Flavor”, which includes the ending theme “Sign” of the anime “The Quintessential Quintuplets”, was released.
On November 27, 2019, the 4th album “Ephemera” was released.
On March 4, 2020, the 4th single “Reverb”, which includes the ending theme “Reverb” of the anime “＜Infinite Dendrogram＞-Infinite Dendrogram-“, was released.
On June 2, 2021, the 5th single “Pale Blue”, which includes the ending theme “Pale Blue” of the anime “Yakunara Mug Cup Mo”, was released.
On November 10, 2021, the 6th single “Canary Yellow”, which includes the ending theme “Canary Yellow” of the anime “Yakunara Mug Cup Mo Niban Gama”, was released.
On May 24, 2023, the 7th single “Preview”, which includes the opening theme song “Preview” for the anime “Reincarnated Kizoku’s Adventures in Another World ~Apostle of the Gods Who Don’t Know Their Own Weight~” was released.
5th album “MUSIC” released on November 8, 2023.
On April 1, 2024, the digital single “with me” was released.
On April 29, 2024, the digital album “AYA UCHIDA Complete Instrumental” containing 73 songs from the 1st album “Apple Mint” to “MUSIC” was released.
