[Ayumi Hamasaki]Set a record for the highest audience attendance for an overseas artist at the Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena! This historic night with all the audience standing marks the beginning of our first Asian tour in 16 years! !

Ayumi Hamasaki started her first Asian tour in 16 years, “ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2024 A ~I am ayu~” in Shanghai.

This was the second day of two performances in Shanghai on Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd, including one that was added suddenly because tickets sold out in one minute. On November 2nd (Saturday), the venue broke the previous record for the number of visitors for an overseas artist in a single day. Since opening at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, this world-renowned arena has hosted performances by top Western artists such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, and Justin Bieber, as well as famous K-POP and J-POP artists. ayu broke the record. In addition to being the first Japanese artist to perform on the center stage at the same venue, it was a new record showing Hamasaki’s popularity, worthy of being called the “Asian Diva.”

At the live show, which was their first performance in China in 16 years, they generously performed a number of hit songs.

For approximately two and a half hours, they captivated the assembled audience with a luxurious set list that could be called the best selection, including songs that have not been performed in Japan in recent years, such as “Voyage,” “Dearest,” and “SEASONS.”

Incorporating an arrangement that uses plenty of Asian instruments and a production that shows respect for traditional Chinese performing arts, there are eight costume changes, including a glamorous Chinese dress and a huge dress, and in addition, “M” features a 50m long veil for the first time in China. She excited local fans with an entertainment show called “This is Ayumi Hamasaki,” which is appropriately titled “I am ayu.”

In particular, when they performed “MY ALL”, the most popular song in China, at the end of the encore, the entire 360-degree audience surrounding the center stage rose to their feet and got excited. At the beginning of the chorus, he waved “C’mon Shanghai!” to the fans, and the audience, which was filled to the top of the stands, chanted the Japanese lyrics in chorus. Furthermore, when Hamasaki sang the last chorus in Chinese, the entire venue erupted in loud cheers.

It was a truly historic night, creating a spectacular scene that had never been seen before even at the performance 16 years ago, and breaking not only the number of attendees but also the “best” for everyone who was there.

Hamasaki repeatedly expressed his gratitude to his Chinese fans during his live performance, using a mix of Japanese and English, saying, “Thank you for coming here today” and “Thank you for letting us come here today.” However, on Chinese SNS

“As expected of Asia’s number one ayu”

“The set list was divine. It was like going back to 2007, my youth.”

“The stage production was very good. I could feel Ayu’s sincerity with the uniquely Chinese set.”

“Beautiful. She’s in her 40s and her physical strength and beauty are amazing.”

“M’s costume was the best, it made me cry”

There were a lot of comments like this, and it seems that the stage met the expectations of the fans who have been waiting for Ayu’s visit to China for many years.

A performance in Chengdu is scheduled for this weekend, and subsequent dates are expected to be announced at any time, so excitement is expected in various locations. In Japan, a countdown live will be held on December 30th (Monday) and 31st (Tuesday) at the Yoyogi National Stadium First Gymnasium, which he calls his sacred place. We have high expectations for Hamasaki’s performance, which will make a triumphant return, stirring excitement throughout Asia.

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◆Asia tour “ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2024 A ~I am ayu~”

November 1, 2024 (Friday) Shanghai: Meixan Dex – Benlin Culture Center (Mercedes-Benz Arena)

November 2, 2024 (Saturday) Shanghai: Meiyeon Dex – Benlin Culture Center (Mercedes-Benz Arena)

Saturday, November 9, 2024 Chengdu: Dong’an Lake Sports Park Multifunctional Sports Hall

Information constantly updated → https://avex.jp/ayu/

◆Countdown Live “ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2024-2025 A ~I am ayu~”

Monday, December 30, 2024 Tokyo: National Yoyogi Stadium First Gymnasium

December 31, 2024 (Tuesday) Tokyo: National Yoyogi Stadium First Gymnasium

Details → https://avex.jp/ayu/news/detail.php?id=112024

◆Latest LIVE DVD (released October 2, 2024)

・His first 47 prefecture tour “ayumi hamasaki 25th Anniversary LIVE TOUR”