REPORT ｜ Ovall “Still Water” Release Tour 2024

Text by Takanori Kuroda
Photo by Sachiko Yamada (origami PRODUCTIONS)

Ovall, a three-member band who released their fourth album “Still Water” in June of this year for the first time in four and a half years, will hold the final performance of their nationwide tour “Ovall “Still Water” Release Tour 2024” in support of this work. was held on October 20th (Sunday) at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM, Tokyo.

Ovall celebrates its 18th anniversary this year. First of all, a movie of the three members visiting a place of connection to look back on their history will be projected at the back of the stage. As I was excited by the nostalgic footage, such as historical photos and recording scenes from the time of the group’s formation, I met Natsuhiko Muraoka, also known as Nuts, whose support members were Shingo Suzuki (bass), mabanua (dr.), and Shingo Sekiguchi (guitar). (Key.) and Kazuhiro Bessho (Key.). Suzuki stood in the center of the stage, facing him in a formation with Sekiro on the left and mabanua on the right. In the back, Muraoka and Bessho lined up symmetrically, as Suzuki puts it, “It’s like the Minister of the Right and the Minister of the Left.” Amid loud cheers from the floor, the day’s live began with “Neon” from their new album “Still Water.” .

Mabanua’s tight rhythm, Suzuki’s earth-crawling bass, and Sekiro’s lightly strummed wah-wah guitar blend together organically. The following song, “I Need Your Music,” is a song from the 1st album “DON’T CARE WHO KNOWS THAT” released in 2010. Accompanied by an impregnable ensemble that fuses fusion and beat music, mabanua’s rich vocals, as smooth as silk and full of overtones, reverberated throughout the venue.

As soon as the drum and bass intro began, the floor erupted with the neo-soul-flavored “Winter Lights.” As I was captivated by mabanua’s falsetto voice, my body naturally began to sway as the ensemble gradually became more heated. At the end, Sekiguchi’s guitar solo, which sounded like a beast’s roar, cut through the air and the venue was filled with loud applause and cheers.

“Right away, may I introduce you to my ally?” asked Suzuki. The person who appeared was Shinpei Ruike. “He was the one who played the trumpet at PLUG (now the site) in Shibuya, which appeared in the first movie.I admired his extremely genre-less musicality, and since then we have performed together many times. But now, I’m honored to be here on stage with you,” and performed “Peanuts.” The audience went wild with Ruike’s free-spirited solo, which was unpredictable but also showed his singing spirit. In response, Sekiro responded with a passionate guitar solo, and the venue reached its first peak of the day.

“You can’t go home with just one song, right?” Suzuki said, and Sekiro performed a sobbing blues solo, and then they moved on to “Secret Time.” The blue-white, fiery ensemble, with its well-controlled intonation, further aroused the listeners’ sense of exhilaration.

“May I introduce our second guest?” Suzuki asked, and singer Sara appeared. He performed the collaboration song “Shadow” with her, which is included in his new album “Still Water”. Sarasa’s ennui singing voice blends with the five members’ performances as if they were part of an ensemble. The guitar and drums go wild towards the ending, but the contrast between Suzuki’s bass and Sarasa’s whisper voice that continues to hold its own is even more striking, drawing the listener in. The entire floor seemed to be holding its breath at the moment when the profound performance and delicate singing voice intertwined beautifully.

Next, this lineup performed “Rhythm” from Sara Sara’s second album “Golden Child”, which was released in September of this year. I was captivated by the behind-closed-doors funk reminiscent of Sly & the Family Stone’s “Family Affair” and the mysterious yet sensual exposed vocals.

“Usually we sing just by ourselves, but today will everyone from Liquid sing with us?” Suzuki called out, followed by “Supalover,” a sing-along scat in the middle, and “Stargazer,” which had a pleasant laid-back rhythm. ”, then Suzuki said, “I’m going to play a little stoically from here,” and interjected his spiritual bass solo and mabanua’s simple yet groovy drum solo, and then played “Rush.” Current” was played deeply.

“Can we have a big meal today?” Suzuki shouted, calling Nenashi in. The second half of the live performance included “Find you in the dark,” where his warm vocals shined, and after everyone practiced the chorus, they returned to “Cubism.” Surrounded by a sense of unity, the main event ends with the heavy jazz funk tune “It’s all about you.” In the encore, Suzuki said, “I’m sure everyone wants to hear this,” and the excitement exploded with “La Flamme,” a battle between Bessho’s electric piano and Muraoka’s organ, followed by “Take U to Somewhere,” which opens the first album. Show off. As if to recover the foreshadowing of the YouTube project, they returned to their roots and brought the curtain down on that day’s live performance.

Ovall is a music group that produces many important artists who are active on the front lines and drive the current music scene. It was an intense night where they expanded their scope as entertainment with performances that involved the audience, while also showing off their “underlying power” with their solid playing skills.

[Event information]

“Ovall “Still Water” Release Tour 2024”
Friday, August 23, 2024 at Aichi/Nagoya UPSET
Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Osaka/Umeda BananaHall
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at Fukuoka BEAT STATION
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Hokkaido/Sapporo SPiCE
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Ebisu, Tokyo LIQUIDROO

Sponsored/Produced by: origami PRODUCTIONS/SMASH

[Release information]

Ovall “Still Water”
Release Date：2024.06.26 (Wed.)
Label：origami PRODUCTIONS
Tracklist:
1. Cubism
2. It’s all about you feat. SIRUP
3. Peanuts
4. Neon
5. Shadow feat. Sarasa
6. Smoke
7. Find you in the dark feat. Nenashi
8. Joker

Artwork Illustration by Toyamag

*CD, digital

■Distribution/CD purchase link

■origami PRODUCTIONS Official Site