Just watched it. Here’s a quick review:
*Overture* Beginning: I’m not actually familiar with this song, or with a lot of Saeko Chiba’s stuff, really. Anyways, Keiko sounded really good, and I got excited! Then Joelle started singing. Actually, she was alright, but the song just kind of got boring. Kaori was solid though! And Yuriko’s part was so good! Anyway, yeah, still not a favorite of the night. Maybe it’s my unfamiliarity, who knows.
Kioku no Mori: I absolutely love this performance. Keiko’s voice is so mysterious at the start, Kaori’s got a ton of power, and that long note from Yuriko is killer! I was unsure how this one would fare without Yuuka, but I was quite pleasantly surprised!
Distance: It’s a good performance, and it does what it needs to, but isn’t much more than that. I feel like this concert needed a bit more variety, especially with Kaori singing lead on just about everything.
Fields of Hope: I was curious to see what Kaori did with it, and she did a great job! Her voice has a certain reserved vulnerability to it here. She definitely seems to be imitating Rie Tanaka’s soft style. And of course the composition is great, it’s a lovely ballad!
Houseki: Not much for me to say here. It’s Houseki. The song’s amazing, Keiko’s amazing, the instrumentalists are amazing, the performance is amazing. As it pretty much always is for me. Next!
Gaika: Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. Joelle sounds fine in her parts, with the mystical atmosphere, and Yuriko’s high segments are spectacular. It’s Kaori that’s the problem. When Wakana does it, there’s an intense, scary, hypnotic air, where as the verses bring you in, the chorus immediately makes you take a step back and realize what you’re in for. It’s a great song, but Kaori just . . . Sings. Very monotonously. And as a result, Joelle and Yuriko’s parts don’t mix as well. Ugh.
Moonlight Melody: Rie! Also another clunker. Yuriko’s voice is so grating in this one, and Kaori doesn’t really match Yo Taichi’s performance either. Joelle, meanwhile, just honestly sounds like she’s forcing her happiness. I’m sure she is actually getting into it, but it comes across as overdone. Next.
Hitorigoto: Ah, that’s more like it! A lot quieter, more atmospherically focused, and with great performances from Keiko and Kaori! My only problem is that Joelle kind of goes a bit too hard on her parts, but honestly that’s not the end of the world.
Yakusoku: Alright, so this is my favorite Yuuka song. Like, my absolute favorite, I adore it. Every single part of the song comes together to create this awesone, desperate, tragic, mystical, and slightly terrifying atmosphere that flows together beautifully. And, of course, I did have fun with this performance on that front. It’s just difficult for me to dislike in concept. The problem is once again Kaori. Where’s that desperation? Where’s the sorrow? The fragility? Why?! It’s a shame because there’s a lot to like about this performance (the guitars, the Kajiurago, Kaori’s last ‘Michi wo’), but Kaori made the song’s vocals boring! HOW DO YOU EVEN DO THAT?! Kaori, I like you, but what the heck was that?
Hana no Uta: Thankfully Aimer has come with my favorite song of hers to put me in a better mood. Phenomenal performance! Every element is just so well done!
I Beg You: Also excellent! I really like how the song starts and ends slow and unsure. The bookends are a really nice touch!
Wonderland: My goodness, Aimer sounds so good! Her stamina in this one is particularly impressive! Anyways I love the song, of course, it’s got a lot going on and the darkness fits that perfectly!
Haru wa Yuku: I found this song at just the right time, so I’ve always had a soft spot for this one. Lovely, just lovely. Oh no Aimer’s going away PLEASE NO.
Eternal Blue: Not gonna lie, I skipped this one. I’ve never liked it. Also, please give Kaori a really long break!
Stone Cold: A jam, of course. I love the harmonizing! And also, Kaori, where was this intensity during Gaika?
Yume no Tsubasa: It’s good and sounds more genuinely happy than Moonlight, but I’m starting to get tired. Still solid, though.
Mezame: This sounds better than the Reprise one did, but I still think it sounds a bit too rough at some parts.
Zodiacal Sign: This one’s great, especially Kaori’s part at the end and the instrumental showcase. But wow this one is long.
Maybe Tomorrow: And we end with Joelle going way too hard on the song, constantly switching tone, and her vocal quality grating me! I liked her more in this entire live than I usually do but wow that is one way to end a concert.
Anyways, this was all 50/50 for me. There was some good, some bad, and a lot of Kaori. I still had a fun time, though!
Favorites: Kioku no Mori, Fields of Hope, Houseki, Hitorigoto, Hana no Uta, I Beg You, Wonderland, Haru wa Yuku, Stone Cold, and Zodiacal Sign.