First time attending a BAND-MAID concert in Japan

[@FilAmConnections]

Thank you for all the comments. I enjoy reading them all. Special thanks to everyone that I met and for commenting here. I've said it before, the BAND-MAID community is the best!

[@mae_mon]

Hi, Alan. “One local guy” is me😂. I’m glad that you shared the picture of us, because I forgot to take some pictures with you by my phone. My first name is “Kazuhide”, I know such a name is too unfamiliar to English speakers, so please call me Kazu or Kaz. At that time I wanted to talk with you more, but my English was too insufficient. I’ll try to improve my English and talk to you again more smoothly!

[@FilAmConnections]

Oh wow Kaz, now I remember! Thank you for letting me know. Don’t worry about your English, it’s fine. A lot better than my Japanese, lol! It was nice meeting you. My family and I had a lot of fun visiting your country.

[@mae_mon]

@@FilAmConnections I’m glad hearing you enjoyed your vacation in Japan and BM concert. Of course I had a blast at that concert. Anyway, I put some translations what they were talking about in MC at DRUM LOGOS in case. These depend on my meager memories though. MIKU: This is the concert for our first time in 3 or 4 years in Fukuoka. The last our concert at DRUM LOGOS was not full, there was a big black curtain at the back concealing the empty spaces. So now we’re really really happy. SAIKI: You don’t need to say such a thing. SAIKI: We went to Ichiran (a famous Ramen shop) last night, that was so good. MIKU: AKANE had a refill as expected. AKANE: I ate a lot! I wonder that was why my eyes were swollen. MIKU: Your parts of double eyelids were swelling like real eyes! I’m relieved your eyes are normal now. AKANE: I put efforts into getting my eyes back to normal. MIKU: put efforts…? How…? SAIKI: We all five have gotten along really well for ten years. We think that’s weird ourselves. For example we take a bath together still. MIKU: hahahaha! Yeah, sometimes. SAIKI: After a concert, I take off the outfit and I wait for someone to take a bath together. MIKU: We do that one after another. When we stay at a hotel, we always come together in someone’s room and talk over. Probably it’s strange but I like it. (MISA poked on MIKU’s back) MIKU: mm..? What’s wrong? AKANE: She’s saying she’s thirsty. MIKU: Oh! Sorry! It’s high time for Misa’s Opening Ceremony Time. MISA: I’m thirsty I wanna drink soon… SAIKI: At Kagoshima she couldn’t drink during the concert because of hangover. MISA: (after drinking) I’m getting the real sense of the live concert. SAIKI: Have you checked our merchandise? Did you see the orange t-shirts? What do you think that orange means? MIKU: That orange ones are only available in Fukuoka. SAIKI: In Kumamoto, that’s MIKU’s birthplace, that was Black inspired by Kumamon (Kumamon is the famous mascot character of Kumamoto prefecture). And in Kagoshima, that was the brown t-shirt inspired by Sakura-jima (Sakura-jima is a volcanic island in Kagoshima). MIKU: What do you guys think Orange means? SAIKI: I feel orange about Fukuoka for some reason,haha. To tell the truth, this orange means Mentaiko. (Mentaiko is spicy pollack roe, a traditional food in Fukuoka) MIKU: Mentaiko! Yummy! SAIKI: You can see those t-shirts on our official instagram, please check it out. (When MIKU missed a step off the soapbox, she said..) MIKU: patapatapata… fortunately I’m a bird. (patapata is a onomatopoeia of flapping in Japan ) These are almost all I can remember now. And You need to add “Po” to all MIKU’s talk 😂

[@FilAmConnections]

@@mae_mon thank you so much brother! It’s nice to finally understand some of the things they were talking about. The part when Saiki says that they still take baths together is too funny. There’s a reason why they still manages to stay together and going strong after 10 years. I think that they talk and act more freely when in Japan. I don’t think Saiki would say that in the US. There’s nothing wrong with what she said, but Miku sounded like she wanted to keep some stuff a secret 🤫😂 I should learn more Japanese, so I can know more about BAND-MAID secrets, ha ha ha,

[@K.H.D710]

I was at both Kumamoto and Kagoshima shows. Like you said, both venues were quite small, and I could see Miku, Saiki, and Kanami very well (only 7~8m from me). At the Kumamoto show, Miku found Alexej's pigeon mask and said "There is a pigeon in the crowd, PO!" At the Kagoshima show, Akane found his pigeon mask and told Miku about it, and then someone in the audience told Maids "He is from Belarus!" The day after the Kumamoto Okyu-ji, Alexej-san and I went to the hotpot restaurant where Miku used to work as a waitress. The pork hotpot was very good, and the manager of the restaurant was still the same guy.

[@はるとも-d5y]

なんとか竈門の神さまに許可を貰いました。それとゲンナマと… ダメもとで金沢と横アリssに応募して当選したのでその既成事実をもとに額を床に擦り付けました😅

[@K.H.D710]

@@はるとも-d5y 金沢、良いですね！　こんな小箱で彼女達を見られるのは今年が最後ですからね。 横アリSS当選、おめでとうございます！ちょっとお高めですが、十分に価値がありますよね。 私は、神さんとの約束で、7月の新宿が今年最後の帰宅です😅

[@はるとも-d5y]

@@K.H.D710 ありがとうございます😊 え！新宿が最後ですか！折角、横アリでお会い出来るかと思っていたのになぁ〜。

[@K.H.D710]

@@はるとも-d5y ははは。熊本・鹿児島遠征の話を切り出した時に、「えっ？まさかアイドルの追っかけ見たいなことをする気じゃないでしょうね。」って言われたので、「大丈夫、国内23公演の内で、行くのは熊本・鹿児島・新宿の3か所だけだから。」って言ったら、「そこまでにしておきなさい。」との事でした😅　4月26日のブルーレイディスクも予約してあるし、今年は、この辺で勘弁してあげようかと．．．😏

[@FilAmConnections]

Ha ha ha! That’s great! Alexej is definitely the real deal; a true Master. I’m glad that you got to see the maids.

[@pohojisan1287]

Nice to meet you, I was standing in line in front of the Fukuoka OKYUJI venue when I spotted you and waved to you, but you were walking along talking to your companion and didn't notice me. I am 63 years old Japanese and always enjoy seeing your reactions. I am also friends with Alexej, the cellist you met in Fukuoka. He and I are friends on BM-CD (the BAND-MAID community), and I was with him the whole time at this January's TGT and all Kyushu 3 OKYUJIs. I also had dinner with him after the Fukuoka OKYUJI. I was fortunate enough to "return home" to all Kyusyu 3 OKYUJIs. And I plan to go return home to all the OKYUJIs in the future too, for all the shows I won the lottery for (I signed up for all the lottery, and so far the rate is 19/23). If I ever see you and I in the US or Japan again, I would love to talk with you and discuss things with you. Please join our community if you would like. BAND-MAID fans from all over the world are waiting for you.

[@FilAmConnections]

Sorry that I missed you. I did see Alexej walking in a group after the serving, but I had to rejoin my family for dinner; otherwise, I would have come along with you guys. Wow! your going to all those shows? What a year to remember. I’ll check the group that you mentioned and join in, sounds like a great community to discuss the Maids. Thanks for letting me know.

[@pohojisan1287]

@@FilAmConnections I have already graduated from my job and have no money (Lol) but lots of time. I'm going to spend the rest of my life supporting these young, talented ladies (I also support Lovebites, Gacharic Spin, Nemophila, etc., but B-M is special to me). The lovely thing about B-M, as you know, is that you don't just have to go to one of their shows. Once you go to one show, you want to go to the next one, and there is no end of it...... However, I don't think I will be able to "return home" to all 23 OKYUJI shows. I've already failed the lottery three times for Tokyo and Shizuoka, which are closest to my house (Lol), and I'm in the process of trying again for Nagano and Akita. The community I mentioned can be joined through Ohrenje's page (he is the founder of this community), which continues to produce excellent documentations of B-M members (forgive me if I can't directly refer you to that page here). It's a community where you can share B-M information with great people. I look forward to your participation.

[@FilAmConnections]

@@pohojisan1287 Enjoy your retirement. Thanks for the info. regarding the group. I found it and subscribed.

[@ひこ-w2v]

Hello, thank you for uploading what happened in Fukuoka to KZbin 😊 Thank you for introducing Nana's wonderful illustrated stickers! I was standing in line with a cute young lady at shin shin ramen, so I just gave it to her! All the allies are friends 🤝 thank you 😊

[@Studio-Coast_Kid]

Oh Man that 10th Anniversary Tour shirt and poster are 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Bodneyblue]

I wore jackets and BB hats with BAND-MAID related embroidered words...and T's...and during my 3 weeks in Japan in Jan...Not a single person spoke to me..I did hear the odd person say "Oh!..BANDO-MAIDO"...But no one spoke to me..and that includes when I went to the TGT concert....I also saw things which reminded me of the ladies...Like Tigers shirts in a BOOK-OFF store..and a Giant Snoppy!...Miffy's..etc..But I also visited a few places used as backdrops for MV's....Like the temple in the Real Exsitence" MV...And the places Miku was running about in the "Don't Let me Down" MV....I also visited her old Maid cafe in Akihabara.. And had cakes from the SWISS cake shop and a bubble drink at the stand in Kumamoto where the ladies visited in the video about Miku's hometown!...I also brought a number of BAND-MAID's CD's even though I already had them...I visited both the TOWER Records as you did. The one in Shibuya and Shinjuku...I also brought a Miffy and a Coji-Coji..And some anime manga...K-On!.. box set!..The inspiration for Miku.

[@FilAmConnections]

Ha ha ha! That’s definitely a lot more than more than I did. Nice!

[@Bodneyblue]

@@FilAmConnections Well....you were not there for yourself as such...You had your family to consider... I was solo...and so didn't have anyone else to worry about...I'm sure you'd have done alot more if you were able..I visted Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.

[@alexejbagrintsev]

​@@Bodneyblue Hello. Haven't seen you for a long time. How is it going? You had a very nice journey, that's cool👍 You were in Tokyo, so did I. BTW, did we meet there or no?

[@Bodneyblue]

@@alexejbagrintsev Hi Alexej.....Yes was a wonderful trip..despite having a few days where my depression took hold and reduced the enjoyment somewhat..I could have made more of it...But I'm not confident enough to enter most places and such..Just getting to Japan was a unbelievable for me..haha!...And I did pluck up the courage to visit Miku's old maid cafe in Akihabara( took me all most all the 3 weeks to do so...hehe) . But no we didn't meet...I was at TGT..But no one spoke to me..I was there alone....I saw Peter Lim and those he was with while I was scoping the venue and later when getting merch...One of those with him handed out some stickers..and I got a couple..I was standing in the merch queue then...But I lack confidence and have have lost the ability to interact after spending 6 years alone since losing my partner to cancer..as I have no friends or relations who were willing to give me support when I really needed it.

[@Bodneyblue]

Oh tell a lie!.... twice people spoke to me... I was asked to take photo''s..Once outside TOWER Records in Shibuya..A father & young son..think they might have been Japanese..not sure...And the other was an Asian family in Ueno at the Stone Lanterns...(a Miku backdrop in the "Don't Let Me Down" MV)

[@RyanMear]

Great video! I will be heading to Japan in June (the worst time as far as BAND-MAID is concerned LOL) but I am looking forward to the trip, very excited! Thanks for your story👍

[@alexejbagrintsev]

What is your itinerary, Ryan?

[@FilAmConnections]

Ooohh nice, you’re guaranteed to have a blast! I’m sure the community will take care of you while in Japan. And, maybe B-M will perform Gioncho for you 😉

[@TomClark-Futoura]

I agree with you on wanting them to play larger venues. But I think the Maids actually have more fun at the smaller venues. You can tell, like at festivals and even the Garden concert, that they have to work a lot harder to project to a huge crowd. And it's definitely more fun for fans that can be so close to them at the smaller venues. The Studio Coast, ZEPP and Shibuya concerts seem to be a perfect size for their larger concerts. But I'm sure Yokohama and the USA fests will be turning points for our Maids making seeing them at smaller venues harder to book and more rare. 🤘

[@gloriaracan42]

Enjoy! 😊👍

[@elesiobuccat3951]

Thank you for sharing your BM concert experience from your recent trip to Japan. Hope you are able to come again.

[@sixtofive]

Thank you for sharing your stories.

[@Bulbagaba992]

Nice to know a channel of FilAms enjoying Band-Maid! Subbed to your channel po!☺️🕊️

[@FilAmConnections]

Thank you Po! Ha ha ha!

[@mikesmith3342]

That was nice, thanks for sharing!!

[@FilAmConnections]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tinyhato]

Congratulations! I'm super jealous. Hope you enjoy those memories for a long time!

[@FilAmConnections]

Thank you, I will.

[@grahamreed8774]

I know many bands that tour and also the fact that they like playing some smaller venues during tours. It's pretty clear the the Maids also like doing this. I just want to say that I really enjoy your reactions, and every second of this video. So envious, been stuck in the UK with no prospect of a Band-Maid tour in the near future. Re. concerts- I'm an old guy (70) and for long shows or day festivals that I go to, I have to pace myself by going full on for the songs and bands that I really like and easing back for the others. Otherwise I would be dead by halfway through. I also collect incidental merch from venues- Show lists, schedule sheets from the venue walls, stage setlists, picks etc.

[@FilAmConnections]

I really hope that they come to Europe and places other than US and Japan next year. You guys have waited long enough! Thanks for your support.

[@orangelau86]

I think I talked to you in the line, from Hong Kong, one number behind you. Nice to see you here!

[@FilAmConnections]

Oh hey Marshall. Your right; we did hang out outside for a bit. It was nice to meet you!

[@吉田守-v1u]

GREAT I am going to KOBE and OSAKA OKYUJI too

[@FilAmConnections]

Very nice, have fun!

[@keithvincent-dg5rx]

CoolSHIRTS.

[@chakouyang2545]

That's was very cool thank you for sharing

[@Davey-Boyd]

That's a great set-list! Secret My Lips and Awkward! Two of my favourites! I have four tickets to see them in October, I'm really excited!

[@FilAmConnections]

That’s great, you’ll have a blast for sure!

[@Aaronacer]

Awesome recap and just a little jealous (maybe I will feel better when I see them next month in Atlanta and Charlotte) of the Japan recap. That's one of the coolest things about the B-M community is that I feel I could pretty much feel comfortable anywhere in the world and feel welcome because of other Maidiacs. Btw, that Band-Maid t-shirt is not SD Padres colors. As a Giants fan, I feel I would get better use out of it! 😄 Glad you and your family had a great time. I can't wait to get to Japan soon!

[@FilAmConnections]

Ha ha ha, you’re right! I panicked buy when I was at the merch. line. I kinda rushed a bit and forgot that the shirt was available in blue also. Now, I think about the Broncos and the Giants whenever I see that shirt 😜

[@KILLSHOTT760]

Great vid ! I was the one who received the signed poster, it was nice meeting you! it was super funny that I ended up running into you again at the station going back to Tokyo haha

[@FilAmConnections]

Hey there CJ! Are you going to Anaheim or other ones this time? It was nice to meet you.

[@KILLSHOTT760]

@@FilAmConnections Unfortunately I am not going to make it to that concert, but I am going to the Baby Metal show in Los Angeles

[@alexejbagrintsev]

Hello everyone. Alan, that was nice to meet you, to stand together and cheer up the ladies 🤘😎 Glad to be in your video, thank you! So, I came to Japan for the second time this year (and for the second in my life) to discover the country more and to attend Kyushu Okyujis. Concerning banana suit 😁 : I interacted a lot with the ladies the day before and was able to show Akane that suit as well, so there was no reason to bring it again. Miku spotted me wearing a giant pigeon mask in Kumamoto and Kanami did it in Kagoshima and immediately reported to other ladies. Surprisingly that mask made them smiling and laughing more than a suit. And that evening my friend pohoji-san introduced me to the ladies as a fan from Belarus. From that moment they know about me🙏 Therefore I decided to get their attention with the mask in Fukuoka and say hi to everyone, but that wasn't possible. But it is OK, I got even than expected the day before. The guy, who helped us with the translation, is from Bulgary. Glad you had a nice vacation. Hope next time you will be able to attend more Okyujis. Looking forward to meet you in the US one day. Of course watching Band-Maid show! 🙂

[@FilAmConnections]

It was indeed nice to meet you and hang out. Wow! You actually had the chance to meet with the ladies? That’s awesome! Now, I’m definitely jealous, lol! Take care and hopefully we’ll meet again somewhere in the BAND-MAID world.

[@alexejbagrintsev]

@@FilAmConnections I wish, but no. K.H. wrote that during MC someone told the ladies that I was from Belarus. That was my friend pohoji-san, who invited you to join Discord. Take care too! We will keep in touch. BTW, I covered "Sayonakidori" and uploaded it 2 days ago.

[@FilAmConnections]

@@alexejbagrintsev cool, I’ll go check it out!

[@alexejbagrintsev]

@@FilAmConnections Thank you 👍

[@cmufutube]

Nice vid. I'm only starting to realize how serious you folks are as fans, good stuff! Traveling from the Netherlands...seeing 5 shows in a row?! Wow!

[@FilAmConnections]

Thanks for watching!

[@hirschelriley2465]

Hi there! So great to hear about your experiences in Japan,. I am really looking forward to go there myself when possible.. Thanks always for sharing!

[@FilAmConnections]

My pleasure.

[@lurkmerchant]

Wish I had known that they would play at Yokohama Arena before attending TGT okyuji. Don't get me wrong, that show was amazing. I still get shivers from just remembering it, but Yokohama is my home town and missing out on the tour final because flight isn't cheap...just devastates me.😢

[@FilAmConnections]

Yes, that’s too bad. But, TGT is a good consolation still.

[@makmiskell3733]

Thanks Alan for sharing!

[@FilAmConnections]

No worries!

[@TlanImass]

Inggit! Galing Kuya! Hopefully get to meet you in a Midwest okyu-ji in the future!

[@alskiindy]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm going to the Nashville show and keeping my August open in case they add some more US stops.

[@freewheeler2go]

You live in Indy?

[@FilAmConnections]

I'm with you for August, I hope they add SoCal dates. But, I also understand if they just take a break. They've been working really hard lately.

[@alskiindy]

@@freewheeler2go yes I do!

[@freewheeler2go]

@@alskiindy Awesome - I am driving down to the Nashville show as well!

[@diegotarazona_1026]

Hi man! That was awsome, I'm planning myself to go this year to Japan and I'd like to ask you some advices more specifically related to the concert, sorry for such direct approaching but if you have a way to reveice DM, I'd really appreciate that. Hope you can help me on that :)

[@FilAmConnections]

Hey Diego, I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Copy and paste my channel address in your web browser, then go to the “about” page on my channel , sign in to see my email address, then you should be able to private message me.

[@diegotarazona_1026]

@@FilAmConnections thanks! I emailed you yesterday, let me know as soon as you can.

[@FilAmConnections]

@@diegotarazona_1026 I responded to you. But, I guess it never got to you. KZbin, for the most part, have gotten rid of the messaging feature. Go ahead and list your questions in the email and I’ll try my best to respond to you.

[@diegotarazona_1026]

@@FilAmConnections yeah, you're right, that email just arrived, it wasn't even on spam haha, thanks anyway. I just sent you the new one.