{REACTION} Band-Maid / About Us

[@TheJerm]

Couple things: First SBR, I'm a drummer too, so about the LAST thing I notice is vocals. THIS is the song where I finally realized that Saiki is a freakin' POWERHOUSE. I had already realized Miku is a force of nature, but Saiki just FLOORED me when I first heard "About Us". Second thing: This tune melts me. I've never cared more about five human beings that aren't blood related or really close friends. Even though Saiki, Miku, Kanami, Misa and Akane are neither of those things, it feels like they are. They...are...MAGIC! Thanks man! 🕊

[@GaryHolloway-810]

It's a real pity that Saiki's heartfelt, moving speech to the Maidiacs before the start of the song wasn't included in the vid.😔🥲

[@frantaf]

Not knowing the language, i was stunned by that speech. Even affraid to look out for translation, was she talking about her end with band or whole band,... What ever she talked about it was tought for her to speak about. So many emotions in that speech.

[@Kevin6059]

Absolutely. It's even more of a tearjerker. It's been in their setlists too. There is zero percent chance I can make it through this live without using my handy dandy hanky.

[@TomClark-Futoura]

Everyone should get the DVD/BD of the 2020 Shibuya concert... period! The fact that they didn't sell tens of millions of copies shows me the world is still upside down. 🙃

[@Kevin6059]

@@TomClark-Futoura Agree. It got a bit of bad press regarding the mix since Kanami was dialed down too far in some of the songs but even with that it is an absolute gem. I've probably watched it more than any other DVD or Blu-ray I've ever owned combined. Of course that probably surprises no one in maidiacland.

[@bartyslattfast]

You know how much this one means to me. A great , meaningful song.

[@nathandavis5099]

This song helped me grieve all of my family's losses during the first 2 years of COVID. It let me cry when I desperately needed it. I will always be grateful to Miku for these lyrics.

[@nates8548]

A Super Fan (t-shinji) translated Saiki’s pre-song speech just before it was performed: "We were supposed to meet you today. For the first time in a year, we thought we could meet you all, those of you who could come to see us, but we can’t meet you in the end. I’m sorry. Even though it’s not my fault. We have been having days of turmoil for about a year. In the beginning, we were very surprised because we hadn’t experienced it before, and we had no experience of not being able to meet others in person. We were sad, but we found we shouldn’t be sad in this situation. When I saw you masters and princesses on social media, you were more depressed than us, and we thought that’s terrible. We Band-Maid have been thinking about how to cheer up all of you in the last one year. We truly wanted to meet you at Nippon Budokan, but it’s impossible because of COVID, so let’s wait for the day when we can meet. And in the last one year… or in the COVID pandemic, we have become more eager to cheer you up, and we Band-Maid realized again it’s important to give our songs to you. That’s why we wrote this song for Budokan. We made the album also in the pandemic, so it might have a little similar feel, but this song is planned for Nippon Budokan, and we really want to give it to you masters and princesses now. Budokan is not our goal but just a stepping stone. We will perform at bigger venues, and we promise we will bring you there and give you even better songs, so let’s keep it up a little more. This is our present for you masters and princesses. Please listen to it."

[@surfingasongwave]

Thank you.

[@surfingasongwave]

This is the ballad that was missing from Unseen World. I get a little protective about it. The video only has 812,000 views which is a bit low for a Band-Maid video but I'm okay with it. If somebody who doesn't know the band is looking for a video, let them watch "Domination" or "Blooming" or "Dice". This song is for "us" and if you're not a fan then it's not for you. I can't believe I'm gatekeeping like this but there you go.

[@VegetaRabbit]

They have the talent to melt your face or melt your heart.

[@ViiOlet810]

I cry with this song, every time 😭 so many things happened and them writing this beautiful song for us, their fans, it just made everything a bit better all around 💜 Glad you enjoyed it as well 😊 Rock on, Po! 🕊️🖤🤘😎

[@armynurseboy]

I'm not crying, you're crying.....😭😭😭😭😭😏

[@kennogawa6638]

This ballad with Kanami playing the intro on acoustic is a tear jerker. Saiki is the type of woman that wraps you around her little finger because it's her nature.

[@BM4-Life]

🐦 On Feb. 14th, 2020 concert *BAND-MAID* announced that they were going to play at *Budokan* on Feb 11th, 2021 playing at *Budokan* is like reaching the top of Mt. Everest but due to Covid the concert was canceled. In the live streaming concert *Saiki* address the fans and said how much *BAND-MAID* missed performing live to their *Masters and Princesses* and was followed up with this song that *BAND-MAID* has maid for their fans. 🐦

[@Davey-Boyd]

This came out of the blue on this online live. She WAS talking to us. 'About Us' is a love song to their fans. Saiki gave a speech before they played the song, you really need to read what she said. It was heart-breaking. I was in tears even before I read the translation, I thought Saiki was going to cry. The 'Ice Queen' melted, and so did many of us.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

I was a wet puddle of Gary.😔

[@2abug]

@@GaryHolloway-810 🧅🥷🏻

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@2abug Exactly. My eldest cat died this morning, that was onion ninja time too.😪

[@2abug]

@@GaryHolloway-810 I’m sorry about your loss Gary. That’s one of the reasons why I don’t own animals. It’s too hard when something happens to them ☹️ ❤️‍🩹🥷🏻

[@Davey-Boyd]

@@GaryHolloway-810 Sorry to hear that Gary. Best wishes mate.

[@_JimS]

Band-Maid was our shining light in those dark days that never needed to happen. Saiki bringing the reciprocating emotions everyone felt. I stayed up till 3am to watch this and the other live streams. Such class these ladies have to bring these streams to us when we all needed uplifting. We Maidiacs went through this difficult time with the Maids and is why we keep them a little more nearer to our hearts. We will never forget their true love for their Masters and Princesses.

[@geoffb5]

Perhaps there are others, bands or songs that I don't know about, however AFAIK Band-Maid is the only group that has performed two songs which can be seen as love letters to their fans. "About Us" and "Smile" are very special songs.

[@johnmatthew102]

Band-Maid's disappointment for themselves and their fans over the cancellation of their much anticipated Budokan debut was heartbreaking. I was heartbroken as well, because I had tickets to their appearance at a festival in July of that year, and cancelled, of course. No one knows what the future holds, so don't ever take for granted that you'll be able to catch Band-Maid on some later tour. See them now, this October!

[@fernandoNovo59]

SBR - The backup vocals from Miku were really powerful too in this song….thanks…Peace & Respect from 🇨🇦

[@kakqu]

1:24:44 Saiki: We were supposed to meet you today. 1:24:54 Saiki: For the first time in a year, we thought we could meet you all, those of you who could come to see us, but we can’t meet you in the end. I’m sorry. 1:25:12 Saiki: Even though it’s not my fault. 1:25:17 Saiki: We have been having days of turmoil for about a year. In the beginning, we were very surprised because we hadn’t experienced it before, and we had no experience of not being able to meet others in person. 1:25:49 Saiki: We were sad, but we found we shouldn’t be sad in this situation. 1:26:04 Saiki: When I saw you masters and princesses on social media, you were more depressed than us, and we thought that’s terrible. 1:26:23 Saiki: We Band-Maid have been thinking about how to cheer up all of you in the last one year. 1:26:36 Saiki: We truly wanted to meet you at Nippon Budokan, but it’s impossible because of COVID, so let’s wait for the day when we can meet. 1:26:52 Saiki: And in the last one year… or in the COVID pandemic, we have become more eager to cheer you up, and we Band-Maid realized again it’s important to give our songs to you. 1:27:19 Saiki: That’s why we wrote this song for Budokan. 1:27:25 Saiki: We made the album also in the pandemic, so it might have a little similar feel, but this song is planned for Nippon Budokan, and we really want to give it to you masters and princesses now. 1:27:52 Saiki: Budokan is not our goal but just a stepping stone. We will perform at bigger venues, and we promise we will bring you there and give you even better songs, so let’s keep it up a little more. 1:28:15 Saiki: This is our present for you masters and princesses. 1:28:25 Saiki: Please listen to it.

[@TomClark-Futoura]

"About Us", in the vein of other great mid-tempo Band-Maid songs like Daydreaming, Anemone, Endless Story, PAGE, Wonderland, Awkward, Start Over, Mirage, At the Drop of a Hat and Smile, is an amazing song and personal message to their fans - a direction I'm glad to see them add to their journey toward world domination. And we get to hear MISA play the vibe she so enjoys. Their beautiful DVD/BD/CD set with 100 page picture book of this incredible concert is unbelievable! Thanks SkiBuff, for bringing "About Us" to your viewers!

[@DAVID-io9nj]

I think some good came out of the pandemic. Many people looking for entertainment during lockdown was exposed to Band Maid via the internet. The band and their management became more aware of the potentials of the internet and how to make money using it. They did about 8 livestreams during lockdown. Also, Band Maid Prime was probably a recognition of their overseas fan base. Now, if they would just spend the money for a dvd of their upcoming US tour!

[@Maidiac88]

I'm not crying, you're crying. Great song and performance.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

MISA playing lead guitar...on her bass. Epic.

[@avicenna799]

Their momentum was building and they were booked to play Budokan in Feb 2020 and then stuff happened.

[@surfingasongwave]

Okay, I replied but I mis-read your comment. Feb. 13-14 2020 were the Line Cube Shibuya shows that provided the live versions of Domination, Play, Freedom and Choose Me. Backstage after the second okyu-ji they announced the Budokan show that would happen Feb. 11, 2021. This video comes from the online okyu-ji that was it's replacement on the same date. It had been a year since they played a show back then, it's been 2 1/2 years before they played Download earlier this summer. What a long time!

[@ronayala9456]

You absolutely have to do reactions for the acoustic album. They might be the same songs but most were played differently and some were actually better.

[@edwardallen4051]

I understand what you are saying about reining the instruments in, but do they really, ever ? Misa is going nuts on this as she always does on the slow stuff, Akane again changes the feel again with her tom work and Kanami as she often does just keeps playing tastefully in the background. Can't not mention the beautiful vocals, both Saiki and Miku and of course the lyrics.

[@RTEcalcite01]

That's why Saiki is so special- she sings to the fans, not at them with real emotion. Their real come back to the world will start at Aftershock Fest on 9 Oct. Such an important moment after over 2 years of build up. So many non fans will see and hear them for the first time.

[@greylocke100]

You did hear a cello and violins, Kanami wrote them in with her DAW software. You will also hear other keyboards and Kanami did some weird things with the voices of all of the ladies. Before this song, Saiki had a small speech. I'm pulling this from a translation and the timestamps are included so it may look strange.; 1:24:44 Saiki: We were supposed to meet you today. 1:24:54 Saiki: For the first time in a year, we thought we could meet you all, those of you who could come to see us, but we can’t meet you in the end. I’m sorry. 1:25:12 Saiki: Even though it’s not my fault. 1:25:17 Saiki: We have been having days of turmoil for about a year. In the beginning, we were very surprised because we hadn’t experienced it before, and we had no experience of not being able to meet others in person. 1:25:49 Saiki: We were sad, but we found we shouldn’t be sad in this situation. 1:26:04 Saiki: When I saw you masters and princesses on social media, you were more depressed than us, and we thought that’s terrible. 1:26:23 Saiki: We Band-Maid have been thinking about how to cheer up all of you in the last one year. 1:26:36 Saiki: We truly wanted to meet you at Nippon Budokan, but it’s impossible because of COVID, so let’s wait for the day when we can meet. 1:26:52 Saiki: And in the last one year… or in the COVID pandemic, we have become more eager to cheer you up, and we Band-Maid realized again it’s important to give our songs to you. 1:27:19 Saiki: That’s why we wrote this song for Budokan. 1:27:25 Saiki: We made the album also in the pandemic, so it might have a little similar feel, but this song is planned for Nippon Budokan, and we really want to give it to you masters and princesses now. 1:27:52 Saiki: Budokan is not our goal but just a stepping stone. We will perform at bigger venues, and we promise we will bring you there and give you even better songs, so let’s keep it up a little more. 1:28:15 Saiki: This is our present for you masters and princesses. 1:28:25 Saiki: Please listen to it. This song makes my entire body break out in chills every time I hear it, and the onion ninjas work over time, hence I NEVER listen to this song in the car.

[@miqoto]

Now that you've heard this, is where Unleash!!!!! comes in

[@785boats]

It really grabs me every time too man. So ironic that it is a love letter to their audience & their fans, but there was no audience there to receive it. What I love is that those soft little runs of Kaname's are like another backing vocal layered over Miku's vocals, at times. Beautiful. Let's not forget the work that Misa put into all those bass lines. Simply stunning.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

If there had been a crowd i'm pretty sure the onion ninjas would've overcome Saiki.😔

[@785boats]

@@GaryHolloway-810 Those damn sneaky onion Ninjas. I love it when Saiki's eyes start to glisten in these types of song that they perform. So sweet. So real.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@785boats yeah she just has enough control to stop those tears. If she did cry Kanami would start too :)

[@surfingasongwave]

"... there was no audience there to receive it." Oh, but there was. All those twinkling lights in "Unleash!!!!!" were watching on their phones and their laptops and screens. We were there, even if we weren't there in their little corner of the world.

[@Kevin6059]

@@GaryHolloway-810 You are probably not wrong.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

Covid stole their Budokan debut from them...threw them a big bag of shit. They took that and spun it into gold. They are the best live rock band on the planet and they will have their day at Budokan...and all the major Japanese domes and stadiums.

[@AK-tv6bo]

MADEcostumeでhardrock､これこそJAPANESEcultureです、世界のみんな､応援ARIGATO､､

[@phaeron]

Can a band or an artist give its entire fan community a better gift than this? At least I can't think of one. When I watched this live stream last year, and they unpacked this song, pretty much all the onion ninjas from the city I live in gathered at my place. And the fact that they played Daydreaming directly afterwards didn't make them leave. Even today, this song still causes me to have a blurred vision. :) It was a good decision to include Miku's vocal parts during the chorus in the backing track, as she was very obviously struggling not to lose her composure completely. And I don't think any of us would have been mad at her if she had, because the recording of this concert took place on the very day their big concert at the Budokan was supposed to take place. Even though, according to Saiki's statement before this song, this wasn't their goal, but rather another stepping stone, it's probably the biggest possible stage for pretty much every musician in Japan. I can't even begin to imagine how devastating this cancellation must have been. _____________________ 「 _'Our rock never dies ever. Forever!'_ 」 --- from *BAND-MAID* 'Manners' 🕊

[@ericifune5543]

The pandemic is not over in Japan. Cases are rising and several bands have cancelled tours. I'm praying nothing happens that impedes their US tour.

[@makmiskell3733]

Thanks SBR! Great song!

[@stealthcabbie1336]

This IS a good song.....

[@zocc116]

onion-ninjas incoming 😂

[@lurkmerchant]

Now you've reacted to all their songs including Unseen World album, watch the entire Line Cube Shibuya concert, right to the end. Then listen to About Us again in your spare time. Line Cube Shibuya concert footage is still available on Chinese KZbin equivalent called bilibili, but if you are a Band-Maid prime member I think you can still watch the concert footage as well as self-covers of a few bandmaid songs by each member.

[@technopsychobedlam]

Hope you get to the three songs from the Sense EP next 🙂

[@michaelpeck6746]

Masterpiece what else is ther to say

[@Bodneyblue]

"Unleash" 8 track EP list..in no particular order. Unleash !!!!! influencer I'll Balance HATE? From now on Sense Corallium

[@markmark6378]

They can just flat write!

[@reesereese2524]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@ShikataGaNai100]

Sadly, here in Japan...we aren't all done with that nonsense yet. Covid is still very real here.

[@Bodneyblue]

It is everywhere....but Japan needs to learn to live with it like the rest of us have.....It's not going away anytime soon and the more Japan stops tourists the more the country will suffer due to the virus than necessary.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

@@Bodneyblue Uh, restrictions have been lifted and gaijin can now come to Japan.

[@Bodneyblue]

@@ShikataGaNai100 Does that include solo travelers?.....And what about VISA's?...Being in the UK the UK is/was VISA exempt...what is the situ now?...If you know..Thanks.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

@@Bodneyblue I am in Shinjuku, Tokyo...a US expat with my Japanese wife, who is a rock musician. Solo travelers not on guided tours will be fine, but you will need to check with your Consulate to see about the VISA exemptions stuff. I am a special permanent resident, with a spousal gig, so my situation is different from most. As always, check with the Japanese Consulate in the UK, or with your own governmental officials.

[@Bodneyblue]

@@ShikataGaNai100 Ok..thanks for take. Just that I have a ticket for a concert in Tokyo in Jan..And I so hope to be able to go...Never atempted a trip on this scale..or any scale to be honest. But hope to catch the concert and do a little sight seeing if possible. Probably a once in a lifetime trip...hehe!.😀

[@lonniekramlich6241]

" Were done with that nonsense, " let me remind everyone.......400 Americans are dying from covid everyday......and yet the Maids are still willing too come to the good ol USA.

[@glenkelley6799]

I'm hoping that all their fans and staff at the venues have had their vaccines before the ladies arrive.

[@MaartenT]

And we are not even talking about Japan where it apparently has gotten worse again. A couple of members of Gacharic Spin have recently been infected with COVID for example. It's better at the moment where I am in Europe, but I wouldn't be surprised if a new wave comes in the next month or two. I am actually surprised that it didn't already happen after the summer holidays.

[@falconsooner]

Covid sadly is here to stay and the vaccines can't keep up with each variant which is unfortunate. Heck the latest booster (shot #5) which is designed for Omicron was only tested on field mice because they wanted to get it out the door quickly and it is already OBE because Omicron is fading. I'm now convinced best thing we can do is build up our own immune systems as best we can and maybe Covid will get weaker over time.

[@falconsooner]

@@patron40silver To be fair to SBR...I don't think he meant Covid was done. It obviously isn't. I'm fairly sure he was referring to not being able to tour, go to concerts etc.

[@lonniekramlich6241]

@@falconsooner there's 45 % of the country not vaccinated.....what did they think was going to happen, it is going away on it's own ?