Japanese singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze launched a live performance Blu-ray & CD known as Fujii Kaze Stadium Dwell “Feelin’ Good” that includes his greatest solo headlining reveals to this point by the identical title that befell at Nissan Stadium in Kanagawa, Japan on Aug. 24 and 25.
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About 140,000 followers flocked to see the reveals over the 2 days that vividly conveyed Fujii’s magnetism as an artist — distinctive musicianship, excellent entertainer’s spirit, a laid-back, pure presence that makes you neglect you’re seeing him in a stadium setting, and a loving thoughts that appears out for every individual within the viewers. This author additionally attended one of many reveals and the two-hour set was an expertise that left a lingering sense of euphoria.
The package deal delves deeply into the live performance expertise from numerous angles. Those that went to the reveals will be capable to relive the thrill, and for these not conversant in Fujii Kaze will be capable to perceive why he’s beloved by so many.
The Blu-ray is a two-disc set, with Disc 1 containing dwell footage compiled primarily from the present on Aug. 25. Kento Yamada, a filmmaker who additionally directed the present itself, helmed the visuals for the live performance movie as nicely. Disc 2 comprises the approx. 70-minute Feelin’ Good (Documentary) movie, which reveals followers the behind-the-scenes of the reveals. This doc directed by filmmaker Elizabeth Miyaji comprises a brand new interview of the 27-year-old musician, who speaks candidly in regards to the idea of the reveals and his ideas on the challenge. The CD comprises 16 tracks personally chosen by the singer himself. The next are some highlights from the visible and audio discs.
The live shows had been full of assorted gimmicks and stage results, and by capturing them on video, they grow to be simpler to grasp and luxuriate in. The present kicks off with Fujii all of the sudden showing within the stands. As cheers get away, he slowly walks down the steps close to the viewers and heads for the grand piano positioned on the grass within the middle of the sector. The digital camera additionally highlights the real expressions of shock and pleasure on the viewers members’ faces.
The spectacular stage set was like a theme park with a stairway, bridge, and storage coated with vegetation. Based mostly on Fujii’s need to create one thing that evokes a way of nature, Yamada meticulously crafted the set all the way down to the smallest particulars, together with the feel of the soil and the small objects contained in the storage. The large LED display screen behind the stage displayed pictures like metropolis and sky, designed to assist create the impression of a single world when fused with the structure onstage.
The dancers’ performances had been additionally notable. Specifically, the multi-talented artist and his dancers carried out choreography that was completely in sync for “Kirari” and “Kiri Ga Naikara” in the midst of the present. Whereas Fujii is well-known for singing alongside to his personal virtuoso accompaniment on the piano, his dance performances additionally showcase his star energy.
The “Nan-Nan” hitmaker says within the documentary that the key phrase for this present is “youth” (seishun). Sharing the contemporary power of youth with the 70,000 individuals within the stadium, with dwell renditions of “Seishun Sick,” sung whereas swaying together with his dancers arm-around-shoulder, and an 8-beat punk rock model of “Tabiji,” was additionally one of many highlights of the live performance.
Whereas the respective visible initiatives on the Blu-ray discs are fairly near perfection, the recording on the CD permits followers to benefit from the you-are-there vibe of the present. The band members include Yaffle on keyboards, who additionally serves as band grasp, TAIKING from Suchmos on guitar, Naoki Kobayashi on bass, Norihide Saji on drums, Takashi Fukuoka on percussion, and ARIWA from ASOUND and Emoh Les on backing vocals. The funky, danceable beat of “MO-EH-YO (Ignite)” and the wealthy harmonies of “Shinunoga E-Wa” are simply among the highlights of the dwell preparations.
Wanting again over this previous 12 months, Fujii took on many challenges and overcame all of them. From Might to June, he traveled to North America for his first solo headlining trek within the area known as Fujii Kaze and the Piano U.S. Tour, promoting out each reveals in Los Angeles and New York. From October to December, he visited 10 cities in Asia and carried out in arenas for his Better of Fujii Kaze 2020-2024 ASIA TOUR, which additionally ended on a excessive notice.
Fujii launched solely two new songs in 2024 — “Michi Teyu Ku (Overflowing),” the theme music for Tomokazu Yamada’s first characteristic movie April Come She Will that turned his fifth observe to rack up 100 million streams in Japan, and the A. G. Prepare dinner-produced “Feelin’ Go(o)d,” launched in July — however seems to be actively engaged on different tracks. The stadium live shows and enviornment tour had been like a fruits of Fujii’s profession so far, and followers are wanting ahead to experiencing his new mode of expression within the coming 12 months.
This text by Tomonori Shiba first appeared on Billboard Japan. Fujii Kaze is stylized in Japanese order, surname first.
