English follows Japanese!

ニュージャージーでおこなわれたケイティ・ペリーのライブ、Witness the Tour に参戦してきました！

何度か演奏ツアーで一緒だった素晴らしいキーボードプレーヤーの友人、Tyがケイティのバンドで演奏しているので、誘われて観にいってきたのですが・・・

圧巻

の一言でした！

日本では何度か好きな歌手のライブに行ったことのある私ですが、アメリカでの巨大プロダクション系のライブは初めてでした。しかも、ステージど真ん前の立ち見席に入れていただいて・・・！

１曲ごとにかわるセット、巨大なコスチューム、舞台仕掛け、一つ一つに感動していたら２時間あっという間に経っていました。ケイティは２時間、衣装を何度も着替えながら歌だけでなく踊りに宙乗りにファンサービスにめまぐるしく動いていて、目の前にいるにも関わらずこれは本当の人間なのか？！と目を疑ってしまうほどのエネルギーでした。舞台袖やツアーバスも見せてもらったのですが、ひとつのツアーにかける人数とお金と労力に、気が遠くなりそうになると同時に、エンタメ業界の本髄を見た気がしました。

クラシック業界にも、このエンタメ要素の１％だけでも加われば、新しい風が吹いて楽しいだろうなあ〜と電車の中で考えながらマンハッタンに戻ってきました。新しいアイディアが思いつきそうな、素敵なきっかけをくれた友達に心から感謝です。

全米ツアーのあとは世界ツアーで日本にも来年くるはずなので、もし興味のある方はぜひ行ってみてください！ど迫力なステージ、絶対後悔しません！：）

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Feels like I was in a completely different world last night. Katy Perry’s Witness the Tour was beyond description…!

I went to see my dear friend Ty Bailie, who rocks on keyboard with Katy for a couple of years now. Even though we have played together in a band several times, it was a different experience to see him on stage with the spectacular sets and Katy’s powerful voice, and in his nice pink costume.

Never been to a pop concert of this scale in the U.S., I was literally blown away by the quality and the size of the production on stage. HUGE set changes that happen after almost every song were mind blowing, the energy Katy had throughout the two-hour show was unimaginable, vibration that I felt through the arena of Prudential Center was so heavy (especially because I was at the front of house…!), and the number of staff and the amount of props I saw backstage were just enormous.

My favorite moments were when Katy and female dances in super pop looking costume got on a big bright yellow brick, fastened seat belts, and raised up in the air while they were still dancing and singing –it looked funny and amazing at the same time– and when a big black-and-white bee?! (or some kind of insect with needles) came on stage and danced with Katy.

On the way home, I was thinking how classical music could accommodate even 1% of the production idea – classical music traditionally has been performed in intimate places like salons or churches, or sophisticated concert halls, but I am positive that there are some ways where we could borrow an idea of pop world to have more vibrant music scene even in classical music world.

I guess it’s time to brainstorm!

If you are interested, please go to one of their shows! They are performing again in Brooklyn on the 11th, and going around the U.S. for a looong time so make sure to check the dates HERE on their website. I guarantee that you’ll have a blast!!!!!!