24Sep2011
Author
Sakuraich
Category
Live performance, Pictures, Videos, YUI-Lover

YUI Live at Jiu-Guang, Shanghai — Kim’s Report

Report of the secret street live here

24th September 2011

YUI performed live at Jiu-Guang, Shanghai

Because of the lack of preparation and my difficulty of speaking Chinese (as in, can’t speak a thing) I arrived at the venue only 1 hour before 4:00 pm.
(I’ll skip the ‘getting-there part. It was quite an adventure, but it was only about me. Tell me if anyone wants to hear it.)

The venue is very small, actually, it is only the area infront of the mall that was converted into a temporary stage. At my arrival, the venue is about 60% filled up already, so I was a bit more than half way away, but it was still quite close. I got 1 hour to push my way deeper inside before it started.

The backdrop for the stage is the blown up version of Green a.live… It was… OK I guess. As for the purpose of this live, my assumption is, this event was held to celebrate the 7th anniversary of the mall, I might be wrong though.
I logged on to chat room in YUI-Lover.com to see if anyone wants to know what I saw, but only Kikino was there, and he told me that she had performed a street live already. I was so disappointed, it was not in schedule T__T, or I might decide camp here overnight… But what’s over is over, I can’t do a thing about it.

After a while, I can only push myself toward about 6 rows in but at least I was right next to the tallest guy in the group that was blocking my view, and got clear view of the stage. I did saw Icchi behind me, checking the stage from the back. I really wanted to approached him, but there were already people packing behind me, and I might lose this spot, too bad…

At about 3:45, there was finally some activity on the stage. Chair and table were set up, and the fans are very excited at the sight of YUI’s acoustic guitar, brought here by Icchi himself.

Icchi starts sitting and tuning guitar like he owns the stage. I don’t know why, but he looks very happy. Maybe the amount of people exceeded his expectation, because by now, the venue is super packed, people start gathering even in place they almost couldn’t see the stage. He even test the mic in… musical (?)(citation needed) voice, the crowd was very excited.

4:00, nothing happens yet. I noticed many cameramen, we might get something out of this, but I won’t hope much. It’s Sony style to film events and keep them locked away forever.

4:10, still nothing.

4:20, nothing…, many staffs making phone calls, maybe YUI ran away! Meet a nice guy who didn’t know who she was! He took her around the city! and they fell in love with each other! OK… that didn’t happen.

4:30, a guy (Who I learn later, is a VJ) in a flamboyant outfit came up on stage and made some announcement in eccentric  voice . I couldn’t understand him of course…

Someone in front of me pulled up a Holidays in the Sun CD, the crowd was excited to see an original CD. My thought was “Shouldn’t you all have one already?” Then I remembered it’s China…

And then, just like that YUI appeared from the left of the stage, I missed her appearance scene totally , because the crowd has gone mad. Remember when I said I have a clear view of the stage? Not anymore. People seemed to gain a foot in height, and the sky above me becomes a forest of arms and cameras!!! We were so excited!!!

After the initial excitement died down, I can get a glimpse of the stage. YUI came in blue jacket and jeans. She was really small, but georgeous… I must be dreaming, definitely dreaming.
She spoke some Chinese “Ni hao, wo shi YUI” (Hello, I am YUI.), and of course, the crowd has gone wild again!

After some minor adjustment on guitar and mic, YUI performed the first song, Green a.live. It was… amazing… I was blown away, her voice was perfect. I couldn’t hear the guitar clearly, but I’ll assume it’s also perfect. This performance is perfect. YUI is perfect. IT’S PERFECT. The crowd cheered happily. She even said Thank You in Chinese. Until she said, next is the last song for today… We are only going to have only 2 songs for our memory… :(
Next and last song is, of course, the most know song internationally, Good-bye days. YUI started playing a bit then stopped, something didn’t seem to be right with the guitar. But she fixed it and started playing again…

What can I say? What do you expect me to say? IT’S PERFECT!!!! Her voice is very soft and warm and very ‘YUI’… It’s full of emotion. The crowd sang along with the song loudly… About midway into the song, YUI said ‘arigatou’ in a shaky voice. It was awesome, I couldn’t explain it anymore, Just see the video. She even let the crowd sang lalala with her twice! The way she played with the crowd, it’s awesome… awesome… and awesome… My video recording was quite bad now, my arm was so tired from holding the camera, sorry…

After this she started to left the stage, of course the crowd wanted more… YUI looks to her left at somebody as if to ask for permission to continue. But no luck, she signaled ‘Sorry’ to the crowd and quickly left the stage… That guy came back, but we didn’t care! We wanted YUI! Not you!!! (That’s my voice at the end.)

YUI did came back onto stage again to received the trophy or something, (Looks 50 times worse than the one in HK) and took the picture with the crowd.

Then the unthinkable happens, the dude… grabbed YUI hand… pull her to his side… and took photo with her… HE EVEN TOUCHED HER WAIST!!!

Actually… no I’m not that angry, he must’ve thought it was funny and didn’t do enough research to under who he was going to work with. Which is bad but not that bad. So only spam his twitter, don’t hurt him…

The crowd quickly dispersed, I ran to escalator to see the back stage, but the team had already left also…
And just like that, it’s over… I have nothing more to say, I don’t regret coming here… We had only 2 songs, but they’re performed with heart, with everything. YUI gave us her best as always.
Now… if only I can go to budonkan……….

Thank You

KIM

————

Please note this is a censored version. We do not  mean to offend any one, especially those who are fans of this VJ male host. His actions during the photo with YUI at the performance would not be considered proper etiquette in the Japanese context-that is why some people are not happy with him.

You can leave your comments in the forum

  • http://kikino.cl Kikino

    Love you Kim

  • Sakuraich

    Thanks a lot for the report Kim =D

  • gotchi

    Yay great report Kim~ I love having our YUI-Lover members from all over the world …

    Great video too the audio is very good.
    Green a.live was amaaaaaaaazing. You’re lucky to be one of the first to hear a live performance of that song !~

  • http://www.twitter.com/YUIindo YUIindo

    wahh..its big news.
    thankyou KIM.
    fighting.

  • Frank

    Thanks for your report kim.. !

  • Jan-Rarufu

    very nice and entertaining report :D

  • dso

    Nice :D Thanks Kim! Love the vids

  • Scr1be

    ” Then I remembered it’s China…” <—WTH is that supposed to mean?!?! Why do you include a racially charge comment like that… After that I couldn't read your report anymore. Although I agree people in the crowd should've had YUI's CD already, but to say because it's China is down right offensive and racist

  • Angel

    Someone is sensitive. He/she never said anything bad about China, so stop assuming Kim did.

    Kim’s comment wasn’t racist at all. He/she was saying that (s)he forgot that (s)he was in China where not many people buy cd’s. If you do know, there is a lot of pirating in China, so it is understandable why he/she said that.

    Thank you Kim for your insightful report. :)

  • http://arsakurakura.wordpress.com arsakura

    someone give me that vj’s twitter account

  • Scr1be

    There is pirating EVERYWHERE not just China. There is no need to imply that because they are Chinese, that they pirate CDs. That is a very racially charged comment. Generalizing on any race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious background is prejudiced, plain and simple.

  • Scr1be

    Source? It’s not just China and it is VERY racist. “Why is everyone so short? oh because they are Asian.” .> Having generalized preconceived notions is prejudiced. I liked this site because you guys are fellow YUI fans but, I won’t tolerate prejudice or racism.

  • gotchi

    Hey Scr1be,

    There is not going to be a you’re right or we’re wrong, or we’re right and your wrong answer in this discussion here over KIM’s short comment you picked out. I’m glad you are voicing how you feel. We will do our best in keeping the peace in the future. This article was not meant for this type of discussion we’re having. It was just a fan account of YUI’s performance.

    Sorry if you feel like this report has offended you but KIM did not write that to purposefully ‘attack’ anyone. What I mean is, perhaps from some people’s point of view of what KIM wrote may be offensive but some do not. You are jumping at KIM’s short line of ” Then I remembered it’s China…” a bit too harshly. KIM did not ever imply “I hate Chinese people because do not but real CDs.” He never antagonized anyone. Yes, I think so too that he is generalizing but he is not meaning to in a harmful way!

    His report was his own personal fan account, his thoughts are written so he can share his understanding of his experience. He has the freedom to write whatever and however he wants. He is actually a foreign student on exchange and maybe he is just making observations. He is NOT implying anything as a fact and is not “racially charging” this comment. I’m sorry but some us are asian-even Chinese and I do think you are being a bit over-sensitive.

    Even you said “Although I agree people in the crowd should’ve had YUI’s CD already,” The people in that crowd are from China so….isn’t what KIM wrote mean the same as what you just agreed on?

    I don’t like twisting your words around like that for my argument but I’m sorry…it’s just a little bit too harsh to call KIM out like that. He travelled all the way as an International student to China for school and made the extra quick trip out so that he could make this report. We are thankful for his efforts and for sharing his videos with us and the world. People are entitled to their own thoughts and freedom to write whatever way they want.

    I will not tolerate people using malicious writing to offend someone INTENTIONALLY but KIM has not made a comment with such intent to hurt/harm someone neither has this Angel commentator. She did not meant to say what she said in a disrespectful way. I’m sorry but you were quick to judge and make that inference that other YUI-Lover members are all prejudice and racist too just because of how you feel.

    I want us all just to enjoy the report, the YUI media and share a personal fan account. That is all, let’s just go back to the main focus of this article.

  • the_chap

    Anyway, whether it’s racist or not, you can classify it as a stereotypical remark. Just like how people think of guns when you talk about America.

    It’s not a remark about the people, but rather the perception of the people in the country.

  • Scr1be

    Not once did I ever say this Kim person was attacking the Chinese or racist. I merely said the comment they made is racist, which it is. You agree that this person is generalizing the Chinese, yet you don’t see how this is racist? How about if this person would’ve said “I was wondering why everyone smelled, then I remembered I was in Eastern Europe” or “I wondered why everyone was stealing tires from the cars, then I remembered that I was in Mexico”, how about “I was wondering why everyone was so short and had such small penises, then I remembered that I was in Asia.” These are all generalizations and racist.

    Funny how you keep talking about the intent of this person yet everyone here attacks the VJ for grabbing YUI. What if he is just a touchy-feely type of person and didn’t mean any disrespect? While yes he should’ve have been more mindful of YUI’s feeling and whether or not she is ok being touched by others, it doesn’t mean he was trying to be disrespectful.

    “Even you said “Although I agree people in the crowd should’ve had YUI’s CD already,” The people in that crowd are from China so….isn’t what KIM wrote mean the same as what you just agreed on?” <—This person was imply that because they are Chinese they would not have bought the CD, which is racist and not at all the same as to what I agreed with.

    This kim person and angel person both made generalizations about a group of people, which is prejudice not matter how you try to slice it. Intentional or not the comment is racist. Just because someone is Chinese does NOT mean that they only pirate music.

    "I’m sorry but you were quick to judge and make that inference that other YUI-Lover members are all prejudice and racist too just because of how you feel." <—Doesn't feel good to be lumped together in a generalization does it?

    It's all good, you guys are either racist, ignorant, or both if you don't see how this is a racist comment. Calling me sensitive is laughable, since if you guys knew me you would know that I am not sensitive at all. I honestly couldn't care less, I won't be returning due to this article. Also what happened to Kikino's comment? About the statistics? That too was a bit ignorant.

    And Thank You the_chap that's exactly what it is. Although stereotypes and racism goes hand in hand, for the most part.

  • aron94

    I am starting to wonder if you are a YUI-Lover or a person that just come here to find trouble.
    It’s just what he’s thinking, if you yourself find it racist, then dont read it.
    Even my friends who came from China are okay with this. Why so serious? Every country definitely will have some thing to mock on. like what you stated above. But I dont see anyone shooting things back at you.
    You got a choice to ignore it but you choose not to and you now you have to make a big fuss out of this.
    Cmon dude, racistism is everywhere. Even if the admin delete this, you think you can stop all racistism?
    Be realistic dude! stop living in the world of your own!

  • CHU-LIP

    “Not once did I ever say this Kim person was attacking the Chinese or racist. I merely said the comment they made is racist, which it is. You agree that this person is generalizing the Chinese, yet you don’t see how this is racist?”

    By saying what Kim wrote is racist is implying that Kim is racist because he wrote the comment.

    Racism = Hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

    Stereotyping = A simplified and standardized (generalised) conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group. E.g The cowboy and Indian are American stereotypes.

    The difference between stereotyping and racism is that racism is conformed of hatred towards a race. Stereotyping and racism are not the same thing – however, stereotyping can -sometimes- lead to racism. What Kim wrote in his report does not reflect hatred towards Chinese people. He merely stated a stereotype, albeit a rather close-minded one, but it doesn’t deter the fact that a -part- of it, is true.

    Prejudice = An unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason. Any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable. Unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile nature, regarding a racial, religious, or national group.

    As I said before, what Kim said is merely a stereotype. A stereotype that does have -some- truth in it. I see that what he wrote is an unfavourable opinion to you, but you should see that it’s -not- an entirely unreasonable remark because it does have some truth in it.

    We know -not- the whole of China and all of its people buy and sell pirated CDs. Alot of members are Chinese themselves and did not take Kim’s remark too seriously because they know it is a general stereotype that is not supposed to be taken too seriously. Instead, they rather laugh -at- the stereotype because only silly people would actually believe the whole of China only sell and buy pirated CDs.

    ” “I’m sorry but you were quick to judge and make that inference that other YUI-Lover members are all prejudice and racist too just because of how you feel.” <—Doesn't feel good to be lumped together in a generalization does it? "

    What you are doing is hypocritical. You say you abhor people being racist, stereotyping, being prejudice, yet you are doing the exact same thing.

    What does that say about you and your efforts of trying to stop racism and prejudice (on this site)?

    "Be the change you want to see in the world" – Ghandi

  • Unknown Mexican Person :p

    @Scribe

    I really want to understand what your point is but I can’t seem to find it. Kim was just making an observation from what he has seen so far living there. We all do it , when you arrive somewhere or meet a new person the first thing that comes to mind is stereotypes and you automatically make assumptions based on their skin color or race. Same with countries , yes not everything in China might be pirated material but this is what China is known for. It’s not racist to say that , racist would be to say Chinese are ” Insert some stereotypical thingy here , I really don’t know one for just Chinese “. You have to realize that knock offs are a big problem in China and in countries ( like the USA) that import Chinese goods. The majority are knock offs. It’s FACT not Racist.

  • http://kikino.cl Kikino

    Budonkan lol