Ayumi Hamasaki CDL 2014-2015 Cirque De Minuit

Congratulations to myself because Ayumi Hamasaki has taken my concert virginity!

It was my first time going to Japan and also first time going to the concert so I have many amazing stories to tell about but as this is a review so I'm gonna make it short.

I attended the concert on 30th of December. I ordered the ticket from Lawson ticket machine 2 days before and luckily it wasn't sold out. I came to Yoyogi National Stadium on my 'big day' at 3pm. while waiting for the gates to open at 5pm, I had lunch around there and buying some concert's goods. I bought a cute bag and a small towel.

I didn't get a strategic seat position. what can I do? I ordered the ticket so late...

The show was supposed to start an hour after the gate open, but it was 10-15 minutes late. I don't know why. maybe not all the audiences were already passing the gate entrance. in the beginning, the circus' dancers appeared first, then Ayumi Hamasaki showed up on the main stage. she didn't appear dramatically. I mean, I expected her to appear as dramatic as in Rock 'n Roll Circus or as in CDL 2013-2014. before going any further, I'd like you to know the setlist:

1. Duty

Duty was the first song performance which surprised me. I was so happy that I can see 1 of my favorite song performed live. She still has that amazing voice to sing this song. however, the backup dancers and circus attractions during this performance distracted the original "soul" of the song. I prefer when she performed Duty during the Dome Tour.

2. Microphone

Well yeah....! It made my adrenaline get higher. I'm beyond happiness because this is my favorite song too. She only performed this song twice, didn't she?: Rock 'n Roll Circus and a-nation on that year. OMG I'm so lucky to see this performance live. I had sung this song by myself for few weeks and there I was... and I prefer this performance than duty.

3. Game

4. My Name's WOMAN

5. 1 LOVE

I don't really like these songs. but these performances were awesome by the use of high technology and seeing Ayu did some circus attraction by herself. and these were sensual performances, anyways.

6. Zutto

7. Last Minute

as these are new songs, you know these are from her new single right? these performances were my first time listening to them and I love them. Maybe some fans including me have been waiting for Ayu's style of Ballads. and here they are.

8. Walk

This is also a new song. she cried singing it and I got goosebumps. but I actually prefer Zutto and Last Minute.

9. Forgiveness

The countdown was right after this song for those who attended it on 31st of Dec. it was fantastic when each of the performers made simple words as 2015's wishes that appeared on the main screen.

10. Progress

Duty+Microphone+Progress. Surprisingly perfect!

11. Surreal/evolution/surreal

You are not attending Ayumi Hamasaki's concert if you don't see her performing these. lol but they made some improvements. i like it.

12. NOW & 4EVA

I don't know this song. sorry. lol

13. Movin' On Without You

This is my new favorite song. I can't say whose rendition I prefer. Ayu or Utada? Both of them are good in their own way. good job, ayu, for making it 'new' because it becomes incomparable.

14. XOXO

15. Lelio

these songs make me feel like 'move it move it'

16. Boys & Girls

quite surprising to know that.... where is Shuya?

17. how beautiful you are

it would be selfish if I asked God to give me this song performed live, because I already got 3 of my favorite song performed live. but there it was. oh WOW! such a lucky person I was. but I actually prefer her previous performance of this song.

18. Born To Be

I expected another song, actually. After watching youtube, I think the performance on the day I attended was better than the one on the countdown day.

As the theme concert is "Cirque de Minuit", a french phrase means "a midnight circus" so everything was set to represent it. when concert word crosses my mind, I always expect getting "eargasm" instead of "eyegasm". In Ayu's concert, it plays more on the stage tricks because I don't think she still has the voice I used to adore during her 2000-2006 career. so we need to get the strategic position to reach the level of eyegasm and there will be only very few people who will get lucky. she was very beautiful, I love her hairstyle and her fashion that night.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed because I didn't get the excitement of a concert I expected to have. But this is awesome! this is one of Ayu's best CDL! I'm sorry I didn't take any picture during live because the staff was going around to make sure none used camera. Mine is iPad and it's more noticable than iPhone so I didn't dare enough to do it.

Come on Ayu, keep working hard! Don't make other people's opinions who ask you to be hiatus beat you down! Prove them wrong. and keep shining.