erilyn | Backstreet in Japan

From Marinia @MFC:

Hi everyone!

The Boys left Japan yesterday for the US. I heard that they used a backdoor to the Narita custom house to avoid the crowd. So, nobody could see them off at Narita...

Well, my review on the last one of the five sold-out shows held at the Yoyogi Gym:

I thought that the most impressive one of the five-night shows in a row (Howie used those words, LOL) was the last one since they seemed to relax the most and to enjoy the show themselves.

The audience was really excited even before the starting of the show. The audience at the 1F and 2F decks did the Mexican Wave many times, and the Arena audience shouted "way to go!!" responding their Wave! It was an amazing scene. The audience also clapped hands in "waltz rythm" like "clap, clap, clap" in repetition.

Finally, the show began! The set list was same. But during the first three songs, I cried with tears feeling like "Oh they would go back to the US..."

First, Howie talked to us, like "KONBANWA, JAPAN, GOKIGEN-IKAGA?" (menas "good evening, Japan, How are you?). His pronounciation of Japanese is perfect!! He learns more and more Japanese words everytime he visits here. We all screamed "Yeah!!!"

AJ seemed that it was difficult for him to move his leg in the first two shows (9/29 and 9/30), but we felt that he gradually found it easier to move. I was really happy to see it.

After singing several songs, AJ talked to us, "Normally, we go to the next song now, but today someone has his birthday" (sorry,I don't remember the exact words..) The audience made a real big scream! Everyone shouted "Kevin, Kevin!" Then AJ led us saying "one, two, three" (I thought he counted down, but yesterday I talked with a friend of mine and she insisted, he counted up! She was more calm than I was, so I am sure that she is right!) Then, we sang "Happy birthday to you" song for Kevin. Kevin looked slightly embarassed, but also very happy. He thanked us in Japanese "DOMO ARIGATO!" (Thank you very much) Nick said like Kevin was 40, and some other Boy (sorry, I don't remember which boy..since my seat at the last show was not very good) said 25... LOL We all laughed with happiness.

Then, the show continued... When they sang "Quit Playing Game," AJ disappeared during the song and returned to the stage with CHONMAGE (samurai's hair style) toy wig (made of plastic) and a toy Japanese sword. He attempted to cut Brian with the sword for a joke, it was hilarious!! AJ handed the CHONMAGE wig to Brian. Brian WORE IT!!!! He was really cuuuuuute! He stepped up to the upper stage with the wig on,and sang the latter solo part of the song. All of us wore a happy smile on the face since the wig fitted him too perfectly! Oh, I would like to have the pic of Brian wearing the wig to share with you!!!

Oh, I remember another hilarious scene! When AJ sang the last part of "I'll never break your heart," ("I'll give you all of me.." part), Brian came in front of AJ and saw him in the face like "you give me all of you??".. AJ smiled.. Brian was really "Brain, the cutest Angel"... LOL!!

On the stage, there were two slopes, at stage left and stage right, extending from the upper stage to the lower one. Every night, Nick slid the left slope, as viewed from the audience, from the upper stage down to the lower one during "Quit playing game". On the last night, when Nick started sliding
the slope on his stomach, Howie pushed him. So, the sliding speed was increased! Nick gave a big scream! Brian, following Nick, started sliding the slope also on his stomach with the above-said CHONMAGE wig on!!

Most of us cried when they sang Drowning... We sang out loud "Backstreet's back" together with them. Then, they disappeared down under the stage waving hands to us ...... Soon, the light was turned on at the venue.. It was a sign letting us know that the five shows in a row were over...

I could not leave the venue and stayed there for half an hour with a friend of mine.

The weather was bad on the 3rd of October. It heavily rained before the show. But enthusiasm and support of the fans to the Boys was tremendous.
The atmosphere was real warm all through the five shows!

There were several differences among the five shows, mostly at the slope-sliding scene. During the first three shows, AJ received Nick at the end of the slope. But on the 10/2 show, when Nick slid down the slope, AJ moved to another slope. So, Nick shouted "AJ, AJ!!" After that, Nick choked AJ's neck for a joke! Also during the 10/2 show, Brian was so excited and jumped onto Nick's back when they sang "Backstreet's Back" LOL!

Before singing "Poster Girl" (10/3), Kevin thanked us about the five sold-out shows and introduced "Poster Girl" saying that "It might be the first single from the next album."

I really enjoyed every show. I was soo touched by their beautiful harmony, spirit of confidence in one another, amazing dance sequences, and warm words to the audience. Their performance encouraged me so much. I am sooo pround of being a fan of the Backstreet Boys! We, Japanese fans,
really appreciate them for their five shows this time.

I feel slightly empty now. But Kevin and the rest of the Boys promised us on the stage that they would come back to Japan next year. So we will be looking forward to the next World Tour so very much.

According to the program (picture book), the set list in correct order is:

The Call
Beautiful Woman
More than that
Climbing the walls
Shape of my heart
(VIDEO (various scenes) background song was
Don't want you back, during which they changed
their outfit)
The one
I want it that way
Show me the meaning
Shout
Larger than life
(VIDEO (various scenes of the BSB in their
early days)backgournd song was We'v got it
going on, outfit changing)
All I have to give
As long as you love me
I'll never break your heart
Poster girl
Quit playing games

Encore
Drowning
Backstreet's Back

That's all I remember at this moment. When I remember more, I will write more

I hope all of you could enjoy my review.

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The CHONMAGE toy wig nearly the same one that AJ and Brian wore: http://www.rakuten.co.jp/marusou/434948/434992/