So this was my first Visual Kei concert. I went to a few concerts before but there was always something missing this concert finally gave. Visual Kei makes you feel connected with the bandmembers. Where most other bands I went to only did focus on the music with only looking at the audience often enough. There was a lot more focus on the fans here. It really feels great to have performer who play for you and not for money.
there were a few moments the musicians posed instead of playing their parts but it didn’t made much problems for the sound altogether and it moreso helped for keeping the Visual Kei energy flowing. And it always cute to see Sakura kiss other bandmember and giving various heart signs to the audience.
Damned had a few songs which sounded pretty akward in their studio version but Live everything sounded amazing even like completely new songs.
There were a few fun small improvisions in the live as well especially the vocalist switching to singing one part an octave higher than usually.
The only real problem I had with the live was that the band visible struggled with what to do between encore and before playing the next track. But considering this is the first time this group performed overseas it is more than understandable and even then what they said still was genuine love for their fans.
9,5/10 experience
(Currently on my way back and I can’t get the resolution of my photos corrected to something I can upload here)
Hi! Yes, I’m going this Sunday. I’m working out the logistics of transportation and everything else, since my job won’t let me focus much until Saturday. I’m really looking forward to going, and I’m about to update my VIP entry because of these reviews.
first time doing a 2-shot I have a lot to learn. I wanted to copy together with Masaya the pose he did for the latest promo shot, yet got so nervous while being so close with him that I forgot how it went and we ended up with the usual peace sign, with my arm not even getting in the photo, because I miscalculated how the camera will shot. But I am still happy that I were able to do it
From the questionaire Killing Daze did on insta, it looked liked not so many people wanted to take a picture with Masaya. Do you remember how long his line was? And how frequened the other members were?
Oh and were the photo tickets available before the concert at the merch table?
I think you were able to get the tickets for two shots also before a few fans even made sure to get the VIP ticket for being able to ensure they get all two shots
But the Randal Club in Bratislava is so cool. Really liked the vibe and the decoration.
Sound was alright as far as I can judge. It wasn’t sold out but full enough to have a good crowd. (Sakura even posted in an Insta story, that he was worried about the crowd size in Slovakia but that he now feels stupid for worrying)
Hitone sounds fantastic. Just as good as the studio versions. He is such a great addition to the band. And he was by far the most popular for the 2shots. I think 2nd was Suica, 3rd Sakura, 4th Kou and Masaya really had a short line.
I took a two shot with Kou and was surprised how tall he is irl But the picture turned out so cute.
I dragged my mom because non of my friends had time or money for the little one week trip to Budapest and Bratislava, I planned around the concert She took a picture wirh Masaya and it was very cute because she learned some japanese phrases to introduce herself some time ago and it was quite formal so she and him bowed to each other. And she was worried, he’d be upset to have to take a picture with an elderly woman
Sakura and Masaya did remove all the stuff from the stage after the show and since we were still lining up for the 2shots, we could see them working but apart from some shy waving and some people watching a bit from afar, there was no disrupting them or trying to engage. Everybody was respectful enough to not try to use this to try to chat to them or take photos. Made me very happy, that everyone was mature enough on their own and no reminders from stuff were needed (at least I did not noticed anything).
Yeah, DAMNED are really solid live and Hitone can definitely sing very well. I did not regret seeing them and now I am a fan (wasn’t so familiar with their music before, honestly… I went to the concert because you rarely get VK bands touring and want to support that as much as I can)
Club Randal is indeed cool aesthetic vise and the giant bar is really nice (especially for hanging out). But the wardrobe / clothing situation isn’t that great. In the end I put my coat into a mountain of clothes and hoped it was still there after the show ^^;
Overall it was a really great concert in Bratislava. It was not as crazy as Bochum it seems, no stage diving happened and I didn’t notice any moshing either… but people def had a lot of fun.
They sold way more tickets than I expected, so I was really happy.
The staff was very friendly and they gave it their all.
I enjoyed it a lot. I stood right in front of Kou and he kept gesturing to us, responding too. He even accidentally hit a fan with his guitar, which was funny (nothing serious, just a bump on the head).
The only problem I had was that the drums were really loud up close and I couldn’t hear Hitone very well, but it wasn’t a big deal. There were even jokes about the heat in the room; people wanted Sakura and Suica to take off their clothes, but they said that was sexual harassment, hahaha.
I really enjoyed it and met a lot of people I hope to see again at the MAMA show.
By the way, most people were under 20, and there were a few like me in my 30s. I felt a bit out of place for not dressing like a normie, and most of them were dressed in visual emo punk Lolita style
I need more artists to decide to come to Spain, and it’s really great to see the venue so full.
They sold a lot more than what I was expecting and surprisingly most of them were VIP passes. (x1.5 regular entrance tickets Minimum).
They allowed minors into the show and that made a huge difference.
Around 80% minors
Around 80% female both minor and not
Around 40% dressed up for the gig
I’ve known the live house for a long long time and it wasn’t never one of the best but It was the right choice for this kind of band. But I thought attendace was going to me much lower and that really played into the final experience a ton.
But It really makes sense as this kind of band should not be able to tour Europe like this if not for opening up attendace, booking competitive live houses, affordable tickets and having the chance to go back home with some euros in their pocket to convert into a good ammount of yen.
I can’t comment too much on the band itself but I can say they were 100% in line with my expectations.
I’m surpised to read that they were so many minors in Madrid. I mean, obviously the average VK fan is not in their 40’s, but I would have not expected that many fans that are that young.
Does that also apply to the other concerts or is this a Spain thing?
Absolutely NOT a common thing. But tickets were affordable, there were no restrictions for minors and the gig was on a Sunday. All of those were compounding factors I think.
Bands rarely come to Spain and I don’t go to all gigs but this gas the most ‘kindergarten’ live I’ve been to in a long while. I don’t remember múltiple sets of people going in with a parent/guardian as happened here.
80% minors is rather exaggerated; those who were minors were accompanied by adults, maybe 4 or 5. I did see people between 18 and 20. Then also people in their 30s. I asked several people and some who looked like adults were younger and vice versa.
@Heyt I tried to see you at the show, since you wrote that you were going to Madrid, but I had no luck. I feel out of touch with the movement when I leave this forum.
I just made my account, I found out about this band on this forum when I was looking for visual kei tours. I went to Madrid, this was my first visual kei show and it was sooo much more fun than I expected. Even though I didn’t talk to anyone I loved seeing how much people enjoyed it and the band’s interaction with the fans. I even got emotional because I’ve been into vkei for 10+ years but I could never see my fav bands, and I’m so glad I gave DAMNED a chance. I’m actually sad I didn’t get VIP since I wasn’t sure it was worth it, but at least I got a 2shot hugging Kou which I was looking forward to :’)
)
But the picture turned out so cute.
She took a picture wirh Masaya and it was very cute because she learned some japanese phrases to introduce herself some time ago and it was quite formal so she and him bowed to each other. And she was worried, he’d be upset to have to take a picture with an elderly woman 
