【連載】BAND-MAID＜10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR in NORTH AMERICA＞8月前編

■8/6 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater

北米ツアー12日目は、ミネソタ州ミネアポリス・Varsity Theater公演。お給仕初開催となるこの地は、プリンスを筆頭に“ミネアポリス・サウンド”と呼ばれる音楽ジャンルが生まれた地としても有名な、アメリカ南西部を代表する都市のひとつ。


この日のお給仕も「DOMINATION」でスタートすると、メンバーが初めて作詞・作曲・編曲すべてを手掛けた「alone」から「Memorable」まで、新旧織り交ぜた10周年ツアーならではのセットリストで沸かせる。

MCでSAIKIが「How did you know about us?」と集まった観客へ質問すると、「＜Point Fest＞!」と5月に参加したフェスで知ったという観客も現れるなど、BAND-MAIDが頻繁にアメリカでお給仕を行うことで、着実にご主人様・お嬢様が増えていることが窺える。



また、小鳩ミクによる“おまじないタイム”ではこの日、小鳩ミクのコール中に、AKANEがギターを手に取り、KANAMIとSAIKIがドラムセットで遊ぶなど茶々を入れる場面も。メンバー5人の仲の良さも随所に見られる公演となった。


Day 12 of the band's North American tour brought them to Minneapolis, Minnesota's Varsity Theater. This first-time OKYUJI location is a major southwestern U.S. and famed as the birthplace of the Minneapolis Sound, the genre of music pioneered by Prince.

The OKYUJI this time began again with "DOMINATION", continued with "alone", the first song with lyrics, composition, and arrangement by the entire band, and on through to "Memorable" for a showcase set mingling brand new songs with classics in a 10th-anniversary blend that really got the crowd going.


When SAIKI asked the assembled fans " How did you know about us?", many answered "Point Fest!", the festival that BAND-MAID had played in May, where their frequent U.S. touring had clearly gained them the admiration of a whole batch of new masters and princesses.

Furthermore, MIKU's Omajinai Time call and response was interrupted by AKANE noodling on a guitar while KANAMI and SAIKI played around on the drum kit, to the delight of the audience. All throughout today's OKYUJI, the bonds between the five BAND-MAID members were plain to see.

JAPANESE TEXT ＆ PHOTO FG5
TRASLATION Natalie S. Hadjiloukas