Thursday, the 4th of July. The “GACKT 20th ANNIVERSARY -46th Birthday Concert-” was held at Pacifico Yokohama. As entitled, this is a commemorative event celebrating the 20th anniversary of GACKT’s solo debut and his 46th birthday, and the live was filled with content befitting of these occasions aplenty. It was announced at the end of the live that this special stage will be turned into a tour called “KHAOS”, which will commence on Saturday, 11th January 2020 at Osaka Grand Cube. Thus, we will only report happenings that one would expect to only happen on the birthday itself and exclude the song titles and details of the performances below.

A stage that shows off the best of “GACKT the Singer”

Arriving at Pacifico Yokohama, a quick glance across the lobby will bring to attention numerous flowers sent by YOSHIKI and acquaintances lined up together, and where flowers from the Japan Grown Diamond Association, where GACKT has been appointed as the executive organiser, is placed, there were fans taking turns to snap photos with the standee of GACKT himself (※On this day, GACKT showed off a 5-carat lab-grown diamond of his own during the performance of a certain song). The performance was a live that revolved around enjoying both song and dance; a hybrid that included content from Camui♂Gakuen, the ongoing school festival entertainment event that GACKT holds. It was structured in a way where the student council president who adores GACKT, Kamui Gakuto and the Senpais of the Ikemen Research Club appear in videos that pop up during the live at important points. The audience appeared to enjoy themselves in both laughter and excitement while illuminating the venue with the colourful Lumiton lights that they held in their hands.

The Gakuen Fest was mainly made up of cover songs while the birthday lives during these past few years were centred around talks, and in 2018, even though it was done “live-style”, it was concentrated on the invited guests. The fact is that we were all hungering for the chance to get a taste of GACKT’s acclaimed singing ability. First off, a significant point of interest of this performance, which celebrates his 20th anniversary, is that we got a chance to properly hear his songs for the first time in a long while. Furthermore, the songs that were selected were bound to bring joy to long-time fans, making it a setting where one can feel the intensified nostalgic songs and leaving the impression that this is the stage that shows off the best of “GACKT the singer”.

In the midst of it, presentations that would take you by surprise, making you think “this song and that song were merged into one!” in surprise, or “that serious song that exudes coolness done in such a humorous costume?!”, and such other instances occurred. Even though jokes were included everywhere, it was well-structured with a balance between both hard and soft sides. Also, it could be seen that an overabundance of energy had been poured into all of it and I couldn’t help but feel impressed by the all-out staging.

Of course, the sharpness in the dances which made full use of his trained body was great too, and the formation changes in the group dances were fresh. It was a performance which looked back at the nostalgic past videos, and that could only be something from his 20th anniversary. Watching and listening, it was a fulfilling stage where one could deeply savour every moment.


Loveable Juniors Inoue Masahiro & Hongou Kanata Appear

In the middle of a certain song, the person who cut into the live was Gakuen’s Shinnosu Senpai. “I heard it was Toyosu PIT and I’m here but……?” As he name-dropped the venue of the Gakuen Fest, Shinnosu Senpai spoke excitedly, “Are you- Could it be that you’re GACKT?! The GACKT who our student council president adores?!” To him, GACKT had a smile on his face despite reprimanding, “My 20th Anniversary is a super important live! Why are you here!”.

Following which, the fans sang “Happy Birthday” as a surprise cake was brought onto the stage by special guests Inoue Masahiro and Hongou Kanata. The two of them presented a bouquet amidst loud cheers, each putting in a word of “Congratulations” before saying “We’ve aged……”. GACKT, who first met them when they were both youths, said to them with a laugh, “That kinda hurts (lol)”.

Inoue gave him straight congratulatory words, saying, “I barely just made by debut when we met and he sang the theme song of ‘Kamen Rider Decade’. Since then, we did Decade, we’ve been through harsh training, harsh snowboarding; we’ve been in all kinds of places together. We’ve known each other for 10 years now and you’ve been a great elder brother to me, and for that I’m truly grateful”, “I met GACKT-san before I could drink alcohol, and the moment I turned 20, he celebrated my birthday with me and that was the first time he had me drink alcohol (lol), I can still remember the burn in my throat (※It appears that when Shinnosu Senpai asked for Tequila, he was brought anzu sake [apricot brandy]). Just like that, the thought that I’d be here 10 years later celebrating for you on stage…… it was something I never expected, so even though I’m on the celebrating side, I’m truly honoured, thank you”.

“Whether in private or work life, GACKT-san has always shown his back to me. He has always been an inspiration, and I’m truly thankful for that. Even though this is his 46th birthday, he doesn’t feel like his age at all, and he’s just as young a he looks. It’s like I’m the only one ageing, to the point where I’d get anxious and worry about ‘won’t I start looking older than him one day?’ (lol), since he’s always looking young. I’m looking up to you, but thank you for the wonderful live. Next year and the year after too, don’t keep staying in Malaysia and hold lots of lives in Japan!” he said, raising loud cheers.

Hongou greeted with, “I played the part of the child version of GACKT’s Shou in MOON CHILD (※the legendary movie in which HYDE and GACKT co-starred). I was around 11 at the time, so it was probably 16 or 17 years ago. During that time, he has always doted on me without change…… I truly appreciate all you’ve done for me”.

“Maybe 15 years ago? During the Jougen no Tsuki tour (2003), there was a performance of the song Tsuki no Uta where adult Shou and child Shou were on stage together and it went around on a nationwide tour. Is there anyone here who came to watch Jougen no Tsuki?” he asked, and members of the audience raised their hands in unison. “Amazing! The little boy who sat here on this side back then was me”, Hongou explained excitedly, and to that, GACKT smiled and said, “(Everyone) knows (lol)”.

“Ahh, I’m moved. BecauseI’ve always watched him keep the lead in his work without faltering all this time, I’ve been able to stay in the entertainment industry without disappearing (lol), and for me to be able to stand on stage with him again…… I’m really happy. When I turned 20 too, GACKT-san schooled me in alcohol. I really had no knowledge of alcohol, so I didn’t know what I should drink. When I asked, ‘What’s a drink that’s sweet and easy-to-drink even for someone like me?’, GACKT-san said (※imitating GACKT’s style of speech), ‘Ah, you’re just in time. There’s a tequila that’s sweet and easy to drink’”, he went on, relaying the episode to a riled up audience.

It appears that since then, he had professed to enjoying Tequila with that episode, and he once again gave his congratulations, saying, “You’ve taught a lot of things to the child that I was, and you’ve been a lovely, lovely, number one coolest big brother to me. I hope that no matter how many years have passed, you’ll always keep that unchanging coolness, and I really have always respected you and thought that you’re cool. Please continue being the cooler-than-anyone-else GACKT-san! Happy birthday!”.

Here, with Hongou leading, the hall began singing “Happy Birthday” together. From start to end, GACKT looked happy; putting his hands behind his ears to listen to the voices of the fans, making a heart with his hands with a soft smile on his face. After blowing the candles out, with deep emotion, he said, “I’ve turned 46. And its been 20 years…… 21 years since I went solo. Looking back, there really were so many things that have happened. Difficult things, painful happenings, sad occasions; there were lots of those, but every time I see everyone’s happy faces like this, I’d think, ‘I’ll try a little harder’. Even during the times when it felt like I was about to come to a standstill, everyone has pushed me forward. Anyway, I’m not the type who’s all that good at complaining or whining either. There are times when I get down on my own. When I start to think, ‘I think it might be impossible……’ and I see everyone’s faces, I’d come to think, ‘I guess I can’t stop yet’”. “I don’t know how long I can keep doing it like this, neither do I know how long I can continue running like this, but. I’ll keep on running as far as I can, so stay close and come with me!” he yelled, letting his hoarse voice reverberate through the hall.

To the two guests, he recalled the first time they met, giving them his approval by saying, “‘Ah, this guy will make his mark in this industry’. That’s what I thought. There hasn’t been a single person who made me think like that who has disappeared”. He also encouraged them like an older brother would, saying, “You’ll be able to experience more and more diverse worlds, so I think the least I can do is work with you, even if just a little. Even with my poor abilities, I was able to do all kinds of things, so if there’s anything you need, I’ll push you forward. For us to meet, for us to stand together on stage like this and for me to receive your well wishes is a truly blessed thing for me. Going forward, both of you do your best as well”.

Well wishes from YOSHIKI, HYDE, and Kiryuuin Sho too

The second surprise was celebratory video messages. First to appear was HYDE, who started off in a warm and fuzzy mode with a “Happy birthday, Gacchan”. Despite his jabs of “Aren’t you super lackadaisical! (lol)” and such others, GACKT was unable to hide his happiness with his smiling face in this trend that has become a yearly tradition. “I’m guessing the hall’s really fired up now, isn’t it? I’m in the middle of a tour so I can’t go again, so sorry about that. Thanks for celebrating my birthday with me this year. On that occasion, right, we got pretty drunk. Today’s birthday is the first in the Reiwa era, isn’t it! I was copying that wine tasting like the “first-class entertainer’s”, but even when I’m drinking every day, I can’t really tell the difference. I can’t become a first-class! I suppose my tongue is useless”, he said, deviating from the congratulations until GACKT said, “This has nothing to do with a birthday message (lol)”. Closing off, he concluded with, “How many times is it now? For the forty-xth time, happy birthday! Do celebrate! This was HYDE”.

Next, YOSHIKI too began his comment with a quiet “I wonder where I’ll be on the day of GACKT’s birthday? Probably America or Asia, somewhere around there”. “For some reason, we’re always together on my birthday every year, aren’t we (lol). It’s right after ‘Kakuzuke’ too. I’m really having fun every year. Since we (drink it all down) in one go and all that. Even though I don’t really like downing things like that,” said YOSHIKI, and to that, GACKT retorted, “Liar! (lol)”.

“Because he’s a heavy drinker, isn’t he? That guy. And me too. When I’m with GACKT-kun, we’d drink a lot while socialising. 46th, huh. Since you’re young, if I don’t say it like that you wouldn’t know, right? Here’s wishing GACKT a truly wonderful year ahead,” he went on before closing off with the X pose.

Lastly was the comment from Kiryuuin Sho (Golden Bomber). “It’s truly blessed that humanity has been greeted by this happy day! Today, I, Kiryuuin Sho, am in Otaru, Hokkaido, to hold a live, and am truly regretful that I could not rush over. The original plan was not for a video, but for me to burst out from the bass drums as a surprise, but the distance was……” he said, pausing in regret, when GACKT interrupted with, “Recently, you’re starting to look a lot like Baru (band member) (lol)”, making the audience laugh.

“I wish to enjoy the fun birthday event with all the fans, so I’ll just fly over as a ghost. Happy birthday!” concluded the junior who appeared as a guest in 2018’s live. Even as they tried to pull themselves together and get back into the main live, GACKT was puzzled, “How am I supposed to revert from this atmosphere!”. As Shinnosu Senpai disappeared, he said, “The surprise was a huge success! Wooking fowward to sweeing you at de Autumn Gakuen Fest, gokigenyo～”.

Message from GACKT to the fans, “Let’s be together until the very end”

GACKT stepped out to the front of the stage and scanned the audience, calling out in order, “Shall we go, 3rd floor!? Shall we go, 2nd floor!? Shall we go, 1st floor!?”, before shouting, “Sorry, may I say something? …… This is difficult!”. He then began to speak, sharing a deep emotion that carries the weight of this 20th anniversary: “Before we get back to the songs, please firmly receive these feelings and bring them home with you”.

“As far as possible, I’d like for us to be together until the very end. Because regardless of who passes away first, the time we’ve spent together like this is irreplacable. Meeting like this becomes a precious memory that no one can ever take from you, and what you’ve received here will become your courage for tomorrow. So no matter how difficult or painful things get, please continue ahead with a smile.” The fans answered to those words with a loud “Yeーs!”.

“If you ever find that you are unable to take another step, come back here. Because I’ll always be waiting. I also want to keep pushing everyone forward for as long as I can”, he said, voicing his determination. In response, the hall echoed with “Thank you!”. “The most immediate goal is…… Well, I’m basically the kind of guy who walks the talk, right. So, I’d like to aim to become one fo the top 20 coolest 50 year-olds in the world,” he declared. “All of you who are here and shouting are my pride and joy,” he added, listening to the fans who called out “GACKT!” in their own individual ways.

Next, he called out, “Will you leave all your feelings here for me and return home? Or would you like to firmly grasp hold of my feelings and bring them home?” Those are the words that convey what GACKT builds his lives on. Even outside of this scene, even while wholeheartedly showering him in GACKT calls, he returned, “I～ can’t～ hear～ you～! Is that all you have, Yokohama～!”, repeating his requests for the fans to shout more and more!, louder and louder. That is not the ego of “wanting others to love himself”, but it is instead what GACKT calls the “catch ball of spirits”, where he wants the audience to unleash their own hearts. Watching the long, fulfilling live, that is what came to mind.

The roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes long live concluded with the announcement that Camui♂Gakuen de Tobina-sai will be held in October, and in addition to that, a piece of good news that this live will be turned into a tour called KHAOS which will kick off in January 2020. Ending the live with the promise of a reunion feels hopeful, cheerful. Going into the 21st year of his solo career, GACKT’s sprinting shows no signs of slowdown and it seems like it will continue on as long as there are fans who wish for it.

Source: excite.co.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA