Tokyo a la Mode. Web Magazine for Japanese Fashion and Urban Culture

Neo Vizualism

By Bobby /Jun 02, 2007
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The young man on the stage with the hyper haircut and the acoustic guitar attached like an appendage yelled out, “What’s my name?” And the reply was unanimous, “Miyavi!” Next thing, the 2000 plus JRock fans exploded into cheers and crys for a precious moment with their idol.

When Miyavi took the stage at the JRock Revolution—the first festival of Japanese rock music in America—I expected a typical JRock performance, hard riffs on the guitar, a driving beat from the drums and screaming vocals.  And of course the costumes and make-up and at least one dude on stage dressed in drag.  If I have to compare, JRock reminds me of the hair metal bands from the 80s, but it’s important to note that JRock (a broader term for the whole Japanese visual kei movement) is not an imitation and has it’s own sound and within the genre, a gazillion twists in terms of style.  Then there’s Miyavi.

His set started off with a guy doing beat box.  For a second there I thought I was at the Apollo instead of the Wiltern Theater.  Then the drummer came in with break beats that got my head bouncing.  And then there was a DJ scratching on the turntable.  I checked my ticket and I was still at the Wiltern.  Miyavi plays the guitar.  But tonight he wasn’t picking at it, he was playing it by slapping and thumping the strings.  I almost felt sorry for the guitar for the cruelty Miyavi was inflicting.  It cried out in harmonious twangs with each slap. 

On stage was a man in baggy clothes and a red umbrella who was playing the role of a street performer from Edo Japan, the samurai period, by throwing confetti into the air.  He proceed to paint on stage and was even given his own painting solo.  But the most unique performer was the tap dance man, if only because he made me say, “Hey, is that guy tap dancing?”

Miyavi’s performance was a bit more funky fresh than screaming rock and I’m sure there were a few disappointed head-bangers in the crowd.  But I liked it.  The sound, the visuals, Miyavi’s dynamic personality, it all worked.  I assume the performance comes from his “Neo Vizualism” tour.  Maybe because there was a sign in the back that said “Neo Vizualism.” If so, it was really new and “vizual,” especially when they pulled out the giant taiko drum.  How did they fit that into the airplane?

Miyavi’s special guest performer was Sugizo from Luna Sea.  But the real big highlight of the night was an announcement by Yoshiki from X Japan and the event organizer, that Miyavi would be joining Yoshiki, Sugizo and Gackt to form a JRock supergroup that would be performing at Anime Expo at the end of June.  Long live JRock and roll.

Miyavi played the first night of the JRock Revolution held on May 25 & 26, 2007 in Los Angeles, CA.

Some shaky clips from people’s cell phones at the JRock Revolution: