Dir En Grey Live in Toronto, Dec 16 2011
December 16, my husband and I went to see Dir en Grey in Toronto! It was my 3rd DEG show, and my husband’s 1st, and it was Concert of the Century for him. I knew what to expect with Kyo’s antics and everything, but he still blew me away with everything I wasn’t expecting.
We all know that Kyo is very dramatic on stage, often cutting himself and contorting, falling off the Kyo Box and knocking himself out at times, even. He sure didn’t disappoint! The emotion on his face the whole time was so compelling, I could barely take my eyes off of him. The rest of the band was pretty reserved, though they came up to the front to slap hands in the audience every once in a while. Toshiya, according to my husband, as I couldn’t see him, was very energetic, bouncing around all over the place! Die was drinking an alarming amount, actually, with glasses of wine and beer bottles all over his side of the stage.
The mosh pit was awesome! Head banging and thrashing in sequence with a pit full of people is quite the experience, but I have done it before in a DEG pit, and definitely will do it again! We were squished in the 2nd row from the front, and so we didn’t end up moving too much because we were sooo packed in. We were still able to jump and head bang to the music though, which is the point, of course. I was surprised that I was lacking battle wounds, only one bruise+scratch on my arm, and nothing else. I got more battle wounds at the Miyavi concert!
They played a good mixture of songs from their newest album, and some of their earlier ones. Nothing past Withering to Death, but that’s still quite the old selection! Kyo is known for singing horribly off key and just butchering the vocal lines, but this time he was surprisingly doing very well staying on key the entire set.
Really good show!
=] I’ve seen these guys five years in a row now. But my friends never want to go in the pit. Jealous! -sigh- (sorry not to be some random stalker or anything…) though I have been wondering. Did Kyo stop scratching himself? Or are they really mild during Denver shows? Die didn’t drink on stage either. They all just had water. I’m wondering if it’s the altitude? I love watching them, but I’m thinking I may travel to see a true Diru performance if they are keeping it calm here.
Again. Sorry to be some random reader. I’m glad you guys had a great time! You’re so lucky to have been that close. =D
Hello!! Thank you for reading. Don’t apologise for being random, I really like to know that I have random readers! It seems that Kyp did stop scratching himself. I hadn’t seen him do it since the Canadian February show some years ago. They were pretty mild compared to how they used to be, but I credit that to their shift of image and sound, not to their show location, so I don’t think you have to worry about that.
This makes me happy. I may still travel and see them at few different locations, but I’m glad Kyo isn’t harming himself anymore. Thank you for clearing that up. ^_^
Also I wanted to say I love your writing style. =] I’ve read this several times. It makes me smile and reminds me of my own experiences. I feel odd saying that after every show I always leave feeling so…calm and relaxed. I’m giddy because I’m reminded how amazing the band is. Anymore I feel like concerts and albums are so…fake. Over-edited. Technology is spoiling a lot of artists and the sounds aren’t as unique from artist to artist. But DeG? I haven’t heard anyone else like them. Not that i’m searching. But Kyo really can make all the sounds and eerie noises. He can get a real deep growl and in a split second start squealing. Makes me smile. But they also have beautiful instrumentals and lyrics. And you know all this. haha sorry!
Also…sexy picture of Kyo. <3 Did you take it?
and…I'm jealous you've seen Myv! It's a goal of mine to see him live someday. I want to steal his little girl, Lovelie, for a day. She's sooooo adorable.
To sum things up. This post makes me happy.
Thank you for the comments on my writing style…since I am a writer, I appreciate it ^__^ Have you read my book, btw?
Yes, I agree with you about Kyo and DEG’s style in general. I am glad that have lasted through the many years that they’ve been making music and I’m also glad that they have adapted their sound to their changing generations. I think that they are more interested in keeping the audience that has grown up with them as their sound evolves, but also I like the fact that they are aiming to attract the type of new audience that matches their grown-up one. For example, The Gazette….I grew up with them as a band as well but I dislike how they sometimes make a song that goes way back to their indies roots. It makes it seem like they’re trying too hard, and they’re going to get attention from some people that are going to be disappointed that way.
I definitely did not take that picture of Kyo XD I was in the 2nd row in the mosh pit, I couldn’t even put my hand down to my pocket to grab my camera, nevermind holding it steady enough to get such a good shot XD. Though I wish I could have taken credit. Kyo had an amazing new tattoo of a white and red phoenix across the back of his neck that I would have loved to get a picture of.
Yes, I’ve seen Myv with my husband twice now! The first time we went to see him was our first official date.
I have not, but I will get paid this weekend so I think I may order it. =] It sounds interesting and I am always up for new reads ^^
It’s true. That has helped a lot in keeping and gaining new fans in a way that won’t confuse them. I like when bands will adjust their sound with each new album. It shows how much they’ve grown as a band and that they are willing to take risks. The fact that they continue to become more popular while older fans continue to follow them is amazing. I wish I had known them before Withering to Death, but I’m glad my taste in music has expanded to include J-Rock and that I know of them at all. Heh. I remember listening to the The Gazette. It was the one J-rock band my brother would tolerate. He’s not a fan of DeG at all. Or Myv. =[ Ah well.
Ah sad. well it's a sexy photo. Good choice. But the memories are in your head at least, right? not many can say they had awesome views like you did. Oooh that sounds beautiful. I wonder if I can find a pic of it somewhere...he's got such interesting ink work. I'm jealous his career is all set and he can do whatever he pleases. Kaoru also has amazing tattoos. Hopefully you can get a photo next time. =]
Awww that’s so awesome! I hope I have en epic first date like that. ^_^ (cause I’m too lazy to comment on the post itself. you two are adorable! from the few pictures, it looked like you had a beautiful wedding. I love your wedding rings! And your wings! …now I feel weird.)
I hope you’re having a good day (night? morning?).
Thank you! I think you will like my book for sure.
Kyo really has a lot of tattoos now. His entire back is done with Kwan Yin as well, which I hadn’t seen before. I was really surprised at how many Kaoru is wracking up too!
And thank you for the compliments on my wedding and all things around it ^^
My brother is letting me borrow his nook! So as soon as he gets home I’m gonna start reading it! ^^
I like Die’s simple hand tattoo that matches his guitars =] and Kyo and Kaoru have so many. kaoru’s made me smile.
Of course!