MIYAVI – O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE – LONDON – 15/03/2014 – REVIEW
The last time that guitarist, producer, actor, and all round heart-throb MIYAVI played a public show in London was three years ago, so unsurprisingly, his return has been a hot topic since the shows announcement last year. Whilst speaking to some of his fans in the queue I learned that many of them had been waiting outside the venue since 11am (and some even earlier) to be able to get that perfect spot in the crowd. The real surprise was the sheer diversity of the attendees, with every subculture and age bracket being covered, from the regulars in the form of the J-rock fans, to a large group of older Japanese ladies who looked just as thrilled to be there alongside everyone else!
Upon doors opening, the queues flooded into the venue with every inch of space slowly getting taken up by bustling fans. As the lights darkened, MIYAVI, along with drummer Bobo, entered the stage, to mass screams (not all of which were from the ladies might I add). The atmosphere was already buzzing as MIYAVI went straight into the first song, ‘Day 1’. The 2012 single got the crowd jumping and dancing right from the get go. Following this were songs such as new wave-esque ‘Chase It’, and the 2013 single ‘Secret’. The latter got the predominantly female crowd sweating and screaming, with the hot and heavy lyrics and panting I’m surprised there weren’t hundreds of bras flying onstage!
He broke up the setlist with bits of banter now and then- a notable difference between the MIYAVI fans saw three years ago, and tonight’s, is his much improved English, which really helped him communicate with the fans, as well as crack jokes.
Slowing things down a little, he carried on with ‘Chillin’ Chillin’ Money Blue$’ from the album ‘What’s My Name’, and sped right back up with the bluesy, and extremely impressive, ‘Selfish Love’. There’s definitely no denying that man’s finger action- you can’t believe that someone’s hands could move so fast until you see for yourself.
Going forward, things slowed down again, with a short MC about the Tōhoku earthquake, in which MIYAVI dedicated his next songs, the serene and gentle ‘Guard You’, followed by the motivational ‘Cry Like This’ “we won’t let it get us down/ just brush it off and start again”. The whole crowd waved their arms in unison, smiles beaming up at MIYAVI. It was clear that the night was going to soon come to an end, but that didn’t stop both crowd and band giving their all for the last handful of songs for the night.
‘Survive’, ‘Futuristic Love’, and the incredibly captivating single ‘Horizon’ rounded off the night, seeing the entire crowd (including those in the seating areas) dancing away. MIYAVI and Bobo left the stage, and murmurs began triggering mass chanting to get the guys back on stage.
As they came back on after a brief outfit change, MIYAVI pulled the signed Union Jack from the crowd to much screaming and applause. He took photos with the crowd and thanked everybody before carrying on with his fun banter. He shouted “What’s my name?” with the audience screaming “MIYAVI!” back at him, followed by him “What’s your name?” “LONDON!”.
Continuing on with the music, the first song of the encore was an old favourite, ‘What a Wonderful World’. Despite being in Japanese, a large chunk of the crowd sang the words right back at him, much to his surprise. Next came ‘Ahead of the Light’ and ‘What’s My Name?’ getting the crowd to completely erupt into a sea of jumping, screaming, and waving, with grins across everyone’s faces. These were the final songs of the night, and they really ended it well, so well that he received a standing ovation from those in the seated areas, and left the crowd hungry for more.
I went into this show as a casual listener, not being hugely familiar with MIYAVI’s work, but I left a total convert. His skill has to be seen to be believed, and his commanding of the crowd is second to none. It’s hard to have a two piece band on stage and fill the venue, but with clever use of layering tracks, these guys managed to fill our ears with such a well rounded, rich sound that you felt as though you were sitting in front of a full five man band. His charismatic movement, and cheeky smiles to the crowd might seem to have a little bit of arrogance about them, but he’s damn good at what he does, so why shouldn’t he be a little cocky? Tonight, MIYAVI kept asking the crowd if everything was okay, much like an overly concerned waiter, and of course it was- he is after all, the Guitar Samurai! It was one of the best live shows I have ever seen, and if you’ve not seen him yet then you’re really missing out!
Words by Ellen Wells