Reflection on X Day
So, it has been about a week since @littlewingjay and myself made it across the pound to go and see X-Japan at Wembley in London. This was a long awaited concert for us, seeing as it was cancelled last year due to Pata’s health scare. I must say, it was worth the wait!
Even with the rough start of almost missing our connecting flight from Atlanta to Heathrow, Imouto bag getting left in the states, us running on almost empty (I had four hours of sleep on the plane, which was better than what littlewingjay had), we both agree that we would do it all over again.
We were able to attend the HMV signing the band had, even if it was a bit nippy out, and I had to barrow Littlewingjay’s jacket, since mine was a lot lighter than hers, and ended up standing for a couple of hours before the doors opening, and us getting in line for the signing. I was a bit in shock, I wasn’t sure how to really react, and gave small smiles to the band, and gave a bow and a ‘domo arigatou gozaimashite’ to Heath at the end when I got my cd back.
After going to the arena that night, and meeting up with some X fans, and making new friends (it was really lovely to meet you @erebor-kingdom!), we went back to our inn and pretty much crashed. My back was acting up at this point, and I had to get some relief for it, and wasn’t to pleasant around littlewingjay, and I feel really bad about that even now.
The day of the concert, we were still waiting for Imouto bag to arrive from Heathrow, and to pack up the scarf and hats both of us made for the band members. After the majority of the day of waiting, we discovered her bag would not be at the inn till well into the concert, this involved her needing to run out and getting clothes, and me getting everything together to get in line for the concert. Lucky for us our inn was about 10 minutes from the arena, we were pretty lucky for that.
The doors opened at about 5pm (I do believe), and we were some of the first to get into the lobby area of the arena. We were able to buy our merch, deposit our gifts to the band in the boxes for them, and met with with some friends that we hadn’t seen for over a year, and made some friends with some lovely new people. It didn’t take long to get to our seats, and we had some really GREAT seats! I was so shocked how close to the stage we were. It was so exciting to be inside the arena, and to see all the X-fans that were present.
The arena started to go quiet when the lights dimmed, and then there was a great roar when the documentary started. The documentary like I remembered it in Detroit was a roller coaster of emotions for me. There were moments where I laughed, moments were I teared up, but during all this time, I could only feel the love that I have for the band during it. After the 60 minute move, the screen raised, as the intro of Rusty Nail started, and there they were, X! It was such a wonderful start to the concert.
After the first few songs, Yoshiki started an MC part with ToshI on stage, they did banter with each other (which has now lead into an inside joke of LONDON between littlewingjay and myself), and discussed the up coming album, and brought Pata out on stage to indicate that he was in fact feeling better. From this point on through the concert, I was just in aw of the band.
Yet, it was a odd feeling for me. I felt like the men on stage just weren’t the famous band X Japan, but musicians who were trying to share their love a music with a whole bunch of people. I fully understand they are probably one of the most (if not the most famous) Japanese band out there. But there seemed to me at least to be more of a connection that all the members had with the fans. It was more personal, and it felt like..it felt like being at home, where everyone shared the same interest, and love the same thing.
This type of emotion stayed with me through the concert, and at moments I was brought to tears (I will admit I did some ugly crying during I.V. and Endless Rain to the point that I could not even sing along), I also stood in stunned silence during Yoshiki’s drum solor and piano solo it was..it was an experience.
X Japan is more than just a band (for me at least), they are home, and have brought me together with some really cool and lovely people from around the world. ( @rivill and her lovely friend @rawhan it was great meeting you and hanging out with you in central London!) I feel the fans I have met are more than just shared people who enjoy the same band, but a type of family.
With all the difficulties of getting to London, the bag which got left in the states, and all the other minor details that had to happen. I would gladly do it all again. It was wonderful to meet so many members of the X Japan family, and I hold the memories close to my heart as I move forward everyday.
WE ARE X!!!!