Sunday, May 20, 2012

Xia Tarantallegra Concert [Sunday :: Day 2]

Okay, I guess I will start off by saying that I am not in love with Junsu’s solo album. For me, the album was a mix of great songs, okay songs, and songs I didn’t like at all (*cough* Tarantallegra *cough*). And my biggest criticism of the album is that its called “Tarantallegra” but only 4 out of the 12 songs are dance numbers (not there‘s ANYTHING wrong with Junsu ballads, but if your concept is an uncontrollable dancing spell, I expect more dance tracks).

That being said, this was a GREAT concert! I had so much fun and I lost my voice from screaming so hard. The set list was perfect in terms of pacing and the energy was high throughout the concert.

Also, our seats were AMAZING~! The venue is REALLY small (the same venue as the L‘Arc en Ciel, 2PM concert, and Idol Sports Day… if that helps anybody). I was in section 13 on the 2nd floor, which is right by the out-stage on the left. Junsu walked over to our sections during a few songs and we lost our minds when he did. I was also on the end of the row so I got a perfect view ^.^





My fan account actually begins Friday night. I only got tickets for Sunday and I really wanted to try to get tickets on Saturday. So, I was planning on camping out overnight at the box office. 95% of the time, there are tickets available at the box office. At first, I thought the venue was the one in Olympic Park where he had the Mozart concert, but when I checked Interpark it said Sports Complex so I headed out that way. When I saw how small the venue was, I realized that it was really sold out. So, I decided to wait for my friend and see what she wanted to do. This is where I met @jskn. She is a hardcore Junsu fan from Japan and is so adorable! We decided to wait together and then Junsu started his sound check. I had never listened to an artist sound check before, so I decided that since I was already there and had made a new friend… why not stay and listen? Even though we were far away from the doors, we could still hear his beautiful voice. @jskn and I sang along to some of the songs and totally fangirled when we heard certain songs. Intoxication… KYAA~ Hime came and we all hung out together.
He started the sound check around 9 pm and didn't finish until after 1 am. Then we followed the other Junsu fans to see him leave.

Anyway, so Saturday was a no go. I was very careful and avoided twitter, tumblr, youtube, and all the fan sites so that I wouldn't be spoiled for this concert.

I got to the venue around 5 pm and the concert started at 6 pm. I went straight to the Goods Tent to get everything that I wanted. Unfortunately, they were sold out of the light stick. T_T SADNESS! So, I got one of the unofficial light sticks that were being sold at the venue. Anyway, I got the bag and the bromide and poster set for myself and the clear files for my Malaysian friend, Naza. Then I took all the pics of the venue.











 Rice and Flowers Sent to Support Junsu's 1st Concert




 Bus Advertisement









 


They were recording for the DVD so security was TIGHT. I saw about 5 girls get pulled out of the standing sections for filming and/or taking pictures, however lots of fancams still got posted on the internet. 

The concert was a little less than 1 hour and 40 minutes long. It was really short. I was surprised, but I guess in hindsight I shouldn't have been. I mean, Junsu sang his heart out. When you have other members (and more songs), it's easier to survive a longer concert. By the end of the concert, he was dripping in sweat. When they did a close up, it looked like diamonds glued all over his face when the light hit him.

  



1st VTR :: CONCERT OPENING
Then the concert started! The opening was a VTR narrated in British English with an image of a letter slowly being revealed a la The Marauder's Map from Harry Potter. It was awesome. "Hello. Welcome to Xia's Concert." And something about magic being unleashed.

Then, some light choral music played in the background while they showed another VTR of Junsu wearing a white sheet under water. Then the narrator kept saying some spell-- I couldn't make it out. The lights came on and they had lines of pyrotechnics shoot from the 3rd floor towards the stage while simultaneously releasing pyrotechs on stage. I have never seen that at a concert before. It was really cool.

1st Song :: Breath
 The back up dancers came out from backstage wearing a burgundy top with black pants holding shiny, sparkly silver sticks. Honestly, they looked like the boys from Durmstrang hitting the sticks on the floor in time with the music. Then Junsu pops out of the trap door at the very front of the stage looking smashing in his blue outfit with his own sparkly stick.  LOTS of hip-thrusting in this dance.


CREDIT FOR PIC : tvdaily.co.kr


CREDIT FOR PIC: nameless.er.ro

2nd Song :: No Gain
I really love this song and hearing it live just made me love it more. Junsu sang this song beautifully. He was so on key and did a beautiful job. He fell to his knees when he did the long note. They did a nice back-step hip-thrust move.
All the girl dancers were wearing similar outfits to the ones they wore in the JYJ concerts-- black leotards and pantyhose. 

1st MENT
 He was so out of breath. He was already dripping with sweat. The ment was really short and he only said a few things. He greeted everyone, asked if we were enjoying the concert so far, and everyone laughed at something he said. Then he introduced the next song Lullaby.
The screen behind him was of a door and when he walked towards it, the screen split in two to let him pass. Very cool! 

3rd Song :: Lullaby
Lullaby had some freaking sexy/slutty/hip-thrusty choreography. Junsu was such a player on stage. The screens parted and Junsu's up some stairs on an elevated platform. Two of the girl dancers are laying their heads on his lap and rubbing his legs. He then strokes their faces and he has an almost kiss with both of them. Then the girls bring out shiny, sparkly silver balance bars and he goes to touch each of them. The boy was so on key. Holy crap. Then (if the choreo hadn't been sexy enough) the girls blindfold him at the end of the song.

CREDIT FOR PIC: @the_4feel

4th Song :: Intoxication
They brought out a panel of mirrors and Junsu danced facing the mirrors. He unbuttoned his coat and he was wearing a flowy black shirt with a deep V down the front. I saw a lot of Junsu's nipples. Just saying. During the song, he also did a really cool flat on the floor, kick-out move. Everyone sang the "Hey Hey Hey Hey" and "Oh No No No" in between screaming for Junsu on the floor. ^.^

5th Song :: Set Me Free
Lots of audience chanting/singing along during this song. It's such a catchy and fun song. This is definitely one of my favorites.

2nd VTR :: Making of Tarantallegra MV & Photos
They showed some behind the scenes of Junsu in dance practice, on the MV shooting, photoshoot, etc. This vid was set to Too Love.

6th Song :: You Are So Beautiful
Outfit changed to long white, double-breasted trench coat. Another amazing performance.  

2nd Ment 
This ment was longer. He had us all scream "JUNSU TIME!" Then he asked some fans in the standing sections if they had requests of him. He couldn't hear the 1st girl he asked, so he stepped down a little to hear her. The crowd went crazy and screamed "AH! JUNSU~~!" He quickly realized that wasn't safe for him to do, so he stepped back on the stage. LULZ!
The ment was a little fail because he couldn't hear what the fans were asking him. 
The crowd then chanted for him to sing something. I forget what song it was, but it was beautiful. Then someone asked him to do "bboing, bboing." He was really embarrassed, but he did it and I DIED. Then someone asked him to do the "Angel Xiah" pose. He didn't protest as much as he usually does about the angel pose, but everyone went WILD.
Then he went the stage proper and he sat on a chair. Then he asked if it was okay if he drank some water. Everyone screamed when he did. Then he told us that he was going to sing the next song with a piano and that the piano was going to come up the trap door that was next to his chair. Then he cued the piano to rise up. It was so cute and funny.     

7th Song :: Even Though You Already Know
This song looked really beautiful on stage. Junsu was wearing white, with the white piano, and the white fog. It was awesome.
On a side note, towards the end of the song, Junsu really bit out a lyrics and he spat really hardcore. I'm sure that won't make it into the dvd. ^.~  

8th Song :: Turn Around & Around
The background for this song was purple clouds and falling cherry blossoms (?)
Everyone sang the "la la la" part together. Junsu raised his hand so we would wave the lightsticks in the same direction. At the end of this song, he said "Thank you" and went down the trap door at the front of the stage.

DANCERS DANCE BREAK
Dancers do solos
Then they do the Be My Girl Remix dance

MUSICAL TIME
9th Song :: The Last Dance from Elisabeth

10th Song :: I Am Music from Mozart

11th Song :: Why Don't You Love Me from Mozart

3rd VTR
Picture slide of Junsu through 2011 set to the instrumental version of I Can Soar

12th Song :: Tarantallegra
Outfit changed to red tunic. 

13th Song :: Fever

Break

14th Song :: Mission
Outfit changed to green shirt and gold shiny pants. 

3rd & Final Ment

15th Song :: I Don't Like Love

16th Song :: Tree Laden With Dew 
We had the white ocean project for this song. He looked so happy during this song and ALL THE SMILES. 

BOW WITH DANCERS

Break 

17th Song :: Fallen Leaves