Ucchi, Tomochan & Harukyan's Day 1 appearance in STGCC turned out to be quite a success and everyone were looking forward for the full performances and activities in Day 2. A total of 12 AKB48 members (mainly Jakenpyon Senbatsu) were here in Singapore at STGCC in Day 2. The list of members who appeared were as follow:
Haruka Katayama 片山陽加
Asuka Kuramochi 倉持明日香
Haruka Nakagawa 仲川遥香
Ami Maeda 前田亜美
Mayumi Uchida 内田眞由美
Miku Tanabe 田名部生来
Tomomi Nakatsuka 中塚智実
Sakiko Matsui 松井咲子
Haruka Ishida 石田晴香
Kana Kobayashi 小林香菜
Rina Chikano 近野莉菜
Sumire Sato 佐藤すみれ
Almost all the senbatsu of the 19th single were here with the exception of Acchan, Kojiharu, Akicha & Nacchi
Admission tickets were really cheap at $30 dollars which also include the general admission to STGCC. You probably can't find this kind of price anywhere in Singapore for a fanmeet session with TWELVE songs performed plus Hi-five + chance to won AUTOGRAPHED posters. Too bad for the fans who had complained about the lineup and gave this event a miss. They had probably missed out one of the best things in life as an AKB48 fan.
Despite having a media pass where seats were already allocated, I decided to turn out slightly earlier for the event to queue with my sister at around 2pm. One of the things I don't like about free-sitting event is that you can't avoid queuing on the day itself. Some fans formed the unofficial queue early in the morning even though the official queuing would only start at 3pm .Things did get a bit chaotic when the officials started to open out the area for official queue. Everyone began to push one another to squeeze inside the queuing area despite repeated warnings from officials. Finally, after a final warning from the organizer plus several angry shouting of the fans , everyone began to move in orderly.
Fans trying to get into official queuing area
Once into the official queue area, the fans would need to wait for another 3 hours before they can get into the theatre. The atmosphere in the queuing area was pretty festive with songs from AKB48's "Chance no Juban" repeatedly being played at the background. Many fans had made used of this occasion to exchange AKB48 BLT and trading cards while some brought out their laptop to play AKB48 videos to pass their time. Some had also prepared gifts like flowers and cards for the members but were told later that they can only leave their gifts outside the theater instead of passing personally (which is obviously not allowed).
Holding area for the AKB's fanmeet session
At approximately 630pm, the doors of the theatre started to open. Each fan is given a post card upon entrance with different Jankenpyon sign (Scissors, paper & stone) on each card. There is a purpose on having different Jankenpyon sign on each card which I will explain later. Medias were allocated with seats at the middle of the theater, around 15 rows away from the front (My sister whom I queued with for almost 5 hours got to sit at the 5th row ...urghhh!!). Nevertheless, the media rows are the only place you can take photos so I decided to remain in the area.
Sitting with the media. Wonder how the "Reserved for Media" sticker ended up on the lady's hair in infront of me =p
Postcard everyone will be getting. Probably the first AKB48 official goods for some of the audience
The postcards were printed with different Jankenpyon signs at the back
There was a group of 3 persons from the mainstream media (In their 30s and certainly don't look like AKB48 fans) sitting just beside me. One of the media guys didn't seem to understand the reason for the fan's mix and shouting and repeatedly made comments on AKB48 fans to his fellow colleague before the concert. He did quiet down a bit when the members appeared after the overture. That was when I and some of the media people who were obviously AKB48 fans joined in the shouting. (Lol...dun think he was aware that he was surrounded by quite a number of AKB48 fans in the media)
The girls appeared in Beginner outfit and started with the song "River". Like many other performances, "River" is usually the first song to start with. One of the reasons is that the rap & stomp dances at the start of "River" is harder to blend into other songs midway. The other main reason I thought is that "River" is actually a very good rallying song to motivate and get the members up and ready for the remaining performances.
"River" with Chikano Rina in the center
"River" is one of my favourite song and has one of the best dance choreography out of all AKB48 songs. This time round, Ucchi took over Takamina position to give the opening signal while Chikano Rina took the center position. At times, I did find Ucchi having quite a few similarity to Takamina during the "River" performance. Beside being small in size and have similar hair style (no Takamina's trademark ribbon though) on that day, both possess a good sense of movement with charismatic feel.
Chikano Rina as center girl
Harukyan & Ucchi during "River" performance
However, the best performance of "River" come from Haruna Katayama (or Hachan) for her energy filled & sharp dance movement that easily won my heart.
Impressive dance from the girls
Hachan is my fav girl in River performance.
Next, we got a change in atmosphere as the girls switched from a cool performance to a cheerful song - Ponytail to shushu with Chikano Rina at the center again. However, the girl that left me a deep impression this time round was Kana Kobayashi who was in her "on" mode throughout this performance .(Otherwise, most of the time in this concert, she would just stray to the side in her "off" mode).
Starting of ponytail to shushu
Chikano Rina is center again with Kana Kobayashi at spotlight of this song too
Kana, Hachan & Aamin at very much at the center for Ponytail to Shushu
Ponytail to shushu
Ending of Ponytail to Shushu
The crowd went wild after the performance
The girls then went on to perform the third song "Beginner" with Aamin taking over Takamina's role to give the commands at the start of the song. Hacchan took over the center this time as she is one of the better dancers in the group.
Beginner
Mocchi!!
The other girl did caught my attention in the first 3 songs is Harugon who was known for her insane level of energy and athleticism. Indeed, she was so full of energy that her pigtails was virtually "flying" throughout the performances!
Cool Harugon in "Beginner"
Harugon is full of energy throughout the song
Ha-chan the Enjo in AKB48
Beginner. Harugon (extreme left) hair was flying almost all the time during performance.
My favorite Beginner dance steps
Beginner
After "Beginner", we have the introduction from the 12 members starting from Sakiko
Sakiko introducing herself (with a bit of Singlish too...who taught her that?!!)
Haruka Katayama: Write "Enticing girl" (艶女; Enjo) and read it as "Ade-jo". Do you, you… or you, call me an enticing girl?.
Maeda Ami - she got plenty of local fans too.
Sumire Sato is as cute as ever
Kana Kobayashi with her sneaking look..will she....
Kana got some help from her hand....
Kana in her "on" mode again. Harukyan: "Oh my, she just read directly from hand....."
The first row of girls then returned to backstage while the introduction of the second row of girls began
More introduction of girls
Harugon!! One of the crowd favorite at the concert
Miku Tanabe
Chikano Rina: "Call me Chikariina!!"
Mayumi Uchida got the serious look like Takamina
Haruka Ishida, always full of expressions
Kuramochi Asuka as striking as ever
Gorgeous Tomomi Nakatsuka
With some help too....
Then we have the stage songs.....starting with Heart Gata Virus (Matsui Sakiko, Maeda Ami, Sato Sumire). Kojima Haruna was definitely missed here as this is one of her trademark song. Nevertheless Suchan, Aamin & Sakiki did their best for the performance.
The trio did well but I still missed the popular combination (Kojiharu, Aki-cha & Riechan) for this song. This song is just made for Kojiharu.
End of Heart Gata Virus
Next we have Team K stage song "Wagamama na Nagareboshi" with Kana Kobayashi & Hakura Katayama (replacing Erenpyon).
Hachan & Kana
Kana
Hachan. The cutie style of the song didn't really fit her style
The third stage song is a Himawari gumi stage song "Himawari" or "Sunflower" .In case, anyone don't know, Hamawari gumi was a temporary theater unit, apart from the usual Team A, K & B . It made up of members of Team A, Team K and the first generation of Kenkyuusei and had performed from 2008-2009. Asuka Kuramochi is the only original member (Stage 2) performing in STGCC and this is also her favorite stage song . "Himawari" is a warm and fuzzy song and according to Mocchi (an interview in AX2010 DVD), a song that can cheer everyone up.
Mocchi. My heart just melted when she sang this song
Harugon - a mix between cool (outfit) and cute (hairstyle)
Chikariina
Everyone fit into the song well, especially Mocchi who was one the original member for the song
The last stage song for the day is Team A stage song "Tsundere". "Tsundere" is a slang of the otakus, usually used to describe female character who "runs hot and cold", alternating between two distinct moods "Tsun Tsun" (cold, blunt attitude) and "Dere dere" (lovestruck, sweet character). In this song, you get to see the girls alternating in different style (cool and sweet) and Harukyan, Ucchi and Tomochan picked up these roles as good as the original performers (Amina, Riechan & Tomochin). I always classified Harukyan as the best representative in AKB48 for Tsundere type of character so seeing her performing this song for the second time in Singapore is a real treat for me.
The girls trying to be cool
The girls playing with their specs. Pure moeness!
After the stage song, more MCs by the three girls.
Tomochan introducing AKB48, their theatre & new single "Chance no Juban"
Tomochan is really beautiful
Harukyan seems to forger her line....gambatte!!!
Kawaii!!
Next, We have the song that is always being performed without fail in every AKB48 concert - Aitakatta!! Aitakatta is a very AKB48 theater-type of song. If you sit near the stage on a level ground, this is the song you would have plenty of eye contacts and interactions with the members.This song left an tremendous impression on me during AKB48's previous AFA concert when I am sitting in the first row last time. It did feel very differently this time round as I am standing very much further at the back on the elevated floor. It somehow had made me realized the importance of small but cozy AKB48 theater in Akihabara
Aitakatta
Members and audiences waving to one another
Mocchi
Suchan
It is every fan's hope that his/her fav member would point right at him/her during Aitakatta
Aitakatta's dance steps is simple yet memorable
More Aamin & Harugon & Mocchi
After Aitakatta, we have Bingo in English !! (though I would very much prefer them to sing in Japanese)
Bingo (English ver)
Harugon & Harukyan
Bingo!
Next, we have another english version of AKB48 song - Oogoe Diamond.
Oogoe Diamond with Mocci at the center
Sweet Mocchi
After Oogoe Diamond, the girls went to the side stages and came out with the mic stands for their last song. There could only be one song - Heavy Rotation!!
Heavy rotation with Ucchi at center, taking over Yuko's position
Janken Queen - Ucchi
Ucchi took over Yuko's center role well
Hachan & Tomochan
The light went out and the fans started to make their encore call.
After a couple of mins, the girls finally appeared with their "Chance no Juban" outfits to thanks the audience and perform the final song.
Ucchi thanked the audience for the support
Last song: Chance no Juban
Ucchi center with Sashiko (left) & Harukyan (right)
Mocchi
Suchan, Aamin & Chikariina
The girls with different hand signs (scissors, paper & stone)
Cool Harukyan
Still cool Harukyan
Suddenly went crazy Harukyan. Her expressions really switched in an instance.
Suchan, Ucchi, Harukyan
Sakiko, Hachan & Suchan. The fans didn't forget that day is also Sakiko birthday and a birthday song is sang at the end.
Hachan, Suchan & Ucchi
At the end of the mini-concert, Ucchi played a Jankenpyon game with the audience. As said earlier, every audience had received an free AKB48 postcard with Jankenpyon gesture printed behind prior the fanmeet session. Ucchi would randomly threw a Jankenpyon gesture and audience with Jankenpyon gesture that would defeat Ucchi's would win a pre-signed poster by one AKB48 member!!. Eventually, Ucchi threw a scissor and everyone who got a "stone" postcard won a signed poster. I am lucky enough to get my first autographed AKB48 item - a Harukyan autographed poster ^^
Aamin, Chikariina, Tomochan
Tomochan, Tanamin
Ucchi, Harukyan & Harugon
My Harukyan's autographed poster ^^
Lastly, the audience had a high touch session (or high five) with the members just before they left the theater.
Hi-Touch Session
The AKB48 fanmeet session in Singapore is truly an memorable one for many fans and . It has almost everything of a full AKB48 experience except for AKB48 goodies not being sold. Hopefully, this won't be the last and we will see more of AKB48 soon in Singapore.
hi there. I was there also watching the concert XD
ReplyDeletehow can you managed to take pictures? hmm I wonder.