Lucky Kilimanjaro Tour “Kimochy Season” Impressions
When I was feeling anxious because daily life and entertainment had come to a halt due to COVID, they released “Hikari wa Watashi no Naka” (Light is Within Me). The song that followed, which sang that the light to illuminate the darkness is within you, was “Kimochy.” The live show begins with these two songs.
I was already choked up after just these first two songs. It’s not that COVID has completely ended, but I felt a surge of emotion thinking, 'We really worked hard and made it this far, didn't we?'
This was Lucky Kilimanjaro’s first tour where we could use our voices. Starting with the “Ooh~ Yes!!!” from “Kimochy,” which I had been dying to shout at a live show since I first heard it, the vocal-enabled concert heated up with “Hateru Koto Nai Dance” and “Heat.”
The line 'I don't want to give up on the version of myself I like' in “Hitori no Yoru wo Nuke” makes me want to cry every time I hear it. It’s a lyric that has always struck a chord with me. After dancing to the upbeat “Drawing!” and “Souji no Kiun,” came “Ettou” (Wintering). Oh, no. This is it. I’m crying. I’m definitely crying. I love this song so much. When it was released, I listened to it on repeat like crazy, imagining what it would be like to hear it live. It was even better than I imagined. I love it.
As I was swaying while letting the music soak in, the next song was MOONLIGHT. It was wonderful how the lights hit each member one by one on the dark stage. It was mesmerizing. Speaking of mesmerizing, “Emaou” was also enchanting. I always shout 'Woo!!!' in my heart when the Marumao couple look at each other during the 'umai umai' part. The lyrics 'A smile leaks out; when we're together, I'm so defenseless' are so lovely and dear. If I were a young girl, I’d want someone to sing this to me as a marriage proposal. It’s just so good.
After the enchantment, it was time for “Burning Friday Night”! This was followed by “Shuukyuu 8-nichi” and “Emo-me no Natsu,” which I secretly call the 'Local Name-Drop Songs.' They really get the crowd going on tour.
The chorus for BFN was truly exciting and so much fun. I went to Osaka, Hiroshima, and Toyosu, and perhaps due to the size of the venue, I felt the singing in Hiroshima was particularly loud.
I was happy to hear that this kind of atmosphere is exactly what Lucky Kilimanjaro wants for their live shows, and it made me happy to realize that everyone in the venue was feeling the same way.
Just when I was getting hyped up with “Chidori-ashi de Yuke,” which I wish they’d release as a collaboration with a sake brand, and “KIDS,” came “Yami Akashi.”
“Yami Akashi” is my emotional song, so I get teary-eyed listening to this one too. I think of this as a song about trust. How can they express being able to trust someone as 'being able to leave each other's darkness with one another'??? Are they geniuses???? I want this to be used as the theme song for a buddy-cop drama!!!! After that feeling, we went into “Taiyou” (Sun), and it was time to dance like crazy. This song suits a kind of indigenous, deep-in-your-DNA style of dancing. Is it similar to 'Ee ja nai ka'? (Though I’ve never experienced 'Ee ja nai ka' myself). I thought I might catch my breath a little with “Fuzzy Summer,” but then! From here on! My personal hottest three-song streak: “350ml Galaxy” → “HOUSE” → “Tsuji”!!!!
As someone who first discovered Lucky Kilimanjaro through “HOUSE” playing on Spotify (a real 'LK from Spotify' moment), this is an exceptional song that I can't leave out. On the first day in Toyosu, I managed to toast with Yukimaru-san during 350, and “Tsuji” is… “Tsuji” is… I love it so much. What I love about it, besides the song itself, is the title. They chose “Tsuji” (Crossroads) instead of something like “CROSS ROAD.” That’s the point. I really want “Tsuji” to be used as the theme song for a romance-focused TBS Friday 10 PM drama. The fact that it’s not a Tuesday drama is the key. (What am I even talking about?)
Then came “Matane” (See You Later). It’s the album’s lead track, so to speak. Kumaki-san even said, 'Thank you for today.' I thought that was the end of the main set, but then “Odori no Aizu” started!!!! I was dancing with a mix of emotions: 'It’s not over?!' and 'There’s more! Yay!!' I absolutely love how the drums get more powerful from the second chorus of this song. The final chorus, too. It vibrates right through my internal organs. It’s the best. I felt like saying, 'Thank you, Shiba-chan, for working out your muscles!!!'
They even created an atmosphere that it might end with “Hitosuji Sasu,” right?? But then “Yama Yosou” came. It just wouldn't end. It was the first time I saw Kumaki-san play guitar at a live show during “Yama Yosou.” I really love the part at the end where it’s just the guitar and Kumaki-san’s singing voice.
The encore featured “Jinsei Odoreba Marumouke” and “Kimi ga Odoridasu no wo Matteru.” On rainy days, they add “Ame ga Furu nara Odoreba Ii ja nai” as the second song. I encountered this on the first day in Toyosu. I felt like I got a lucky break. The part at the end of “Kimi Odoru” where they stretch out the 'waiting' part and everyone finishes with a 'Jaan!!!!'—it’s a common thing, but it feels so much like a band, and I love it.
Even though we can produce all kinds of instrument sounds digitally these days, the raw sound at a live show is truly exceptional. I love the CD versions, of course, but live, it’s many times better. Even songs like “Jigoku no Odoriba” feel like the rhythm section hits even harder live than on the recording.
I don’t know anything about the technical side of music, but Lucky Kilimanjaro always tells us that it doesn’t matter—we should just have fun, dance, and sing freely, and I end up dancing on my own. There’s no helping it. I’m going to love them forever.