OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL 2025.7.19 DAY1

OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL DAY1
@Osaka Expo '70 Commemorative Park

I went to it!

The day the summer festival season begins!!

Introduction

Since this was the first time the venue was changed from Maishima to Expo '70 Commemorative Park, it felt like I was going to a brand new festival.
I've attended in 2017, 2022, and 2023, but Giga is still hotter than any other festival.
On the plus side, Expo '70 Commemorative Park has LaLaport and cafes, so I think it was much easier to manage my physical condition than at Maishima. The vending machines don't run out, and the drinks are cold, which I'm grateful for. Also, it's wonderful that you can get there by train. The distance between stages is also quite short compared to Maishima.
One thing that needs a little improvement is that the new SAN STAGE is way too hot... It's scorching due to the sun, the concrete ground, and the reflection from the walls. Even the artists were exhausted from the direct sunlight.
There were measures like mobile drink sales and the distribution of Petagoo cooling packs, but if possible, I'd like them to sprinkle water regularly. The location was superb.

Zookaraderu (10:15–10:35)

It was nostalgic and very nice to start with "Hyoryu Gekidan" (Drifting Theater Troupe). I was glad to hear "Coelacanth," which I had listened to many times on the recording.
It was a luxurious opening act.

Setlist
1. Hyoryu Gekidan
2. TAPIOCA
3. Rollin' Rollin'
4. Blue Summertime Blues
5. Coelacanth
6. Annie

indigo la End (11:50–12:25)

Everything about indigo la End under the blazing sun felt fresh. The solo part by Gt. Curtis Osada in "Jikken Mae" (Before the Experiment) was very cool. I always find myself drawn into Enon-san's singing.

Setlist
1. Yoake no Machi de Sayonara wo
2. Kanashiku Naru Mae ni
3. Namae wa Kataomoi
4. Jikken Mae
5. Ramune
6. Houga
7. Natsuya no Magic

Retro Riron (12:50–13:20)

This was the hottest time of the day.
I want to give a huge round of applause for finishing the performance in this heat.

Setlist
1. One Time Epilogue
2. DND
3. Headliner
4. Unbalance Blend
5. UNITY

muque (13:45–14:15)

Dr. takachi is cool again today.
I wanted to hear "Carnival," so when the intro played at the end, I got so hyped!! So fun!!!

Setlist
1. my crush
2. nevermind
3. feelin'
4. Ghost
5. Bite you
6. The 1
7. Carnival

FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY'S
(14:15–14:50)

I've seen them live a few times since they reunited, but today was the most nostalgic! I was moved that I still remembered Mon-kichi's part in "Kibou no Uta" (Song of Hope) that I hadn't heard in 15 years.

Setlist
1. Chippoke na Yuuki
2. Ongaku wo Narasou
3. Kokuhaku
4. Ato Hitotsu
5. Kibou no Uta
6. Kanashimi Nante Waraitobase

NELKE (15:00-15:30)

A song born from hesitation and anxiety on a summer day when cicadas are buzzing, "Hana Zukan" (Flower Picture Book). I've always thought it was a good song, but the special feeling of hearing it on a stage in the summer with cicadas buzzing was irresistible. I love how it leads into "Calendula" without a single breath in between. Please come to Giga every year!!

Setlist
1. Incarnation
2. Believe in Breeze
3. Bye Bye Actor
4. Hana Zukan
5. Calendula
6. Lollipop Cider

Chilli Beans. (15:35-16:05)

Vocalist Moto's MC was all over the place because it was so hot, but her singing was spot on. You can tell they are always having fun performing, so I could watch them forever.

Setlist
1. pineapple!
2. lemonade
3. Mum
4. pain
5. tragedy
6. Shake it Lala
7. just try it

Penthouse (16:30-17:00)

I had been watching live performances non-stop, so I sat in the shade to watch them. Both of them are such amazing singers. I was able to hear all the songs I wanted to hear. I thought they were a band that suited concert halls, but after hearing "Natsu ni Negai wo" (Wish in Summer), I learned that they also suit summer festivals very well.

Setlist
1. Welcome to the Penthouse
2. ...Koi ni Ochitara
3. Taxi to the Moon
4. Ichinan
5. Natsu ni Negai wo
6. Planetary
7. Nonsense
8. Wo Ai Ni

RAISAN (17:25-18:00)

I finally got to meet RAISAN for the first time.
It was a flawless live performance and I enjoyed it the whole time.
The cover of "Nettaiya" (Tropical Night) was incredibly fun.
When Eon Kawatani started singing, there was a huge cheer, and I was reminded once again what an amazing person he is.

Setlist
1. SLUMP
2. Muchi
3. Sukebe na Dake de Kane ga Nai
4. Kagami ni Koishite
5. Chaos
6. TRUMAN
7. Nettaiya (cover)
8. New Song

sumika (18:25-19:15)

"sumika at Giga is insane."
Just as many people tweet every year, they gave an undeniably insane performance this year too.
With "Unmei" (Destiny) in the serious rehearsal and "My Rich Summer Blues" as the first song of the main set, the special feeling was immediately apparent. It feels like Giga that songs not often played at festivals, like "Culture Shocker" and "Toumei" (Transparent), were included in the setlist.
For "Dang Ding Dong," dancers appeared to make it a special day, with a production like that of a headliner.
I sang with all my might, hoping that "Starting Over," which they sang to the open sky at the end, would reach us again this year.

Setlist
SE. Haikara Flamingo
1. My Rich Summer Blues
2. Lovers
3. "Dengonka" (Message Song)
4. Fukkatsu no Jumon
5. Culture Shocker
6. The Flag Song
7. VINCENT
8. Toumei
9. Dang Ding Dong w/ Dancers
10. Starting Over

Ryokuoushoku Shakai (19:40-20:40)

They appeared as the final headliner on the Giga stage, which I've seen many times, bringing back so many memories—from being shocked by their opening act at Rockin' Radio in 2017 and buying their CD at the merch booth that day, to going to their solo concerts in Tokyo and participating in their self-produced events.
The rehearsal was a full version of "Party!!" which was fun.
Following sumika, it was a luxury to hear a song from Delicious in Dungeon during the rehearsal.
For the main set, lyrics were displayed on monitors for every song, and with four people doing chorus, their dignity as the final headliner was amazing.
The flow from "Summertime Cinderella" to "Natsu wo Ikiru" (Living in Summer) was great because I could really feel the summer.

Vo. Haruko Nagaya
"I want to repay Giga, which taught us the fun of summer festivals when we didn't know left from right! We were entrusted with the final headliner spot at Giga because everyone believed in us! Thank you!! So leave it to Ryokuoushoku Shakai!!"
"Hazukashii ka Seishun wa" (Is Youth Embarrassing?)
The big chorus of "It's great because it's finite" was very moving.

"PLAYER 1"
It was so good that I want a live recording, or rather, a Giga recording. It's a song packed with the greatest strength of Ryokuoushoku Shakai, where all four members can write songs.

"Hana ni Natte" (Become a Flower)
With singing, flames, and fireworks, it was a final performance worthy of a summer festival headliner. It was a wonderful live performance by Ryokuoushoku Shakai, a "rock band" that represents Japan.

Setlist
Rehearsal. Party!! (Full)
1. Bokura wa Ikimono Dakara
2. Shout Baby
3. Hajimari no Uta
4. illusion
5. Character
6. Summertime Cinderella
7. Natsu wo Ikiru
8. Mela!
9. sabotage
10. Hazukashii ka Seishun wa
11. PLAYER 1
12. Hana ni Natte

Conclusion

I love that summer festivals are places where everyone has their own story and people's feelings gather for a single day, which is why I go to Giga in this scorching heat, and I'm glad I was able to watch the live performances until the very end again this year. While watching the final fireworks and the performance, I remembered the line "Fireworks are beautiful" from NELKE's "Flower Encyclopedia" and thought, "I want to hear 'Flower Encyclopedia' with fireworks!" so it looks like I won't be able to quit summer festivals for a while.

Sunflowers were blooming while I was moving between stages, and the song "Just laugh and cry like you always do, and come back to me" kept playing in my head.