Cocco Live Tour 2019 “Star Shank” @ Orix Theater

This is the Cocco live report series, brought to you based on the records and memories of the concerts I have attended in the past!
The third installment is “Cocco Live Tour 2019 ‘Star Shank’”.

Click here for the first installment♪ ↓

Click here for the second installment♪ ↓

Once again, I will be presenting the live report I posted on my blog at the time.
It is a grand two-part feature consisting of the [Part 1] posted on December 22, 2019, and the [Part 2] posted on December 29, 2019!
As usual, it’s quite intense, so be prepared♪

I went to Cocco Live Tour 2019 “Star Shank” @ Osaka Orix Theater!! [Part 1]

Hi. This is Sorano Kanata.

Cocco is a female singer I have been a fan of since almost the moment she debuted.
I went to her first live tour in three years, “Cocco Live Tour 2019 ‘Star Shank’”!

I have also been singing for 25 years, albeit as an amateur.
As a fellow vocalist, I hope to convey my experience from my own unique perspective!

So, here we go☆

Tour Schedule

December 6, 2019 (Fri) Miyagi, Sendai PIT
December 9, 2019 (Mon) Aichi, Zepp Nagoya
December 13, 2019 (Fri) Tokyo, International Forum Hall A
December 19, 2019 (Thu) Osaka, Orix Theater
December 24, 2019 (Tue) Hiroshima, Club Quattro
December 26, 2019 (Thu) Fukuoka, Zepp Fukuoka

22 years since her shocking major debut.
This is her first live tour in three years, supporting her momentous 10th original album “Star Shank”.

I went to the fourth show of this tour, the performance at the Orix Theater in Osaka♪

Setlist for this day

It was 19 songs in total, and I think it was about an hour and 45 minutes.

Of course, the setlist was centered around songs from the latest album, "Star Shank," which is also the tour title.
However, it was a shame that "Ho-Ho-Ho" was the only one not performed.
I love that song too, so I really wanted to hear it!

My overall impression when I first listened to this album was...

"Plain"
"Dark"
"Quiet"
"A bit small-scale"

...that was about it.

But it's focused more on low tones than high tones, making it a calm and easy listen.
Personally, I find this kind of vibe absolutely irresistible.

So, I thought the live show would have a similar structure...
No, no, it was amazing as expected.

Even past the age of 40, Cocco is still Cocco.
That voice, overflowing with emotion, is still going strong.

The quality of her voice stands out even more live than on the CD.
Though, it felt like the precision dropped a little in the second half...

Maybe the acoustics weren't great, but there were noticeable parts that were hard to hear depending on the song.
I wonder if it has to do with Acchan's vocal quality??
Perhaps bright, up-tempo songs like "Stinger Z" or "Negai Kanaeba" are difficult for her voice type.

Acchan doesn't have "absolute vocal perfection."
Even though she has a very beautiful, lovely voice, she doesn't sing in a "pretty" way.
I think that is the greatest charm of Acchan's vocals.

And when it comes to captivating, enchanting, and drawing in an audience, she is second to none.
She certainly possesses something that other female vocalists do not.

That's exactly why, if that roughness were smoothed out, she would become an even more incredible singer!!
...is what I end up thinking.

There are countless first-class artists in the world,
and I know the music of super-first-class artists too,
so in that sense, I do feel a little unsatisfied...
Well, I suppose that can't be helped.

But when I listen to Acchan sing, it makes me think, "You're allowed to sing like this!"
"I want to sing like this too!" "I'll do my best too!"
I always get power from her.

There was little talk on this day, with only two MC segments.
There was no interaction with the band members, so that was a bit lonely.

But for an Acchan live show, it was a rare, flowing, and beautiful structure.
A relentless, cascading performance.

The night the Orix Theater turned into the Cocco Theater.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I want to keep listening forever...

Live music is just the best.
Acchan, thank you for such a wonderful time!!!

...and so, I tried to wrap it up.
But honestly, I still have so much more to write!

To be continued in the second part (lol)

I went to the Cocco Live Tour 2019 “Star Shank” @ Osaka Orix Theater!! [Part 2]

Hi there. This is Soranokanata.

This is the second part of the live report for the “Cocco Live Tour 2019 ‘Star Shank’,” the first live tour in three years by the solitary singer-songwriter Cocco!

Starting in Miyagi on Friday, December 6th, the Cocco theater tour traveled through Aichi, Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima, before closing in Fukuoka on Thursday, December 26th.
The Cocco theater tour, which began in Miyagi on Friday, December 6th, traveled through Aichi, Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and came to a close in Fukuoka on Thursday, December 26th.

I’m going to talk about the setlist for the fourth show of this six-part tour, held at the Orix Theater♪

So, here we go☆

Kuchizuke

It’s one of my favorite songs, but I was a bit surprised that it was the opener.

As I wrote in the first part, “Star Shank” has a somewhat understated and quiet impression overall.
Even among those, this song only really builds up during the chorus.

From the intro, through the A-melody and B-melody rap... holding it back, holding it back...
And then, it explodes all at once in the chorus!

Oh, that’s Cocco right there!!!

Right from the start, this intensity.
To build up this much excitement with just the chorus, wow.

Cocco sang and danced wearing a crown that looked like it was woven from flowers, with her thin white dress fluttering in the wind.
As always, she was truly beautiful...

I thought her right upper arm in particular was nicely toned and beautiful.
Her face looked a little fuller, too.
I’m glad Acchan looks healthy.

Haran

The opening track of “Star Shank.”

This song has an interesting rhythm.
Also, the B-melody has various melodies intertwined, making it a song you can really play around with.
For Cocco, it’s still on the understated side, but it’s a track with plenty to listen to.

In the live version, she sang a lot of melodies that weren't in the original.
I see, so this is how she creates that sense of glamour.
The album version, with its calm atmosphere from start to finish, is good, but this is also great.

Tsuyoku Hakanai Monotachi

Already, by the third song, we get 'Tsuyohaka'!
With this song's fantastical imagery, the whole world seems to transform.

This was the song released as her second single that became a hit.
It was aired as a commercial campaign song for Japan Airlines and recorded a massive hit of 360,000 copies.

It goes without saying that this is Acchan's signature song.
But, you know, Acchan didn't actually compose this song herself.
Still, there is no doubt that it is a masterpiece that made the name Cocco known to the world.

MC, part one.

'Good evening, I'm Cocco.'
That's Acchan's usual greeting.

'Acchan!'
'What was that?'
'Acchan, you're cute!'
'Shut up.'

The interaction with the fans was just as usual.
'You guys talk a lot, Osaka,' said Acchan.

And then, this question popped out from Acchan.
'Hey, I want to ask, do you guys even need a DVD?'

Of course, the voices from the audience shouted, 'We need it!'
Acchan, on the other hand, apparently thought they definitely wouldn't need one.

'Do you watch WOWOW or something?'
'Even if you watched it, would you watch it again? Really?'

The voices from the audience shouted, 'We'd watch it!'

Then she told us the story and episodes behind how the WOWOW camera crew ended up filming.
'The WOWOW people brought five boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts.'
'I ended up eating five of them!'

Osaka was wrapped in a whirlwind of laughter and applause again that day☆

'Do you need it? Do you really need it?'
'Alright then, I'll make sure to mention it.'

And with that, the DVD release was successfully decided (lol).

'Osaka, I'm going to keep talking.'
'If I keep talking, I'll never finish, so I'll move on to the next one.'

And then, on to the next song...

Gracy Grapes

Switching to a stand microphone, she sang an acoustic English song.
During the first chorus, her singing stopped for a moment...
As Acchan said in the later MC, she apparently stopped because she made eye contact with a fan and was surprised (lol).

But, Acchan's voice is irresistibly beautiful!
I really love Acchan's English songs.
I love them because I can fully enjoy the beauty of Acchan's voice!

It's a feat achieved by Acchan's songwriting ability and her native-level pronunciation.
I suppose this is the charm of English that cannot be expressed in Japanese.
That is what I think.

And what's more, it's in 3/4 time, which is my personal favorite!
Acchan has many masterpieces in 3/4 time as well.
I love songs like "SATIE" and "Light up".

Being Young

Next was another English song included on "Star Shank".
Acchan sang with a relaxed vibe.

During the interlude, the way she brought her lips to the stand microphone to whistle was so cute!

Stinger Z

She chose this upbeat song from her 8th album, "Plan C".

The choreography was incredibly cute.
I was so satisfied to see the "Daimajin" dance from Wink's "Samishii Nettaigyo"! (lol)
Is Acchan a Shoko-chan fan???

Yuzuki

This is also one of my favorite songs.

Cocco really has many masterpieces among her medium-tempo pop numbers.
Acchan's beautiful vocals shine through brilliantly.

Sometimes, at first listen, I think, "This is just a normal pop song that anyone could sing, not just Acchan."
But that immediately changes to, "It really is a song that only Acchan can sing."
She really does have an amazing voice.

After finishing the song, there was a simple band introduction.
After that, a long guitar intro began to play...

Gokuaku March

This song was particularly spectacular.
With an arrangement completely different from the album version, she performed it in an incredibly dramatic way.

It felt like the true essence of Cocco!! Without a doubt!
I really can't say anything else. Yes.

And then, flowing right into...

2.24

Slowly lifting her upper body...

"Distortion? Fellow? Bribe?"

It was chillingly beautiful.
This scene is still burned into my eyes and won't leave.

Come To Me

Is this The Sugarcubes?!
(The Sugarcubes, as everyone knows, is the band that the Icelandic diva Björk was a member of.)

...A song that makes you fall into that illusion (laughs).

But to finish it with such a pop sound.
As expected of Acchan.

With Acchan's sultry vocals,
it's a track where the announcement "Thank you for coming today..." is quite memorable.

Onsoku Punch

Cocco suspended her activities in 2001 and resumed them five years later.
This song was the 12th single released as the first installment of that comeback.

A danceable, upbeat tune that was rare for Cocco up until then.
The venue transforms into a cheerful dance hall!

A digital intro centered on programmed rhythms.
The way the guitar intertwines with that is so incredibly cool, I love it!
Even if you aren't a Cocco fan, you can't help but move your body to it☆

And then, Acchan's sultry sigh in the outro.
I absolutely love that part too!

When I'm at karaoke, I end up singing this just because I want to do that part~♪

Yushu no Bi

The lead track from the previous album, "Adan Ballet," which sings about the end of a love affair.
It's a fairly standard, medium-tempo pop song.

But I like this song because the rhythm is so restless (lol).
The driving beat in the B-melody is irresistible.

Anmoku Joji

From "Zansaian," the fifth album released five years after she resumed her activities.
A masterpiece in triplets that is languid, erotic, and so quintessentially Acchan.

Personally, I love the shout at the end.
It feels so good to do it at karaoke~♪
It might be a huge nuisance to the people in the next room... sorry about that (lol).

And, I was expecting that break part there, but...
To my surprise, a "kiss" sound!

I've been had!!

Negai Kanaeba

A super pop and cute song that feels like it's cheering on young people in love.
The choreography was so cute too!
I was so happy to see the Wink "Great Demon God" dance here, as I'm from that exact generation!

Raining

A hit song released as her third single.
Since she says it's the first song she ever wrote at age 15, she really has incredible talent.

Jukai no Ito

The 5th single.
It is the second best-selling song after "Tsuyoku Hakanai Monotachi" and has become a staple at live shows.
However, like "Tsuyohaka," this song was not composed by Acchan.

I sometimes wonder how that sits with her as "Artist Cocco."
But I think this is a song where the charm of "Singer Cocco" is fully displayed.

Dororina Jiruze

A song released as the theme for her first stage play, "Jiruze no Jijou," in which she starred.
Included on her 8th album, "Plan C."

It brings back scenes from that play...
I actually went to see "Jiruze no Jijou" twice.
I really wish they would release it on DVD.

This is also one of my favorites, a rock number in triplets.
I guess you could call it a rock ballad.

I love it so much, I often sing it at karaoke too♪

MC, part two.

The Orix Theater was completely overwhelmed by Cocco's world and her singing voice.

I wonder if everyone felt like their souls had been taken away (laughs).
Acchan said a few words.

"What's wrong, Osaka? Where did that energy from earlier go?"

And so, the live show was finally reaching its end.
"It's already over. Fun times go by in a flash."

To the fans' cries of "Nooo!"
she gave a cute reply: "That's just how it is."

"Let's chat a bit, then."
With that, she told us the story about Okinawa that I had wanted to hear.

After hearing that there were fans who had rushed over from Okinawa,
she told us that her childhood friend was also at the venue.

Then she began, "This year, there were a lot of things in Okinawa too..."
"Everyone keeps talking to me about the Shuri Castle failure."

Oh right, I wanted to hear about this!
How Acchan feels about it.

“You know, this is the third time Shuri Castle has burned down.”

The venue burst into laughter at this remark!
(I apologize if anyone found this offensive.)

That was a bit unexpected.
But I'm glad that kind-hearted Acchan wasn't too devastated.

“It’s the third time it’s burned down completely.”
“Is it just naivety that they stamped the approval without proper fire extinguishing equipment?”
“It was burning just like a Drifters sketch.”

Acchan thrilled the audience once again with her lively talk.

“It’s a huge blow.”
“But, I believe that things made by human hands can be rebuilt by human hands.”

So cool!
Applause erupted here!

“I was remembering when I danced creative ballet in the plaza when Shuri Castle opened.”
Acchan shared her memories of Shuri Castle.

“But I have no choice but to laugh, since it’s the third time.”
“It’s just naivety, that’s all.”
“I’m totally fine.”

“Shuri Castle doesn't involve politics, so it gets covered a lot on TV.”
“But more than that, it hurts my heart more that landscapes are being lost in Okinawa every single day.”

She spoke passionately about this.

“Anyway, please laugh about the Shuri Castle situation.”
“Okinawa is okay, thank you.”

A whirlwind of laughter and applause!!

And then, the final greeting.
Is this fun time finally coming to an end...

“Thank you for today too!”

Fringe

The song that closes out “Star Shank”.

The lyrics, melody, and arrangement are all beautiful.
It’s truly a masterpiece that carries on the Cocco tradition.

“Now that I’m an adult, I’ve ended up in this state before I knew it”... those lyrics.
They really hit home for fans who have been listening to Cocco’s songs since they were kids and have grown up alongside her...

The story of the rose that blooms in the sea

And, the song that closes the live show is, of course, this one.
The lead track from “Star Shank”.

As the song began, a curtain with a rose pattern that blooms in the sea descended from the back of the stage.

Come to think of it, I saw a few fans wearing dresses from Acchan’s apparel brand, “Composition-a,” that day.

That’s so nice~.
I love dresses too, so I think I’d like one, but... they’re just too expensive~.
I just can’t bring myself to spend that much money on clothes...

Anyway, this song.
I thought both the arrangement and the music video were very Björk-esque.

Especially the music video.

Cocco wrapped in roses, or Cocco dancing in a strange leotard.
I immediately had to comment on it.

That’s so Björk! (lol)

Summary

How was it?

This was Soranokanata, a Cocco fan for 22 years and a vocalist for 25 years (though an amateur), bringing you this from my own unique perspective and viewpoint.

I wanted to absorb even a little bit, so I tried to observe the fine details like Acchan’s breathing and how she keeps rhythm, but...
Gradually, I forgot about all that and found myself completely drawn into Cocco’s world.

And to see so many people gathered here with the desire to “hear Acchan sing.”
I think, wow, that’s amazing, and at the same time,
I can’t help but feel envious!

No matter how much Acchan thinks she “wants to quit singing.”
In the end, she’ll come back to singing anyway.
I wish she wouldn’t think about “wanting to quit” anymore.

That’s all from me, Soranokanata, reporting as I please☆