#hearing Wakana tear up always hits me right in the feels

[putschki1969]

『Wakana 5th Anniversary “Prologue” ～Premium Online Live～』

An exclusive streaming event will be held for fan club members to celebrate Wakana's 5th anniversary as a solo artist. She will be joined by Hirotaka Sakurada on piano. Please be sure to tune in!

‖Event details “Wakana 5th Anniversary “Prologue” ~Premium Online Live~” Date: February 6, 2024 Time: 18:30~ Starring: Wakana, Hirotaka Sakurada (Piano)

‖Ticket details Ticket sales: Bitfan Tickets Live streaming: Bitfan Live [Purchase period] January 10th to February 12th ●Event viewing ticket ¥3,800 (tax included) ※For FC members ONLY ※An archived version will be available for viewing at the streaming URL after the live broadcast. You can watch it until February 13th. ❗ Join her FAN CLUB NOW! Check out my detailed TUTORIAL ❗ In order to buy a ticket, please refer to the tutorial provided by Botanical Land! I have also written my own tutorial for a previous FC event so feel free to check that out! Bitfan is a very foreigner-friendly platform so be sure to use this opportunity!

Oh yes, I am excited for this. I think Wakana is planning to do a lot for her 5th Anniversary. Hopefully she can hold a proper tour. This event will definitely be a perfect "prologue". Also happy to see Saku-chan again.

2024/01/10 Blog post by Wakana おしゃべりガーデン第５回目！〜その１〜

❗This is Fan Club EXCLUSIVE content❗ ❗PERSONAL USE ONLY❗ Do ❗NOT SHARE❗ on other sites ❗Join her FAN CLUB! Check out my detailed TUTORIAL ❗

Talk Garden Vol. 5！〜Part 1〜

"Wakana's Talk Garden Vol.5" has been uploaded! This time, I intended to talk about both the messages I received on the talk theme and the comments on my latest blog post...but I just didn't have enough time😂💦 Just talking about the comments from my blog post ended up taking 45 minutes...😅 I didn't even mention the messages for the regular talk theme...😅 It's all because I don't prepare in advance with some sort of script or rough schedule🫠🫠I'm so sorry! ! 😂💦

Due to the length, I made a “Vol#5 Part①” in which I only talk about the blog comments🤣 “Vol#5 Part②” will be uploaded at a later date, on that podcast I will be focusing on reading the messages for the original talk theme 🧚✨

The comment section was full of everyone's thoughts and feelings, I had a really hard time reading through all of them, I actually cried so many times that I had a stuffy nose. Despite that, I am happy that you shared your thoughts with me, I felt like I could relate to everyone in my own way. Thank you so much.

When I read that many of you are seeking music as a source of comfort in times like this, I wanted nothing more than to sing for you right away. Which is why I was more than happy to be able to announce an online broadcast for February 6th. I would like to have a fun time with everyone at my first live show of this year, February 6th marks the 5th anniversary of my solo debut. I'm really looking forward to it! ! (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))

Oh, by the way. I forgot to announce the next talk theme during the new episode, the talk theme for "Talk Garden Vol.6" scheduled to air on February 10th will be: "Memories of Valentine's Day"! I can't wait to read all your sweet and funny stories, of course you can also send me all of your sad stories ! ＼＼\\٩( 'ω' )و //／／

Well, please enjoy the episode even though it's long♪

Until next time~☆( *'▽’*)／

＊＊＊Wakana＊＊＊

Wakana’s Talk Garden #4 & #5

❗This is Fan Club EXCLUSIVE content❗ ❗PERSONAL USE ONLY❗ Do ❗NOT SHARE❗ on other sites ❗Join her FAN CLUB! Check out my detailed TUTORIAL ❗

Episode #4 »»—— CLICK ME 🎁 CLICK ME ——«« Episode #5 Part 1 »»—— CLICK ME 🎁 CLICK ME ——««

Vol 4 Topic “Things I should do before the end of they year but somehow, I turn a blind eye to it”

Vol 5 Topic "Please let me hear your current thoughts"

For next month’s episode which is scheduled to air on February 10th, the topic is “Memories of Valentine's Day.” The submission deadline is 01/31.

[you-turn-it-into-light]

Wakana - magic moment (2020) Album Review

My girl releases another album less than a year after her first. What a hardworking woman! First, let’s do some overall thoughts:

I really love the title of this album, it’s a happy title for a mostly happy sounding album

I also love the cover, maybe even more than the ‘Wakana’ Album

Are those shoes the same ones from the Aki no Sakura EP?

I really love the diversity of sound in this album. One of my complaints of the first album was the lack of variety. I love me some ballads (70% of my playlist of all the music I listen to are sad songs) but it felt a bit stale after a while.

My complaints with Wakana’s singing is always going to be the same thing since her vocal delivery has not really changed technically that much. Her vibrato is actually quite nice as opposed to what some people would say as ‘Goat Wakana’ (great criticism I must say), especially at the end of 442, her lower register is gorgeous but has no support (as expected of a soprano) and her higher notes in her chest voice are quite nasally. Her falsetto however is quite grating on the ears (I’ll elaborate later)

Why is Orange on the album? To fill up space, that’s why (I get it, making an album is hard, but why not just leave it out? There’d still be 10 songs) And Wakana wrote the lyrics, I guess?

I’m really interested to see how some songs will be performed live with some overlapping vocals (in 442) and strings being in many of the songs (without a violinist for the upcoming live)

I listened to the album first when I was in a bit of a bad mood so everything seemed super average. I’m feeling a bit better about most of the songs. Also after reading the self-liner notes for the album and listening to the lyrics, I was able to appreciate some of the songs more.

Okay, now for the individual songs:

breathing 

(Lyrics: Wakana | Arrangement/Composition: Yumemi Kujira)

The orchestra sound is so gorgeous. At first it was weird hearing the japanese lyrics though lol. I like how they added different instruments for variety’s sake. The choir in the background was more hit or miss for me. During the first chorus is was really distracting but it was great for the rest of the song. My main problem is not the song itself but Wakana’s delivery of the falsetto; it’s very disconnected and screechy. It’s very hard to listen to and since the same chorus is repeated 4 times? It makes it a bit of a hard song to listen to overall. Wakana needs to develop better placement, breathing techniques and support when hitting notes in her head voice.

揺れる春 (Yureru Haru) 

Lyrics: Wakana |  Arrangement/Composition: Miki Sakurai

I don’t really like this song? The lyrics are quite nice, but it just feels like a plain upbeat song about being happy and reaching for goals and all that fun generic stuff. But what Wakana said in the self liner notes made me feel a bit better about the song:

“The hook’s 駆け出した (run off) and 君の叫び (your scream) are connected, right?”

“The urge to run off and shout. It’s exhilarating, and the canvas that you have now is white so you can draw freely and go with the urge. And the second verse’s 睫毛に触れたのは 昨日の自分の欠片 (What touched my eyelashes was the pieces of yesterday’s me) are about tears. The tears hit my eyelashes and one part stops there. The fragments that came out of itself include those that you pick up yourself (I had a hard time translating that sentence so I used google translate hehe). 

where 

Lyrics/Composition: AlbatoLuce | Arrangement: Akihito Takashi

I LOVE Wakana’s low register in this song and the verses. I also really like the acoustic guitar, it provides a really contrast to the more dance-centric feeling of the song. The first chorus still lacks the appropriate punch, but the key change for the second half of the song makes up for it. Also those ‘wooah’s’ are really awesome. Wakana’s voice during the 3rd verse (after the key change) is just gorgeous. 

442 

Lyrics: Wakana, Airi Okamoto | Arrangement/Composition: Koichi Ikekubo

I really wanted to know the meaning of the title, and apparently it’s the hertz sound of a baby crying for the first time!

“The lyrics are co-authored. First we talked about the subject (of the lyrics), we said “When we plan the song, let’s make the theme the reason why you started singing”. So when looking at the lyrics given to me, words came out from inside of me. In particular, the phrase 愛の声が聴こえた (I heard the voice of love) that Okamoto-san produced for us for the hook. [...] I thought that I was born to listen to the “voice of love”. And so, that singing voice is echoing throughout my whole body. It’s strange to cry with the same sound of when we were born. I wonder why? I thought about it, I was born to do something and I thought that your first cry was a singing voice that expressed it.”

I love the melody and instrumentation of this song, especially the chorus. The chorus holds an incredible amount of weight. Apart from her nasality, Wakana’s singing is quite solid throughout this song. I love Wakana’s ‘ai no’ at the last chorus. So much power! I also really like the violin and am disappointed that there won’t be any in the live... Also I love the last line 響き渡る歌声 (resounding singing voice) and the music stops when Wakana sings ‘singing voice’. I don’t have anything objective to say about it, I just adore that part.

ひらり ひらり (Hirari Hirari) 

Lyrics/Composition: Silence! | Arrangement: Mamoru Kuge

Bland... It might take me a few listens but I don’t know if I’ll like this song. Wakana’s singing during the verses is gorgeous, very clear and the melody of the verses and pre-choruses are lovely, but the chorus is really bland and forgettable. I like what Wakana said about the song though.

“It's a song for people who want to meet but can't meet, whether it’s because you can't meet because you're away or because you don't have the courage.”   

I’m in a long-distance relationship, so this song hits home a little bit. The lyrics are actually quite sad. If the whole song was like the verses I’d like it a lot more but the chorus is so uplifting...

アキノサクラ (Aki no Sakura) (Acoustic ver.)

Lyrics: Kei Saito, Yoshitaka Taira | Composition: Kei Saito | Arrangement: Toshio Uchida

I love the combo of bongos and accordion! There isn’t much to say about this song apart from the new instrumentation and the tempo. I really like the former but not really the latter. I don’t think I like it more than the original, but it’s a very nice song. The vocalisations during the bridge is also a pretty touch, especially when Wakana sings along with the music. and that ‘naite’ at the end was so emotional

myself

Lyrics/Composition: AlbatoLuce | Arrangement: Yoshifumi Ise

When I first heard this song, I thought it was BORING. On the second listen, I really liked it. Wakana’s voice is so gorgeous on this song. I love the melody of the line 壊れぬように抱きしめてた (I embraced it so it wouldn’t break). Her vibrato is a bit shaky with the delivery and her low register is not as clear as other tracks (but maybe that’s because of the mixing). Some of the strings sound synth, especially during the bridge but I’m not very sure. The parts with just the one violin instead of the quartet are my favourite bits of the instrumentation; it sounds really lonely. There’s nothing much else to say about it, a very solid song.

君だけのステージ

Lyrics: Wakana | Composition/Arrangement: Satoshi Takebe

I was disappointed. I really like this song and in my review of the live version I mentioned that her high register suits a song like this. But the way Wakana’s singing in the recorded version sounds different to me. The vowels are shaped in a way that sounds like a sadder song. Maybe this me being picky, but it took away from the happier experience. The nasality in her voice is the worst in this song, it literally sounds like she needs to sneeze and drink some water. Also the added noises (synth bells?) during the pre-chorus is very distracting. My review sounds very negative, but I really like this song and the lyrics are gorgeous. 

Happy Hello Day

Lyrics: Wakana | Composer: Akihiro Kasuga | Arrangement: Shu Kanematsu

At this point, the strings are really nice, even if they’re getting a bit old. But the piano during the verses is very cool... I really like the strings in the chorus and the melody of it too. The message of the song is quite sweet and easily applicable to anyone in every day life. These lyrics in particular:

手を叩き軽やかに Clap your hands lightly, 口笛吹いて whistling. ありふれた幸せで僕らはできてる We are made of ordinary happiness.

君が空を仰いで涙流し You look up at the sky, shedding tears. 息を詰まらせて動けなくなったら If you get short of breath and can't move, 此処に僕が居る I'm here.

These lyrics (for like the first 2 lines) are about a performer and the audience. Creating the atmosphere of a happy and chill live (clapping lightly, still listening to the music) and everyone being the same, even the performer. The second section reflects the way some people view performers and music to be an escape from their life. But it can also be interpreted as just an everyday person being happy to have met someone they like. I love how it’s so interchangeable and up for interpretation. 

magic moment

Lyrics: Wakana | Composer: SIRA | Arrangement: Shu Kanematsu

The strings are gorgeous (why no strings for the live????!!!!) and so are the verses. I particularly love the pre-chorus. The chorus however is quite bland and boring and the changing rhythm is a bit hard to grasp. The lyrics are lovely as well. I mean, I’m biased because Wakana wrote them. But I love these ones:

いつから夢も見ない大人になったの？ Since when did I become an adult that never dreamed? 最後の場所は決めたよ　さあ行こう I've decided on the last place. So, let's go!

The song is actually quite growing on me. I’m sure I’ll keep liking it but the chorus is still weighing it down. 

OVERALL:

I really like this album. An unimpressive first impression followed by a very nice second and third one. I’m impressed with the amount of variety in the songs and her singing is mostly solid. I just wish she would improve on different places and I’ll probably keep complaining about them. I think Wakana is liking the independence when it comes to helping the creation of these songs and I’m very happy for me. 

[hadi-sama]

Super Late Kalafina 10th Anniversary Live Report!

This was my first Kala live ever, basically a dream come true and I couldn't contain my happiness and nervousness! (Special thanks to @putschki1969 for all her tutorials, this wouldn't have been possible for me without her!) I arrived at the venue around 3 pm (3 hrs before the live, 1 hr after the goods sale has started), and my god, THAT QUEUE!! I've never seen such a queue in my entire life.. at this point I wondered if I could make it on time.. but I queued anyway, and I ended up buying for some of my friends too. Anyway, my turn finally came and it was 6:15 pm.. I freaked out and the fact that most of the things I wanted was sold out already did not help at all lol, so I ended up pointing at stuff to the salesperson like a maniac and my hands were shaking when i tried to get out my money xD Now less than 10 mins are left!! I ran to the first floor and thankfully some staff guided me to my seat. The view was great and my seat was the first in the line so there were just stairs to my right, meaning I had extra space to jump around. The lights started dimming, music started playing, and I started shaking xD The girls came up on stage on a platform and I clapped and screamed like a maniac. Now to the actual concert: 01.ring your bell: Hikaru and Keiko started out okay, Wakana joined and was flat AF xD I was like noooo Wakana please don't continue like this, and thankfully she adjusted and became perfect. Wakana actually sounded so good I was quite surprised, and her 2nd high "beeeeeell" sounded great and perfectly pitched, much better than their other live releases. I don't like this song, but was a good warm up for them I guess.. 02.未来: Almost everyone in the venue stood up and got excited for this. 03.lirica: This was extremely unexpected for me, I remember dropping my jaw when Keiko announced it in the MC, and I also remember hearing ppl around me saying huuuh in surprise.. My god, was this a perfect performance in every way.. Wakana was pitch-perfect and sounded SO GOOD in her verses!!! Keiko harmonized perfectly too, and Wakana's high chorus was great too, and Hikaru's harmonization was so good. Now to the Kajiurago bridge.. KEIKO KILLED IT!!! Was so deep and filled Budokan!! I really wanted to jump/scream/clap after her solo, but wouldn't be appropriate for this kind of song lol. Great great great performance. Bonus thoughts: The strings in the verses were great, and it was so fun to look at the band picking their strings in this part! I hope they show some footage of them in the release! 04.満天: YES!! MANTEN!! was a nice follow-up to Lirica. Wakana sounded great (at this point I realised that Wakana will dominate this live) Hikaru was fine. Keiko was good in her solo, but I really miss the way she used to sing it in 2012-2013 with some vibrato to "deshoooou", but it sounded good anyway. 05.屋根の向こうに: I have only heard this song once or twice in my life lol, was quite surprised to see it make an appearance! I didn't know it was popular at all! 06.光の旋律: I know this song is overplayed, but I really enjoy it, and was happy to see it. Hikaru was good in her verses, much like 9+one. Wakana was great, Keiko was great too (but kinda loud and screaming at times) and her solo was good also. Hikaru's high harmonies were great (a few flats here and there, so those of you who think that her high harmonies in this song are always playback, they are NOT playback). Bonus thoughts: The flute was so good, I'm so happy that Akagi-san was there, 07.storia: Eh.. I don't like this song, but they were good. 08.夏の林檎: WHAT?!!! NATSU NO RINGO?!?! At this point I wondered if this was real xD Too many surprise appearances so far!! And they performed it the way they did in Red Day, with Wakana and Hikaru switching parts. 09.serenato: So.. the accordion started.. and I definitely realised it was Serenato (there were minor hints in the solo). I KNEW they'd perform this! My happiness could not be contained!! THAT PERCUSSION THO!! They started with their kajiurago, THEY ALL KILLED IT!! Hikaru sang using her falsetto, and it was on point, provided a more calming atmosphere to the song than her old regular voice singing (tho way less fierce). Wakana was on fiiiiiirrrrrreeeeeeeeee!! It was obvious that she was enjoying this song!! Keiko was great in her harmonies, and Hikaru as well. I REALLY can't wait for the live release!! 10.ARIA: Oh shit.. The moment of truth.. My heart started pounding so hard..  This is one of my absolute fav songs and I have a strong emotional connection to it! The song started in a lower key, as expected (one key lower). Hikaru started singing.. HER VERSES WERE SO GOOD!! The lower key really suits the song and makes it sound way more tragic, sad and lonely. She sang in a very very very sad and broken way, and you can actually see all those feelings in her face :( Wakana and Keiko were also great with their harmonies. Wakana sang her chorus lines beautifully. Solid performance overall, my favorite ARIA ever. Bonus thoughts: I really love this new ARIA, and prefer Hikaru's way of singing here and this key over the old one, it suits the lyrics way more, It brought tears to my eyes and made me cry like a baby. The cello was more present, and really added to the song’s atmosphere. Percussion was very very very good, it's good to finally see this song with percussion!! 11.sprinter: wait what Sprinter NOW this early in the setlist why xD?!?! Hikaru did good (I especially LOVE how she sang the “Kaze ni..” verse. Keiko was on point, a bit loud at times tho. Wakana was great. 12.oblivious: Of course, wouldn't be an anniversary live without it. Hikaru started in falsetto (like 9+one), she was so good. Wakana and Keiko were great, and their "itsuka kimi to.." part was very emotional. Solid performance. 13.傷跡: Another surprise appearance!! Was a great performance by all three, Hikaru was great with her high harmonies, Wakana and Keiko also great with their solos and harmonies. This live can't get any better; I thought to myself. 14.君が光に変えて行く: YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!! MY FAV SONG UGH SOMEONE HELP I CAN'T!! But then.. Keiko sings with her cutesy voice. Someone needs to tell Keiko to stop using that voice forever, please. Wakana DELIVERED!! Aaaaah Wakana was so good!! :(((  Hikaru’s harmonies were on point. Great performance EXCEPT WHEN KEIKO WAS USING THAT CUTESY VOICE. Sorry I'm still mad about it and can't get over it. 15.カンタンカタン: This is too much, at this point I got overwhelmed by the amount of good songs in this live. Wakana sounded MUCH BETTER than the studio version!! Hikaru's solo was nice. Keiko AGAIN used her fake cutesy voice for her solo :((( to me, that's basically the highlight of the song, so I was very disappointed, even though she hit her notes perfectly. I know in the studio version there are hints of cutesy in her solo, but it didn't matter much. Anyway, solid performance overall and Wakana sounded kinda more sad. 16.symphonia: Not a fan of this song, didn't pay much attention. 17.red moon: YeeeeY finally a song I voted for! I was so excited and scared at the same time, cuz their last performance of this song (arena) was so dead. Hikaru and Keiko's kajiurago start was perfect, Wakana started singing and.. was kinda lacking energy.. Keiko's harmonising was SO GOOD throughout the whole song. Hikaru sounded kinda tired but was doing her best. Keiko's final solo was great and gave me goosebumps. Wakana's delivery lacked energy overall, but she hit all her highs and lows perfectly. 18.adore: What? Is this AE Live xD? Was a nice performance overall. 19.to the beginning: I like this song, I know it's overplayed but it was my introduction to Kalafina, so it has a special place in my heart. Was a solid performance for such a hard song.

20.progressive: I also knew this would be performed, the stage got lit in rainbow colors, was so cool. A solid performance by all three! Hikaru was able to perform this song and did so well! I enjoyed this performance. 21.音楽: Of course, wouldn't be a Kalafina Live without Ongaku xD Was a nice performance with a MAJOR WaKei moment <3333 Keiko ran to Wakana right before her solo and jumped on her and hugged her so hard xD was super cute!! All 3 were great, and my god this is my fav Wakana-Ongaku ever!! Her solo WAS SO GOOD! The band introductions this time were nice, not as boring as they were before.

 Bonus thoughts: Wakana was REALLY having fun, dancing so hard and jumping around.. I've never seen her this excited before.

22.heavenly blue:  A solid performance. 23.into the world: I can't get myself to like this song. Solid performance by all three tho. 24.君の銀の庭 Accordion solo ver. ～ nightmare ballet (inst): I'm sorry but I took this chance to run to the restroom xD (sorry if this sounded disrespectful but I REALLY had to go :’(  25.ひかりふる: Started with a piano solo, and the girls came in with wedding dresses.. I was like WTF why the wedding dresses xD they were nice anyway and fit the song. The song started with just Wakana and the piano.. was absolutely wonderful and breathtaking :(((( they all sounded more emotional! The drums and the whole band kicked in together right before Hikaru's "hakanasugite.."!! WAS SO GOOD!! Major goosebumps! Keiko's "mabushii asaaaaaaaa.." was great, but I think she held it longer in the Arena Live. Beautiful beautiful performance. 26.百火撩乱: So Akagi-san came, and started playing a flute solo, very Japanese-sounding, so I knew what the next song would be. The girls started taking off some parts of their wedding dresses to reveal their "real dresses" under lol. I still laugh at how Hikaru was throwing away her wedding dress like a piece of trash xD Anyway, the instrumental part started, and the stage was illuminated in red. Keiko started her lines (Wakana didn't harmonise "yume wo miteeeeee"), Keiko was nice.. but I prefer how she sang in the studio version :/ I don't know how to explain it, but in the studio version, she sang like "naitaaa, omottaaa, kittooo, yoru nooo", but here in this live she ended them very abruptly and suddenly, like "naiTa, omoTTa, kiTTo, yoru No". In other words, the last syllables of those words were 3 three times shorter than the studio version, and that annoyed me so much, made the verses sound less powerful. (I hope someone actually understood what I meant xD). Hikaru sounded nice. Wakana, sang wonderfully, and took less breaths in the chorus, which sounded better for the song. Keiko's "yaibaaaaa" was much better and longer than the studio version. (Forgive my super picky and detailed review of this performance, but HR one of my favs and I spent a long time to cover this song so I know pretty much everything about this song in detail.) Bonus thoughts: The flute was super good. 27.アレルヤ: A perfect ending song to the concert. Was a very emotional performance, and all three delivered beautifully, and the WaHi harmonies were great this time. I also like Hikaru in this song. Keiko really did sing well here too. My fav Alleliua performance ever. So the concert ended, and the girls looked super duper emotional and moved, Wakana cried in her speech, Keiko took a few deep breaths before her speech and spoke with a super shaky voice then turned her face away and cried, Hikaru was smiling and waving to the audience section by section. Overall, a very solid concert, I am so happy I got to experience such a concert, solid setlist, solid performance, and more songs than usual. Highlights: ARIA, Serenato, Lirica, KantanKatan, Kimi ga, Natsu no Ringo. General Notes: - For such an event, I expected way more in terms of stage production and crowd involvement, but oh well they made up for that with the extra squeezed in songs. - Wakana was on fire pretty much the whole concert, she literally dominated, and was having a good time and dancing around and having fun. I really couldn't take my eyes off her. I hope they show more of her in the live release. - Keiko was great too, she harmonised perfectly and delivered her solo lines greatly (except for when she used her FAKE CUTESY voice). Was sometimes screaming and singing loudly tho. - Hikaru sounded good on some songs and tired on some, but you could definitely see that she was doing her best. (It was really cold that day and I’m almost sure she had a cold) - The first dresses were nice, though Wakana's dress was my personal favorite, it looked much much much much much better in real life than in pics, it was sparkly and elegant, it fit her perfectly. Keiko's dress was okay, nothing special in my opinion but the colors were super nice, reminded me of their 2014 tour dresses. Hikaru's dress was very very nice, but I didn’t like the baggy sleeve, would've looked much better if it was fitted. - I don't know what to think of the wedding dresses, a part of me likes them and the other part thinks they're over the top and unnecessary. They made more sense when they took them off, Wakana looked so weird though with her long skirt lol, the other two were very nice. - I was sure they'd play Marchen in its REAL version with the flute this time, but nope I was wrong. I'm too disappointed, I really wanted to see it live and it's a recent song and has only been performed in one tour while INTO THE WORLD has been performed way more. Also no Magia or Destination Unknown made me sad, I really wanted to see Hikaru sing them live :( - Budokan is such a beautiful venue inside-out! I imagined it to be MUCH MUCH bigger inside but it turned out to be way smaller than I imagined xD. - The percussion added A LOT of depths to some songs! Percussion should really be a staple in their tours.

[destination-kalafina]

Favorite Lives Masterpost

Last update: 5/7/17

So I originally had this as a page I created in my descriptions, but I decided to make a master post bc.....

I want to hear about everyone else’s favorite lives!!!!!! ^_^

As we all know, Kalafina’s lives are as good, if not better than many of their studio versions. Because they are AMAZING!!!!

Anyways.... ヽ(　･∀･)ﾉ 

Here are some of my favorite Kalafina performances and why I like them ♡

I included a few FictionJunction ones as well because there are some good WaKei harmonies in them, and they are just quality songs overall.

Please let me know if any of the links don’t work anymore! Sometimes they get taken down from the websiteヾ(｡﹏｡)ﾉﾞ

___________________________________________________________________

Kalafina

“Natsu no Ringo” - Red Moon LIVE 2010 Well first of all, this is like the only Natsu no Ringo live there is (or that I can find) and it makes me sad because I really love this song. Nonetheless, I love this live because Hikaru was given one of Wakana’s solos at 1:33 and slays it in my opinion, but I also love how it contrasts with Wakana’s at 3:22. This one really brings out the metallic-ness of Hikaru’s voice that I love, but hearing Wakana take over at the end makes me feel very relaxed in a way.

“Ongaku” - LIVE 2016 I always love their Ongaku lives because of how pumped they get, but this one is my favorite. I think Keiko looks hot and the WaKei moments at 0:14 and 2:22 kill me >.< Wakana’s solo is also epic on this stage.

“Sprinter” - Red Moon LIVE 2010 There are several Sprinter lives out there on the internet, but I think this is my favorite one of them all. Keiko looks so genuinely happy here I can’t help but almost be moved to tears. They seem very connected to the audience here more than other lives of this song and it just makes me smile very big.

“Hikari no Senritsu” - Consolation Special Final LIVE 2013 Hikari no Senritsu is another one of my favorite Kalafina songs! I’ve seen a few lives of this also but this one is my favorite because I think the balance is perfect and they all sing very on point. Hikaru’s high harmony during the chorus stands out more than other lives I seen, and I love it because that’s not something we get to hear often. They look very beautiful in a simple way as well, and I really like watching them in this.

“Kyrie” - Red Moon LIVE 2010 Kyrie is probably one of my top five favorite Kalafina songs. I love Keiko’s harmonies in this, especially around 1:06, and Hikaru’s emotion in her solo parts. Wakana’s voice also carries very well, and overall this song just gets me very pumped.

“Lacrimosa” and “Magia” - Kitakyushu LIVE 2011 These by no means are their best performance of these songs at all, but that is in fact why I love them so much. Wakana’s voice is very strained here, but that is because she was very sick and had the flu. Yet, she decided to perform anyways and I admire her so much for that. Everyone knows even when I have a minor cold all I want to do is lay in bed and sleep. This shows how dedicated and serious Wakana is about Kalafina. Plus, she doesn’t sound that bad either. I am also impressed by how well Keiko and Hikaru can hold their harmonies even when Wakana is a little off key. These girls are so talented!

“Magia” - LIVE Okay, so this video was my second Kalafina live video, and as soon as I watched the first minute where the girls walk through the audience I knew I had already fallen deep into the abyss of Kajiura land. I remember thinking “Alright, these girls are BADASS.” I also love how Magia brings out the gritty Hikaru voice we don’t always get to hear. She really rocks this song. 

“Neverending” - LIVE 2011 There’s not really any particular reason I like this, but they do a good job. Most of their lives are better than their studio version, in my opinion. Hikaru sounds good here also, not that she ever sounds bad (´∀｀)♡

“Door” - Consolation Special Final LIVE 2013 THIS, my friends, THIS is the video that made me see Keiko in a new light. I wish the studio version had her flawless rifts at the end because I have never had this kind of sensation while listening to music!! I didn’t know the girl could move from her deep contralto to a falsetto so easily, and I was so in awe of it. Additionally, all of the girls’ voices sound very smooth in this live. I wish there was more than this one live of this song that I could find.

“Heavenly Blue” - Anisama LIVE 2014 Heavenly Blue has been and probably always will be my favorite Kalafina song. That being said, I had to find a live worthy of what this song is and this is my favorite performance of it. I think the audience is really cool in this one because they all have glow sticks, and the stage they are on is huge. All of their vocals are pretty on point as well, and I really like the choreography. It is highly probable that this is my most-watched Kalafina live.

“Heavenly Blue” - Studio LIVE This was my first Kalafina live video and the one that got me into them. It’s definitely not one of their best performances of this song sound-wise but this video will always have a special place in my heart.

“Alleluia” - LIVE 2016 Woah, this performance of Alleluia is very moving and gorgeous. The girls hit the nail on the head. When I first watched it, I was like “woah is Keiko doing an a cappella solo of this?” Then when the other two showed up I was like “woah are they all doing an a cappella of this?” Then when the music finally showed I was already in awe so it didn’t really matter. Keiko really carries her solo almost perfectly for stripping the music, and I really love the kimonos and traditional atmosphere of this live. The girls really sang this one with emotion.

“Alleluia” - 日本武道館 LIVE 2015 You have to skip to around 16:30 to find this performance, but it is worth it because this has to be the most perfect Kalafina performance of all time. All of the girls’ voices are flawless here, they look beautiful, and the scenery/backdrop is gorgeous and fitting for an already beautiful song. Not to mention the skinships between Keiko and the other two in this（*’∀’人）♥ They seem in such a state of bliss during this performance and it really is like the angels are singing down to me.

“Blaze” - 日本武道館 Arena LIVE 2016 I believe this was the third live of theirs that I watched and I like this live because this was the one that finally allowed me to distinguish whose voice was whose (#^.^#) I also love their energy and their dresses here.  

FictionJunction

In the Land of Twilight, Under the Moon - LIVE After exploring more their lives more, FictionJunction has quickly grown on me, and some of their performances/covers of songs have quickly become some of my favorite songs of all time. This is one of them. It was the first FictionJunction live that I saw and I was obsessed with it! This performance hits you at full force as soon as it starts and keeps you engaged until the very last second. Honestly, the lyrics make no sense but the song is catchy as hell and the polyphony is absolutely mind blowing. This is also the best live performance of this song in my opinion because the girls are so close to each other and are full of energy.

My Long Forgotten Cloistered Sleep - LIVE The beat to this song, especially the slow march-sounding one at the beginning, really makes me feel some type of way. They actually do pretty well singing this in English, and Wakana does an amazing job carrying the song. The WaKei harmonies are also very nice.

Gaika - LIVE 2014 This is my second favorite WaKei harmony. I think Keiko’s harmonies are very mesmerizing and I love this dark attitude she gives out. She always looks so cute in FictionJunction videos because she seems so tiny compared to giant Kaori. Wakana does a beautiful job as always. This song just really sounds empowering also and it is one of my favorite Kajiura creations.

Kimi ga Ita Monogatari - LIVE 2014 THIS IS MY FAVORITE WAKEI HARMONY OF ALL TIME!!!!!! This song is like, my WaKei theme. And it might very well be my favorite Kajiura creation aside from Heavenly Blue. I don’t know why but this song just really hits me. There’s a longing feeling to it that I think Wakana and Keiko, especially Keiko, carry out very well. Not to mention the *very subtle* WaKei moment from 4:07 - 4:10, and then the big one at 4:22. Their harmony from this point is very beautiful and I could listen to it all day. A secondary note, I love the very little sly glance to the right Keiko does at 5:24 that you can easily miss while Wakana finishes her note. My little fantasizing brain can’t help but think it’s a proud look. Like “Yep. That’s my girl.” AHHHHH I LOVE THEM.

[putschki1969]

『Wakana Botanical Land “Summer Party 〜TALK&MINI LIVE〜"』Live Commentary

Wakana’s event is about to start. As always I will be providing my live reaction. If you are interested, there is still time to get a ticket.

Tweet 1 by Wakana | Tweet 2 by Wakana | Instagram post by Wakana

『Wakana Botanical Land “Summer Party ～ TALK &MINI LIVE ～”』 【Date】2022/7/18 【Day Performance】 Open 14:30 Start 15:00 【Evening Performance】 Open 17:30 Start 18:00

‖Ticket Details Ticket Seller：Bitfan Ticket Live Stream Platform：Bitfan Live Purchase Period: 7/8～7/21 ●【FC Limited】Event Viewing Ticket  ¥3,500 per performance ※The archived version can be viewed as soon as it is ready after the broadcast has ended. You can watch it until July 25. ❗ Join her FAN CLUB NOW! Check out my detailed TUTORIAL ❗ Japanese tutorial for BITFAN | My tutorial for BITFAN

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OMG, Wakana is wearing a super gorgeous and flattering dress!! Will have to look for it ASAP! Found it! XD Oh!!! Outfit change for the evening performance! YAY! Another Snidel dress!

Flag: YESSSS! We are getting a live version of Flag! Was hoping for this!! And she sounds great!!!!! Precious baby forgot her lyrics again during the bridge *pats* This was sung with a studio background track. The second time around her performance was honestly flawless!!! Loved everything about it!! Such a good song!! She already sounds less nervous. Guess after not singing for quite some time, it takes her a while to warm up again XD

Yureru Haru: Yurie-chan joins her on stage for this. Love her piano arrangement. This was super lovely!

Kioku no Hito [DAY]/Yuuyake [NIGHT]: OMG, it’s been so long! Have missed this so much! One of my faves from her first album! A tiny bit shaky but I still love it! Yes, a little setlist change!! Super sweet as always! But again, she struggled with the lyrics. Seems to be the theme of this event. She deals with it professionally every time though! Maybe her brain is scrambled due to the heat XD

Odoriko (cover) [DAY]/ Hikōki-gumo (cover) [NIGHT]: Original by Kōzō Murashita. Ohhhh! Never heard this before but Wakana’s cover is great! Didn’t expect another setlist change. So happy to hear more Ghbili! The original of Hikōki-gumo is by Yumi Matsuto.

Aitakute Ima (cover): Original by MISIA. Will have to listen to it again. Okay, hearing it for a second time helped so much! It’s often hard for me to get into songs when I am hearing them for the first time. But this time I tried to focus on the lyrics and oh boy, this hit me right in the feels.

Inochi no Namae (cover): YESSSSS!!! One of my faves from her cover album! Her singing in this always tears me up. A true blessing for my ears! Absolutely beautiful! Poor baby once again forgot her lyrics tho.

Happy Hello Day: Can’t believe that I still haven’t heard this live at a venue T_T Might not have been my favourite track of the album but it’s such a perfect song for a live performance. Beautiful

Flag (Encore) [NIGHT]: *laughs* Okay, the hype for this must be huge if she is singing it twice. I don’t mind though, the live version is amazing! Maybe she is making up for her slip-up during the day performance

During the Talk Corner Wakana and Yurie shared some memories from their summer breaks as a children. And she later apologised that there wasn’t a lot of talking involved in the event because she wanted to focus on singing. The event was over way too quickly, I think it was just an hour T_T But oh well, loved her choices for the setlist. Wonder if she will be changing up a few things for the evening performance. Seems like she is planning to talk a little more XD She is definitely talking more this time around. She remembers going to the see with her friend and receiving weird looks because she was covered from head to toe. Taking care of your skin is very important though so she tries her best to not let her skin be exposed to the sun.