JAM Project Paris Live

Fans who follow their official web site may know that the most legendary anime song group, JAM Project, was in France and Spain last weekend, to give their final concerts of the “World Flight 2008 No Border” tour.
Completely into their latest album “Get over the Border”, and charmed by their live concert DVD (picture below), as a big fan of these “Japanese Animation song Makers”, I had to seize this unbeliveable oportunity of seeing them in my own country.
So here we go, JAM Project in Paris, reported by a French fanboy.

First of all, this concert was scheduled within a little convention about Japanese culture : Chibi Japan Expo. But well, like almost all Japan related festivals, this one was just similar to a huge supermarket for anime, manga and video game goodies. That is why I am not really fond of this kind of event. Tones of commercial displays, lot of brats monopolizing video game stands… and traditionnal cosplay / karaoke contests where it always seem to be the same costumes and songs.
Though, being in Paris (the capital) has the advantage to attract famous artists, like Ohba Kenji (Uchuu Keiji Gyaban), Ditama Bow (Mahoromatic) etc… and JAM Project!

I would never have thought I would have the chance to see them … even less here in France!
The funny thing is that about one month before the event, when I was not aware of their coming yet, some friends invited me to this convetion. I said only a concert with famous Japanese singers like Mizuki Nana or JAM Project could make me attend such a festival. And when they told me JAM Project was actually coming, I became speechless and ran looking for further information on the web! I just received a huge rise of adrenalin at that time ^^;
Though, I was really sceptical since the concert became official - in other words listed on JAM Project’s website - only one week before the scheduled date. But it finally occured!

The concert was fantastic! Kitadani Hiroshi, Endoh Masaaki, Okui Masami, Fukuyama Yoshiki, Kageyama Hironobu… all of them spent a lot of energy setting the public on fire with great songs, JAM Project’s ones and few others from each artist solo career repertoire. (detailed song list a little further)

A lot of eye-contacts, tones of generous smiles and laughs, pointing fingers etc… This concert was so much fun, with a JAM Project group as awesome as I have always imagined. I dreamed about all that many times the week before the event, and it is like every thing really happened. Such a delightful moment!

The stage was definitely too small though, which is sad for people in the back. No complain from me however, since I was very close to them, practically on first line ^^
Well, I queued up a long time for that. About 5 hours, but I definitely don’t regret it! (and I had a lot of animes to watch on my ipod to kill the time hehe)

(Makkun during “Rinbu Revolution” performance – I kindda like this picture ^^)

Here is the full song list of the most wonderful concert I have ever attended ^^

Crest of Z’s
STORMBRINGER
Nageki no Rosario
Break Out
GARO – Savior in the Dark

We gotta Power (Kageyama only)
Yusha-oh Tanjou (Endoh only)
Rinbu Revolution (Okui only)
We are (Kitadani only)
King Gainer Over! (Fukuyama only)
Soldier Dream (Kageyama only)

No Border
Genkai Battle
VICTORY
SOULTAKER
GONG

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
SKILL

For folks wondering which are my favorites, here’s the answer : Break Out, VICTORY, SOULTAKER. Possible to count GONG and SKILL as well ^^;
There are some other songs like Rocks and Battle Communication !! I really enjoy, but I guess not everything could have been sung hehe.

As you can see, the concert was split by a great interlude, featuring each JAM Project member one after another during which they sang titles from their respective solo career.
And at the end, during a little speech where all were expressing their feeling about the show, Kitadani said he was really surprised and pleased to see so many folks singing “We are” with him. He thought he would be alone on that song, but the whole public supported him.
Hey! Huge community of fans over here too ^^ I think “King Gainer Over!” was the less well known title among the “solo part”. Though we were a bunch agitating our arms to reproduce the stupid dance move just like in the anime opening ^^ And I think Fukuyama appreciated it since he asked the public to do it again on the second time.
I tore off my voice on “Yusha-oh Tanjou” ^^ DIVIIIDIIIIING DRIIIIIIIIVVEEEEEEEERR!! xD
I was looking for this song so much hehe.
“Rinbu Revolution” was beautiful. It is just that after earing it sang by both Okui Masami and Mizuki Nana during Animelo 2007, it is hard to have something greater now I guess ^^; But I am just quibbling hehe.

“No Border” has been sung in English. Big shock!! And it was even worse to try to understand it, instead of the original version. But well, I understand why they decided to sing it in English, since this song represents their hope for the world’s future. The only disappointment, since I love this tune.

Another funny thing happened. To end the concert, Kageyama asked us which song we wanted to hear. It was just after “SOULTAKER”, and I heard later that in fact, “Hagane no Messiah” was foreseen.
But we were a lot who started to shout “GONG! GONG! GONG!” and I think they were quite surprised and did not expected that ^^;
I’d have liked to hear “Hagane no Messiah” too though, especially because Endoh has such a great moment during this song, but well… “GONG” is also an inescapable title. Too sad both songs could not have been played.

(during “No Border”)

For the encore, Kageyama supported by the rest of the band performed a classic but great “CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA”, and then, the concert finally ended on legendary “SKILL”.
In a word : wonderful! ^^

Last funny moment, at the end, Kitadani “updated” his joke about the Osaka Tsutenkaku Tower (those who have seen the Japan Flight 2008 No Border bonus DVD may understand), replacing it with our proud French symbol, the Eiffel Tower ^^; Awesome reference, I really appreciated that! Thanks for the laugh Kitadani-san!

Then afterward, I managed to have my “Get Over the Border” album booklet signed. Fukuyama’s self-caricature is really funny ^^
Was also able to take a picture of each member, and had a really generous handshakes. So moved that the only thing I could say was “Thank you so much!” or something like that, but it was a fantastic moment!
Makkun has such a lovely voice, gentle smile and her hands seemed so fragile… Got a lot of thrills when I shook hands with her ^^
Endoh is such a funny guy. If I had to choose a member of JAM Project as my favorite, that would be him I think. It is so much fun watching his performance, with that special style of him. And I love that pose he took for the picture. Exactly what I expected. Thank you Endoh-san!

Brought back the blue/yellow t-shirt specially made for the European tour, with the label “in Paris & Barcelona” printed in the back. Too sad there were not other JAM Project goodies, like towel, scarf etc… but well, nevermind ^^;

Ahh I can’t find any word strong enough to express how wonderful this experience was. It was such a great event in a fan life time. Thanks JAM Project! Thank you so much for having offered your European fans such great concert! Hope you will be back in our lovely countries for even more magnificent shows! - not sure they will read that, but who knows haha