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UK, Greece, Ukraine
What a crazy tour! It was totally hard, but amazing as well.
A few a days before the show in London, I arrived in the UK and headed to Brighton. From the very first day, I headed directly to the studio for rehearsals, and it felt like there wasn't a second to breathe. I didn't even have the time to be jet lagged. Starting with Ben and my close friend Greg, it was great to see all the members who I haven't met in a while and are as close to me as family.
With JUNO, you never know what's going to happen, whether during rehearsals or performances. There actually is a song list, but Ben changes the order while he's on stage, and everyone starts suddenly improvising, so I have to do all I can to stay on my toes. It's insane not to know even which song is coming next, seriously!!
The rehearsal on the first day in London went really well, so I felt pretty good about the whole thing. Compared with Japan, being over there is a lot more relaxed, so it's also a lot harder to settle things and make arrangements (>_< . But even though it was pretty cold, the atmosphere was really exciting, with an awesome mood. The two Indian dancers were spectacular, and I guess it was good to have the rare chance to hear Pistolero played on a Strat, since it started suddenly and I didn't even have a chance to change guitars… And a special thanks goes out to the people who came all the way from Burningham.
Then, we suddenly went to Athens the next day. The two days in the UK and Greece were so incredibly hard. Right at the end of the London show, we headed to the airport and took off for Greece that morning. And when we arrived, we went right to the venue. I was barely able to sleep as we were traveling, and I seriously wondered if I was going to die (>_<. But being in my beloved Athens again was great, and the show in Greece was crazy! There were about 4,000 people in the audience, and they got really into it, so the show turned out really well! I got to know some of the people enjoying the show, and found some great new friends. I'm so glad to have had chance meetings like that.
In Athens, we got to have a brief rest. I was ecstatic to be able to take the time to visit the Acropolis, Philopappos, and the Plaka, which I haven't been to in a long time. I felt like I was coming home for the first time in about 8 years. I love Greece's sky, sun, land, greenery, ocean, momuments…and of course the food too. It really moved me that everything was still as it was before.
On the way to the Acropolis, the old taxi driver asked us where we had come from, and that was great too. Greg, Squid, Mandla, and I were in the car, so of course we answered, "America and Jamaica and South Africa and Japan." Everyone cracked up, because obviously there aren't many bands like ours. We're a united family that goes beyond national boundaries and race. After that, we were asked the same question at the hotel and in other taxis, and we just started saying "from the whole world." It was great.
As we go beyond boundaries and become one, the world is all worked up with the issue of China's treatment of Tibet. The Olympic Torch relay faces all sorts of difficulties, and things are happening even in Japan. Even though it's so easy for us to use music to become one, why are people and countries still involved in so much conflict? Why is everything influenced by aggression, possession, and owning land? We so badly want to make the world evolve through our music…
After spending a wonderful time with my new friends and the families who extended invitations to us, we were off to Ukraine. I was really looking forward to it, since it was my first visit. And although it was scorching hot in Greece, in Ukraine it was still the middle of winter. My body definitely couldn't handle the temperature difference (^_^.
And Kiev was amazing too! Not just there, but all the former Soviet Union countries are amazing. I could definitely feel that the country was moving forward, and that their culture is blooming at an incredible speed. The towns and the stores overflowed with a green, positive energy. And there were lots of beautiful women, too. The Ukrainian food (Russian food?) and vodka were great. Even though there were some serious problems with my head during such a show, it was a great atmosphere. I really think that the relationships between each member are amazing. And the audience must have felt it, because they were putting out a strong power as well. And I was so amazed and thankful to see lots of fans that had spent over 20 hours coming from Moscow to see us.
In Ukraine, I had an unbelievably powerful experience. It was so shocking that I'll have to write about it in the future.
Boundaries between countries, culture, and race are disappearing. I've experienced the wonderful moment of becoming one with everyone so many times, and I want to turn up the pace from now on. I want lots of people to understand our true music, intentions, and ideals. Feeling this anew, I returned to Tokyo, on the twelfth April 27th since that day…for what is going to happen on May 4.
SUGIZO
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02.05.2008 в 02:50А про unbelievably powerful experience, про который он собирается написать в будущем, это, случайно не про нас?
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02.05.2008 в 02:57А это где-то близко. Мы - дети Чернобыля)
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02.05.2008 в 03:02А это где-то близко. Мы - дети Чернобыля)
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02.05.2008 в 11:27пусть еще приезжает х)
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02.05.2008 в 22:44аа!!! кто спаивал Сугизо?? >.<
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03.05.2008 в 14:51а вообще английский у него и правду зашибезный, я читал и прозревал))) в редакторов не верится, а душа радуется, что он такой молодчина *да, в этом вопросе я пока побуду идеалистом*