You may also like
Audio tweaked.
Fourth show of this 50th anniversary tour at the 19,800 (concert) seat Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada. Bassist Mike Levine was not at this show as well (it was announced prior to start of ticket sales that he would be at select shows; he's been recovering from whatever health issues that he has had). Additionally, from various interviews the band members have done over the past several months, these productions are meant to scale (a few of the larger arena sized shows are supposed to have a larger production). The added members was also a known; it's an acknowledgement they needed assistance to cover parts which they can no longer do by themselves (having also been out of any sort of long term touring with this level of production since 1988).
Guitarist Rik Emmett also was very transparent in various interviews from the time of the announcement that he'd be letting guitarist Phil X take the lead (guitars and vocals). Even since Emmett's last solo shows (well over 7 years ago), his vocal range has definitely gotten lower (he therefore sang a lot of those songs in a lower key). One of the other reasons he retired was the arthritis he's been experiencing in his hands (you wouldn't know it from these first shows). As he also mentioned in those interviews, he's long wanted to see drummer Gil Moore out front singing lead for those songs he sang lead on (now that they have a second drummer to also fill in for parts that Moore can no longer do, that allows him to do that). And Moore did a few (with a little bit of awkwardness to it).
Some of the rough edges from the U.S. shows were ironed out (they didn't have their usual techs and sound person for those two shows). For those expecting that old 3/4 piece Triumph with Emmett belting out those high notes, this is not what these shows are about. It really is about overcoming the past split, the unlikelihood that they would even go back out on tour again (after the two shows in 2008), and then finding a new formula that would work which would allow them to perform some of these songs live again.
For those of us who have long been fans of this band, just seeing them playing together in some capacity is a fitting way to put a bookend to their career. The music they created has most definitely endured where seeing these initial shows (imperfect as it may be) and seeing Rik and Gil having fun, was really the highlight. And the other three guys; they could definitely carry on the Triumph legacy if Gil, Mike, and Rik give their blessing. I know for purists, it's not the same without the original members (like there are many who see this as a glorified cover band and that maybe it shouldn't have happened). Myself, I see this as them at least trying to give their dedicated fans that one bookending tour.
(credits: FTCS.T)
Fernandes FST-60 (rhythm), Jackson Solist (lead)
Guest lipsync (but not synced exactly on purpose) + "dance" appearance by Shii (video clips recorded when playing this song)
Tweaked audio
Lyrics:
Something's at the edge of your mind
You don't know what it is
Something you were hoping to find
But you're not sure what it is
Then you hear the music
And it all comes crystal clear
The music does the talking
Says the things you want to hear
I'm young, I'm wild and I'm free
Got the magic power of the music in me
I'm young, I'm wild and I'm free
Got the magic power of the music in me
She climbs into bed
She pulls the covers overhead
And she turns her little radio on
She's had a rotten day
So she hopes the DJ's
Gonna play her favorite song
Makes her feel much better
Brings her closer to her dreams
A little magic power
Makes it better that it seems
She's young now, she's wild now, she wants to be free
She gets the magic power of the music from me
She's young now, she's wild now, she wants to be free
She gets the magic power of the music from me
You're thinking it over
But you just can't sort it out
Do you want someone to tell you
What they think it's all about
Are you the one and only
Who's sad and lonely
You're reaching for the top
Well, the music keeps you going
And it's never gonna stop
It's never gonna stop
It's never gonna, never gonna, never gonna, never gonna stop
The world is full of compromise
And infinite red tape
But the music's got the magic
It's your one chance for escape
Turn me on, turn me up
It's your turn to dream
A little magic power
Makes it better than it seems
I'm young now, I'm wild now, I want to be free
Got the magic power of the music in me
I'm young now, I'm wild and I'm free
Got the magic power of the music
I got the music in me
LUNA SEA's first show after drummer Yamada Shinya (真矢) passed away on February 17, 2026. This concert turned out to be a great celebration of his life/legacy; the show opened with a small part of his drum solo from what was his final appearance with the band back at their 2025 Millenium Eve show with GLAY at Tokyo Dome on February 23, 2025 along with montages of the five together at the end of that concert while part of the speech he gave at LUNATIC FEST (where he said that "LUNA SEA must not end"), played. In hindsight, while he had been very driven to return to playing at this show, it seems he also used this choice of words "just in case".
The drum kit that he had been working on for this XMAS show had also been setup on stage next to Jun-ji's kit (seeing this arrangement made me smile). For a few of the songs in the setlist, videos of Shinya playing were shown; it was never overdone (which IMHO, would've detracted from the actual performances of those carrying on the group as he had wished for during LUNATIC FEST and then by his wife Aya after he had passed). During the short MC's between songs, the band also made it clear they wanted this to be a fun show (and that it was). Ryuichi's vocals struggled at times (from his own past surgeries on his vocal chords to remove cancerous lesions) but he was also giving it his all.
Heading into the portion after a 30 minute intermission, a longer portion of Shinya's drum solo from that February 23, 2025 show was played; that was a great closing tribute. Plus even though he is physically gone, the memories that people have of moments like this from prior concerts, are what keeps him alive. In that regards, it was like he was there for many of the fans in attendance (or for those watching the live stream).
What was a really final nice touch was just before the 2nd encore when a video was played of Shinya trying out this new drum kit in a practice studio (tracking over the song HOLY KNIGHT) as the other members watched the video playback. It highlights just how much he was planning to resume playing with the band again. They closed out the show playing HOLY KNIGHT which at the ending, transitioned into an outro video of their 2026 national tour dates (signifying the band will continue their journey as per what Shinya had said/requested). This tour is being called LUNA SEA TOUR 2026 UNENDING JOURNEY -FOREVER- (kind of reminding me how BUCK-TICK has continued moving forward after "A-chan" passed away).
Shinya's disciple Jun-ji (whom Shinya handpicked to fill in for him for LUNATIC FEST) said on his YouTube livestream that he knows no one can ever replace Shinya or fully replicate his sound; but that he will continue filling in for his mentor (so long as asked) to make sure that LUNA SEA doesn't end. He's definitely going to have a packed schedule since TM Revolution (which he has also been a longtime support drummer for) will be touring during the same time frame.
As for this show, they really put together a quality production to honor his memory and to make a statement about moving forward.
Compilation of broadcast media footage capturing the chaos throughout the day
0:00 During the Diet's House of Councillors Settlement Committee meeting: "Ensure your own safety."
4:05 Reporters waiting at the Prime Minister's Office (short briefing of the quake provided)
5:08 Tremors during NTV's live broadcast
6:47 Lockers/file cabinets swaying sideways on upper floors (same was happening in our office)
8:38 Then-Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro was scheduled to hold a press conference (cancelled) at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
9:44 High-rise buildings in Shinjuku swaying
10:42 Crane sways in front of the Imperial Household Agency
11:52 At the under-construction Tokyo Skytree (which passed the quake test)
13:20 Scenes from Futako-Tamagawa Station
13:55 Scenes from JR Hachioji Station
14:12 Scenes from Tokyo Metro Toranomon Ginza Line subway
14:31 Scenes from Musashi-Koyama Station Tokyu Meguro Line
14:57 JR Shimbashi Station - Stranded passengers watching the tsunami broadcasted on NHK
15:10 Aftershocks continue
15:18 Scene outside JR Shimbashi
15:28 Pay phones becoming useful again
15:30 Aftershocks (Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
16:07 Aftershocks (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
16:26 Broken glass debris from street light
16:54 Hibiya-koen - Crowds of people
17:30 Aftershocks continue
18:15 Slow to no mobile cellular voice/data service (emergency services was prioritized)
18:20 Aftershocks continue with many on the street
18:43 Scenes from Haneda Airport
18:59 Scenes from Narita Airport
19:51 Ceiling collapses at Kudan Kaikan
21:18 Massive congestion in front of Shinjuku Station
22:47 Extra newspaper editions distributed (a throwback to really past times)
22:55 LPG refinery on fire in Ichihara City
24:27 Toyosu area showing signs of heavy soil liquefaction
26:38 Urayasu-shi and Tokyo Disney parking lot area in Chiba showing signs of heavy soil liquefaction (these areas are reclaimed land around Tokyo Bay)
28:21 Tsunami waves overtopping the seawall at Iioka Port, Asahi City, Chiba
30:28 Vehicular and rail transport mayhem where many ended up walking home
31:59 Severe traffic jams
33:17 Scenes from JR Shimbashi Station
33:55 Scenes from JR Shibuya Station
35:22 Scenes from JR Tokyo Station
35:33 Scenes from JR Shinagawa Station
35:42 Scenes from JR Shinjuku Station (entrance/exit shutters closed)
36:11 More traffic congestion (which affected rail line inspections, delaying resumption of service)
36:20 Some railways resume operation
37:19 People buying bicycles
37:38 Empty food shelves at a 7-11 conbini in Shinagawa
38:00 Stranded commuters at opened facilities including Haneda and Narita airports
40:15 Ramp collapses at supermarket in Machida City
40:27 Crews attempting to put out the LPG fire at the Cosmo Oil Chiba Refinery in Ichihara City, Chiba
41:20 Tokyo Tower's bent tip
昨年11月、（直前での決断で）LUNATIC FESTに参加できた。行って良かったし、特に初日に真矢がステージに現れた瞬間を体感できたことは本当に良かった。まさか2日目がバンド全員が揃って立つ姿を見る最後の機会になるとは、当時は知る由もなかった。安らかに眠れ、真矢。2025年11月のLUNATIC FESTで、彼がバンドメンバーと共にステージに立つ姿を見られたことに感謝している。ご家族、ご友人、そしてLUNA SEAの他のメンバーの皆様に心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。数えきれないほどの貴重な思い出をありがとう。
Back in November, I was able to attend LUNATIC FEST (last moment decision). I'm glad I decided to go and being able to experience that moment when Shinya walked out (especially on day 1). Little did we know day 2 would be the final time we'd see the entire band standing together. Rest in peace, Shinya. I am grateful we were able to see him on stage with his bandmates at LUNATIC FEST in November 2025. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the other members of LUNA SEA. Thank you for the countless precious memories.
大分・別府温泉通1,000人が選ぶ！究極の別府温泉ランキングTOP20
JP: 温泉湧出量・源泉数ともに日本一を誇り、「おんせん県」として全国にその名を知られる大分県。今回は別府の温泉を知り尽くした「温泉通」1000人へのアンケート調査をもとに、数ある名湯の中から“本当にスゴい温泉”をランキング形式で紹介！河合郁人と髙地優吾が実際に別府の温泉地を巡り、湯に浸かり、香りを感じ、肌ざわりを確かめ“湯ヂカラ”を体感！
EN: Oita Prefecture boasts Japan's highest hot spring output and number of sources, earning its nationwide reputation as the “Hot Spring Prefecture.” Based on a survey of 1,000 “hot spring connoisseurs” who have extensive knowledgable about Beppu's hot springs, this program presents a ranking of the “truly amazing hot springs” selected from among its many famous baths! Kawai Ikuto and Takachi Yugo personally tour Beppu's hot spring locations, immersing themselves in the waters, savoring the aromas, and testing the texture to experience the “power of the hot springs” firsthand!
ZARD was one of my favorite JPOP artists in the 90's. While it was originally an actual group, vocalist Izumi Sakai was the only consistent member (and thus ZARD and Izumi Sakai became synonymous). Concerts (with guest performers from the same studio ZARD/Sakai Izumi has been contracted with) have been held to honor her memory while also keeping these widely known songs alive for many.
The ~What a Beautiful Moment 2004 Tour~ was ZARD's actual first large-scale concert tour encompassing 11 dates. The only prior live concert was on August 31, 1999 aboard the (now defunct as of 2023) Pacific Venus cruise ship where tickets were available via lottery to 600 attendees (I tried but wasn't one of the lucky ones).
I fortunately got tickets for the tour final Nippon Budokan show in July 2004. At the time, little did we know that Izumi Sakai (real name Sachiko Kamachi) had been suffering various health issues (related to her uterus) from between 2001-2003, and thus was not really at her peak even during this tour (but she took things like forgetting the lyrics or struggling to hit certain notes, all in stride). That final concert will forever remain a precious memory for me, a truly beautiful moment in time (this was Yureru Omoi from the Tokyo International Forum concert).
Unfortunately, in 2006, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, promptly underwent treatment, and was initially thought to be clear. However, the cancer was found to have spread to her lungs where she was admitted to Keio University Hospital in April 2007 to undergo chemotherapy. Sakai unfortunately passed away on May 27, 2007, after taking a fall the day prior on a wet/slippery emergency exit slope at the hospital. The location was a place she would often walk around to meditate/relax during her treatment and rehabilitation. She was only 40, but her music has transcended time and still remains impactful even to this day.
These anniversary concerts over the years have gotten better in terms of the videos used (some of them have been enhanced OA performances, clips from old PV releases, and previously unreleased footage that has been found over the years).
Day 2: LUNA SEA Full Setlist
- Gekkou
- Storm
- TONIGHT
- END OF SORROW
- Shine
- gravity
- Sora no Uta ~Higher and Higher~
- I for You
- TIME IS DEAD
- ROSIER
- Up to You
- WISH (ENCORE with Kuroyume, MUCC, NEMOPHILA, ROTTENGRAFFTY, 9mm P.B., YELLOW MONKEY, BUCK-TICK, Shinya (LUNA SEA) watching while Jun-ji drummed)
Day 2: NEMOPHILA／ROTTENGRAFFTY／9mm Parabellum Bullet / MUCC / 黒夢／THE YELLOW MONKEY／BUCK∞TICK / LUNA SEA
Note: The entire setlist for each group and the performance by 凛として時雨 were not shown. Full Day 2 LUNA SEA set