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that is why people have been suggesting that the NY or london concerts might get filmed ... because none of the ones so far have been.

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usually for tours ..the last concert is filmed for the dvd release as the artist tends to do more for their final concert....I believe NY is the last of her US tour and she only has one location thus far for her UK tour..

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I have to agree with you. All of us who have been listening for Utada for years have been waiting for this moment. Of course we are gonna bring camera and such. I loved that people capture photos and such to share this experience especially the video.

I don't think it was Utada's wishes I think it was IDJ's idea to make money off of her cause they are now seeing that she has diehard fans in the U.S. What they need to do is sell tshirts and posters and stuff then that would limit us wanting to capture every detail of the concerts.

So here is a deatailed Report for the Seattle show.
Seraphim hasnt posted yet - so im sure she'll add to this~

The day before the showbox sends out the following email:
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Arrived to the Showbox at about 12:00p. Walk in. Staff tells us there is a rope setup outside past the parking lot to mark where the line begins. There is no one there yet - so we go have some awesome lunch at Pikes Market.

The line starts at about 1:30p with about 6 people.

By 3:30p there was about 30 people. Security would tell everyone about the no camera policy.

By 4:15p it was maybe to the corner about 40 or 50 maybe.

Before 5:00p we went into the Greenroom Pub that is attached to the bottom level of the Showbox. The deal was if your over 21 you can go in and buy a drink or overpriced food and they will give you a number (which depends on how early you bought something) to get into the show before the line up. There was probably well over 150 people in the Greenroom.
While in the Greenroom you can hear the beats of Utada and band rehearsing. However, you couldnt make out what songs they were playing over the pub music.

At about 7:10p they opened the gate that attaches the pub to the rest of the Showbox. They let people in with '1's first, and so on.

Security guards looked through bags, told people to take things out of pockets, and a quick pat check. People with camera were told to check them in or loose it.

We get into the show and all the spots by the railing is pretty much taken. We find a good spot near the center behind some folks.

Music is playing while people pile in. some people get a good spot by the front. Others find a good seat on the second level further back.

Stage setup is pretty much like the photos in Hawaii and LA. DJ Mike Rizzo's turntables are setup first. With Utada's keyboard and stool covered in black velvet cloths.

Around 8p DJ Mike Rizzo comes up on stage and starts mixing. He is just wearing a dark colored track suit and a Seahawks cap - its not apparent at first that its the DJ or some stage hand.

He spins remixed Top 40. Not bad. But not many people that are there like top 40. We try to send him a message to remix some Utada songs. Didn't look like he could find any or he misunderstood.

Throughout his set, he would talk. He lets us know how long its expected for Utada to come out. This probably helped keep people patient. Didn't hear any boos or such - Seattle you behaved.

At around 9p Utada gets set to start. Her stage hands come out to move the turntables, set up her mic and stool with water. They also do sound checks of the bands instruments.

Crowd starts to cheer and chant as 'Opening' starts playing and then band and Utada comes out on stage from her green room.

From her appearance, she has definitely lost much weight since I last saw her in Utada United. She looks a bit tired.

She starts off right away with 'On and On'.

Right at the first song, there is a big surge in the crowd. It seems that some douchbags decide to try and push their way to the front. I only saw the two guys who tried to get to the front (from what i hear, there were two girls as well?). I pretty much held my ground, holding off the crowd for everyone in front. One of the douches had gotten his way leaned up against the tall guy and chubby guy. Chubby guy kept trying to move to the music and shake him off. The other guy was nicely blocked behind the tall guy. Security yelled at them. They eventually left to some place else after a few songs or until the MC.
@#$% YOU DOUCHEBAGS FOR RUINING THE START OF THE SHOW!
{ok new code of conduct for Utada concert goers - don't be a douchebag and show some respect to others!}

She then performs FYI, 'Poppin'' and then 'This One'.

It dawned on me that most people here were REAL fans - They knew lyrics. Japanese AND the new English songs! Im glad that fansite promotion and small intimate venues were able to get those who support her most, up close and see her 'in the flesh'.

She then gets ready to do an MC, and the crowd starts singing Happy birthday to her ... She then says:
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She then sings her 'Passion / Sanctuary' mix. Its interesting to see her sing the backwards parts.

She does another talk bit:
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Stage hand Val sets up her keyboard.

Hikki:
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She sings 'Sakura Drops' and plays piano.

Confirmed with a security guy. No camera policy is 'by request of the artist'. So this will likely be the case for the rest of her tour.


TO BE CONTINUED ...

^ Awesome post Q. Couldn't have explained it better myself.

By the way, didn't you say once that you were from Vancouver British Columbia? Cause I talked to this REALLY nice girl who said she drove down from there. Was that you? lol. If so, I was the weird guy wearing the white Hikki headphones on my neck.

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I was wearing a brown jacket. My sister was to my right, she was wearing a red and white shirt. And my guy cousin was standing directly behind us. But I think you were right next to me.. Cool, what a small world. lol. So your friend is the one with the boyfriend and she got her water bottle taken away right? Cuz I turn and said, "Wow, they took your water bottle away. I still have mine." Or something of that nature.

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I love the fact we were all next to each other. Too bad we didn't chit chat more.


I really do hope someone got some footages from the show. But I won't hold my breath, security was sooo tight. gosh...

@k.ay - It is SMALL WORLD! xDD I though it was green cause it looks green. LOL xD Yeah they were it. They wouldn't let her water bottle in.

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If we only knew.

It's funny how folks don't talk in an elevator but in an online forum you make connections. I was thinking about all the posts that said they were in line early and that we all might have seen each other. All from a common interest in Hikaru.

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that is true how we don't really talk to "random strangers" in person while waiting for concert, but we talk so much online. while i was in line, i was actually thinking about just blurting out "who here is a utadanet member?!" lol but i didn't....maybe people should do that at her upcoming concerts or future concerts to come, which will be in seattle! lol

last thursday night was the greatest night ever! we waited for about 6 hours and it was totally worth it. we were lucky enough to be on the 2nd row and i was lucky enough to snag a kuma ball. we came down from vancouver, bc and i ran into a couple old coworkers... it was nice to see a generic love for hikki. i'm still warm all over :)