I just got back from the longest (and best) 21 hour vacation of my life. x.x

THE CONCERT WAS AMAZING, but getting there was SO insane. However, after persevering through thick and thin (figuring out LA streets at night is NOT the way to go) my sister and friend and I made it in the nick of time! I thought we would start lining up around 4 or 5, but as it turned out my friend wanted to do some sight-seeing, and then we got lost and had to go back to our hotel to get money for parking. In the end, we made it just as the line was starting to move. Even so, we got a really good spot where we could see Utada easily. I was planning to take pictures with my cell phone but I dropped it at some point and couldn't find it, until I found out my friend's mom had picked it up.

I can understand the crowd's impatience with the DJ; I thought he was pretty good, but he really wasn't fantastic (I've heard amateurs who spin more enthusiastically than him) and he seemed to only cater to the front row; he didn't even bother trying to engage those of us farther back. So one of the good parts about getting there late was that I didn't have to sit through his entire session (or stand in line for five hours). Even then, I got bored with him really quickly. I don't think it's rude not to like a guest performer; you don't go to see them, they're there to try and capture your attention- basically, self-advertisement. It's the audience's responsibility to let them know if what they're doing is working. Booing is the only way to let them know they need to pick up the pace and do something interesting, no one pays for concert tickets to stand around bored (and if you've already been waiting patiently in line for five+ hours, I'm sure your attention span has more or less run out). That being said, I didn't think he was absolutely TERRIBLE, and I did cheer him a couple of times when I thought he did something particularly cool- but, essentially, he was playing club music at a concert; it didn't fit the atmosphere at all. People go to clubs to dance, chill, and drink. People go to concerts to jump around, scream, and freak (and occasionally drink). So that's my opinion on the "opening act."

But it was all worth it, because once Utada came on the world kind of stopped for her. I could feel an almost tangible shift in the room as EVERYONE'S energy focused on stage. I got chills when the music for "Opening" started, and I don't think the goosebumps ever left my arms. As others have pointed out, the set-list was identical to the Honolulu show, which made it predictable, but NONE of that matters, because the songs are (of course) great and Utada sounded AMAZING. Seriously, this is the best she's sounded since UU06; I don't know what she did with her voice, but there wasn't a note she didn't hit (a lot of people say she doesn't sing part of "Apple and Cinnamon", but that's only because there's a sudden transition to another part that would be too hard to make if she sang both; she did sing ALL of the high notes for that song). The only one I noticed her skimming on was the "La"s in "You Make Me Want to Be a Man", and she did still have a hard time with the higher parts of "Come Back to Me". On the other hand, she sang "Kremlin Dusk" SPECTACULARLY- she didn't slide or crack or anything. It sounded better than on the album! I was right under a speaker, too, so I could hear everything pretty much perfectly.

Haha, and when she came out for "Simple and Clean" during the encore, I just started bawling. That's seriously my favorite song ever and watching her put all of the emotion she did into it cracked part of me open- I had gotten choked up with "First Love" also, but "Simple and Clean" was the make it or break it, and it broke it in the best way possible. It was so sentimental and beautiful.

I also loved watching her have a lot of fun with "On and On" and "Me Muero"- the energy she placed in those pieces is unmatched by any other performer I've seen. She was totally loving herself and sending that out to the crowd, and I'm so happy she decided to go with a stripped-down set and smaller venues because it made it that much more obvious how much she loves her music and her fans! The experience was real and up-close, the kind you could NEVER attain in a multi-thousand seat stadium. Rather than focusing on lighting and special effects, this concert was all about the music- she barely even talked to us (although when she did it was easily as entertaining as the music, because it wasn't pointless filler- she always had something relevant and important to say).

Still, probably the coolest song of the night was her "Passion/Sanctuary" mix; everything about that song was made for the live stage, and listening to her sing it in both Japanese and English, switching from one to the other seamlessly, really exemplified her multicultural heritage and unique understanding of the world- one of the things we Utada fans love most about her. It was such a treat to hear.

All in all, this is easily the best concert Utada has put on- ever- and I think the same will be said of every stop on the tour by those who attend. Utada dominates the stage with absolutely no irrelevant distractions from the music that we've come to hear, a completely marvelous experience of song and spirit; Utada knows how to feed the audience and take from them and make the best out of whatever is out there, and in my opinion, last night she had the greatest picks she could, which made for a truly unforgettable night of rhythm, movement, and passion. Her fans are wonderful, her band is wonderful, SHE'S wonderful and I feel so blessed that I was able to attend.

Plus, given that my friend and her mom were completely ecstatic after the show and practically begged me for whatever albums of hers I have, I think she made two new fans in one fell swoop. ;]

Shuri/Eli

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There was a special meet and greet for people with "Guest Passes" or VIP thingies. It's something you have to have before the concert...and it's only for like, people with connections to the industry, I was pretty bummed about that.

By the way, if anyone wants a clear view of what Utada was wearing, this YouTuber got up REALLY close:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIcC71j_LMk

lol i agree utada sounded great :P but i kind of feel bad for her since she can't sing the really high notes as well as she used to. Actually I don't really care if she sings not as well as before bcus I was right in front it was so awesome and I could see her so clearly it almost didn't seem real and the sound system was so loud up there to me because i don't go to many concerts.

At the Hawaii show, she hit the high notes... like Kremlin Dusk was perfect.

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yeah i know at the LA show kremlin dusk was perfect its just she cant sing the really high note in sakura drops as well as before..other than that she hit all the notes

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Yea, I noticed this too, however; she did do some crazy (very amazing btw as it was in tune) wailing near the end for a few songs. I would say her performance got increasingly better after each song.

Also, I'm really digging this rock vibe she had with a lot of her songs! And about Mike, he was really playing every song from the 50's and 60's he had. The "setlist" he had was very dated, even for clubs. However; despite the boring music I did not boo him, but many other did for me :P.

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The only "rock" adaption I wasn't that fond of was "Stay Gold," since I always preferred that as a subtle piano melody. Of course it was still amazing, but I think she detracted somewhat from the ethereal atmosphere of the song by adding what I consider to be unnecessary noise. For me, "Stay Gold" is about contemplation and reflection- I suppose on a concert level it's better to be able to dance to it, but I think it would have been a welcomed breath of relief in the set list if she had one song that didn't pull from the electric guitar so much. Just my opinion, though. :]

Last night was THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!
IT FELT SO SURREAL. LIKE SOMETIMES, I'D THINK I WAS WATCHING IT ON THE COMPUTER, AND THEN REALITY WOULD KICK IN, AND I WOULD REALIZED THAT I WAS REALLY THERE, I WAS REALLY EXPERIENCING HIKKI LIVE!!!!!!

I had to go to school for review for finals...or else I would have ditched and been there all day, but I still got a good spot, so I'm not complaining.

I got at the House of Blues with my bro about 6:30pm. We were about halfway in the line by the time we started going in. We waited in line, and waited for my bro's gf. She didnt get there till like 7:15pm.

It's a good thing she took her Flip Camera. Im going to upload the vids to Youtube soon, and put the links on here.

Doors opened at 7:30pm, but we didnt get in there until like 8:20pm. We hurried and went to find a spot. We found a good one to the right of the stage. Perfect view.

DJ Mike Rizzo played until about 9:30pm. He was alright, but my bro said he was kinda boring, but I still liked him.

Everyone began chanting UTADA when they were setting up for the band. Hikki didn't go on until about 9:45pm

And this is where the AWESOMENESS BEGAN.

Everyone was screaming like crazy. She was so cute, and her looked great! I personally like her hair long. Her outfit was like a purple and black leopard print dress, black tights and studded little heel boots, and a studded bracelet.

Opening began to play and the entire stage was dark. Hikki came on about halfway through Opening.
We all started to shout HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Then, she began with On and On. The vibe was great!
Then, she transitioned to FYI. Great again!
Before she started singing, she said " Cmon and Celebrate with me! It is my birthday! BTW, how did you all know?! lol
Poppin' was great! I loved how Hikki said "Girls, you know we have it better than the boys!" LOL

Then, she paused and did an intro, and we started to sing a broken Happy Birthday. Lol.

She then went into This One. Great vocals. Here voice was very strong.
Then she transitioned into Passion/Sanctuary. It was awesome!
She switched back and forth greatly!

THen, she intro'ed the dude bringing in her piano, and then she sat down and played SAKURA Drops. Great vocals. I know her voice wasnt strong, but it was still great!
Then Stay Gold! I loved her here!

Then, another short intermission, and they brought out a cake for Hikki. THe band played Happy Birthday, and Hikki finished it off,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!
SHe then said how she saw someone perform at the HoB about 5 years ago, but she forgot who it was, and hoped we dont do that. And that this was the first time she performed on her birthday! And it was awesome for us too, cuz it was like a giant bday party for her, and WE WERE ALL A PART OF IT!
WE felt soooo special!

And then Devil Inside, Kremlin Dusk, and YMMWTBAM Utada United 2006 Style!
These three were great! I loved Devil Inside; Kremlin Dusk was PERFECT, and loved Hikki's headbanging and vocals in YMMWTBAM, and even more awesome, when at the end of the song, she got on the drums and started banging them. Such Power! :)

Her cover of A Bitter End by Placebo was fantastic! Her voice fit the song so well!

Then, everything calmed down as Hikki began to sing A&C.
Great vocals !

Then, short intermission, and CBTM came on. It sounded awesome!!

Then, she began to sing First Love. I swear I saw her chocking back tears. Her eyes looked watery. Cute!

Flawless transition into Can You Keep A Secret. Great energy!

She finished it off with Automatic. Everyone got into this song.

Hikki then said, ARE YOU GUYS READY FOR THE NEW SINGLE!!???
She then began to sing, DIRTY DESIRE! Sexy!!

Then, the band cleared the stage, and everyone was chanting again, UTADA!!!

Then, the band returned, and Hikki introduced the band, and thanked them all, and us too.

She then began SImple and Clean. OMG.

Then, Hikki said thanks for celebrating her bday with her.

And then, clesed the show with.... Me Muero!

THIS WAS NO DOUBT THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE. THIS WS MY FIRST TIME SEEING HIKKI LIVE!!!!

The show ended about 11-ish, and I got home at about 11:45pm.

Then I woke up at 6 the next morning, and went to school to take my first 3 out of 7 FINALS!!!!!!!! great...... lol

I don't want to fill up a LONG post on this forum, so I'll just link it to my LiveJournal entry.

link to report
(Username there is "RueLi")