Yoko Kanno’s ‘Piano Me’ experimental concert project this past Sunday at Otakon was highly-anticipated by fans, and one of the most difficult to get into. For those who did gain access, though, it was an absolute treat.
For those hoping to catch a glimpse of famed composer Yoko Kanno, hailed as a master of all genres, the line for tickets started Friday and Saturday afternoon and were extremely limited. The special pass guaranteed a seat in the main concert hall though, while those without one lined up as early as six am outside the convention center on Sunday to get into the hall where it was being simulcast.
Before Yoko Kanno took the stage, former See-Saw vocalist Chiaki Ishikawa gave fans a treat, performing several hit songs, including Bokurano’s Uninstall and a techno remix of it. After completing her set she thanked her fans and a fifteen minute intermission began as the stage was prepared for Yoko Kanno’s portion of the concert.
When she was announced to be taking the stage, fans were up and cheering, ready to soak up all their favorite music from the anime they loved.
Before she appeared, though, her manager took the stage to let fans know that when the piano is soft, they should listen carefully and when it is loud, they should show their enthusiasm.
As for when they recognized a song… they were encouraged to sing along of course! The whole concert was meant to be an interaction between Kanno and the fans, and even her piano as it was converted into a screen shortly after the haunting chorus of Gravity from Wolf’s Rain. She needed some help to lift the lid, and had they been allowed fans showed they would have eagerly jumped onto the stage to do so. Shortly after fans were united in song again for a soulful version of Monochrome from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, complete with the beeping of a heart monitor.
Other original songs also debuted at Otakon, fans remaining silent and ponderous as birds danced across her piano and planets appeared on screen. Usually upbeat and happy, they helped to balance out the sadder songs like Rakuen (Paradise) from Wolf’s Rain and Apollon Blue from Kids on the Slope. Kanno really tested her fans knowledge, though, when she started up Real Folk Blues, holding up a finger once when they stumbled during the second verse.
The complete set list:
Tank!
Nomad Soul
Katarina
Innocent Green
Resonance of the earth
Gravity～Baltimore special medley
Fanelia
Monochrome
Apollon Blue
Rakuen
Power of the Light
-encore1-
Someday My Prince Will Come
The Real Folk Blues
Wo Qui Non Coin
- encore2-
Star Spangled Banner
- encore3-
Tank! (reprise)
Each encore was brought about by the fans cheering and filling up her piano with glowing hearts, something they were easily able to do as each song that was recognized was met by a standing ovation after its performance. The piano itself was also something special, having to be shipped from California and reassembled, and then tuned every day for a week to ensure its crystalline quality. As for what Yoko Kanno had to say about the event itself, she said (original Japanese left in at her request):
待っていてくれた方、この機会をくださった方、
piano meを通じて出会えたすべての皆さんに感謝します。」
Yoko Kanno"s "Piano Me" concert debuts at Otakon 2013 to thunderous applause
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