Belle and Sebastian helped almost 2,000 fans usher in summer on a high note. Playing to a capacity crowd at the spacious Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball, the Scottish eight-piece's sunny, feel-good melodies put smiles on the faces of all in attendance.
With the stage lights on, one by one the band emerged shortly after 7 pm. Lead singer and guitarist Stuart Murdoch commented about the early start time and how large the crowd was before beginning with "The Stars Of Track And Field" from 1996's stellar If You're Feeling Sinister.
The charismatic Murdoch was extremely chatty between songs, telling tales about B&S's football wins over the local media, bantering back and forth with boisterous attendees, and continually gauging the crowd's mood to ensure that everyone was enjoying themselves. "Are you chilled out, or do you want to dance?" he inquired early in the set. Amidst cries of both answers, he decided to compromise, "This one is sort of in-between, but we'll play some dancey ones for you later," as the rest of the band broke into "Another Sunny Day" from this year's The Life Pursuit. 
Despite all the talking, spectators remained dead silent while B&S were performing, quietly swaying and occasionally dancing to the band's upbeat, folky chamber-pop. A mix of Japanese and foreigners, attendees ranged from 10-year-old children to middle-aged salarymen and homemakers.Extremely relaxed onstage, B&S seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Switching instruments between tracks, each member tried their hand at a variety of musical tools, filling the venue with wonderful, warm sounds. Murdoch and guitarist Stevie Jackson also showed off their fine dancing skills whenever the opportunity arose. Clad in a suit and tie, Jackson even broke out some robot-esque moves during "Electronic Renaissance." |
The highlight of the concert came when Murdoch and Jackson tried to find a female to join them during "Jonathan David." After selecting a lucky young woman from the crowd, a male friend of hers quickly jumped up and followed her. The two musicians were perplexed by the predicament with Murdoch attempting to explain the situation to the overzealous Japanese male. "This song is about two boys in love with a girl, but this complicates things. The three of us are going to have an affair. You can watch or videotape." Not taking the hint, Murdoch eventually moved the fan over to the area in front of the keyboards and gave him a shaker to occupy him. 
With everyone laughing at the situation, the group started playing while the two men took turns whisking their new lady friend away for a quick dance while the other was singing. The light-hearted number went over well with the audience applauding the efforts of the girl and her male counterpart who was shaking his instrument with a huge grin on his face. With things winding down, the woman pulled her friend into the middle of the menage a trois to gleefully jump around with her before they ran offstage together. Dejected by the fact that they both lost the girl, Jackson chimed in with "That smooth operator stole her from both of us."If it's any solace to Jackson and the rest of the band, summer is just beginning and B&S's excellent music is bound to help others get lucky in love over the coming months. |
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report by shawn and photos by izumikuma |
 mag files : Belle & Sebastian もう孤独じゃない長距離ランナー (06/06/04 @ Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball) : review sumire, photos by saya38photo report (06/06/04 @ Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball) : photos by saya38An Early Summer Night's Dream (06/06/03 @ Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball) : review by shawn, photos by izumikuma踊るスチュアート御殿 (06/06/03 @ Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball) : review by nob, photos by izumikumaphoto report (06/06/03 @ Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball) : photos by izumikuma無防備の産物 (06/06/01 @ Namba Hatch) : review by kuniko, photos by yeggphoto report (06/06/01 @ Namba Hatch) : photos by yeggbulettin report (06/03/15 @ SXSW, Austin) : review by taeko, photos by ryotaphoto report (04/01/29 @ Shibuya Kokaido) : review by jinki, photos by izumikumaマードック家のイブニング・パーティー : (04/1/29 @ Shibuya Kokaido) : review by nob, photo by izumikumaphoto report : (04/1/29 @ Shibuya Kokaido) : photo by izumikuma永遠の言葉と、ダンスと、ハグと : (04/1/28 @ Shibuya AX) : review by chihiro, photo by kecophoto report : (04/1/28 @ Shibuya AX) : photo by kecoillustration report : (04/1/26 @ Nagoya DIamond Hall) : illustration by chika飄々と : (04/1/25 @ Zepp Osaka) : review by yohsuke, photo by yeggいいものはいい、それでいいのだ！ : (04/1/25 @ Zepp Osaka) : review by kuniko, photo by yeggphoto report : (04/1/25 @ Zepp Osaka) : photo by yegg |
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The official site Belle and Sebastian http://www.belleandsebastian.co.uk/ check 'em?-->  The latest album  "The Life Pursuit" (来日記念DVD付き限定国内盤 / 国内盤 / US import / UK import) The latest mini album  "汚れなきブルー" (Japan only 4 tracks with 2 videos) The latest single "White Collar Boy" (UK import) DVD  "Fans Only" (US import / 国内盤) |
previous works "Push Barman to Open Old Wounds (The Best of)" (US import / UK impport / 国内盤)
"The Blues Are Still Blue"(UK import / Japan only 4 tracks with 2 videos)
"Late Night Tales" (UK import) "ファニー・リトル・フロッグ" (国内盤) "フルキズ・ソングス~アーリー・シングルス・コレクション" (限定盤) "Step into My Office, Baby"(US import / UK import / 国内盤) "Books"(US import / UK import / 国内盤) "I'm a Cuckoo"(国内盤) "Dear Catastrophe Waitress"(UK impport / 国内盤) "Storytelling"(UK import / 国内盤 / )"ディス・イズ・ジャスト・ア・モダン・ロック・ソング"( )"3..6..9 Seconds of Light"( )"ウェイキング・アップ・トゥ・アス"( )"Jonathan David"(UK import / )"ドッグ・オン・ホイールズ"(国内盤 / )" レイジー・ライン - ペインター・ジェイン"( )"Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant" - 私のなかの悪魔 : US import / UK import / 国内盤 / )"Tigermilk" - タイガーミルク (US import / UK import / 国内盤) "If You're Feeling Sinister"(US import) "The Boy With The Arab Strap"(国内盤 / US import / UK import) ..and more check the albums? |
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