When an Japanese idol/artist come to Los Angeles, I’m required to attend, aren’t I? When Morning Musume came to Los Angeles in 2009, I bought tickets but couldn’t attend due to a death in the family (such good news, right? At least I gave those tickets to a well deserving person). When AKB48 came the following year, I wasn’t nearly as rabid as I am now, so even though AKB48 were on my radar I unfortunately passed (and have had to live with that decision- punishment enough). But, I did see Mano Erina in 2010 at Club Nokia. AND, the next year I saw SCANDAL at AM2 in Anaheim. Why am I recounting these exploits? Because I need to attend these events whenever possible, and it was possible this past Sunday.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu rocked my world for a few months. I think her first 4 singles were pop perfection, and I’m not just saying that. We all know the madness of “Pon Pon Pon”, but I think her next two singles, “Tsukema Tsukeru” and “Candy Candy” outdid the surprise success of her debut. They were infectious little ear worms that aren’t easily replicated. When Kyary Pamyu Pamyu came to Los Angeles in 2013, I jumped at the opportunity to see her.
In anticipation, I bought a few extra tickets. I reasoned that I must have friends interested in attending. If you follow my twitter, you probably saw me tweeting about my surplus tickets. Surprisingly, no one responded. I would have given those tickets away! As it happens, I found two young girls watching the line of, ahem, freaks entering Club Nokia. I asked them if they wanted to attend, and then gave them two tickets. They looked at me like I was crazy. They scrutinized the tickets for forgery. I really hope those girls decided to get in the club and enjoy. (If YOU are one of those girls, leave a comment below! I would love to hear from you). Interestingly enough, I couldn’t find anyone else to give tickets to. A little heartbroken, I made my way into the club.
Things were different this time around. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu released some singles that didn’t thrill me as much as the aforementioned singles. The most recent work from Kyary that I unabashedly enjoyed was “Furisodeshon”. It’s always a matter of time before an artist churns out a half-baked idea, so I don’t really hold a grudge. I knew going into this concert that I would probably would not enjoy the majority of her songs.
At least I was pleasantly surprised. Regardless of what I thought of her music of late, Kyary is such a winsome performer that I found myself enjoying all but two or three songs. Instead of the bare stage from her 2013 concert, Kyary decorated Club Nokia with an assortment of oversized day-glo accessories. This had the effect of making the stage look like the playroom from Akira.
OK, so I know I’ll see Kyary next time she comes to Los Angeles. But, I really don’t want her to return for a while. I would love to see this artist evolve into her next incarnation. I have a feeling that Kyary wants to evolve- she’s stuck in a bit of a rut. And, I’m excited to see what she conjures up in the next phase of her career. I might not like it, but I will support her efforts to grow. When David Bowie transitioned from Ziggy Stardust to Aladdin Sane he broke more than a few hearts, and I’ll expect the same heartbreaking from Kyary. In order for her to survive beyond her current novelty act, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu needs a second act as brilliant as “Pon Pon Pon” Good luck, young soldier.
Event photos follow:
Away we go! I said on twitter that her outfit looks like a plushie molesting her.
My gosh, what IS all of that?
And now, for a costume change. No, that’s not her.
Here’s the second outfit. I like this one!
Third outfit change- reminiscent of Pon Pon Pon
The encore, where she inevitably wears the shirt sold in the lobby
