Libera Japan Tour 2015 – Day #1 USJ

Just 4 months after the Christmas in Summer at USJ, Libera came to Japan again on real Christmas time!

First of all, I really thank to the boys’ parents for sending their children to Japan on Christmas time. I was actually so surprised when I first heard that Libera would be coming and doing concerts on 21st & 23rd December. Because I know that the Christmas is very important for them, it’s just same as that New Year’s Day is important for us Japanese. Normally they spend Christmas time (holiday) with family. So I knew they had to rush on 24th to get home before 25th no matter what! (thank to the 9-hour time difference!) Think it’s just like we have to work till New Year’s Eve….. oh dear… So thank you Libera boys & team! :)

Day #1 of Japan Tour 2015, they did a mini concert at Universal Studios Japan. As you know, the new song “Angel” has tied up with USJ’s Christmas night show.

There’s a USJ limited edition of the mini album “天使のくれた奇跡”, which has a photo booklet. Of course I got them as well! Yay! :D

When I arrived around the area for the show & concert at 11am, more than 50 people were already queuing up! I took this at 1pm, 4 hours before the gate opened.

#Libera #USJ #リベラ Nearly 100 people in the queue (still 1pm!) 😳😂 @officiallibera @liberarecords @USJ_Official pic.twitter.com/LakM9rumjw

— ✨YukiBOL (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✨ (@DearLibera) December 20, 2015

Afterwards, like this → Tweet @DearLibera
Patrick from France was amazed by the people queuing orderly without fences and said “it never happens in Paris!” lol Very proud of it! Hehe ;)

The show “Universal Wonder Christmas – The Voice of an Angel” was really fantastic! A girl sings “Angel” both in English & Japanese, and “Angel Orchestral ver.” is used in the show. Music, projection mapping, dance performance, Drone, lights, fireworks… all worked together very well! I liked it so much. :D
(You can watch the whole show if you like: HERE)

After the show, it was Libera time! :D
Muramatsu-san came up to the stage to talk some. He said he was so moved when he first saw the show, and he was proud that he could make this piece with Libera & USJ as a musician. Yeah, we Japanese fans are all very proud of you too, Muramatsu-san!! xD

RP, right before the concert started! :)

And the boys! :D

They sang 5 songs:
1. Joy to the World
2. Carol of the Bells
3. Sanctus
4. Song of Life
5. Angel

22 boys were on this tour:
1. Marc Alvares
2. Leo Barron
3. Ciaran Bradbury-Hickey
4. Merlin Brouwer
5. Ben Bywater
6. Gabriel Collins
7. Tadhg Fitzgerald
8. Alex Gula
9. Adam Izghouti
10. Matthew Jansen
11. Timothy Lee
12. Isaac London
13. Alessandro Mackinnon-Botti
14. Alex Montoro
15. Oliver Mycka
16. Cassius O’connell-White
17. Taichi Shinokubo
18. Camden Stewart
19. Rocco Tesei
20. Joseph Walshe
21. Sam Wiggin
22. Lucas Wood

Can hear a bit of Joy to the World, COTB, Ciaran & Taichi’s speech, Angel :)

Song of Life (solo: Ciaran) & Angel (solo: Isaac)

Some photos in Conpetti’s article: HERE

The first complete outdoor-concert went well! Actually they did sort of ‘outdoor-concert’ at Disneyland CA in 2009 though, that was so warm and had a roof. This time, no roof, no sun, just so cold! We wore a lot of clothes and were excited, so didn’t feel cold that much, but the boys must have been cold in the white robe. Hope they had HEATTECH (by UNIQLO) under the robe… :P
Anyway, seemed lots of people enjoyed the show and Libera’s concert. It was great to hear that a fan of the USJ’s shows (not Libera fan) liked Libera’s singing and bought the CD! And I was glad to get to hear “Angel” live finally. This day would be one of my unforgettable Libera memories! ;D

Thank you, Libera and USJ!!! xD
　
　
　
さーーーて、2016年んなっちゃったけど、正月気分丸無視で。
リベラクリスマス in じぱんぐの件いくぜよ!!!＼(゜▽゜)／ふぉーーー
行った方も行けなかった方も回想妄想で楽しんでくだたぃ♪

まず、記憶に新しい8月の 「Christmas in Summer at USJ」
またの名を「ゴーモンの夏、日本の夏」←
からたった4ヶ月ちょっとでリベラがまた極東じぱんぐへ。
アタシは寒い夏ロンドンの夏だったのでホームでリベラっこを迎えるのは3年半ぶり。
リベラ来日を復活させてくれた児玉さん・今井さん・王子、その他関係者の方々に心から感謝!!!（土下座）

そして今回一番感謝すべきは、リベラっこたちのご両親。
クリスマスホリデーは家族で過ごすのが当然のところ、日本へ来させてくれて心から感謝!!!（土下寝）←

てか最初21日と23日にコンサって聞いて超驚いたよ(゜ロ゜屮)屮
クリスマス25日に家族と過ごせないなんてありえないから24日に絶対帰国せねばで。
エゲレス人達は12月入ったあたりからもうホリデー気分で浮かれてるとこなのに←
そこを我々日本ファンのために超タイトスケジュールでやってきてくれて。
日本人的に言えば大晦日の夜まで仕事するよーなもんよ。おーでぃあ。
ほんとありがとうリベラっこたち&リベラスタッフ陣!!!!!
　
　
ジャパンツアー2015、1日目のイベントはユニバコンサ♪(ノ゜▽゜)ノ
20日朝に羽田からプイーンと大阪へ。んでブーンとユニバへ。
えっさらほいさらショー&コンサエリアに着いてビックリ。
11時の時点ですでに長蛇の列ーーーーーーー＼(゜ロ＼)(／ロ゜)／わーー
でも並ぶの慣れてるんで←リベコンに限る
敷物敷いて遠足状態。天使のくれた奇跡USJ限定盤もゲット♥
ショップのレジのお姉さんに「売れ行きどーですか?」って聞いたら
「今日は朝からけっこう売れてますよー。今日はコンサートもありますよー。」って。
はぃ、そのためだけに東京から参上しますたよヽ(￣▽￣)ﾉむふふ
（アトラクションとか興味ゼロなので結局どスルーしたアタクシめ←）

時間が経つにつれて列が何重にも折り返しんなって。
それでも整然と並んでるじゃぱにーずを見てパトリック（フランス人）が感動してたよ。
「パリではありえない光景!!」っつって（爆）
日本人のお行儀の良さ、ちょっと誇らしかったぜぃ(*´▽`)ノ

ほんでユニバーサルワンダークリスマス、天使のくれた奇跡Ⅲ。
いやぁーーーーー素晴らしかったーーー♥
ショーの中ではリベラの歌ぢゃなくて女の子が英語と日本語歌詞で歌うの。
で、アルバムの5曲目の天使のくれた奇跡オケverが使われてて。
CDで最初聴いたとき、あの盛り上がり感がすごいいいなと思ってたんだけど。
こうしてショーで見てみて納得。舞台にマッチしたアレンジ。
音楽とプロジェクションマッピングとダンスとドローンとライトアップと花火と
全てががっちり合わさって、ほんと感動的演出だったよ(*´∇｀*)

その後はお待ちかねのリベラ登場!!!
の前に王子登場＼(゜▽゜)／ふぉーーー
王子は公開初日にショーを見て感動ボロ泣きだったそうで。
USJやリベラとのコラボでこの作品を作り上げられたことを誇りに思うと。
えぇえぇ、わてら日本リベラーは王子が誇りやで!!!!!←エセ関西弁

Merry Christmasのプロジェクションの中、ロバたん&リベラっこソロっと登場。
メンバーは22人。5曲歌ってくれたぉｏ(＞▽＜*)(*＞▽＜)ｏ
（歌に関しては後ほどコンサレポでたっぷりと←）

2009年にネズミーランド（CA）で屋外コンサはやったけど。
あれは屋根あったよね、なにしろ暖かい地だよね。
今回は屋根も囲いもない吹きっさらし←
見てるこっちは着込んでるしてんそん上がってるしで寒さあんま感じなかったけど。
白ローブで微動だにせず歌ってた彼らはさぞや寒かったろうと…
愛ザックは鼻声んなってたし、キアランも声が途切れちゃったりしてたもの。
せめてローブの下にはヒートテックを着てたことを願う(ノ゜O゜)ノ極暖のほうね←そこ

とにかくいろんな意味で今までにないレアなコンサだった(*´∀｀)人(´∀｀*)
ユニバのショーのファンの人でも今回のこの天使のくれた奇跡CDを買ったという方も。
そうゆうの聞くとほんと嬉しい!!
一人でも多くの人がリベラを聴いてハッピーになりますように♥
だから来年こそはユニバクリスマスCM（リベラそんぐ） は全国放送で!!
お願いしまっすUSJさん＼(゜▽゜)／

・ユニバコンサについての記事 – コンフェティ
・今年の夏冬USJ関連プレイリスト↓↓↓

Libera Christmas in Summer at USJ

As you know, Libera did a Christmas concert at Universal Studios Japan on the 5th of August!!!

This concert was a world premiere for a new song, which is the 4th time collaboration with Muramatsu-san. The first one “Far Away” and the 3rd one “Song of Life” were used as a theme song of USJ’s Christmas event TV advertisement for the last 4 years.
And this year, the new song will tie up with USJ’s Christmas night show! Woop woop! :D
＊Universal Studios Japan’s page – HERE

20 boys travelled all the way from COOL London! Welcome to HOT Japan! ;D

– Marc Alvares
– Shay Balsekar
– Ciaran Bradbury-Hickey
– Merlin Brouwer
– Gabriel Collins
– Kavana Crossley
– Thomas Delgado-Little
– Alex Gula
– Matthew Jansen
– Timothy Lee
– Isaac London
– Alessandro MacKinnon-Botti
– Michael Menezes
– Alex Montoro
– Oliver Mycka (youngest boy)
– Cassius O’Connell-White
– Taichi Shinokubo
– Camden Stewart
– Sam Wiggin
– Lucas Wood
　
　
Libera Japan Official has kindly reported about the boys’ staying in Japan and the concert on their Facebook page – リベラ（Libera Records）
All is in Japanese, so I’m translating them into English. :)

・Saturday, 1st August at 11:11(JST)
“Hi, Libera fans! The boys arrived in Osaka safely! They all are good!”

・Saturday, 1st August at 11:21(JST)
“Off to their hotel from Kansai International airport!”

・Sunday, 2nd August at 1:38(JST)
“After they arrived at hotel, they had lunch and swimming to refresh! They experienced a local train in Osaka as well. Kavana & Cassius were still small when they last came to Japan 3 years ago, but now they’ve much grown and look after younger boys!”

Taichi, Alex G, Merlin

Camden, Marc, Alessandro, Tom, Alex M

Cassius, Tim, Michael, Kavana

Sam, Lucas

・Sunday, 2nd August at 1:47(JST)
“The first-ever Japanese Libera boy, Taichi. He was interested in ‘plastic food’ at a restaurant they had dinner, so took a picture with it. It’s very kind of him to interpret when the boys order!”

・Sunday, 2nd August at 1:52(JST)
“Today, the 1st of August, is birthday of Sam Coates & Lucas! And the 4th of August is Ciaran’s birthday! So they celebrated them with a small Bday cake. They naturally sang Happy Birthday song with beautiful harmony! Yes, that’s Libera!”

・Sunday, 2nd August at 1:58(JST)
“Today’s last post. Introducing former Libera member – Sam Coates, Josh Madine and Steven Geraghty! They’ve been helping Libera as staff for a long time. Josh’s smile hasn’t changed since the old days, yeh?”

　
　
They saw the sights of Osaka on Sunday. Maybe Libera Official would share the photos of it soon. ;)
They rehearsed with Muramatsu-san at the venue on Monday, then seemed they enjoyed USJ. It was very very hot and humid there so I was worried if they got sick though, they looked ok. :)

On the concert day, unfortunately I couldn’t make it as I’m still in London, but my mum went there with our lovely Libera-friends. She met and talked with Taichi’s family there after Arundel concert last year. Really proud of Taichi’s debut in Japan! xD
　
　
It seemed the concert was a bit shorter than usual, and there was no poster/programme.
The song list:

1. Joy to the World
2. Carol of the Bells
3. Sanctus (solo: Merlin)
4. Exultate (solo: Tom)
5. Song of Life (Solo: Isaac, Piano: Muramatsu-san)

Interval

6. Orinoco Flow
7. Amazing Grace (solo: Ciaran)
8. The Prayer (Solo: Isaac)
9. What a Wonderful World (Solo: Isaac)
10. Wayfaring Stranger (Solo: Alessandro)
11. Stay With Me (solo: Merlin, High notes: Lucas)
12. Nearer My God To Thee
13. Joyful Joyful
14. NEW SONG “Angel” (Solo: Isaac, Piano: Muramatsu-san)

　
Libera Japan Official’s concert report – Libera Official website
(My English translation)

“On a very hot day, Libera’s Japan concert was held for the first time in 3 years!
Libera showed up in front of 400 fans being excited to see them. Beautiful stained glass was displayed in the venue. Once they started singing “Joy to the World”, it made the air cool and the audience was wrapped up in beautiful atmosphere as the concert has been named “Christmas in Summer”.
20 boys were here this time. The former Libera boy Josh, played the piano, Sam Coates and Steven Geraghty helped the stage as sound engineering staff as well. On the stage, the first-ever Japanese member Taichi, interpreted their speeches. At the end of the first half, Ciaran introduced Muramatsu-san, and he played the piano for “Song of Life”.
They sang well-known songs like “Orinoco Flow”, “Amazing Grace” and so on after interval. And at the end of the second half, they sang the new song “Angel”. It started with a beautiful tubular bell’s sound, Isaac sang the solo and the Libera’s ‘angel voices’ with Muramatsu-san’s piano touched everyone’s heart.
Official photos from this concert will be out soon!”
　
　
The good news is that some articles and videos of the concert have been published by the press already! Yay! :D

You can hear a full of “Song of Life”. :)

You can hear a part of “Joy to the World”, “Carol of the Bells”, “Sanctus”, “Exultate”, “Song of Life”, and Taichi & Ciaran’s speech. :)

Some more photos – HERE
20 boys & Muramatsu-san :D

　
　
And the best news is that the new song “Angel” will be released as the 1st single from LIBERA Records this autumn!!! So you also can hear it soon!!! Can’t wait!!! xD

Thank you for coming to Japan, Libera! We Japanese fans had waited to hear/see you in Japan again for long. So very happy to welcome you again. Especially Taichi, you are LOVED and supported by all Japanese fans! Looking forward to seeing you next time! ;D
　
　
　
USJコンサ行った400人のみなさん、はっぴーふぉーゆー＼(゜▽゜)／ふぉー

リベラっこ達、予告どーり（でもなかったが←）先週土曜日に到着して。
日本公式ページがいろいろアップしてくれて。
あっつーまにコンサ当日で。
んであっつーまに帰っていったねヽ(￣▽￣)ﾉプイーン

思いの外コンサについての記事やビデオがさっさかアップされてて。
んまーーじゃぱにーずの仕事の速さ、さすがやわ!!(`･ω･´)b←エセ関西弁

今回アタシは行けなかったけれども。
ママンと仲良しリベラーたちはこぞってUSJへ。
ツイッタで行ってるみんなの嬉し楽しテンパリ具合も見れて（爆）
鼻息がロンドンにまで届いたよ(￣∀￣)ぶ

ママンが会場で太一くんふぁみりーに会ってきたそうで。
アタシは何度かお会いしてたけど、ママンはアランデルぶり。
そん時まだ太一くんデビュー前。（過去レポ参照）
太一くんママはリベラが日本で人気があるって全然知らなかったってゆう(￣▽￣)
その1年ちょっと後にこんなに大活躍、みんなのアイドル太一くん♥
先輩リベラっこ達からも可愛がられてるのがよくわかるよね♥
今後もソロやらコンサMCやらテレビ&ラジオ出演やら増えそう。
日本全国のリベラーが超絶エコ贔屓で（←）太一くん応援しとるぜよ!!!(`･ω･´)b

↓↓デビュー前の貴重しゃすん、太一くんとフィン（ルーカス弟）
※コピーはお控えくださいませませ。

◆Please do not copy this photo. Thank you.◆
　
　
で、今回コンサのメイン王子コラボ第4弾、新曲「天使のくれた奇跡」
もつろん今年の「ユニバーサル・ワンダー・クリスマス」とタイアップ。
秋にはLIBERA Recordsから第1弾シングルとしてCDリリース!!!
はーやーくーきーきーたーいーぜー!!!フンフンフン（鼻息音）

とにかく、急に湧いて沸いて終わった3年ぶりのリベコンinじゃぱん。
たくさんの人がハッピーになってヨカッタヽ(￣▽￣)ﾉ
リベラっこ達も酷暑の中USJも満喫してったようでヨカッタヨカッタヽ(￣▽￣)ﾉ
そろそろロンドンに着く頃か?

　
　
来日時の様子やコンサの記事、ビデオ等いっぱい上がってまつ。
みなさん日本語ねいてぃぶなんで←
各自ちぇけら＼(゜▽゜)／

・リベラ日本公式ページ – リベラ（Libera Records）
・王子ブログ – 「Libera Christmas in Summer at USJ」
・その他記事 – USJニュース、コンフェティ、シネマカフェ