PLUNKLOCK live in Berlin, 2012-08-03
Autor: SaKi_612
Concert Report
Finally, after starting their first Europe Tour on February 24, 2012 in Moscow, PLUNKLOCK arrived in Berlin. This was not their first show in Germany – on March 2 and 3 they held concerts in Munich and Cologne. So Berlin fans had the honour of the last German show and saying a great goodbye to the band from German fans.
The whole day, I was nervous, cause I had a little present for the band and I never was at the venue before. I wondered what the concert and the autograph session would be like.
Before the show I wanted to meet some friends I know from another concert and facebook, we planned to arrive at the venue at 5.30 pm latest. But since there were some troubles of my friends getting there, we arrived at the venue about 6.10 pm. There we met another friend from Poland, who travelled all the way to Berlin in the morning, just to see PLUNKLOCK live again.
Even though doors open was at 7 pm, there was only a small crowd of about 30 people. I expected the venue not to be sold out at any rate, but I was quite shocked seeing only so few people. While we waited, some more people showed up, but later I got to know there were only 60 tickets sold and I guess, we were about 50 to 55 people in the end.
Entrance was smooth and all worked well. Sadly, there was not so much merchandise and Berlin fans just had the chance to buy the »Breakout« single, no other CDs. Also, there was no Polaroid of Haro, which was sad, too.
I expected the show to start at 8 pm, so I was surprised when the manager came on stage about 7.40 pm to announce the show to start! Soon after, PINKY just entered the stage and the crowd started to scream in excitement. He took his position right behind his drum set, clapped his hands and – like always – started to make funny faces.
The intro (»Breakout -Remix-«) started and then, one by one, the other band members came out, at the very end Haro. As soon as he was on stage, they started to rock the club.
First song was »Breakout« and the fans were carried away from the band's energy from the very first second. Even though there was just a small crowd, the fans supported the band like there were hundreds of people. They sang along with Haro, while Kazuki – right in front of me – played with us (and the cameras) and wandered around a lot. The whole time, the band members were smiling and energetic, it was fun watching them on stage.
Regrettably, the audio technician was kind of incapable. The sound was incredibly loud. Sometimes, I could not even understand what Haro was singing, guitar and bass were one big mess – what was not the band's fault. I could have understood if it took the first song to adjust the sound settings, because a club with a smaller crowd is different from the same club with a large crowd – but nothing happened. The sound stayed much too loud, so it was not as much fun as it could have been. This was really sad.
Even so, the fans managed to be even louder than the band, screaming and cheering all the time. They went wild, when the band went wild and seemed to have so much fun together. They always jumped and banged their heads in the rhythms of PLUNKLOCK's songs, which must have given the band a great feeling aside from the fact they were playing in front of just this few people.
Haro and Haruka even gave us some fan service during »Dilemma«, making the fans squeal like crazy. Haro just walked straight to Haruka, who turned on him, then came really close with his head to Haruka's and let it look like kissing.
During the whole show, the band was interacting with the audience really nice and kind, Haro sometimes shook hands while the others posed much and as near as possible.
After the first three songs (Breakout, Dilemma and 1/6000000000), Haro made a short MC, which was mostly in Japanese, since the band only speaks little English. But I think, he even said »Danke« (Thank you) in German, making the crowd happy.
Without pause, PLUNKLOCK kept rocking the stage, banging and jumping with their fans. I'm sorry for not being able to read the Kanji of two of the next songs. But the set-list now was equal to the set-list published on Kanzen Music's facebook profile. Fifth song was »catharsis«, seventh song was »Forward« – followed by another short and mostly Japanese MC by Haro.
After a second SE, PLUNKLOCK started to perform »≠« (»not equal«) with a many-voiced »Whooo-hoooo-whoooo-hoooo!« by band and fans. This song really was great to dance and jump around, so everyone went wild.
But I especially waited for »Ai'iro Regret«, which is my absolute favourite song. I had not to wait for long, since as soon the last notes of »≠« were over, »Ai'iro Regret« started! Seemed like many people besides me love this song most, cause fans went crazy and sang along with Haro again.
Since it was still much too loud in there and it really was getting hot, I had to go outside the club due to circulations problems. No matter what, in front of the club doors I could hear every single note and even the fans screaming and jubilating. But I had some fresh air and some talks with the staff.
So I'm sorry for not giving a complete report, but for me it was not possible to stay inside the whole time. I remember PLUNKLOCK played their first single »teardrop« and also »koe«, a wonderful and quiet song and thus a big contrast to the show till now. You see, this band is not only Rock'n'Roll but also into ballads, which shows their variety.
I went in, when the Encore just started, another time PLUNKLOCK performed »Breakout« and »≠«, rocking the Berlin crowd for one last time.
As soon as the show was over, Pinky and Kazuki gathered at the edge of the stage, playing all sad and tearful, Kazuki acted as if crying and Pinky tried to comfort him. But all the time, both are grinning and so did the fans. They said goodbye for some minutes, getting ready for the autograph session. At about 9 pm the stage was empty again.
Shortly after, the band appeared again, going through the club, heading for the autograph session. Since the club still laid in darkness, Pinky shouted – instead of a »Hello« – »It's a DARKNESS!«, making the fans around the table giggle. We had to wait a bit and Pinky made fun all of the time with »No, no, no! Wait! WAAAAIIT … – NOW! – No, wait! Wait! … Now!« We had to laugh really hard and then, suddenly, lights on and we could get started!
I managed to give my little present to Pinky and Kazuki, who sat next to me (I was happy, both my favourite members where the first to talk to and sign). They accepted it and signed my stuff, Pinky making fun all the time while Kazuki was more shy, but kindly shook my hand. Haruka and Haro were really nice, too, and also shook my hand. I thanked all of them for the great concert and stepped aside, so the other fans could also get an autograph and small talk.
I waited with my friends, who were at the end of the line, for taking a group picture of the band and have a little talk with Pinky and Kazuki, when it all would have calmed down a little.
When my friend from Poland had her turn, she wanted to take a picture with the band and herself, but the tour manager denied. I asked her why, and she explained, only VIP and Early Bird ticket owners could take pictures with the band and themselves. She was very persistent – but I almost burst out in laughter, cause Pinky sat next to us, listening to our conversation (I guess, he just understood it was about the denial of taking pictures), making faces all the time and aping the manager. When the manager realized, she turned and Pinky went on making faces, so I really had to laugh. In the end, we really were not allowed to take pictures with the band, even though there were no VIP / Early Bird tickets or similar sold for the Berlin show. This was sad, but I understand VIP payed more to get this privilege so we just cannot get the same for paying less.
When I finally took my photo of PLUNKLOCK group, Pinky realized I had the Kanji for »Nani?« (English: »What??«) on my shirt and afterwards he pointed on me, calling »Whoa! Nani?!« for several times. The other band members realized, too, and I hardly could hold myself back from laughing, when they all suddenly stared at my chest. After a short conversation and the last autographs, the band had to say goodbye to Berlin and therefore Germany. I said »Come back soon«, when they left and like a shot Pinky replied: »Come back soon, yeah!«
Sou, PLUNKLOCK, mata yotte kudasai ne!
I hope they will return soon to Germany, I think they liked it here. Maybe another location, the K17 has not been the perfect choice, and with VIP tickets, so we can get in touch with PLUNKLOCK even more the next time!
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