28/3/2024 Oberhausen, turbinenhalle

GIG REVIEW, DIR EN GREY mode of withering to death.

Since the m&g was at 6 and the gig didn’t start till 8 it was a bit of a long wait.

Luckily they started right on time!

It was just surreal to see them again and so up close, RAHHH. Shinay wore a white dress jacket and black trousers. Kaoru wore a beautiful 3 piece. He later took off the jacket so we could see the waistcoat and billowy shirt underneath better. Die wore his black dress/leather shorts combo with a red and black thing over it for most of the show. Toshiya wore his sparkly black dress with the leather boots, gosh, so pretty!! And Kyo was in his black adidas tracksuit. Tshirt underneath and a necklace over it. He wore 2 rings on his left hand, pinky and middle fingers, I think. He wore a white/blind contact lens in his left eye and his right was normal. Had the bald head with the extensions on it and the make up he did for most of the shows. Ah speaking of make up- Kaoru had two little vampire fangs drawn on him!! It was so cute.

I don’t know the exact setlist. I’m sure someone has already posted it but I think it was the same for the other Withering shows. It was just amazing to hear these song live and the music was good and Kyo was audible and RAAHH it was just so, so fucking good.

They seemed really energetic and especially during Jesus Christ R ‘n R Kyo was interacting with the crowd a lot. He took out his earpiece to listen to us sing and also shouted ‘Sing!’ at us at the ominous communication part. AHHH. It was amazing! I think I spotted the tiniest crack of a smile on Kyo’s face.

The others switched places during playing which was very nice! They just all seemed to be in good spirits. I also saw Kaoru singing along with a few songs and so did Die and idk why but it just made me immensely happy.

I’ve worn blind/white eye lenses before and you can’t see much out of them so Kyo only had 1 good eye during the show. He had moments of looking into the crowd but I noticed he spend a lot of time singing with his eyes almost closed for a good while. I can relate, I couldn’t help from closing my eyes from time to time to just feel the music, even though I didn’t want to miss a second of it. He also danced to a few songs, and after having seen them live for quite some years, to me it felt like he generally had a good time and good live. His voice was also SO good, gosh. How that man has grown (figuratively, bwhaha).

They ended with Akoru no oka (my heart) and it was quiet a moment before Kyo just said BYE BYE in the mic and left the stage. Shinya threw his drumsticks and the other 3 stayed a little longer to throw their water bottles and plectrums. Kaoru threw one of his weirdly on the otherside where we were standing and I think it bounces off the barricade or something!? But it made him burst out in laughter and that was so nice to see ;o;

Die nearly killed someone with his bottle throw LOL, and after that we gathered ourselves and it was time to get ready to leave and head back home. I just felt filled with joy, and still do the morning after. So happy I decided to go and also finally chance the meet and greet.

Feel free to repost pictures, but please credit!

deg is my first vk show. this is immense.

that was so surreal. i didnt know any furi but i tried to stay involved every song. they might be real, they might be very famous grownass men who are real and very very hot and right in front of me.

they might be men in thihg highs shredding, one whose hair is blowing so gently and one very small bald man in his FULL ADIDAS tracks and incredible primordial stances when eldritch sounds come from his blackened zombie mouth.

god i think they must be real

My pictures of Dir En Grey in Paris, Day 2 (23.03.24)~

Day 1 pics here.

(more of my thoughts on the shows below the line)

As I said in my previous post, I'll remember these 2 days for the rest of my life. I was a bit off to the side but still very close to the stage on day 2, and when I tell you I lost my mind when Kyo came out looking like that. It's like he'd answered my prayers cuz I was so hoping he'd do a cool look on day 2, and he looked so fkn stunning. Toshiya also looked so good with the black sparkly dress (shame I wasn't able to capture him effectively for myself but I'm glad others did). But yeah no I'm never getting over Kyo's outfit. He really did that.

They didn't just look amazing, they sounded amazing. What an incredibly solid live band. They have to be witnessed lived, truly. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears. Kyo pulled off all those vocals so perfectly I was awestruck, Kaoru and Die played so intricately, Toshiya slayed the bass, and Shinya was a drumming machine. Thank you so much to this band for the best concerts I could've ever asked for.

He is so tall with wide shoulder! + signature hair flipped!

Hello, I’ve read a few small stories from Dir en grey’s meet&greet and experience from the concerts in general aaannddd I also decided to share mine from m&g 19.03 in Warsaw… Maybe just mainly for archival purposes, but anyway… it was quite interesting.

Since It was my very first concert in my whole life (but what is most important Dir en grey concert😭) and I was sosososo hella nervous – on top of all I came completely alone into the dark unknown! The first show of my favourite band. The first meet&greet with precious and talented band members on their first tour destination. I thought I could have died before start of the show.

Beforehand I’ve read some different experiences from m&g – there were really a few, really – it was said that people with VIP queued in front of the venue doors and were entering one by another to meet the members(¿). (Actually I have no clue, because I didn’t happen to enter among all the people… You’re allowed to read to know then lol) When I had come on the floor I saw two queues actually. One to the m&g and another to the merch booth. But as I said, It was my first life experience so I immediately got super confused and didn’t know where to go… Two long queues, a lot of people, I couldn’t understand which one is which… Anyway I stayed at the end of the merch queue (😭) and managed to buy some things almost THE LAST ONE. I mean, there still was a couple of girls near the stand, but… the cashier was very nice, (he let me pull out of the bag some secret postcard&stickers on my own lol) when he said «there is a meeting with a band, so you should hurry» and pointed at the entrance doors. I looked and realised there was no one around, like, really, empty corridor… Obviously I got scared (even more scared than I’ve been all this day) and rushed there immediately, almost running – actually it was just “fast-walking”. I didn’t know the place, what is where, and at that moment I didn’t even know where is the venue and where I entered… I jumped up to the venue with dizzy head, completely at a loss, greatly confused (I’m sorry, but that cashier really made me worry and hurry with those words😭) and first I couldn’t even recognize the place. All happened so suddenly: I saw them. But the first gaze was so quick, really, I only managed to catch the smiley glance from Toshiya first! Probably all of them were so confused of the chaotic way I entered 😭 (I even thought Toshiya was internally laughing at me, but i guess I was simply delusional.) The staff stopped me with "wait" or something, and – oh what a shame… – at that exact moment I suddenly/quickly turned around at my speed (but it wasn’t so fast fr) and stepped back as almost i was about to leave at every moment 😰 There were no fans nearby… before or after me… and we just stayed like that, so so embarrassing… Me, being afraid even just of looking at them, because I knew, I felt they were staring at me… Maybe i got affected by this “wait” from the staff and actually lost all remains of courage, waiting, waiting for the right signal😭 I met eyes with that woman from the staff, she was staring at me and i was looking at her like “what should i do, when am i allowed to step forward😰” Jeez i really felt so many eyes on me, as it was a long moment and i got lost…

But when i raised my sight, i couldn’t bear but just notice Toshiya’s smile 😭 (him being that tall after all) You know, it was just impossible not to catch it. He was staring so brightly, with the kindest and the most loving smile on his face😭 This smile could physically warm a body and hearts, full of gratefulness, love and respect. Since I’m quite young (i’m 20 actually… but the fact that I admit that I look much younger) for a moment i realised – i’m sure – it was a smile of a loving parent/senpai looking at the child/kohai 😭 Just… can’t describe this wholesome feeling, that he created inside of me with this looking&smile. He didn’t cut off his glance even when we actually met our eyes… i mean, i immediately got shyshyshyshy, i couldn’t withstand it and looked away😭 it was just too much😭🤚🏻

Then i noticed Kaoru looking straight and handing his postcard to me, encouraging me to come closer, and so that was the sign when i managed to finally move my trembling body. (The possibility that they might have been waiting for me just flutters all my insides and kills me!) So, then.. everything happened quite quickly, i was collapsed by shock, embarrassment and happiness at the same time, to the point I almost teared up. I bowed at each of them, saying quietly arigatogozaimassss as they were handing me signed postcards. I couldn’t even make myself to raise my head and look at them… Toshiya was the last one in a row, and when i stood in front of him the actual height difference hit me and got me on knees (and that’s the second reason i couldn’t get myself to look up – it would be physically uncomfortable lol i guess) I mean… this man is really tall, I faced his chest at the level of my nose for real, so yeah (I’m 160cm). He was the one who thanked me in response – well, maybe i was just too dumb and rushed too much idk – and that was so cute of him! Really, he seemed to be the nicest at the m&g, he really does care about fans, he really is glad and happy to meet fans😭 and he obviously showed his appreciation of all its power/extent. The one meeting broke my heart.

Of course after this i rushed to the rest of people near the stage (luckily i was in a second row right before Toshiya!) And then they left the place almost right away… I mean, after all maybe i really was the last one??? And what if they were waiting for me?? (It kills me ugh) Idk… I was sure there were some more girls at the merch booth before….

Anyway, talking about my very first show impression, i was sincerely amazed by this little pleasing discovery of my own – all of them actually were looking at fans during the show! Like straight in the eyes. Catching our glances. Sustaining this eye contact again and again. It felt like a dream, it felt like we and them actually connected on some kind of inner basis/level… I’m sure I even crossed some glances with Toshiya and Kaoru 😭 I didn’t expect it so, again, i felt kinda embarrassed, but super crazy! That was so much fun! Really, I will never forget those nights… And now, every time reminding it – all of them, the performance, their movements and emotions, that charming smile of Toshiya – I can’t help but melt into a divine smile…

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart💔 And thank you too who has read this unexpectedly long message 😭🤲🏻 And sorry for any mistakes..

P.S. I also wouldn’t mind if anyone who has read it, would like to share their experience too🤲🏻 Really, just kinda curious… and after all i don’t have friends who i can talk about diru with sooooooo feel free to share🙌🏻🌷

I rarely talk about my experiences at Dir en grey shows, mostly because I want to keep them to myself. To remember certain moments or recalling certain movements and situations. But this time I just want to say some bits about Berlin.

I was absolutely shocked about the behavior of the crowd. I don't know if it was because there was a break of four years since we last saw them or because it was of the selection of the played albums. However... I witnessed people being absolutely ruthless, disrespectful and violent to others in case of behavior and actions. People were pushed down and kicked on so they would stay on the floor and if no one would have helped them they would probably be badly injured now or worse. People pushed and jumped around without considerations of others to get more to the front. They risked hurting people and with hurting I don't just mean bruises. I mean they literally didn't care if someone fell down through their action in a crowd full of moving people. There were people in the crowd who didn't really come to enjoy the music but to rather get themselves drunk and then starting a riot in the crowd. This is something that goes on since around 2011 and till now it was not acceptable but at least tolerable (though I might say, mosh pits and wall of deaths were never part of a Dir en grey concert and it's simply out of place here) but Berlin showed me that they're going too far. For me such people don't belong to their concerts. But it's a personal opinion (and no, I won't discuss it with anyone). However. Exactly those people were the reason why the wall of death was even started. They wanted violence and they got violence, sadly on the shoulders of others who didn't want it. They didn't care if someone was in it who didn't want it. They didn't care to hold the others around them safe, instead they crushed into them. And... While I tried to keep myself safe during "Reiketsu nariseba" I had the opportunity to watch how it was formed and how they waited and I was disgusted and scared... They looked like wild animals ready to spring on another. They were pacing around like they couldn't wait and their eyes were... it was frightening.

I get "concert fun". But for me, this wasn't fun anymore, this was madness. And all I can hope for is that this madness won't be here when or if they're touring in Europe again. PS: The behavior of ASTRA staff also kind of confused me. Dir en grey are coming into this venue for years now and since it's not my favorite it was okay for me. This time, security was basically non-existent and especially after the 1st day they should have been more present.

Dir en Grey- Astra Kulturhaus

As someone who attended the shows in Berlin, I have to say that I was disappointed with the location. The boys did good. Great in fact. I saw the same fan service that I often see in Japanese shows and they were giving it their all. But the problem was the venue and the area in which the venue is located.

On the very first day, a friend and I woke up and left our hotel room to get breakfast and I was physically assaulted by a local who very angrily asked me "you rich?" and when I chose to ignore him and move out of his way, he took a large step towards me and slammed his head into mine. My luck were the braids in my hair that somewhat softened the blow, but I was shook and out of it for a good while.

After breakfast we made our way to Astra and spoke to the German fans in charge of handing out numbers for VIP, priority and regular. They were incredibly sweet, worried about me and angry. They alerted us that the area surrounding Astra is dangerous and there are many drug users who intake drugs from morning till noon, so they are already far gone... It is an area notorious for its nonstop loud music, drug users and so on.

They told us that suspecting these kind of issues might occur and because they took the safety of other Dir en Grey fans seriously, they had called the police several times and requested that they do more rounds around the area, just in case. Take into consideration, that besides me, other men had already caused disturbances that morning with other Diru fans. We were advised by them to always walk around the area in groups, so we could look out for each other.

We spoke to several German fans, who lived in Berlin and claimed they were done with Astra and refused to watch another Dir en Grey show at Astra after this tour.

Astra itself? Sound quality sucked, the venue looks like a mix-match of several bits and pieces of materials that were donated to put the place together, but considering the overall vibe in the complex, it is intentional. The staff at Astra? Apart from one or two, most of the people there were rude, laughed at the eagerness and excitement of Dir en Grey fans and did mostly nothing when their safety at the venue was compromised.

A German fan was kicked in a mosh pit on the first day by a foreigner and while other German fans tried to lift her up, she was shoved down by this fan and kicked again. During the second day, other disturbances occurred and little to no safety was provided. In fact, the crowd felt almost off on the second day because we were all scared of what the crowd would be like during Ouroboros.

Yes, we all know that if you are going to a metal or rock show this sort of thing can happen and you do so at your own risk, but there were fans claiming Dir en Grey was to blame for this. I don't think most people understand that Dir en Grey cannot be held accountable for the security services that are provided or their fan's behaviour during the show.

Also take into consideration, that this is the impression I came with from the venue. It is my opinion and the feeling I got from it. You don't have to agree with it. If you went to the Astra shows and your experiences were better than mine, I am very very happy for you. If you like the area around Astra and the place itself, good for you.

I was there for the boys and for the most part, I tried to make the absolute most of it and soak it all up. Would I go back to Astra? Absolutely not. Pass.

Yesterday (28/3/2024) I saw Dir en grey at their Oberhausen live. Am gonna make two posts, one about the meet & greet/merch and one about the live. Starting off with the meet and greet!

I’ve been a fan since 2005/2006? I saw the live first in 2006 when they came to Europe to do Rock am Ring and uhhh yeah it’s been nearly 20 years of having these crazy guys in my life.

So, on to yesterday! We arrived and my friend is in a wheelchair so we had to take a special entrance. We also got handed our vip bags in the normal line, which are so cute!! Really in love with the design on the drawstring bag. We were a bit stressed cos the meet and greet started at 6 and they only went to get us at this door at 6, but it was okay. We were lead through the backstage area and I was trying to pay attention to pushing the chair but my friend caught a glimpse of them backstage ahh!!

Before I really realized what was happening we we’re standing inside the venue and the boys were already there behind their table, ready for the meet and greet. My mind kind of went in overdrive as I realized they were already RIGHT THERE. We joined the line and it all went to fast.

First was Shinya, then Die, Kyo, Kaoru and Toshiya. Since Shinya was first I was still having some kind of outer body experience and hardly registered anything. I think I told all of them Thank you!? I hope I did. Shinya was wearing big sunglasses. Die was next and all I remember thinking was wow, he’s so gorgeous. He said thank you in English. He was also wearing big diva sunglasses. Kyo was in the middle and he was wearing a hat, sunglasses and a very long trenchcoat. Honestly he looked uncomfortable, but no bag on his head this time! It was more I could have ever asked for. I’m kinda upset I didn’t look at his hands better as he handed me the card. Kaoru was after him and the only one near wearing sunglasses. This man looked me straight in the eyes and it’s the thing I remember most of the whole meet and greet…. Gosh… *fans self*. He was wearing a baggy double denim fit with a blue baseball cap. Toshiya was last, he was the most smiley out of all of them and wore slightly tinted glasses. I think he wore a grey turtle neck with a necklace over it? The signed cards they gave us are beautiful, but unfortunately I didn’t get any crazy drawings of Kyo.

After that we got our spot at the barricade and I kept sneaking glances backwards at the boys still doing their meet and greet and finishing up. After that I decided to go to buy merch since prio and normal entry weren’t being admitted yet and my friend held my spot.

I bought 3 blind gift bag things, 1 for my friend and 2 for me. I got a Kaoru keychain and a GRIEVE pink and blue sweatband. I also bought 4 lucky charms, 2 for my friends and 2 for myself. My Uroboros one contained a signed paper by Kyo and gods, I’m so indescribably happy with it!

Onto post two for the gig review!

I had traveled once to Europe with my college friends and seniors in 2019, before COVID-19. At that time I joined a club to learn traditional instruments, so most of my friends were into classical music and no one was into DIR EN GREY.

One day when I was waiting in line for the toilet in Prague, I noticed that the people in front of me were wearing band t-shirts, AC/DC, Megadeth… and DIR EN GREY! (THE MARROW OF A BONE). I was so excited to meet diru fans on the other side of the earth, but I didn't have the courage to talk to them until the end.

It's always hard for me to talk to strangers, I get nervous easily (even in my country), and I'd also get startled if someone suddenly talks to me in live house😔

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great time on the upcoming tour!

My pictures of Dir En Grey in Paris, Day 1 (22.03.24)~

Day 2 pics here.

(my quick thoughts on the shows below the line)

I went to both Paris shows (VIP on day 1) and it was hands down the best experience of my life so far. So amazing beyond words. To not only meet my favourite band of all-time in the flesh, but to also watch them perform from the front row on the 1st day (and still very close to the stage on day 2) felt so surreal. Seeing them perform some of my favourite songs of all-time (including dead tree, my number 1 favourite song) was so overwhelmingly amazing I cried multiple times. I got acknowledgments from Die, Toshiya, and Kyo for screaming so loudly every time they came to our side of the stage, and I can't describe how affirming it felt. Since yall follow me on here, you know how much this band means to me, and especially Kyo. This man is my biggest inspiration in regards to both his music and his artistic self-expression. I've never been so inspired by a musician before; I've never been this obsessed with a band before. This was a dream come true, one that I never thought could happen. Thank you so much to this most incredible band. No band will ever come close for me.

Wow Europe! Are you guys excited? I wish you the best time 🖤