BOLAN scheduled to release their debut single on June 15th. A few days after the Fukuoka concert, the band's debut single was officially released.
At the end of the Fukuoka show, the three members of BOLAN returned to Tokyo a little later than the others. They were first taken by their agent to visit local TV stations and radio broadcasting offices.
In the newcomer stage, no matter who you are, you cannot avoid the step of door-to-door sales.
From the Tokyo area to major cities across the country, the first thing to do is to convey the news of the band’s debut. This tour with DREAMS COME TRUE happens to be a way to promote the band.
BOLAN debuted, and at the same time, their predecessor ZARD was on a nationwide tour. Taking advantage of ZARD's vacancy after the album was released, the record company's resources and manpower were concentrated on BOLAN.
However, because the music production rights were entrusted to Sakuma Masahide, although the two bands are predecessors and there are several behind-the-scenes staff who are mixed, the music styles are completely different. Compared to ZARD, BOLAN is tougher.
After the little-known small company launched ZARD, a small and popular band, they did not choose to play it safe and continue to launch bands with similar tastes after ZARD. Instead, they tried something else.
This can be said to be a kind of "boldness", but it is also a kind of "as it should be".
Of course, it's not that bands with similar tastes to ZARD won't be released at all. If you don't do it now, it doesn't mean you won't do it in the future. However, in Shinichi Iwahashi's view, ZARD is not popular enough to follow the path it has taken.
Degree.
Launching a band with a similar style too early would limit the development of ZARD. In his eyes, this band has unlimited potential.
In addition, companies should not invest in the same style.
It hasn't been long since it opened, and it's still in the exploratory stage. It's running on two lines, exploring and experimenting at the same time.
When BOLAN debuted, ZARD, which was touring small venues, just arrived in Kobe, took a short rest, and sang three shows in two days. So far, every ticket has been sold out wherever they go on the tour. During the performance, even
There are also spectators who deliberately listen to the leaked sound outside the venue.
This is certainly related to the fact that the venue the band opened is too small, but it is also undoubtedly evidence that its popularity has increased and it is becoming popular.
When performing in a small venue, the distance between the audience and the audience is not much different, making it easier to interact. Because of this, such venues often have a first-class atmosphere, the audience is more enthusiastic, and the band performs with great energy.
After a performance, people who had seen the performance were full of praise, which deepened their impression and good impression of the band. Audiences who were waiting outside to hear the leaked sound regretted not seeing the performance, but instead deepened their feelings for the band. Performances in small venues increased
A great tip for die-hard fans.
ZARD is very popular in the Kansai area. The reason for this is that before the band's debut, Shinichi Iwahashi came to Kansai to promote it. During the national mourning period, the band's promotion focus was in Kansai.
Compared to Kanto people, Kansai people have appreciated the charm of ZARD earlier. Because of this, when looking at ZARD, Kansai people have a little subtle pride.
I feel that the first step taken by this band has a lot to do with them.
ZARD is a band that was first discovered by us Kansai people and became popular! Although almost all the members are from Kanto, they have a strong appetite for Kansai people!
Shinichi Iwahashi's original move to travel to Kansai to promote the national mourning had far-reaching consequences.
Now, ZARD has toured Kansai and is very popular in Kobe.
After the performance in Kobe, we went to Osaka. The Osaka performance was even more exaggerated. Osaka people took their exaggeration to the extreme and even gave ZARD members the illusion that they were already A-list stars——
Although the venue for the performance was a small venue with a capacity of 2,000 people, the enthusiasm inside and outside the venue was really unexpected. Even before the performance started, Sachiko Kamaiike called Haruko Akamatsu, and the two girls sneaked out to go shopping.
, even the ladies in Osaka Shopping Street would recognize her and praise her directly.
It feels like the Jigen Band is returning home in glory, even though there are four members in the band, three are from Kanto and one is from Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu.
Next door to Osaka is Kyoto.
The fifth person in ZARD, Akamatsu Haruko, is from a large landowner in the Kansai area and has a great reputation. However, the eldest daughter of a wealthy family went to work as a man in black behind the scenes. She has not yet made a name for herself, even if she arrives.
Don't even expect to get any special hospitality in Kansai.
Not even the flower baskets to congratulate the performance were collected.
Akamatsu Haruko didn't care. She passed by her hometown on a business trip, but she came to play house without entering.
However, on the opening day of the Osaka concert, I received an unexpected flower basket——
Momoko Kikuchi sent a flower basket to congratulate the band on their performance backstage.
The flower basket was sent backstage. Akamatsu Haruko entered the lounge backstage and told the members about it, "It was sent by Kikuchi-san's manager."
Momoko Kikuchi happened to go to Kansai TV to record a program. When she learned that ZARD was holding a concert here, she asked her manager to prepare a flower basket and wish the band a successful performance.
"Kikuchi Momo-san?"
When the band members heard the name, they all reacted.
When the band first debuted, Momoko Kikuchi recommended their songs on the J-WAVE radio station. Later, when the band released their debut album, Momoko Kikuchi also recommended it.
ZARD is a new band that just debuted. In the entertainment world, they have such a big fan as Momoko Kikuchi.
Although the two parties have never met, the band members are full of gratitude to Momoko Kikuchi.
"Shall we give something to Kikuchi-san as a return gift?"
Kamai Sachiko looked at the three musicians, and then turned her attention to Akamatsu Haruko. Although she was discussing with the members, she was looking at Akamatsu Haruko as she spoke.
"I have no objection," Koyanagi Changfa said.
"But, what can we give?" Tomohisa Kawazoe asked.
Since we are here for a concert, of course we have to give away related things. However, Iwahashi Shinichi had previously asked them to give a copy of the band's debut album to Momoko Kikuchi, so what can be given now is peripherals and the like.
While the concert is going on, it would be a bad idea to go out of your way to buy a gift for Momoko Kikuchi.
What matters is the mind.
In the end, the three male musicians went to the side to hide for a while when they got too carried away - this kind of thing was not within the scope of their attention in the first place, and it didn't matter even if they didn't ask for their opinions.
The matter of returning gifts was left to Sachiko Kamaike and Haruko Akamatsu.
The two girls discussed together and decided on the gift in return, and then asked the agent in charge of running errands to send it to Momoko Kikuchi.
…
The concert tickets that Shinichi Iwahashi prepared for Momoko Kikuchi were for the Tokyo concert. This is normal. After all, Tokyo is the eternal center of Japan, and she usually works in Tokyo.
However, the Tokyo show is still the last show, and by the time it starts, it will already be August.
On the day she came to Osaka for work, Momoko Kikuchi learned that ZARD was holding a concert here. She thought about it and asked her manager to prepare a congratulatory flower basket and send it to the backstage of the concert.
Momoko Kikuchi came to participate in the recording of a talk entertainment program on Kansai TV today. The host is the comedian Akashi Saury, who is known as the funny monster.
Akashi's saury just had a flash marriage with actress Shinobu Otake, who has a high status in the industry, last year. Currently, Shinobu Otake is pregnant and is expected to give birth in September. In the past, Momoko Kikuchi prepared a gift for Shinobu Otake when she participated in the recording of a program.
The level of thoughtfulness is amazing.
Although she is a married woman, comedians are accustomed to having strong tastes and not tabooing meat and vegetables. When she was doing a show with Momoko Kikuchi, the Akashi family saury still made fun of her, and even hit on his own wife.
"You are so cute~ If I hadn't already married Dazhusang, I would have wanted to propose to you."
After being in the industry for so many years, Momoko Kikuchi has long mastered the way to deal with such jokes that are difficult to reply to - she narrows her eyes and shows an innocent smile.
Akashi's saury's reaction to calling her made her laugh out loud, complaining to the camera, "This expression is so cunning!"
The recording of the program went smoothly.
Recently, Momoko Kikuchi has participated in more variety shows than in previous years. The reason for this is because the agency contract has not been renewed yet, and the agency cannot arrange work for her.
She has always had a pleasant cooperation with the firm, and although her contract was not renewed, she was not treated coldly. However, both parties at least reached a consensus on her next move and would not switch jobs to a firm that did not have a good relationship with her current employer.
As long as you break up peacefully, many things won't be a problem.
Iwasaki Kayumi is running to set up a firm. Although Kikuchi Momoko has not let go, it has not stopped her at all.
After all, setting up a firm is what Iwasaki Kayumi must do. And Momoko Kikuchi is the best card she can get at this stage. However, if she cannot get this card, Iwasaki
Ga Yunmei can't give up her cards and stop playing.
After finishing the recording and returning to the backstage, Momoko Kikuchi heard from her manager that everyone at ZARD had sent gifts in return, "...it was to thank Kikuchi-san for taking care of her."
ZARD also sent back bouquets of flowers and merchandise from their concert.
Along with the gift, there was also a handwritten letter from the female lead singer Kamai Sachiko. Kikuchi Momoko had seen her handwriting and recognized it at a glance.
After accepting the gift, Kikuchi Momoko looked at the time and asked her agent, "Can you postpone your return to Tokyo tomorrow?"
"What?"
Momoko Kikuchi discussed with her manager and asked him to contact ZARD's manager and ask if she could meet with the band members during the day tomorrow. If so, she would like to invite them to dinner together.
At this time, the band's performance has not yet started.
Not long after the agent left, he came over to reply, and he agreed, "ZARD also wants to meet you."
Therefore, the managers of both parties were responsible for communication, and Momoko Kikuchi, the senior member of the band, treated the guests. At noon the next day, the principals of both parties, plus their respective managers, met for a meal.
Momoko Kikuchi arrived a little later. As soon as she entered the box, she saw two beauties with outstanding looks.
One is the lead singer of the band, Sachiko Kamaike. Compared to the album cover or TV show, she looks even more beautiful in real life. Perhaps because she is the lead singer of a rock band, her temperament is not only gentle, but also cheerful.
And the other beauty who was with her looked absolutely incomparable to Sachiko Kamaiike.
Momoko Kikuchi was stunned for a moment and smiled. Of course, before she spoke, the junior ZARDs greeted her first.
That strange beauty who is not inferior to Sachiko Kamaiike seems to be a staff member of the band.
It's incredible.
"Previously, I would like to thank you for taking care of me, Kikuchi-san."
The three male musicians acted as the background for this party, leaving the communication task to Kamaike Sachiko. She sincerely thanked Kikuchi Momo.
Kikuchi Momoko's soft and charming appearance arouses people's desire for protection.
Even though she is an "old-timer" who has been in the industry for many years, when we really talk about it, Sachiko Kamaiike, who debuted much later, is actually one year older than her.
"real?"
After hearing this, Kikuchi Momoko smiled and thought for a while, "But, Kamachi-san actually feels a little bit like a sister."
Knowing that Sachiko Kamaike is one year older than her, Momoko Kikuchi, an old-timer, can speak her mind more freely. Hearing what she said, Sachiko Kamaike couldn't help but smile.
When both parties met for the first time, they left a good impression on each other.
Even so, when they met for the first time, neither of them were social experts, and they still seemed aloof and polite. However, the atmosphere was not awkward or subtle.
After finishing the meal, the band members started their first performance of the day at four o'clock in the afternoon and had to go backstage for the concert an hour in advance. Momoko Kikuchi postponed her return to Tokyo and had to go back in the afternoon.
So both parties said goodbye politely.
When parting, Momoko Kikuchi stretched out her hand and shook Sachiko Kamachi's hand.
Kamaike Sachiko, who gave Kikuchi Momoko a cheerful impression, had slender and strong fingers. On the other hand, her fingers were as soft and gentle as the impression she gave people.
…
ZARD's performance in Osaka is over. The performance lasted for two weeks. They returned to Tokyo for a week's rest and will continue in July. On the other hand, the stage equipment DREAMS COME TRUE shipped to Osaka was moved out of the rented warehouse a few days in advance.
, start setting up at the scheduled performance venue.
Once it happens, it becomes familiar twice. Compared with the Fukuoka venue, not only the band but also the staff also know what to do, and the arrangements are smoother.
The repertoire of the Osaka show was similar to that of the Fukuoka show, but the order of the songs was different. In addition, two more songs were sung.
Because the Osaka venue is larger than the Fukuoka venue, 33,000 people were mobilized for one session.
The performances are on the 24th and 25th. Not only the staff in Osaka are busy setting up the stage in advance, but Shinichi Iwahashi in Tokyo also has to make preparations, bring his work with him, and make arrangements with those who are staying in Tokyo.
Time for conference calls, etc.
Fortunately, it's not the kind of tour with intensive schedule.
While I was busy, I suddenly received a call that day. The person calling was Momoko Kikuchi.
"I am Momoko Kikuchi."
The person on the other end of the phone announced his name, and Shinichi Iwahashi was stunned for a moment.
I didn't expect to receive a call from her.
"Kikuchi-san." Shinichi Iwahashi said, "Hello."
Momoko Kikuchi called and told him that when she went to Osaka for work a few days ago, she happened to meet ZARD who was holding a concert there and had dinner with the band.
"ah."
Shinichi Iwahashi listened, unable to guess the purpose of her call.
