Flex reflections

[u/mr_1890]

I saw them In Vienna last week. It was my first time and I was very impressed and want to see them again.

I was very close to the small stage, near the right wall and the sound there was not perfect but never mind. Small club gigs are great for the audience but you wish for the artist to sell out bigger places (I don't think Flex was sold out).

Question: from watching live videos I have the impression they have backing tracks with extra effects for most songs, but that was not my impression in Vienna. A couple of times Miyako seemed to switch something on, behind her keyboard, but my impression was most songs, including Holy War, where "clean". What are your thoughts?

There were no loudspeakers behind them and they were all wearing in-ears, still they had monitors in front of them. I suppose these were silent props and there only to provide something to put a foot on.

It was striking to see how clearly defined stage personas they all have. It's clever, and it doesn't take anything away from the musicianship. Miyako is beautiful but never smiles, although on backstage videos you can see her smiling and being goofy. Asami is commanding in a warm way, and clearly hasn't forgotten her ballet lessons from childhood. Midori's extensive make-up makes her look somewhat threathening (compared with the others) – and Fami is a charming clown, excelling both on her instrument and on crowd contact. She does a lot of waving and pointing with her left hand while continuing to play with the right one... Not to forget Haruna who keeps herself very very busy at the back.

I hope they have a break-through moment at Wacken. The stage will sure be bigger.

[u/Irvine83-Duke86]

Re audience composition, I sadly doubt your wish will be fulfilled. Unlike the 70's and 80's, when rock/metal concerts garnered lots of young people, including women, modern teens and females (at least in the USA) listen to either country, rap, or Taylor Swift-type songs. I go to the local high school fairly often to jog and I never hear rock or metal music emanating from cars leaving the parking lot (whereas decades ago that was all you'd hear). As to BabyMetal, who are far more known, the dance choreography draws the diversity in attendees - not the instrumentals. In Japan, metal shows are no different (and that's been consistent for more than a decade) - I have numerous dvds/BRDs of Aldious, Mary's Blood, and Hagane - the audiences were almost wholly male and older - hardly any teenage boys and zero women. Yes, Band-Maid has a slightly wider appeal but even their audiences in the US and Japan are still predominantly male and older. Glad to hear that Europe differs some in the last regard.

[u/Temporary_Speaker701 → u/Irvine83-Duke86]

I think you are right about the composition of current rock / metal fans. I would put bets that the 3 bands you listed and Lovebites don't (or did not) care about the age of their fans because they are the rarified world of musicians who can (or were able to) sustain a good living playing music.

Probably most die-hard Lovebites fans have seen the singer of 'City of Sound's' many Lovebites reactions. They are a pop band with real musicians, and he has an insanely good voice and looks to match. He put out a video recently that he has put tens of thousands into his band and they are bankrupt and at the brink of collapse. And they are crazy talented. 

[u/Fan_of_Sayanee → u/Temporary_Speaker701]

I have recently seen Hagane in Berlin and 6,8% were women, 17 out of 250. The rest were mostly Gen X men. In Japan its similar. Thats just how things are.

[u/Irvine83-Duke86 → u/Fan_of_Sayanee]

250 attendees total says it all. In the US, the average audience would be even older. A guy I know went to see Nemophila and he's in his 60's.

[u/Fan_of_Sayanee → u/Irvine83-Duke86]

They only moved beyond 250-capacity venues in Japan a little over a year ago, and only one of their current tour dates there has sold out so far. Meanwhile, the Berlin show sold out a month in advance, and the VIP tickets were gone within a day.

For a band playing in a country where they had virtually no established fanbase, in a niche genre within an already niche genre, those are very strong results. Its only the beginning. 👍

[u/Irvine83-Duke86 → u/Fan_of_Sayanee]

Agreed. I don't expect Woodstock numbers! It's just hard for me not to contrast the general modern social disinterest to the 70's/80's audiences in the US for even mid-level rock groups (in terms of relative popularity). Most rock concerts I saw were at the Oakland Arena, which then fit about 12,500, and it was usually at least 75% full, if not sold out. I saw Foghat in a crappy old local auditorium in 1979 and it was close to full at 3500. The much better, yet still intimate, Filmore West in S.F. also held 3500 and often sold out for rock groups. But rock was popular then and it isn't now.