Today a year ago: The band that I love the most for the past 12 years held an unforgettable concert in my country. A year ago, I have been waiting for them for 11 years.
Today is a very special day for all L’Arc~en~Ciel fans in Indonesia…for us, May 2nd will forever be Laruku Day…the day where the dream of thousands of their fans in Indonesia came true.
Here is EVERYthing I have written last year:
- Dreams Do Come True -My Number 1 Favorite Band is Coming
- I got The VIP Ticket \(^^)/
- Fast Ticketing, New Album and Another Live Viewing
- Songs to be expected at the concert on may 2nd
- Crazy Excitement Toward L’Arc~en~Ciel Concert on May 2
- 20 Hours to The Most Historical Concert in My Life (L’Arc~en~Ciel Concert)
-
Live Report From L’Arc~en~Ciel Concert in Jakarta (English Version)
-
Konser Laruku (L’Arc~en~Ciel) – 11 Tahun Penantian Yang Tidak Sia-Sia
- Things Around The Most Amazing Concert in My Life
- Laruku’s Concert Is Finally Over – We Will wait For Your Return
- Jakarta at NHK BSプレミアム & The First L’Arc~en~Ciel’s DVD in Indonesia
Because today is Thursday, so I think the best way to celebrate May 2nd is to share a random list of me and the most amazing concert I have ever seen in my entire life.
In case you come here from Thursday Thirteen: L’Arc~en~Ciel is a rock band from Japan that I love more than ALL the bands in the world, past present and future.
#1
I LITERALLY cried when I found out that Laruku (shorter way to say L’Arc~en~Ciel) has announced Jakarta as one of the city they will visit on their World Tour.
>> I cried because for the past 11 years I thought they would never come to my country as the promoter always brought western bands, never an Asian band. It was a tear of happiness.
#2
I was in the middle of a meeting with my former boss when my friend texted me that she had bought the ticket for VIP class. When I read that, I couldn’t hear what my boss was talking about and she let me had a moment of joy before continuing the meeting.
#3
I and some other Laruku fans I have never met before shamelessly posed in front of their huge billboard because we all knew that the billboard would be taken down after the concert.
#4
I went to Lapangan D, Senayan, just to see the venue and look at the stage being prepared. I have never and will never do such thing with other bands. I even went to the airport hoping to see a glimpse of them, I never did that toward other band.
#5
I rearranged ALL my teaching schedule so that I had no class a day before and after the concert.
#6
The concert started at 8 pm but I was already there at 8.30 am. I wanted to be in as close as possible to the stage. Unfortunately, the queue arrangement was terrible and I almost lost my spot if I didn’t fight back. I am glad I was there in the front row, 2 meters away from the band.
#7
Even when I was already standing in front of the stage I still need to pinch myself to make sure that it was all happening and not just a dream. As it got closer, I kept saying “Oh My God, it’s real, right? I am finally going to see them live!”
#8
Thunders and drizzle happened few minutes before the concert started and there was an announcement saying they would postpone the concert until the rain stop. We were all worried that the concert could be cancelled. Thank God the drizzle stopped and the concert began.
#9
as I have said it above: IT WAS THE MOST AMAZING CONCERT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!!
>>even my friend told me that it was the best night of his life, better than his wedding night.
#10
I couldn’t stop crying throughout their ballad songs: Hitomi no Juunin and Anata.
Here’s Anata. The lyric is so beautiful and the melody is so enchanting…my tears were like a river stream, it kept running while I sang along. Even the sky cried with us, for just this song, the drizzle started again…when I look up at the sky, the water fell down in slow motion and made everything more beautiful.
uploaded by Upiel.
#11
Hyde ONLY let the audience to sing part of Driver’s High and 4th Avenue Café in Indonesia (except for Japan) because everyone who was there couldn’t stop singing along with them. Hyde trusted us because he knew we could sing the lyric well.
>>I read somewhere that they were quite surprised that we knew all the lyrics even though we couldn’t speak Japanese
#12
I know for sure that Hyde heard us singing Bless when the concert was over. We sang part of Bless lyric as a way to thank them to come to Jakarta
You have come a long way
Everything is for today
君へと夢は今 目の前で煌めいてる
花弁の舞降るような雪が祝福した
(The dream for you is now sparkling before your eyes
It’s blessed by snow falling like petals)
#13
Hoping I am not bedridden or 9 months pregnant when they come again for their second concert in Jakarta. Other than those two reasons, I will make sure I am once again singing along with them 🙂
These list must sound like a teenage girl’s list to you but I am way over 30 and yes I act like a teenager when it comes to L’Arc~en~Ciel and I am not ashamed of it, I am proud of it.
I will close this post with a photo of me and my friends (from a magazine called Hotgame) holding my banner saying : I have been waiting for you for 11 years, thank you for coming to Jakarta. And yes, I can see clearly that Hyde and Tetsu read the banner and smiled.
And of course the picture of L’Arc~en~Ciel
Buat para fans Laruku di Indonesia…silakan berbagi 13 hal yang terjadi dgn kalian sebelim dan selama konser 🙂
Polychrome Interest 
Awwww! It is soooo adorable to hear you gush with such passion and true wonderful feeling for something you are fond of like L’Arc~en~Ciel. I hope you never lose that passion dear Novia, and you will always be young in heart!! 😉
Thank you Miyuki…I doubt I will ever change, I mean look at me, I am half through my 30s but I am still going gyaaa gyaaa over all the people I adore. I know some people look at me in a strange way….but who cares!
….and somehow I know I will love this band for a long long time 🙂
May 2nd already? Man, I can’t believe it has been a year since they came. And I still can remember every single details about it.
1.
I was at the office, working as usual when I found out they’re gonna come to Jakarta. I literally jumped from my chair an said “whooaaa!!!”, and almost all the people in my office looking at me weirdly. My first thought was, “I’m gonna call Bu Niji!” (I still call Novi/Novroz as Bu Niji haha).
2.
Few day before the ticket is announced, I remember that I was just shopped for a computer peripherals, because I didn’t know they were going to start selling the ticket that fast! So throughout February, I was literally broke after I bought the VIP ticket haha.
3.
I still can remember how restless I am the day before the concert, how I can’t focus at the office, how I can’t stop being an idiot and smile throughout the day.
I know I’m going to “bolos” at the day of the concert. My thought was, “If they’re going to fire me, go ahead. I’m realizing my dream tomorrow, ”
4.
My friend came around my kostan at around 8 o’clock in the morning. We met Bu Niji there and she helped me by queueing to buy the original merchandise. I bought the glow stick and the towel hoodie.
5.
I met few of my old friends there. Made, from my former band, Archangel. Angga, from Raison D’etre and few others that I just don’t expect to see. It was awesome!
6.
I still can’t figure out the purpose of that number that the Japanese chick wrote in my hand. People say it was for VIP only and we may enter the venue faster according to that number. My number was “36”. But to my shock, that number is useless as people are so brutal. But in the end, I was being brutal myself even though I was so called “late” to queue in the last gate.
7.
I was there at the very front of the stage! I wan’t to be right in front of Hyde, but it was full already, so I went a little left and settle in Tetsuya’s place. But still, I can’t believe I was there. I know, in a normal situation, waiting around since 9 AM to 7 PM would exhaust me really bad. But not that day. I don’t care if I’m going to pass out or anything, I just don’t remember the existence of the word “tired” that moment.
8.
I literally can’t close my mouth when Hyde showed up and starts dancing and singing in the stage. After all I go through that day, everything just go blank except the thought “oh my god, is that really Hyde?” and tears burst out, and It’s not even Anata yet.
9.
When the light drizzle slowly falls throughout Anata and since the crowd starts singing the chorus at the beginning, I cried like a baby girl. Even my a friend of mine said that it is te first time he ever saw me crying. I just can’t help it, the atmosphere is really sincere. It’s like I can feel everybody’s excitment, hope, and spirit that night. It’s like we are one.
And that light drizzle, really is like a cherry on top of a delicious chocolate cake.
10.
At the last song, I still can’t believe that they’re here, in my town, singing in front of me. After Hyde saying that they will be back, my tears burst again.
11.
Even though in my section people are already trying to go, I still singing Bless out loud. Even though my voice is strained and I dehydrated badly. I just want to see Hyde for one last time at least. And I did! I can see his smile towards us.
12.
Right after I got out the stage area, I dropped on the grass field and just laying there for almost half an hour. I can’t move, my feelings is mixed between absolutely happy and sad at the same time. My body feels like it was going to break into pieces.
13.
Going at the office the next day and still feels the euphoria (I really was working in zombie mode that day haha). Until today, I still cried while writing this.
Sorry for such a long post, but I just can’t describe the feeling in a shorter way 😀
btw that’s me in the red shirt in novroz’s picture holding the banner xD
Long comment is encouraged in this post 🙂
I have so many to say experienced…I always think that you are my soulmate in this blind love toward Laruku (hug)
The Japanese chick’s number was supposed to be like in Bangkok, people were numbered based on time on their arrival…unfortunately, we Indonesian aren’t as discipline as Thailand people. That’s why I had to fight for my position on the front row as the people who arrived late but could run fast wanted to be first to enter the venue. I wish the queue is more organized like what Javamusikindo often organized.
I was there till the crew started tidying up…I just couldn’t leave the stage, I was still in a dream. That smile before Hyde left the stage and heard us singing Bless was amazing, unforgetable memory. Plus the cameramen shot us too, so Laruku can see their fans singing to them wholeheartedly.
You kniw, I often read comments saying I wish I could come but my boss didn’t let me….I am just like you, they can fire me but I am not going to miaa their concert for anything. I don’t care if I can’t see concerts of other bands I like but NOT Laruku, their concert is a must.
Thank you for sharing your craziness, Chiel 🙂
You certainly lived the dream Miss. Novia and why not? It was a lovely and most treasured time in your life and those are always very special 🙂 Enjoy your Thursday afternoon and evening my sweet friend 🙂 xxxx
I have many dreams….and seeing them Live is one of them. And they performed amazingly, I will always treasure the memory.
Have a nice weekend, Andro 🙂
Hey you too my sweet
and lovely friend 🙂 🙂 xxx
2nd of May! Oh man, what a memory– so here are my 13 things :
1. I found out that they’re gonna come to Jakarta when I was attending a funeral (yup, imagine that). So I quickly talked to a (boy) friend of mine who’s a huge fan and asked him to go to Jakarta together (we live in Manado).
2. He told me that he will let me know immediately, and I called him, talked to him, he wasn’t sure and in the end he decided not to come. I was heartbroken, because my parents would only let me come to this kind of concert if I have company. I asked another friend but he just got married and his wife sadly didn’t like Laruku, so.. well..
3. Months went by and I was already preparing myself that I wouldn’t attend the concert. I was keep telling my self that it’s not meant to be, not meant to be.
4. On April 30th, I seached Laruku Jakarta on twitter, and the first thing that I read was there’s a girl selling one of her tickets (Premium) and I don’t know what happened to me that time but I just suddenly decided to contact her. She said the ticket is still available but I had to transfer the deposit immediately. So at 20.00 I ran to the nearest ATM and sent the DP and looked for the cheapest ticket from Manado-Jakarta.
5. I went home and asked for my parents’ permission, I actually cried (:D) and told them I already bought the flights tickets (when in reality I hadn’t XD) and my best friend in Jakarta already allowed me to stay at her house so I didn’t have to stay at a hotel (tight budget because it was unplanned).
6. My parents didn’t have any other choice but to let me go so on May 01st, I paid my flight tickets and went to see my boss, told him that I have a personal matter to attend XD XD and he said OK. I went to someplace new to eat on April 30 and I had food poisoning. So, I was sick from May 01 (early morning) but I couldn’t tell my parents otherwise they will cancel my trip.
7. On May 02nd, I flew to Jakarta without eating because I couldn’t eat, and when I arrived my taxi driver didn’t know the address that I gave him and I ended up being stuck in a taxi for almost 2 hours and had to pay double of the amount. When I arrived at my friend’s house I threw up all over the place, I was so pale, all I could do was to drink lots and lots of tea. Finally I could eat some food and at 14.00, I was picked up by my rental car and went to Lap D to meet this new person whom I just met by twitter and had my ticket (haha). All I could think of were : Please God don’t let her trick me, I gotta have my ticket and 2. Please don’t let me pass out during the concert XDXD
8. Long story short, I met the girl who had my ticket, she was very nice, I paid the balance for the ticket and took the queue. Oh maaaannn… the queue for Premium was a freaking torture, a snake-like queue that seemed to have no ending. I almost pass out and threw out a couple of times. I was so pissed off when I had to went through another check point, I basically yelled at the guy : somebody already checked my bag like 5 meters away, do you think I have time to sneak a drink bottle??? !@#$%^&
9. ……..but all the anger were gone buy the time I was on the field. Oh my God, it was beautiful.. and then it was raining and I didn’t bring my raincoat,, yup.. and the rain stopped and the concert began. I couldn’t do anything else, I could only watch, thinking : “is this really happening?”
10. .. then came Anata and I… sneezed XD XD. It was a beautiful moment I was speechless, nothing else to do but to watch and still thinking : “is this real???” Even after the concert finished and Hyde said : kami datang lagi ke Jakarta, I was still thinking : “is this real??”
11. To be honest I didn’t cry during the concert, but when I went back to my friend’s house, when I was alone in the room, I started to cry and cry and cry and I couldn’t sleep until the 4AM.
12. I went back to Manado, and upon arrival the first time I did was downloading all the fancams on youtube, reminiscence, watching the videos again and again and…. cried :’) I couldn’t concentrate on works, I put the setlist on my iPod and listened to it again and again and again..
13. I made a pact with myself last year : that when they come to Jakarta once again, I WILL NOT HESITATE!!! I WILL BUY THE TICKETS IMMEDIATELY AND I HAVE TO GET VIP TICKETS THAT TIME (sorry for the capslock) :))). Whatever happens, happens, nothing will stop going to their next concert, that’s a promise!! :))
OK, sorry for my long post, like Archiel, I just can’t describe the feeling in a shorter way, hehehe…
HAPPY LARUKU JAKARTA DAY!!!
Thank you for sharing that Fenny 🙂
I live reading your effort to comw to the concert…it’s always nice to read that many fans fight hard to get the concert. Feels like I have a lot of friends like me 🙂
Feel free to stay at my house the next time they came and yes DO NOT HESITATE, buy the VIP no matter what….it worth every rupiah and every effort to get it because even the back part of VIP can still see them clearly.
Happy National Laruku Day to you too 🙂
I really love reading your comment and hopely the love for laruku will never fade away 🙂
I will keep that promise to my heart Novi.. I will definitely crash at your place when Laruku comes again (I didn’t say ‘if”, I said ‘when) XD XD. That way we could attend the concert, cry and sing along together, haha..
No, I will not hesitate the next time, will not second guess, will not over-thinking, I will just go for it 😛
My love for Laruku will never fade away, and I thank you for making this blog, this is an oase for me, hehe..
I will be waiting 🙂
*high five* Mine also will never fade away, I love them more everytime they release an album 🙂
Thank you for saying that because they were the first reason I made a blog.
Wow, you’re a superfan! Hyde is awesome and it’s great he paid attention to the band’s fans.
Yes I am … for me, No Other Band is greater than Laruku and that goes to all the bands past present and most likely future as my love toward them grows stronger each year.
Hyde is very nice, smilling all the time and shows amazing repond toward the audience. I miss them a lot and hoping they will come again soon 🙂
What fun to read the details. Yes, I read them before, but it’s still fun, and I’m busy enjoying the video.
Talk about going to a concert pregnant, I was six months along with The Boy when I went to a Fleetwood Mac concert. They are fairly mellow, so I thought I could get away with it. Unluckily, The Boy started kicking me every time the drums got going. I had to step outside for a little while to calm him down.
Thank you for reading it again 🙂
Ah talking about pregnant, my friend saw a pregnant lady in Laruku’s concert. How many months pregnant were you?
I will go to Laruku’s concert even if I am pregnant, except nine month…it would be troubling so many people if the baby wants to come out 😉
I as seven months. Even that made people around me nervous.
I can understand why people were nervous 😉
I can’t pronounce it and have not heard of them but am giving them a listen.
Well…not many knows them, so I am not surprise 🙂
I Hope you like what you’re hearing.
Unlike Colleen, I can read and pronounce their name (Rainbow), though I have never heard of them. Sounds like you have some fantastic memories of the experience. I’ve been to a few concerts like that, while others fade together. Thanks for visiting my blog today!
Yup…it’s rainbow in French 🙂
Other bands concert may fade but Larc’s will stay forever, for me.
Thank you for visiting back 🙂
Happy belated Laruku Day, Nov!! I love seeing your pics looking so ecstatic for the concert! Keep the enthusiasm going girl, I always enjoy living vicariously through you 😀
P.S. How’s the job hunting? Praying you’d get a new gig soon!
Thank you Ruth 🙂
When it comes to Laruku, I will always be enthusiast 😉
Glad you ask, I have just got accepted in a new school as full time teacher 🙂 It’s going to be hard saying good bye to the kids but the new school has new challenge to conquer. 🙂
Your really know how to make the most of a wonderful experience, don’t you? 🙂
I think being a true fan has no age limit.
Thanks 🙂
I am glad you think like that….some people in the same age as I am often look at me differently, you know like I am an old woman trying to be a teenager 😉
What a wonderful experience :-). Let’s hope that laruku will hold another concert in Indonesia in near future!
Thank you 🙂
Amin!!!!!!
I agree with #13! hahaha! I hope they’ll have their next world tour real-real-real soon!
Amin!! 🙂
I miss them a lot.
Great post – love this. I CAN’T BELIEVE you got there at 8.30 am!!! That’s a huge compliment to the band though.
Must have been one helluva gig 🙂
Well…I have been waiting to see this band for 11 years. 8.30 is nothing. There were few earlier than me, like 5.30 😉
I still claim their concert as the best concert I have seen in my life 🙂