tricot LIVE in Manila

Flying in mid air: Motoko Kida and Hiromi Hirohiro of tricot doing what they do best. 

If you would have told a 16 year old me that one day - Japanese bands and acts would be making their way to our shores and performing I would not have believed you. 

Growing up I've always loved Japanese music, whether it was Anime music or music from their charts and countdowns and because of this I have been ostracized for liking Japanese music. 

So I never imagined meeting people with the same appreciation for music from the land of the rising sun as I did; let alone get to catch a Japanese band we all love in a show here and even have a Street Team - going all out (tarp, shirts, poster, gifts-the works) just to profess their love for a band, which is why Jepp and Martin founded the tricot Manila Street Team.

But time has a funny way of turning things around and now I find myself furiously typing on my iPhone amidst a crowd of anxious fans as we all await Japanese Math Rock band tricot take the sate at 19 East at 

10:39 PM on a Saturday evening. 

Terno Recordings, the record label behind Up Dharma Down and Paul's personal favorite Pulso brought tricot for a one night performance. Much to the glee and happiness of fans who have only been enjoying their music on their own but have now discovered that there are other tricot fans out there - and that is basically the origin of the tricot Manila Street Team. 

Full of energy: Nakajima Ikyuu and Hiromi Sagane of tricot during their What's Ochansensu-su? tricot Asia Tour 2014 in Manila in front of a crowd of eager fans. 

So now - checking one's notifications on Facebook would not be complete without a notification or a post from a fellow tricot fan. 

I was initially worried I wouldn't be able to watch the show- slated for the 15th of March at 19 East. Tickets were initially priced at P 500.00 until March 11, after that it would be priced at P 1000.00 each. The tickets were only sold at Artwork stores and 19 East which were all too far from us, especially since we are straight-to-home work people who also work the night shift. I couldn't believe that a fellow tricot fan in the street team- actually picked up two tickets for us no questions asked. I'm just flabbergasted thinking about it even after I've already gotten the tickets. 

Super thankful to Mon for getting us our tickets! Much love and appreciation to you man! <3 

Coming from the mountains of the East (aka-Antipolo) it was really a trip to 19 East which is all the way in Sucat but we made the pilgrimage as did other fellow tricot fans who even came from Laguna, Cavite, Manila, Quezon City -- now that is what I call effort from fans! :) 

tricot Manila Street Team first in line before the doors opened. The line went all the way up to the back. 

Speaking of effort from fans- the Street Team even had a bad ass tarp of tricot - with Manila Street Team printed on it. As well as shirts with the letters T-R-I-C-O-T printed on them, you know to spell out tricot just like in a football game. ^_^ 

tricot Manila Street Team Members in their T-R-I-C-O-T uniform and bad ass tarp 

       

As if that was not enough, there was even a fan art of the band from Pejie and members of the Street Team signed their names and wrote messages of love and support for the band. 

From Ikyuu's Instagram account - the Street Team attendance sheet! 

Arriving at 19 East after loosing our way a couple of times, we met up with the super cool and hilarious Street Team who have been waiting and hanging around the bar as early as 5pm! 

After the doors were finally opened and we seated ourselves right in front of the stage - ready to catch some tricot action!

The show opened with Terno Recording's very own Pulso. 

If you want to talk about technicality and talent in music - just check out Pulso who shared the stage with tricot. They don't need lyrics to ensnare you with their music. 

The music moves and captures you even without words! There is such passion and sensuality in their music that you don't need lyrics to dictate anything to you. 

Bluer than blue - the amazing trio that is Pulso

It's always a pleasure to watch one of the country's premiere bands Up Dharma Down perform and they were up after Pulso. Incidentally the band recently celebrated their 10th anniversary and it's amazing to see their growth and journey. 

Today, they are one of the country's most sought after bands, headlining shows and capturing generations of fans. 

Armi's vocals are like no other- subtle, powerful and effortless. Their use of electronica and midi instruments has made them distinct among their fellow musicians. And I just love watching Armi live - she is so prim and proper but breaks out in too-cute dance steps with her short spunky hair and ruby red lips. 

I'm personally glad that these bands represented OPM (Original Pilipino Music) that night - because they are worthy ambassadors. 

Getting down with Up Dharma Down 

   

After standing for hours (in line and watching through the set of Pulso and Up Dharma Down standing) and of course all the excitement of the show - people were already experiencing pains and aches even before tricot started but when they got up on stage, even just to set up their instruments all of those pains and aches went out of the window as fans shouted the names of the band members and even professions and confessions of love and admiration such as: Aishteru and Daisuki which was respectfully returned with Salamat Po much to the laughter of the crowd. 

I haven't rocked out in a gig like that in a long time and if you guys have been following us you'd know that Paul and I are frequent music scene goers. I could even see Paul head banging and fist pumping in between taking photos and it takes a lot to have him going crazy like that, he has very high standards when it comes to music so to have him raving about a band really says a lot. 

Check out this video of their performance! 

Their recorded songs is impressive as it is but watching it live is a whole different experience, every strum of a guitar or the way Komaki hits the drums it's just so full of passion and intensity. There are so many crazy drum rolls, technical guitar playing and lead guitarist Komaki plays on the guitar like the fiddler on the roof, and we were right in front of her as she was going all out crazy and intense playing. 

From fierce fortes to sudden pianissimos their songs are just a crazy roller coaster ride you never want to end. 

Vocalist Ikyuu's singing delivery styles range from emotional voice breaks which impressively still stay in tune to whispering, talking and even rapping. 

Before their set, the girls got their vocal chops ready by making sure that they sing in tune which add another element to their songs and performance. 

Drummer Komaki Kazutaka and Lead Guitarist Motoko Kida going all out. 

It was touching to see the effort that the band put in to interact with the crowd, coming prepared with Tagalog words written on a piece of paper. Despite the language barrier every one in the room was connected and that is the magic of music. 

Ikyuu even shared her new favorite Filipino food - Halo Halo which even resulted to an impromptu Halo Halo song. ;) 

Another thing that I love about the guys from tricot is that they don't do what they do because they look good or they want to look good. Their choice of clothing would give any stylist a nightmare, from loose black shirts and baggy shorts to bedroom slippers and pajamas. Vocalist Ikyuu even gets up on stage with barefeet just taped up with I'm guessing tape of bandage. 


They don't even try to look good when performing they just sing their hearts out no matter what or how they look and us fans just find that very endearing and just makes us love them even more ^_^ 

Bad ass bassist Hiromi is a small framed girl but when she moves around the stage she's like a firecracker even getting up on the mic to shout to the crowd.

Want to know what the buzz with tricot is all about? Check out this awesome video of their song POOL which was shot by our fellow Indie Media Videographer Ksael ^_^ 


Aside from Manila being the last stop of their What's Ochansesu-su? Asian tour this was also a bitter sweet show for the fans since drummer Komaki had recently announced that he would be leaving the band due to creative differences. Fans pleaded with Komaki to stay and even asked for a drum solo to which the talented drummer obliged and here's a video to that amazing drum solo along with some cute crazy dancing from the girls, a very embarrassed Hiromi and some of the hilarious exchange the band had with the crowd.  

As if the amazing and unforgettable performance was not enough the night or rather early morning continued its legendary course when the band did a little autograph signing session for fans. 

Merchandise like CDs, shirts, pins and stickers were available and fans eagerly brought items and had them signed. A fan even brought his snare drum - to have it signed! I picked up an album for only P500.00 and that's cheap if you would compare it to the Japanese price. If I had more money I would have bought more stuff. T___T    

Getting to meet the band was such a surreal and unforgettable experience and one that I will always cherish. 

I'm glad that Paul and I decided to go despite the tight budget and the far venue, we got to see an amazing show with talented musicians, hung out with fellow fans and witnessed a show that fans will be talking about for years to come. 

Hopefully tricot will come back with another show so that us fans don't go crazy missing them too much, already the post gig depression is causing fellow tricot fans lack of sleep, loss of appetite and other symptoms. Maybe they can also bring other amazing Japanese bands with them like Toe or One Ok Rock or Scandal - hey a girl can dream right? And you know what? - after the night of March 15, 2014 I think anything is possible now, no matter how far-fetched or crazy it may seem at the moment.          

Crowd turn out during the tricot show - we were up in front of the stage. Credits to the owner.

Click HERE for MORE PHOTOS of the event! :)