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KOKIA report
June 20th 2009 @ Blue Shell in Cologne
In this July the Japanese Pop-singer KOKIA went to Europe once again. Already for 3 years she comes here regularly and while she performed exclusively in France at the beginning, she already dared to Belgium last year and played a really Europe tour this year by visiting also Ireland, Poland and Germany to introduce her special music. A mixture of Pop and classic influences, for which she gets her inspiration also from the music of other countries.
About two, three hours before doors opened the most of the concert visitors gathered in front the Blue Shell and were really surprised when KOKIA and her camera woman came, loaded with bags, naturally along the street for the sound check.
Then waiting until the door was opened also for the fans around 8 pm. The small club filled unexpected orderly and it became tight and warm very fast. With each minute the fans became more excited. Finally KOKIA, as usual barefoot, and her guitarist cut their way through the crowd to the stage and the show started. KOKIA's powerful and energetic, but also delicate voice filled the room and kept everybody in suspense. In the end of each song the public broke into thunderous applause.
After her first song KOKIA surprised her fans with clear and amazing good German. In national language she told, that this is the finale of her Europe tour, that she is happy to can perform in Germany and wished fun for the show to everybody. The public made known their enthusiasm strident.
During the concert the likeable Japanese talked a lot to her public, sometimes in German, mainly in English, at times also some Japanese sentence crept in. She told a few about her songs and even read an English lyric. You could feel no barriers between her and the fans. As soon as she mentioned it is really warm, their fans handed her a fan, which she took thankfully.
KOKIAs voice enchanted. The only instrument, that accompanied her during the show, was an acoustic guitar, which harmonised perfect. Only for one song, namely "Chouwa Oto", background music was played. KOKIA performed also some of her newest Album "KOKIA infinity AKIKO – balance" and promoted for the CD. Although there was no brake KOKIA's voice was unchanged powerful and each single not very clear. A convincing show, which KOKIA ended with "Arigatou" and thanked her fans.
Ongoing fans left the club, others stayed until the singer appeared again after about a half hour and signed, what the fans bought at the merchandise stall and also made photos with some fans.
Who likes Japanese pop and is into voice-oriented music, has to keep his eyes and ears open when KOKIA will perform in Europe the next time. It's worth it absolutely.
We want to thank Weird World and Gekido Tour, that we could be present.
author: Adisa and noi