This summer, Growth and SOARA teamed up to perform at “A.L.P – Alive Party 2017 Summer -“.
On August 13, 2017, Growth (Shunichi Toki, Junta Terashima, Daiki Yamashita, and Yoshitaka Yamaya) and SOARA (Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Makoto Furukawa, Chiharu Sawashiro and Taishi Murata) performed at A.L.P – Alive Party 2017 Summer –, event held at Saitama City Cultural Hall. Yuki Ono (SOARA) didn’t attend this event due to conflicts with his schedule.
The event kicked off with SOARA‘s “Wonder Wand“, song released earlier this year. The group got on stage alongside Tsukipro’s dancers.
The excitement inside the venue matched the unit’s hyped performance. According to Dengeki Online, Sawashiro was incredibly energetic during the performance jumping around to the lyrics. According to Animate Times, this was an overall extremely energetic and fun performance.
Following SOARA‘s hyped-up performance, Growth made their entrance with a powerful song. The atmosphere changed in the blink of an eye as soon as they performed “Moonlight’s Refrain“, song released in 2016 part of the Kachofugetsu Hen series.
Dengeki Online mentions that the beautiful melodies of the four voices left everyone in awe. They ended the performance by copying the poses on that single’s cover art. Animate times have an interesting insight into this performance.
They mention that the song’s solemn and mysterious melody was instrumental in setting an overwhelming mood inside the venue. The harmonies, their canons, the positioning of members, and their posture, all exuded a deep bond between them. This was a well-polished performance.
After wrapping up that performance, both units got on stage for introductions during a short MC corner.
Among the various rehearsed and random topics talked about during this corner, Junta Terashima, that had celebrated his birthday a couple of days before the performance (August 11), thanked everyone for the birthday wishes and Taishi Murata mentioned that he was out of breath after their hyped opening song.
There was mention of Ono‘s absence in SOARA. Fans were surprised when a video started playing in the background with a special message from him.
With the end of the MC corner came the first solo performances of the night. The first one was SOARA‘s leader, Toshiyuki Toyonaga. He performed “SKY DREAM“, song released on the 1st volume of the X Lied series.
The venue was dyed in blue for this performance, and the fans waved white lights in the air, according to both Dengeki Online and Animate times, it seemed, from afar, that you were looking at the sky.
After that came Taishi Murata and Chiharu Sawashiro to premiere “WITH U“.
It not only was the first time the song was performed live but it also the first time the song was listened to in full – the song is part of the X Lied volume 4 (the last volume of the series) that was released later that month. Once again it was an energetic performance.
Shunichi Toki made a grand entrance representing Growth with “リーラの調べ“, song part of the 1st volume of the ALIVE X Lied series. His sorrowful performance with a refined and tranquil voice blended with the subdued lighting.
According to Animate Times the atmosphere felt like you were being purified. That performance impressed everyone at the venue and, according to Dengeki Online and Animate Times, Toki worked the stage incredibly well, moving from the top of the stage to the bottom and interacting with his fans always with a smile on his face.
Toki was followed by Junta Terashima that got on stage to perform “リレイズ-Reraise-“, song part of the final volume in the ALIVE X Lied series.
The atmosphere inside the venue was warm with Terashima‘s powerful and rich vocals. According to Animate Times, his voice created a magnificent world.
The first part of the live performances was then interrupted for a special ALIVE radio corner with both units having their take on it.
With the radio corners finally wrapped up, it was time for the second part of the event, resuming the solo performances.
The first one up for the second part of the show was Makoto Furukawa (SOARA). He performed “BUZZER BEATER“, song part of the 3rd volume of ALIVE’s X Lied series.
Yellow pen lights colored the venue during his strong performance. Furukawa started the performance with a mic stand but midway through he grabbed the mic and worked the stage. The performance counted with dancers.
Orange lights warmed up the stage for Yamaya‘s performance of “Planetaria“, song known for its intricate high-key sections. The song is part of ALIVE X Lied’s 2nd volume.
The final solo performance brought Growth‘s power vocalist, Daiki Yamashita to the stage. Yamashita performed “甘き風のプリムラ“, a sweet song that feels like it was made for Spring. This song is part of ALIVE’s X Lied series volume 3.
After the anime series-related announcements – key visuals, opening songs – it was time to wrap up this event. Both Growth and SOARA performed a final unit song.
Growth performed “空想のレトロ“, song from 「ALIVE」その4 Side.G, album released in 2015.
On the other hand, SOARA performed the upbeat pop-rock tune “S.O.A.R.A“. The fans cheered loudly for both performances, matching the performances’ energy.
With this, the event came to an end. According to Dengeki Online, the event was memorable and extremely entertaining and it was obvious from it that both groups have grown a lot – with the performances drastically improving in quality.
Complete setlist:
1：Wonder Wand (SOARA) 2：月影のリフレイン (Growth) MC：All 3：SKY DREAM (Toshiyuki Toyonaga) 4：With U (Taishi Murata & Chiharu Sawashiro) 5：リーラの調べ (Shunichi Toki) 6：リレイズ-Reraise- (Junta Terashima) MC：SOARA Variety corner：いぶらじ（1）(SOARA) Variety corner：いぶらじ（2）(Growth) 7：BUZZER BEATER (Makoto Furukawa) 8：プラネタリア (Yoshitaka Yamaya) 9：甘き風のプリムラ (Daiki Yamashita) MC：All 10：空想のレトロ (Growth) 11：S.O.A.R.A (SOARA)
A promotional video is available on Tsukipro‘s official youtube channel.
A.L.P – Alive Party 2017 Summer – is going to be released on 26/01/2018, available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Both editions come with a main disc including the live performances as well as an additional drama/talk CD.
A.L.P – Alive Party 2017 Summer – is available for pre-order on CDJAPAN for all overseas fans.
SOURCE: Dengeki Online / Animate Times
Translation/Adaptation: THTFHQ
