Mix Speaker’s, Inc. Wish You Good Luck on Your Shiny Voyage!

Mix Speakers Inc. took Akasaka BLITZ on an epic voyage through sound for their spring tour – 3^rd Attraction – final. “Good Luck On Your Shiny Voyage!!” was the title of the show, pirates and spooky sea creatures adding to the daring staging and fun choreography to make this a memorable performance that testified to the band’s versatility and originality.

The OST of Edward Scissorhands played in the background, easing the wait for the excited crowd when from the ceiling, two stuffed-dolls (a monkey and a crow) descended dramatically. “Welcome to Mix Land! We will take you on a pirate adventure today!” they exclaimed theatrically before disappearing. Fish nets and a cute pirate flag dangled from the walls, palm trees and other sea-themed paraphernalia scattered across the stage, transporting the hall to deep waters. Captain Dolphin (YUKI), Pirate Ghost (MIKI), Navigator Clione (AYA), Sniper Seahorse (keiji), Carpenter Octopus (seek), and Doctor Baloonfish (S) made their entrance to a heavy intro and, wasting no time, dove into “Pirates of Emerald.” The song seemed to transport the crowd to a stormy night at sea, white lights flashing like lightning to the thunderous drums.  The crowd moved to the beat, following the choreography with ease while the two vocalists vigorously headbanged together.

“Pandora” brought the ship to wild waters, the hall becoming a violent wave of flying hair as seek fired up the crowd, taking charge of the death voice. While AYA took the front for a feisty solo, barely able to move with the long/tight dress, the two vocalists moved around, MIKI’s giant hook making quite a sight. Getting rid of his cape, YUKI got ready for some action with the fun “‘MONSTART’ Family.” MIKI and keiji danced and jumped contagiously and the crowd followed suit, arms moving up and down, and then right and left with the tune. The two vocalists did a great job, sharing the spotlight and complementing each other while seek showed unstoppable energy, working the crowd over his massively high platform heels that made it seem like he was actually standing on pylons. Contrasting with the bassist’s frightful look, the two vocalists teased each other, YUKI playfully grabbing MIKI’s hook while both held hands and twirled rapidly across the stage.

“Good afternoon! We are Mix Speakers’ Inc.!” began MIKI, YUKI adding in a cute– almost childish—tone, “It’s been a long time, Tokyo!” The response was a loud, “Welcome back!” from the fans. “Let’s go!” the vocalists shouted, firing up the crowd for “THIRTEEN.” Both YUKI and MIKI held giant bones like weapons during the introduction. Rapidly twirling to the tune, seek joined the party, the tentacles that formed his skirt flying dangerously. If the stage was a boat, the crowd might as well have been fish, leaping high to the tune at keiji’s command. “Woody Nightmare” was an interesting number, MIKI rolling giant dice with the name of a different member on each face. Every time the dice stopped, the person whose name faced up took the spotlight, the random game bringing AYA to the front twice. The crowd seemed to be having a blast, cheering each member between fun dances that saw the hall hopping like bunnies.

“Secret Room” brought with it a nice mix of slow and fast, AYA and S standing out with powerful instrumental bits. The two puppets returned to the heavy sound of waves crashing, introducing “Capsule.” The two vocalists were left alone onstage for a powerful yet sweet duet. Dim lights set the mood and the colorful light-sticks that sprouted from the crowd made the hall resemble a starlit ocean. As the song ended, the two moved forward, bowing solemnly while the electro beat sped up in the background. The other members returned for “Cinderella” yet rather than taking their places by their respective instruments, the band engaged in fun, well-synchronized choreography that got them moving in circles or taking the center in turns for unique vocal solos that included rap, growls, and pop. AYA almost hopped from one side of the stage to the other due to his tight dress and YUKI pretended to be a maestro while the others sang dramatically in a choir formation.

A series of ballads followed with sweet and soft “Haru. Koishii hito,” giving way to the lulling “MY CIRCUS” with its circus-inspired tune and acoustic guitar. A fun emcee got the audience giggling as MIKI explained, “I had some trouble coming here today. Seek asked me to bring one of the big toys we used today so I put it in my backpack and headed here. Since it was early and I was sleepy, I fell asleep on the train and left in a hurry. A lady called me and pointed at the toy with a grin asking, ‘Isn’t that your friend?’ I was very embarrassed. I think she thought I still play with toys!” Speaking of toys, the band got ready for another fun number with “[SOS] Toy’s Factory.” Before the tone got a bit heavier for “Space Hunter,” with jumping and plenty of distortion in the guitars while band and fans moved frantically to the eclectic song.

Another fun yet awkward emcee followed, seek revealing he was working through school and thus missed classes often. With the rest of the band teasing him, the bassist asked S for help but the drummer’s reply was to hide beneath his outfit, closing the fish’s mouth to the crowd’s amusement. “Urameshi aori” came to the rescue, seek encouraging the hall to shout and clap, handheld fans prepped for the choreography. “JUNK STORY” entailed a wild sea of twirling bodies crashing against each other for the mosh and the audience moved wildly, a human whirlpool coming to life to the fast and cheerful tune. Band and fans gave it their all for “Crash Clover,” too, moving to the heavy beat in a visually strong piece that got fans jumping over each other in a human waterfall before squatting to headbang. Seek joined the party, jumping forward for some daring crowd surfing.

“Shiny tale” closed the set with its joyful choreography and positive tune, the lights seeming to symbolize the ship’s prosperous sail towards a new dawn.

The encore demand soon brought the band back on stage, the two stuffed toys returning to introduce each member pompously. “On drums, our mascot, S. On bass, the scary yet cute, seek. On guitar, the cute AYA and the cool keiji. On vocals, the charismatic MIKI and the person who protects the center, YUKI.” The lights danced to a dramatic drum roll and as they fell on keiji, the guitarist took the center and opened “ONESTAR” on vocals. Taking turns singing, the band moved in sync to a funky tune that perfectly demonstrated their unique take on music and live performances. One by one, each member addressed the crowd, thanking the fans for their continued support.

Seek’s speech was particularly emotive as he confessed, “It’s our 5^th anniversary, we started on February 19 and we were very nervous when we announced the band. We have come through good and bad moments over these five years, but we made it this far thanks to your support and will keep trying our best because of all of you!”

MIKI followed, adding, “It’s the first time I’ve been in a band this long! We have our fights, of course,” he added with a grin, “but want to continue doing this for many years!”

The twin vocals stole “Kasa no shita no sekai,” showing their skill and teamwork through the song but “No, 5 COASTER” ignited the fuse, AYA and keiji riling up the crowd as they moved around between hot riffs. Twirling at high speed, seek opened “MONSTIME,” the fun choreography getting the fans to flash hearts at the band. Keiji playfully kicked YUKI while seek vigorously growled between hot bass lines. The hall seemed to become one, the heat palpable and the smiles infectious. “Thank you all! See you soon!” YUKI yelled out as the band bid farewells one more time.

A giant screen came to life with warmly welcomed announcements of an upcoming tour and once the video was over, the band returned to thank the fans one more time. What better way to show their appreciation than through music? “YOU♪ai♪message” was revealed to be the perfect ending for a memorable live. Moshing, jumping, and clapping gave way to a slower moment and in reply to the vocalists’ plea of “Lend us your voices!” the crowd joined hands and voices, singing in unison for the grand finale.

Between outrageous outfits, spooky and fierce tunes, and a vigorous performance, MIX Speakers’ Inc. delivered one hell of a show that proved the band means business and is here to stay.

Set list

1. Pirates of Emerald
2. Pandora
3. “MONSTART” Family
4. THIRTEEN
5. Woody Nightmare
6. Secret Room
7. Capsule
8. Cinderella
9. Haru, Koishii hito
10. MY CIRCUS
11. [SOS] Toy’s Factory
12. Space Hunter
13. Urameshiaiori
14. JUNK STORY
15. Crash Clover
16. Shiny Tale

Encore

1. ONESTAR
2. Kasa no shita no sekai
3. No.5 COASTER
4. MONSTIME
5. Encore 2
6. YOU♪ai♪message