Be With! Vol. 93 (March 2012)

Interview

ー Interviewer
I: Koshi Inaba
M: Tak Matsumoto


ー We're going to start off with the B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -C'mon- Dome Tour. First of all, the set list has been changed in quite a few places for the dome tour, with „BE THERE“, „BLOWIN'“ and „Itsuka no Merry Christmas“ making an appearance. When the intro to „BE THERE“ was playing, the crowd went wild, but did you expect such a reaction from the crowd?
M: Their reaction far exceeded our expectations. It was really good.
ー When you experience a crowd's reaction that far exceeds your expectations, you'd get pumped when performing, right?
M: That's right. We were playing it during rehearsal and thought it'd be good to insert the song at this point but you really come to appreciate your decision in such moments.
ー Just like with “Itsuka no Merry Christmas”, when the crowd started going wild when they heard the bells in the intro to the song.
I: I could really hear the crowd. Since the intro is a very quiet one, I could really hear the noise the crowd made.
M: If we didn't do that song at this point, people would probably have said “I want my money back!”.
I: Don't forget to let the bells ring (laughs)
ー It's been a while since a LIVE-GYM took place in December. Since it's that time of the year, did you put that song on the set list?
M: We did it this time because we knew that the last show would be on December 25th. However, we decided to do the song right from the start... at Fukuoka Dome.
ー Did you look forward to playing that song as it's a perfect fit for the season?
M: If the fans appreciate it, then I'll be happy.
ー Apparently during the show in Tokyo it was snowing outside while “Itsuka no Merry Christmas” was playing?
I: I couldn't see it but when I was backstage a staff member told me that it's snowing a bit outside. Just a little bit.
ー And even though the song is off a mini album and hasn't been released as a single, it's pretty popular. The song also comes in at one of the top positions in “Songs you want to listen to on christmas” TV rankings. What do you think is the reason that this song continues to be so popular among fans for so many years?
I: I wonder what it is? It's not something we can pinpoint and produce songs to fit it.
M: I'm happy about it. Although it's not a single, it continues to be valued by fans. And then there's the commercial which aired in December where the song can be heard.
ー The flying stage used during the “Ain't no Magic” tour also makes an appearance and has been upgraded, I see.