On the 19th, the popular and beloved trio group 20th Century (Tonisen) concluded their nationwide tour, “20th Century Live Tour 2024 ๏ฝLet’s Leave the Earth!๏ฝ“(20th Century Live Tour 2024 ๏ฝๅฐ็ใใจใณใ ใใ๏ผ), with a spectacular final performance at the Kanagawa Kenmin Hall. The tour, which marked their first live tour in a year and five months, kicked off on June 4th in Miyagi at the Sendai Sun Plaza Hall and spanned nine cities with a total of 24 performances.
The tour’s concept was inspired by the idea of sending a passionate message to the people of Earth from space, inviting fans to receive telepathic messages from the members. This unique concept was reflected in both the setlist and the showโs thematic elements.
The concert was divided into two main parts: a live performance segment that focused on the trioโs musical roots and a show segment that depicted their journey into space. This show part was crafted with the help of Makoto Ueda from the theatre troupe Europe Kikaku, enhancing the narrative that saw Masayuki Sakamoto, Hiroshi Nagano, and Yoshihiko Inohara preparing for their cosmic adventure.
The performances were a testament to the group’s versatility and entertainment value. Highlights included “Otona Guyz“, where the trio donned sunglasses while cash rained down on the audience, and “Tabidachi no Kane“, featuring the members descending into the crowd for a more intimate performance. Additionally, Nagano spontaneously choreographed the chorus dance for “Hurry up ๏ฝIma Sugu Kimi no Te o๏ฝ” with the audience, adding a delightful improvisational touch.
In the opening MC, Inohara expressed gratitude for the realization of the tour, humorously noting the long gap since their previous one. He thanked the audience for gathering, even on a weekday afternoon, jokingly apologizing for causing many to take a day off work.
A playful exchange followed, where Sakamoto teased Nagano about his propensity to “fly” during concerts, a running gag among fans. Nagano, reflecting on his past airborne antics, declared his ambition to transcend the skies and venture into space, aligning with the tour’s theme.
This whimsical notion set the stage for a โnon-flyingโ Tonisen live, much to the amusement of the audience.
Midway through the concert, an acoustic segment recreated the atmosphere of “ๅซ่ถไบๅไธ็ด“(Cafe 20th Century), a pop-up cafรฉ the trio ran last November in Harajuku.
This nostalgic set was followed by a medley of songs by their seniors, Shonentai, whom Tonisen once backed. The medley featured hits like “Dekameron Densetsu” and “Kimi Dake ni“, performed with heartfelt homage and vibrant energy.
As the concert neared its end, the narrative took the audience on a journey to the “Galaxy Sonic“, an intergalactic festival where they performed songs by V6 and Coming Century (Kamisen). The crowd, embracing the whimsical storyline, joined the trio in a collective leap from Earth to space. The finale saw Nagano once again taking flight, in keeping with tradition.
In the encore, each member expressed their heartfelt thanks to the fans. Nagano humorously noted the fans’ quick adaptation to the outlandish storylines, thanking them for joining in the fun. Reflecting on the pandemic years, he emphasized the irreplaceable value of live concerts and the joy of interacting with fans.
Inohara shared his amazement at the energy and dedication of the audience, noting the individual efforts made to attend the show. He spoke of feeling a miraculous connection and expressed a desire to continue performing as long as possible.
Sakamoto echoed these sentiments, marveling at the youthful vigor of the audience’s voices despite the group’s long career. He highlighted the importance of respecting their musical heritage while also delivering new and great songs, committing to continue sharing their music with the fans.
In conclusion, the final performance of the “20th Century Live Tour 2024 ๏ฝLet’s Leave the Earth!๏ฝ” was a resounding success, filled with memorable moments, emotional expressions of gratitude, and a reaffirmation of the bond between Tonisen and their fans. The trio promised to cherish this connection and to keep performing for as long as possible, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating their next adventure.
Stay updated with 20th Century!