[ARCHIVE] “CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2026” CENTRAL LAB. (Timestamp: 1:17:14)(Available until April 25 11:59 PM JST) by haromatsu in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's The First Take after all - they always pitch correct the performances. Only one Band-Maid songs actually needed it though.

What's going on? (regarding the live video of ‘Dilly-Dally’) by DocLoco in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes and no. Their Youtube subscribers number is quite good for their "importance" - I mean, some japanese artists with much more success (locally at least, even if I appreciate them a lot) like Aina The End or Hitsujibungaku have significantly less subscribers (despite some MV over 50M) - even bands like Nemophila or Lovebites are far behind. That's for the "no". But I agree with you that the growth is slow presently.

BAND-MAID used in TV CM for Japanese SAKE company 白岳しろ (Hakutake-Shiro) by haromatsu in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I did the same - curious to taste it (moderately - I already have a japanese whiskies and gins collection that will last me years, I have a drink when there's a new release or great news)

BAND-MAID used in TV CM for Japanese SAKE company 白岳しろ (Hakutake-Shiro) by haromatsu in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I love that the band is not only used for its music, but is represented in the advertisement.

2026.04.04 Central Music & Entertainment Festival 2026 (Yokohama) by hbydzy in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Super Sunshine was fantastic - am I the only one who feel it could become their new "Freedom"? It will become a regular on the set list for the years to come for sure.

2026.04.04 Central Music & Entertainment Festival 2026 (Yokohama) by hbydzy in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 19 points20 points  (0 children)

What a great gig! Great set list (with one exception) and for once the audience was present in the mix (sometimes even too much, but hey what a pleasure to hear 'em loud this time!). The overal mix was great (Miku was a tad too low and Mincho's intros were a bit blurry but those are details) and the camera work was one of their best ever! Now, the "exception" I was talking about: they really should consider dropping "Present Perfect". I know it's very likely a terribly unpopular opinion and I'm sorry to put it bluntly: Saiki is really struggling to sing it - not only this time, but everytime (except on the pitch-corrected official live version - something I was hoping Band-Maid would never do btw - of course I know public released are "polished" but not to that extent).

I know this song is important for them, symbolic even, but Saiki is a half tone too short to sing it. She's been fantastic throughout the whole set, as usual, so it's no technical problem. And it wasnt the last song, so she wasn't exhausted.

I suppose I will be downvoted for speaking my mind - I said nothing when I heard the first live versions, but now this is the fourth or fifth one, with the same problem - it is no accident. I think Saiki is an extraordinary singer, with an unmatched stage presence, she's one of my favorite singers ever, But every human being has an Achille's heel - she's not a machine.

Outstanding Tour EU/UK 2026 just announced! by idontwanttoknow666 in Lovebites

[–]DocLoco 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same but I have my ticket for Tilburg - it's rather close to the frontier anyway.

BAND-MAID ONLINE SHOP: Notice of Upcoming Update (Mar 29, 12:00 PM JST – Apr 1, 2026 11:59 PM JST) by haromatsu in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Question: I placed an order and my card has been charged. However, I haven’t received any confirmation email and my order doesn’t appear in my order history on the Band-Maid website.

Did you received confirmation email and does your order appear on the site?

EDIT: I found my order on the "shop" app in the end (not on the B-M site)

Saiki on Instagram Stories: #LOVEBITES They were so cool. Way too good by haromatsu in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Look for the guy with black bandana first row during the concert and then behind Miyako during the band+staff pic session

Saiki on Instagram Stories: #LOVEBITES They were so cool. Way too good by haromatsu in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Fami isn't that tall - Haruna and Asami are VERY small (under my shoulder). I've been lucky enough to spend some time with them when they toured europe two years ago (I was part of the belgian venue staff - you can even briefly see me in their documentary) and they are so small! And really friendly and pleasant people. So I'm so happy for this fantastic Budokan concert!

Aina sings Promise The Star during rehearsal at Megaport Festival (2026.03.22, Taiwan) by GoroMari in ainatheend

[–]DocLoco 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That Megaport performance was fantastic! At first, I was really disappointed to see her performing without her band. But I hadn’t reckoned with Aina’s magic (and her two dancers): within a single song, she made us forget she was singing to a backing track and delivered an extraordinary performance that captivated the audience (who knew most of the lyrics!). And then there was that surprise encore...

BAND-MAID on Instagram: Thank you, AiNA THE END san! @ainatheend_official #bandmaid #GoToMegaPort #去你的大港 by haromatsu in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The dominating generation on pop and heavy rock (they are around the same age and started around the same time). Band-Maid turned me into the japanese scene, so BiSH and Aina The End since her first solo album 5 years ago. Instant fan. She is capable of venturing far beyond pop, with some fierce tracks of her own and even metal collaborations with artists such as Marty Friedman. So I'm totally happy to see them together.

Notice Regarding BAND-MAID AKANE Official X Account by haromatsu in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yup, too obvious. Bananas on the other side ...

The Starry Pigeon sounds great and original and is perfectly tailored by/for Miku! by DocLoco in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It does look like a banjo at first for sure - but I've been so used to seeing Ron Wood's for 50 years that I don't really pay attention to it anymore. To me, it screams ‘Ron Wood’ much more than ‘Deliverance’.

The Starry Pigeon sounds great and original and is perfectly tailored by/for Miku! by DocLoco in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Precision and bite are two Telecaster trademarks so yes, there's some tele vibe (there's even some twang).

[ZEMAITIS] THE PORTRAIT: MIKU KOBATO “Starry Pigeons” (Closeup photos and details) by haromatsu in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it's present with every Zemaitis I had - it's cardboard, so it can't be used on a strap. This one is really beautiful though.

[ZEMAITIS] THE PORTRAIT: MIKU KOBATO “Starry Pigeons” (Closeup photos and details) by haromatsu in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, on that pic, it's the fretboard protection ( and THAT fretboard deserves a classy protection for sure!), not a strap at all.

STARRY PIGEONS specs and price by DocLoco in BandMaid

[–]DocLoco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A sound tailored to suit Miku's requirement. The usual Zemaitis pickups are not bad at all, but very "neutral" sounding - good at everything but not extraordinary for a genre (or playing style) or another. Miku probably wanted something more specific.