A tour that made us realize that "songs grow up" Looking back at Aimi Numakura's 1st live Blu-ray "My LIVE

I wanted to see what I could achieve if I just sang on stage," said Aimi Numakura, looking back on her first live concert in August of last year. Having experienced many live performances as a character, she wondered "what kind of people would come to see us. With the release of the 1st live Blu-ray, we asked her to recount what she felt at this live performance.

I realized that as a solo artist, I had to fight alone.

─ ─ How did you feel before the tour started?

Numakura Well......, I don't know what word to choose......, it was tough. I thought it would be very, very hard. To begin with, I was against the Zepp capacity because I thought it was too big. I thought it would be over my capacity to do many gigs in such a big place when I was new and didn't know what I could do. I wanted to do them one by one without fail, even if it was a little bit of a day, so I said to myself, "No way, ......" (laughs). I finally agreed to this, but I had to start without any confidence whatsoever, and the day of the show was approaching and rehearsals were over in a flash. Singing itself is fun, and the members and staff are good people, but no matter how much I simulate it in my mind, I know it won't go the way I want it to because I haven't experienced it, and I wonder what it would be like to ...... something good. I had to start without a vision of what I could create, so I thought it would be tough. Apart from the fun of making things and performing live, I was also chewing on the fact that being a solo artist means that I have to fight on my own in these areas.

───At the time of rehearsals, your album had been released, and you must have had some idea of the response you would get from fans.

Numakura: It's not so much about attracting an audience, but more about what people are looking for. I have sung in various places, but that is because of the works and characters, and I know what is required there, so I know what I should do, and I know how to enjoy myself there. But when it comes to my live performances, I can't tell from the numbers what kind of live performance people want to enjoy and why they come. Maybe they will come because they have heard the songs that I have been expressing with my character, and they think they might see more of that, or maybe they want to see something artistic. I know that not everyone is looking for the same thing, but there are so many possibilities that I had to think about what to take out of it.


─ ─ How was the first day of the tour in Osaka?

Numakura: The first day was scary, too, I guess (laughs). But as soon as the tour started, everyone immediately understood and accepted that "this is what Numakura-san's live performance is all about," and I felt that I was blessed to be a part of it. What had been uncertain was now having a proper outline. I felt very confident that what I was trying to do was first accepted in Osaka. Then I had one day free to perform in Nagoya, where I felt that my performance, my singing, and the audience were all much stronger.

─ ─ The Tokyo show was a great success from the beginning. What did you see from the stage?

Numakura: The audience at each venue was different, so I had to watch them. I really don't think I should watch them. But I am most concerned about whether there are any dangers in a standing venue where there are many female audience members. I always say in my first MC, "Be friendly with your neighbors. I always say in my first MC, "Be friendly with your neighbors and be nice to girls. It is important to raise the quality of the music, but live performances are very real, so I wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time, and I think I looked at the audience's faces a lot.


─ What was it like to sing with a live band?

Numakura: "Great" is the only word I can use to describe it. This time, we shot the music video with the members who would be performing at the actual live concert from the time we wrote "MY LIVE" (the title of the song), and I am very grateful that they did more than just talk and perform.

─ Did you discuss the production plan beforehand?

Numakura: No, they were already doing it on their own (laughs). I think they really sensed the atmosphere. Conversely, I think it was good that I was able to create the atmosphere that allowed them to do so. I think they are very good members who understand without words that the band should not be a black child but should be a part of the live performance.


─ ─ At the end of the making-of featurette included in the BD, you expressed your gratitude to the members.

Numakura That's right. I think this live performance made me understand the meaning of my standing there. I think I finally began to see the people who work for me without saying a word. Up until now, I had been so occupied with what I had to do, but I think this live was meaningful in the sense that I was able to feel anew what kind of people did and what kind of things they did that allowed me to stand where I was. I think this experience has had a great impact on my other work as a voice actor.