1997
Did you feel that this concert was a long time coming?
TK: “It was long, in fact. You know it all started around the time of the TK NEWS thing in June, and even then I had heard reports of Asian people listening to my music. This was a situation where they knew almost 100 percent of all the songs, right? I chose ‘SWEET 19 BLUES’ as something everyone could sing together at the end, and we were right on target because it became a big chorus, so I was happy.”
What other hits and misses did you experience?
TK: “Frankly, I had the unrestricted use of three artists. TRF gave an excellent build up at the beginning and set the tone of quality with their professional dance technique and performance, then they sustained this peak for Namie’s entrance so the audience would think, ‘Wow, she’s for real.’ I was watching on a monitor backstage and even when she was just standing there, I could feel the audience’s awe.”
TRF went on first. Were you nervous watching them from backstage?
TK: “Yes, I was. That was the most critical time for me, including my own part, not knowing what kind of response they would get when they entered. And after that, then came Namie, then globe, so I was not worried at all. Also, we just finished the Domes Tour a while ago.”
Namie Amuro
DISCUSSION after the 2nd show
What’s impressed you most over these two days?
Namie : It was really fun, also there was no difference from Japan at all. It turned into a concert where I could really have fun with everyone.
AMURO-san, your popularity is staggering, especially here in Taiwan.
Namie : I’m glad. Really.
It was a concert you enjoyed from the heart then?
Namie : That’s right. I could really have fun this time.
So you must be looking forward to next time.
Namie : Yes, you’re right.
About Namie Amuro
TK: “I’ve been making her songs for about two years. She’s only 19 years old. That’s why I also think she might really have pressure or something bottled up inside. It’s music and also entertainment, so it’s supposed to be a disconnected world, that kind of thing, but she has a fiery spirit. She never lets on and she never says a word; I think she has lots of that kind of spirit. And the thing I feel strongly about her is that she’s someone with strong universal visuals. After recently working in Los Angeles and in Asia, I really think she has that kind of universal talent and character. But in private I guess she’s just a 19-year-old girl. Normal. I don’t know much about it. Maybe, well, disco, today there’s almost no discos, there are clubs instead of discos in Japan, I guess she’s a normal girl who loves that kind of place and goes there to have fun. But she’s a bit too busy.”
The Pan-Pacific Tour is just around the corner. What’s going through your mind right now?
TK: Not only me, Namie Amuro is especially a global figure as I’ve discovered traveling to many different places. That’s why I feel like I’m on a mission to connect directly and positively in places where people of other nationalities like what we do. Also, I felt that there are a lot more people than I thought who think my music is good. And, there are lots of Asian people who send mail saying that globe and Kahala are great. Based on that, quickly it’s easy to understand that Namie Amuro’s presence is big. I really think so….