Distant World Final Fantasy Concert @ Chicagoland

Back from Rosemont Theater!

The first Distant World concert I've attended was at Minneapolis, and it was a VIP seat. This time, it wasn't a VIP seat (it's too expensive!), but I feel that this concert was 100 times better than the concert at Minneapolis.

There are so many world premierre songs played at Rosemont Theater. Here's the program:

1st half:
Prelude (FF)
Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec (FF 8)
Winning Theme - World Premierre (FF)
At Zanarkand (FF 10)
Don't Be Afraid (FF 8)
Ron Faure (FF 11)
Distant World ~ Memoro de la Stono (FF 11)
Love Grows (FF 8)
Swing de Chocobo (FF)
Melodies of Life - World Premierre (FF 9)
Fisherman's Horizon (FF 8)
J-E-N-O-V-A Remix - World Premierre (FF 7)

Intermission

2nd part:
Bombing Mission (FF 7)
FF 7 Main Theme (FF 7)
Suteki da ne - World Premierre (FF 10)
Aerith's Theme (FF 7)
Dancing Mad - World Premierre (FF 6)
Kiss Me Goodbye - World Premierre (FF 12)
Theme of Love (FF 4)
The Man with the Machine Gun (FF 8)
Medley: .... Twilight, Beneath the Bloody Borders - World Premierre (FF 14)
Terra's Theme (FF 6)
One Winged Angel Advent Children version - World Premierre (FF 7 AC)
Winning Theme
ENCORE: One Winged Angel Advent Children version (FF 7 AC)


English version of Suteki Da Ne. Yes... that sounds really awkward. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the English version. The phrase "suteki da ne" is kept in the song, but the rest of the lyric was translated. Well... they keep the meanings close, but it sounded really really weird after years listening to the original Japanese version of that song.

Melodies of Life and Kiss Me Goodbye (both are in English) wasn't well sung either. :(

And lastly J-E-N-O-V-A. I was very very very excited when Arnie announced that song, but as I hear the beginning of the song... it was horrendous. The remix didn't have the vibrancy - it didn't make you feel that you are in the middle of a battle. It gets much better in the middle, but I had been disappointed with how the song was started.

Of course, One Winged Angel blasted the whole concert. I didn't expect it to be in Advent Children's version - they have Chicago Mages, comprising of 2 electric guitarists, to hype up the song. Brilliant!

Another surprise Arnie and Nobuo told us at the end of the concert was that the second CD of Distant World is going to be recorded next January, and will be on sale next summer!

Distant World tour is going to continue even next year, and for sure, they will come back again to Chicago in July. Something to look forward to? Of course!

Photos (and perhaps videos?) will follow soon.

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FF Distant Worlds at Minneapolis

I didn't buy the program booklet (costs $30), so I can't really remember the order, but as far as I can remember, here it is:

1st half:

Liberi Fatali - FF 8
Don't Be Afraid - FF 8
To Zanarkand - FF 10
Bombing Mission - FF 7
Ronfaure - FF 11
Fisherman's Horizon - FF 8
Aerith's Theme - FF 7
Medley - FF 1-3

2nd half:
Dear Friends - FF 5
Vamo' alla Flamenco - FF 9
Swing de Chocobo - FF Series
Memoro de la Stono Distant Worlds - FF 11
Opera "Maria and Draco" - FF 6
Terra's Theme - FF 6
One-Winged Angel - FF 7

Anyone who spots the mistake in the program list, please help me fix them! :)

Liberi Fatali was a really splendid choice as the opening song. Since I was sitting with my brother at the orchestra pit (the front most row), the sound quality was at the best. I could hear the slightest, softest tones produced. It was really awesome there! I could see Nobuo Uematsu and Annie Roth really closely, too! Well, only one thing I kinda regretted: I couldn't see the entire orchestra and the screen behind them.

These songs left the best impressions in me: Liberi Fatali, Don't Be Afraid, Swing de Chocobo, and Memoro de la Stono - Distant Worlds. I love FF 7 songs, but this time they were not as magnificent as I thought it would be. One-Winged-Angel and Bombing Mission are still my all-time favorites, but somehow they lacked the energy during the concert.

Also, this was the first time hearing the English version of Darkness and Starlight (which is the Opera "Maria and Draco"). They meanings are pretty similar to the Japanese version. It was pretty surprising. In fact, I like it. The trio who sang the opera had splendid voice. The one who sang Ralph's part has a really deep and enchanting voice. I love it!

The Final Fantasy Medley was also noticable, but since I have been hearing it a lot of times in my 2002:2002 Concert CD, I didn't really think it was that awesome. But still.. I love it :)

Other than the songs... I went to the Meet and Greet with Nobuo Uematsu! Paid extra $25 for the chance to take a photo and get his signature on my FF goods. A lot of people brought their game CDs and books. Some just bought the Distant Worlds CD ($20), the official T-shirts ($20) and the posters (I can't remember the price since I didn't really want to buy the poster) and had them signed.

I had my FF VI Piano Collection, FFVII AC Original Soundtrack and FF 2002:2002 Concert music CDs signed. I also had the official T-shirt signed at the back! Yay!

Will post some photos and videos soon :)

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