This year we were lucky enough to get 3 bands: Adapter, marlee and lix! I was very much looking forward to lix and getting introduced to the other 2.
My AN started out.....on the wrong foot. Or perhaps I'm just too klutzy. After arriving Friday, eventually getting checked into the hotel, we then started walking over to the con. Where, about 1 block in, I tripped over my own foot. No big deal right? Except that in the process....I ripped off my big toe nail. Yup, pretty much clean off, blood every where. It was fantastic. After calling my brother to get picked up and driven to the con so I could hit the first aid tent up (because they wouldn't just give him some gauze and tape for some reason) I was there. Oh, the first aid tent though - nice girl, no idea what she was doing.....who tried to fix a ripped off toe nail with a little band-aid? Yeesh. That's what I get for taking my usual dog supplies out of the car!
So, I brought my flip flops and my platform boots to the con. Neither were good options for my current situation. My toe was wrapped, but it hurt! But I got my flip flop on - it has a big toe loop so a bit challenging with the bandage, and proceeded to limp around the con. You can imagine how much time this ate up dealing with, and then now moving at my first rate speed....worst Friday ever! We proceeded to check out the artist alley while I waited for a friend to make it through the pre-reg line. I was also trying to find the J-Rock North table, none of the staff had any idea where it was.
My friend made it through and I sent her on the swag finding errand (she was moving way faster then I). She located it and we hit up the table in style. I of course, wanted one of everything. But working with a finite budget I got all of the lix cds, one each of Adapter and marlee, lix t-shirt [so regret I did not get the marlee one and they are all sold out now], lix photo set, and the lix and marlee armbands.
Sadly, no posters were available. There were the posters put up around the con and we were told that after the concert we could snag them. So we planned on doing just that. Then I noticed the very large Daizy Stripper poster (who will be at ANIMETHON Aug 11 2012!!!!) up behind the table. And of course I wanted it. After debating back and forth and them tempting me telling me it was the only one...I bought it too. And I love it! Very nice, vinyl poster! I wish all my posters were this quality!
Hoping to bring it with me when I go to ANIMETHON to get it signed!
We planned on doing more shopping, but with the time, and my slow mobility it was already almost 10 and we were getting kicked out. So we went for dinner and then crashed.
The next morning I find out there was an acoustic live that I completely missed!!! It was not advertised so I didn't know about it...and of course with my toe incident pry missed it anyways :/ I was a little bummed to say the least. But, today was the day of the main concert and I was walking a bit better.
We spent the morning and afternoon wandering around, taking pics and trying to keep an eye out for any of the bands - sadly, I didn't bump in to any of them. After my friends Bleach shoot we headed back to the room and got ready for the concerts.
Upon return we found a lengthy line already in place. It was a bit of a wait to get in and we got searched and scanned upon entry - this was new. Once in we flooded to the stage and picked out spots to get a good view. We were a bit further back then I would have liked, but I could still see the stage pretty clearly. It was a late start, but Adapter was the first to take stage. I apologize, his pictures are kind of dark due to my distance from the stage.
This was my first time listening to Adapter and I loved it! He is a lot of fun, great energy and has the cutest smile. I think I lost track of how many times he said 'Dance with me!'. Very enjoyable show. He was my freind's favorite of the evening. My only wish is that he had brought more of his music with him.
After Adapter was marlee. marlee was also new to me and I immediately took to them. Sen came out on stage and I was drawn to his character. All 3 of them were lively and engaging. I wish I had more photos of them, but my battery was giving out earlier than expected and I was worried about not having any juice left for lix.
I love them! I had so much fun with their live; jumping, dancing, moving! Definitely a group now on my radar. Loved the music. So very glad to see them live and would absolutely love to again.
MJ Shared with us later his crowd shot - can you find my stripy arms?
Last up was lix, who I was most looking forward to. Having found them coincidentally since they share a name with me, albeit a variation, they were on my list and I was so excited to see them here in Canada. And I was not disappointed! Yuu came out on stage first - I will fully admit he is my favorite, though Chihiro is quite something as well.
I LOVED this concert! Absolutely loved it. I was on such a high even though it got cut short. When Chihiro announced the 'last song' I was shocked and sad. But it was so much fun! I was lucky enough to get completely drenched by Chihiro during the last song. And able to hold Yuu's hand. A few lucky crowd members were 'bitten' by Chihiro. Loved everything about them. I can only hope they will come back again!
Me at the end - ridiculously happy & soaked, lol!
I was disappointed that during lix's set I felt a good portion of the crowd leave. I do not know whether it was due to the time or lack of interest/energy, but when I suddenly felt cold air behind me - and at this point I was quite close to the stage - I was shocked. While there was still a good crowd, it was not the crowd we had started with.
I had such a good time with these groups. Loved all of them. Each one had it's own unique sound and energy. Would definitely see them all live again!
After the last performance the 3 did the autograph signing together. There was only 30min before we were to be forced out of the building, so since they were doing autographs at the Q&A again tomorrow I elected to not stay after the show and begin my hobbling back to the hotel. Did I mention I wore my boots? Thankfully my toe held up! Though I would have stayed regardless. We stopped for sushi on the way back and had a fun waiter. Not enough food! But it was good.
The next day had the Q&A at noon. I didn't sleep that much so as such was up and ready early! We went over, and after a quick stop at the con, went to the room for the Q&A.
Yup, still wearing the boots!
The Q&A also had a late start, but once the guests arrived we were right underway.
At this point Yuu was asked what type of girl he likes, so he got up to survey the crowd!
Crowd shot from MJ's angle:
After the Q&A we were able to buy swag again and then get photos & autographs with all the bands. We were also informed that there was a few posters available (the concert promo ones) to be signed - which made me very happy as we were able to snag marlee and Adapter, but the lix ones were all gone from the walls.
First up was lix. They signed my album, poster, photo set and my AN pass! It felt like a lot, but they were very generous and signed it all for me. I thanked them, told them I loved the how and we then posed for our pic.
As you can pry tell from my smile - I was so happy! While getting ready to pose Chihiro commented 'nice shirt'. Of course in reference to it being the lix shirt. After the pic I hugged them both, thanked them again. Super nice guys!
After lix was Adapter. Even with my boots on, which make me about 5'11-6ft, he was still taller! He signed my cd and the poster as well as my AN pass. Super nice guy!
I thanked him, got a hug ( I love hugs!) and told him I hoped he came back soon!
Last was marlee. These guys are so excited to see you! They are all super, super nice! Sen is so little - and with my boots I felt like a giant hugging him! I was told by my friends still in line it looked awkward - oh well! I still got my hug and he is so cute! I hugged M.J. next and WOW, can that man hug! It's not the polite hug, it's a real hug! Rea also gave me a hug as well :) They signed my cd, a poster and of course my AN pass. I was pretty excited! They were chatty, though I don't remember all we said. We took the photo.
They thanked me A LOT as I finished with them. Almost sad to see you walk away. I totally would have stayed, but you know, people behind me and all. I saw later in an interview online that marlee didn't bump into any fans that came over and said 'hi' while walking around the con. This is a shame, I would have loved to be the one who did get to bump into them!
The Q&A ran long and we had to leave the room for the next panel. The bands were very kind and did the remaining of the photos outside in the hall with the fans so no one would miss out.
Sadly, that was the last I saw of them all. We went for a very late lunch after the Q&A.
We then headed back to line up for the closing ceremonies. I had hoped that the bands would be there, but sadly no. We did get to see the Taiko drummers, great set!
And so ended our Anime North 2012. It FLEW by. Granted I missed a good chunk of time due to being injured, but wow! So many things I never got to. But LOVED the concerts and can't wait for next year!!
Lizz
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