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April 7, 2024 at 2:37 pm
Saturday, April 6th saw a repeat performance of O-VILS Vol. 4 at the venue Kyoto FanJ, in celebration of the band’s third anniversary. While many faces in the band have changed since that first performance at FanJ on April 3, 2021, the level of talent hasn’t. Though years have passed since their days in the Kyoto Tachibana SHS Band, the alumni can still deftly handle the incredible tasks of dancing and playing their instruments at the same time. And the non-alumni members of O-VILS showed they can handle it as if they had been in the KT band themselves. For these shows, most of the Vol. 4 performers were there, but those missing included support players Saho and Fuji-chan, percussionist Raicha, Mitsuki from the color guard, Natsuki on clarinet, and the newest members from KT’s 118th class. Also, Afro Fujimura returned on bass guitar, in place of Kamaboko, who had played bass in the original Vol. 4 performances in January.
Both shows (at 12:30pm and 5pm JST, respectively) were performed before very enthusiastic audiences, each lasting an hour and a half. The show introduction featuring the color guard and their O-VILS flags is – as someone at the blog pointed out – reminiscent of the live version of BabyMetal’s “Road Of Resistance,” in which the three girls appeared on stage, each holding a “BabyMetal” flag. However, O-VILS’ introduction is longer, and accompanied by an instrumental played by Yuina Mita and her band Teruaki Ukon and Afro Fujimura/Kamaboko.
One highlight of the Vol. 4 shows has been a beautiful instrumental version of Ado’s “Sekai no Tsuzuki” ( “世界のつづきです” or “The World’s Continuation”), played by Fuuri on soprano and alto saxophones and Mie on viola, accompanied by Teruaki Ukon on amped up acoustic guitar and Fujimura/Kamaboko on bass. It was the first time seeing Mie play viola solo, an instrument she’s been playing since she was in college (she also plays it in an all-female orchestra). Known as a trombonist and color guard in the KT band, as well as the color guard in O-VILS, it was a pleasant surprise to see her step into the spotlight with her instrument. Other highlights included the performances of O-VILS’ original songs composed by Yuina Mita, “Trigger,” “Range of O,” and “Enchanted Park.” Honoka was seen during “Range of O” with a euphonium, though she just appeared to be holding it while she danced, rather than playing it. “Ojamajo Carnival!” was performed again, but this time, the members filed off stage and into FanJ’s two aisles to play the first part of the song amongst the audience, before heading back onstage for the rest of the song.
As in other O-VILS shows, a segment of it was devoted to plugging the band’s merchandise. In these repeat shows, the duty fell to Rina, Yurumowa!, Asuka, and Chippi. Obviously, it wasn’t possible to understand what was said, but judging by the laughter of the audience, it was funny.
Between “Sing Sing Sing” and the final number, “You Can’t Stop The Beat,” Yuina Mita spoke for several minutes – again, impossible to understand, but presumably thanking fans for their support. This all came about because of her and the dream she had to form a brass band. Her talent for composing, performing on keyboards and drums, singing, and producing her music has now even reached an international audience, even if it is on a smaller scale at this time, and not a larger one. We can hope it continues to move in a positive direction for her and O-VILS.
I think there is still one venue left for O-vils left to explore, and that is a trip to Tiawan to perform onstage in that welcoming country. I believe they would leave their mark alongside that of the high school brass band of which most of them are alumni – KT Tachibana. O-vils celebrated their 3rd anniversary in 2024. I hope not too much time passes before a Tiawan trip is a possibility.
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