SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2022 “MIRROR”
YOYO (Palais de Tokyo), Paris, France – September 27, 2022
Two years and a half ago, I was down at the bottom, then I discovered SCANDAL which I clung to as hard as I could, and I've slowly pieced myself back together thanks to them. Between this discovery on March 26, 2020 and now, I've come a long way as both a SCANDAL fan and a person. Six days ago, I was able to see my favourite band live, but also to meet and greet them, as well as spending the whole day, since 6:09 AM when I arrived at the venue, with fans from all generations and countries. I was also able to convey my feelings in a two-page letter to the band, which I hope they read/will read.
When I close my eyes, I can see the band playing in front of me, as I am first row, Mami side. I can hear the stunning "Opening SE", I hear their back vocals during "MIRROR", I feel my tears during "Prism" and see people waving their phones flashing in the air. I see Mami laughing when I scream "MAMIII" as Rina starts playing the drum beat for "Ivory", and Mami giving me an eye contact with a big smile during "Flashback No.5". I see Rina adorably speaking French with an amazing accent, I see Haruna making the most emotional MC of the tour while we were all crying, band members and fans included, and I see Tomomi trying to convey her feelings to us while crying. I also see the adorable and hard working band's staff interacting with us and teasing us with the band's plectrums and drumsticks at the end of the gig, and Rina's friend Seina passing in front of AceMew∞ and I while we wave at her saying "Oh Seina, hello !!" and she waves back at us.
I also see SCANDAL in front of me during the meet and greet. The moment when you realise your favourite band isn't just on a screen, but now in front of you in reality is absolutely magical, as was this whole day. I made cool poses with my meet and greet group, and honestly, the poses and the moment were so pleasant that I completely forgot we all had masks. We managed to have a bunch of fun while being cautious. I was able to go beyond my social anxiety and to tell a few words in both Japanese and English to SCANDAL and they kindly thanked me for my support, and congratulated me for my first SCANDAL concert. I'm the happiest fan that could ever exist ! If I close my eyes again, I can see myself doing the fingers heart to them and Rina responding by doing the same. I can see Tomomi waving back at me until the very last second of this meet and greet, while I am jumping of joy, saying "They're adorable !!", and I can hear them laugh.
I cried a lot during this day, when showing my letter for the band to some fans, during and after the meet and greet or during the concert, because I was genuinely happy. Nothing existed anymore ; it was all about empathy, love, friendship, support and joy for the band and the fans. Wholesome day, wholesome tour final. I feel like I can face anything now.
I can safely say I'm still stuck somewhere between Earth and heaven, between the present and September 27. Today still has a bit of September 27 in my heart and eyes, and tomorrow as well as the next days will also have a bit of September 27, because a dream came true and made me stronger. Today, I am proud to be who I am and I'm proud to be a SCANDAL fan. Haruna said our support makes them feel like they're the best all-girls band in the world, and I will definitely keep supporting them this way.
SCANDAL saved my life
Merci pour tout ♡
お大事に ♡
(Electric Mami)*
* : This is what I signed on the banner we made for the Paris gig. "Merci pour tout" means "Thanks for everything", and "お大事に", read as "Odaijini", means "Take care of yourself".
