Miyavi - The Funk is back at the Bush for the first time since the Purple one!

****

Miyavi is too Funky to just be heard in Japan!

Miyavi **** hasn't been in the UK for a while the last time was for a disappointing show at the London, Forum where he was hit by sound and visual problems and just didn't hit the heights of his truly awesome performance at the London, Islington 02 Academy. At this show he had a full live band and called even be seen coming out with a Samurai sword which was really set the scene, then he came back with a stripped back show with just him and his drummer Bobo and for me it just didn't sound full and didn't work. 

He is back with this drummer again in the UK and I am surprised from the moment he hits the stage because all the problems of the Forum are fixed and this is the sign of a great artist they see their mistakes and they fix it and Miyavi has done just that. He also looks like a superstar coming on in shades under amazing bright lights pulling off a full white outfit. He opens up the proceeding with a great version of his single 'Day 1' and these bright lights make everything so much better than when he played the the London, Forum last time he was in the UK, which makes everyone happy. This song is a foot stopper that get's everyone moving and grooving from the second it starts and this continues on the next track.

The Funk and guitar slapping of 'Strong' really brings the venue to life and shows Miyavi off for the interesting artist he is. This song verges on the Funk of 70's bass players from acts like Parliament or even Funkadelic and he really gets his chance to wail, yes the song is a little monotonous but it's full of energy so it really works. This continues with a montage of 'Hell No' and 'Chase It' which are incredible Avant-Garde and rockin and really get the groove on and me realising that Miyavi still can produce the goods. I really like the rhythm of 'Chase It' it's straight at you and a little like something Devo would do.

'Justice' sounds a little more like a Pop track, maybe even something Justin Timberlake would do. This track shows why in Japan Miyavi has a mainstream appeal and that he has great versatility and also is one of my favourite tracks he plays in his set. 'Secret' keeps with the Pop vibe and brings a sexy vibe into the performance, wonder if he has been watching Prince video's and how he uses his sexual presence to attract the audience.

He continues on with his Funk Blues odyssey with one of the tracks he played last time in London that went down well the now anthem 'Chillin, Chillin money Blue$', which I will admit is a track I don't care for that much it just is a little too repetitive and sounds like a song you would expect to hear played by a busker on the streets of Belgium than by a Japanese artist in London. For me the track is just a little too self indulgent and comes on for far too long and makes it a little boring to watch. If you were bored by this track don't worry because he brings it back up with his hit single 'Selfish Love' which has been includes more slaps on the guitar than Beyonce's ass while she sings 'Crazy in Love' and ends up being one of the highlight tonight in his set. 

I have to admit I am quite impressed by Bobo that keeps the drum beat so well whatever Miyavi throws at him and he just looks so at home behind his small kit so when it get's to 'Please, Please, Please' he shows of what he has got and can keep up with Miyavi's slap stylings. Japanese titled 'Kimi ni Negai Wo' is just beautiful and shows of again a different side of this singer really well and is a great chance to hear the crowd singing every word back at him with out his loud slap guitar.

'Guard You' continues were this track left off and has a nice chorus to it and leads on nicely into the popular 'Cry like This' which was a very popular song for Miyavi and every word of this is called back to him like a old forgotten son that needs to go home. This song is almost J-Pop or even K-Pop and even has a section with 'Woooh!' in it which are nice to sing. In a way it is very Westernised and when it merges into 'No one knows my Name' their isn't a person in attendance that isn't jumping up and down and is great to witness. 

The next tracks start off with a mini jam between Miyavi and Bobo and then are sped up so 'Ganryu' and 'Survive' are gone before you know that he has even played them. Hit 'Futuristic Love' follows suit and is rammed down your throat like nothing else and shows of some of his best guitar twiddling of the night and a massive repetitive segment that seems to go on for forever. This part is a little crazy but fun at the same time so we he decides to ends the main set with 'Horizon' you know you have got a whole lot of Miyavi for your money. 'Horizon' might be won of his best ever tracks and the way he plays it tonight you can see why. It has confidence and so many changes. One of these changes is a Pop Ibiza Esq. chorus that could have been done by Enrique Iglesias, yes it's that feel good and it is a great song to play in the summer.

He comes back on to the sound of his hit 'Subarashikikana, Kono Sekai (What a wonderful World)' which is one of the tracks that a lot of fans have been waiting for and he seems to put some new life into it tonight. Also with some new life in it is the heavy beating 'Ahead of the Light' which is a great Dance floor track that comes on like a film soundtrack for your night. He ends the set with his anthem 'What's my Name' like always and you know that you have seen a real talent from Japan in London. It's not the best time I have seen him but it was really good and I had a great time, so I can't wait until he tours again.

Miyavi - Setlist
-----------------------
Day 1
Strong
Hell No / Chase It
Justice
Secret
Chillin', Chilln' Money Blue$
Selfish Love
Please, Please, Please
Kimi ni Negai Wo
Guard You
Cry like This / No one knows my Name
Ganryu / ​Survive
Futuristic Love
Horizon
------------------------------
Subarashikikana, Kono Sekai (What a wonderful World)
Ahead of the Light
What's my Name?

Review and Photo's by Dan Devour 

Check Out! the Video of 'Secret' Below...