The Audience Is Crazy, Loudness Proves Rock Never Dies

Loudness Vocalist Minoru Niihara performing at the Hard Rock Cafe (Photo: Azhan Miraza)

JAKARTA - If anyone dares to say rock music is dead, it means that the play is not far away. Just sitting in front of local television, watching soap operas, while occasionally peeking at comedy shows under the guise of less educational music. Try to go directly to the real world, especially to Jakarta, then your assessment of the death of rock music is completely unproven.

The bells marking the permanent existence of rock music in the country were again sounded. Hard Rock Cafe, located in the SCBD area, South Jakarta, witnessed the powerful alliance of four Japanese men performing on one stage, Loudness, on Tuesday, November 12 evening.

Hard Rock Cafe as the organizer realizes that rock music will never die. That's why they never took off the 'rock' appendix in the name of the cafe (okay, this is just an interview). However, the fact that the presence of a number of contemporary music sub-genres that are loved by millennials does make this distorted music seem less barking.

We're talking about a big event. Especially in Jakarta, the capital city which has always been the mecca of the entertainment world, organizing large scale rock concerts can be counted on the fingers. The most recent, Jakarta Rock Space. It was claimed that the organizer would be the opening gate for a grand rock event, in fact it was canceled.

There is nothing wrong with this phenomenon of cyclical music trends. Because every trend will continue to spin like a wheel. The difference is, rock is not a seasonal genre. This type of music will remain alive, both through underground and surface routes.

While genres that exist due to market demand, will disappear like dust in the wind. Do not believe? In the past, the invasion of Malay music and boy groups was limited to passing by, while EDM (Electronic Dance Music) was just waiting for the 'play' date.

Loudness has gone crazy (Photo: Azhan Miraza)

The evidence was evident when Minoru Niihara (vocals), Akira Takasaki (guitar), Masayoshi Yamashita (bass), and additional drummer Ryuichi Nishida (drums) kicked off the Thunder in the East tour series. Their appearance does not wear off with age.

No less than 15 songs - including a drum solo - were performed by Loudness on stage. Starting from Soul on Fire, I'm Still Alive, Crazy Nights, Like Hell, Heavy Chains, Go For Broke, Until I See The Light, Kama Sutra to In My Dreams. The audience seemed enthusiastic about going 'crazy'.

As with any other rock / metal concert show. The worshipers of Minoru et al are not as silent as watching a puppet. Every note that reverberated from the stage was responded with passion. However, they are quite self-aware considering that they are no longer young.

Yes, the establishment of Loudness since 1981 describes the age range of its fans. They come to reminisce and remember adolescence. No need to be surprised if some of them bring their wives or husbands.

There are still some viewers who make mistakes. Forming a circle pit while moshing and headbanging lightly, but ending with a 'gasping' breath while massaging the neck and waist. The full power energy released by Loudness really made people forget their condition and age.

So Lonely, who was taken from the album Hurricane Eyes (1987) became proof. The crowd in the interlude part of this song made the venue vibrate. Not because of the noise, but because of the emotional weight that resides in the audience.

However, there are also hilarious moments. After delivering So Lonely, full of confidence, Minoru shouted out loud; "Next song, Crazy Doctor!" But the other Loudness personnel didn't even respond to anything.

Akira then said: "No! Wrong song!" with his thick Japanese dialect. The audience laughed. But, Minoru looked cool as if he didn't care about his mistakes.

Based on the repertoire received by VOI from Hard Rock Cafe just before the concert, the song that should have been performed was This Lonely Heart. After that, just Crazy Doctor as an introduction to the encore session.

Loudness returned to the stage with two ending songs; In the Mirror and SDI which made the audience reach their climax. For those who did not watch Minoru et al's performance eight years ago in the series of the Rockinland Festival, the evening was truly satisfying.

All you have to know. This tour is Loudness' effort to introduce the album Rise To Glory which was released via earMUSIC label since January last year. After Jakarta, Loudness is scheduled to hit Hard Rock Cafe Bali, Wednesday, November 13.