Concert Recap: Hikaru Utada Just Wants To Celebrate At First Taipei Show
On Sunday, the area around Taipei Arena in Taiwan was buzzing with activity. Hikaru Utada was finally here for their “SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024,” their first tour since 2018. Couples — both young and old — milled around outside, taking photos of their significant others in front of the concert posters. A truck advertising the show, and blasting Utada’s music, too, drove slowly by the venue as people stopped walking to take videos of it.
This past weekend, the Japanese icon took the stage in Taiwan for the first time in their 25-year career. Their “SCIENCE FICTION” tour kicked off in Japan with two shows in Fukuoka on July 13 and 14. In the past month, Utada has performed 10 times in their home country. The two sold-out Taiwan concerts on August 10 and 11 marked the first overseas performances of this tour, with Hong Kong shows following on August 17 and 18.
The Journey Begins
Having made their Japanese debut in December of 1998, Hikaru Utada possesses a rich and diverse discography. Although it is impossible to showcase their entire catalog in the span of two hours, Utada made a brilliant effort. The 23-song setlist took the globally-renowned musician and the audience through their 25 years as a singer.
To help narrow the focus, a “science fiction” theme anchored the music to a larger story. A deceptively simple stage set the feeling, with white dunes spread out around the band’s slightly-raised platforms. An extended stage also provided Utada with more space; however, no matter where they went, the audience’s eyes were always glued on them.
Most concerts start off brash and loud, confidently announcing the artist. But not Hikaru Utada. Instead, they started with softness. As time ticked past 5 p.m., the venue lights turned off section by section. Although this caused the crowd to cheer, everything was soon plunged into darkness — and silence. (Yes, Hikaru Utada made 10,000 people fall into complete silence.)
Then: a piercing beam of light shone into the crowd with a singular piano note accompanying it. A minute or so later, another beam of light cut through Utada, who stood in the center of the stage. Cheers ensued as the audience spotted them, and Utada kicked off their jubilant celebration in Taipei with “time will tell.” Shining in an all-white outfit — a white suit with wide pants — the artist brought their powerful vocals and characteristic candidness to this single, which was originally released in 1998.
From there, the first hour flew by. “Letters” from 2002 and “Wait & See ~Risk~” from 2001, along with “In My Room,” a cut from Utada’s 1999 debut album, kept the energy high. When they thanked fans in Mandarin (“謝謝”), the crowd clapped and cheered with enthusiasm. After “Wait & See ~Risk~,” Utada also took a moment to speak in the audience’s native language. “謝謝你們今天來 (“xièxiè nǐmen jīntiān lái” or “Thank you for coming today”),” they said with clear appreciation despite the hint of shakiness in their voice.
Traveling Through The Music of Hikaru Utada
For those who haven’t had the chance to attend a Hikaru Utada concert, they are both an auditory and visual feast. Just like the vibrant colors filling up the venue, the range of Utada’s setlist reflected these distinct lights. The energetic and jazzy piano solo in “Hikari” had fans moving their bodies (and their lightsticks) along with the rhythm. Meanwhile, the liberal use of a fog machine during “For You” and “Distance (m-flo Remix)” leaned into the mystery of the concert’s sci-fi theme. The pulsating beat of “traveling” turned on the high energy in the Taipei Arena as Utada exclaimed, “Stand up for this one!” to which the crowd responded with roaring cheers.
Then came the instantly-recognizable “First Love.” From the first piano chord, more enthusiastic cheers erupted, as most everyone knew what track had arrived. When Utada sang, “You are always gonna be the one,” the crowd started turning on their phone flashlights, lighting up the arena one section at a time. For the entirety of the four-minute song, Taipei paused and soaked in Utada’s voice filled with poignant emotion.
Since I have never seen Hikaru Utada perform live before, their impressive stamina left me in awe. High power notes, dancing around both stages, crushing song after song: they did it all for 45 minutes straight with barely any breaks. But it was also clear that Utada lived for this feeling — this feeling of performing in front of fans who have loved them for a long time.
The electronic touch of “Beautiful World” marked the midpoint of the show. “COLORS,” with its juxtaposition of strings and a floor-vibrating beat, and “Boku wa Kuma,” with its playful yet dreamy vibe, as well as the crowd pleasers “Keep Tryin’” and “Kiss & Cry,” added new colors to the palette of “SCIENCE FICTION.” To close out the section, Utada performed the piano-led “Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro” while cloaked in fog. It was completely Hikaru Utada’s world, and we were just living in it.
It’s Automatic
To mark the final transition of the show, Utada stepped off stage and reappeared in a custom-crafted dress by A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE. Using Spiber’s Brewed Protein™ fibers, Utada’s colorful outfit could hold its unique flowing shape. Lights streaming all the way to the ceiling around Utada elevated the vibrancy of their dress as they launched into “BAD Mode.”
2018’s B-side “Anata,” 2024’s cut Hanataba o Kimini,” and the wintery ballad “Naniirodemonai Hana” proved just how much power the singer has over a crowd. An admirable hush consistently fell over the 10,000 in the audience before each new song. “One Last Kiss” and “Kimi ni Muchuu” prompted cheers of recognition at their first notes, making the energy in the venue soar once again.
Soon, the night with the icon was coming to a close. It was almost as if Utada couldn’t believe it either, as they said with a few tears in their eyes, “This is amazing. I didn’t expect anything like this.” When they jumped into the second-to-last song of the show — “Electricity” — the buoyant lyric “I just want to celebrate with you” felt particularly apt.
Although they teased the crowd a little bit by making them wait for the encore, the anticipation was worth it. To show their support, Taipei cheered and clapped louder than they had before. Meanwhile, the roar that took over the arena when Utada appeared again carried into the final song, “Automatic,” the artist’s debut single.
Earlier in the show, Utada had shared with fans, “It’s my first time to hold a concert in a place where I don’t understand the language. I was worried at first, but I feel everyone’s heart and I’m really happy.” It was clear that both fans and Utada left their hearts on stage that night.
Time will tell indeed — Hikaru Utada, you will always be famous.
For those who want to relive the magic of the Taipei shows, the “HIKARU UTADA SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024” in Taipei After Movie is now available to watch on YouTube. More information about the tour can be found on the singer’s tour website.
Keep up with Hikaru Utada on Instagram, X, and YouTube. Find the setlist playlist here, and listen to Utada’s full discography here.
Want to read more about Japanese artists making waves? Check out EnVi’s concert recap of YOASOBI’s New York show here!
