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Asia Tour 2024 A: I am Ayu

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Asia Tour 2024 A: I am Ayu
Asia tour by Ayumi Hamasaki
Promotional poster
Location
  • China
  • Japan
Associated albumVarious
Start dateNovember 1, 2024 (2024-11-01)
End dateDecember 31, 2024 (2024-12-31)
No. of shows7
Ayumi Hamasaki concert chronology

Asia Tour 2024 A: I am Ayu is the third tour of Asia by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It began in Shanghai on November 1, 2024, and held its final date on December 31 in Tokyo, Japan. In total, the tour spanned seven dates, with Hamasaki announcing Asia Tour 2025 A: I am Ayu Ep. II on January 27, 2025. Official promotion dedicated the tour to Hamasaki's twenty-fifth anniversary since debut, as well as to fans who "love her songs beyond any language barriers".

Running for over two hours, the setlist consisted of a combination of classic hits across Hamasaki's career, as well as interlude performances from her dance troupe and string orchestra. For the final date in Tokyo, the show was adjusted for a new year countdown.

Background and development

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The tour was the first in sixteen years that included overseas locations, the singer holding concerts across four cities in China in addition to the two dates in Japan.[1] A previous attempt at international concerts, Asia Tour 2021-2022 A: 23rd Monster, was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; it held its final dates in December 2022, at Aichi's Nippon Gaishi Hall.[2][3] Hamasaki continued to tour in Japan until her announcement of Asia Tour 2024 A: I am Ayu in August 2024, confirming a kick-off date of November 1 in Shanghai—less than a month after her previous tour, Team Ayu Limited: Thank U Tour 2024, ended.

Ticket sales were met with great demand, and pre-order queues reached up to over 100,000.[4] Fans were covered by the media for buying swathes of advertisement space to greet the singer upon her arrival; in Shanghai, Hamasaki also broke the record for the highest attendance to a concert held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.[5][6] During a guest appearance on 2024 FNS Music Festival, Hamasaki said of the tour concept: "I want to showcase some of the beautiful things my own country has to offer, but also show understanding and appreciation for the countries I’ve been given the opportunity to perform in. That was a big focus during rehearsals."[7]

Concert details

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A performance of "M" in Shanghai (2.11.24)

The five tour dates in China utilized a circular stage design, with two extension catwalks on opposite ends. The main stage consisted of two platforms, the inner and outer rings separated by orchestra pits. The lighting focus remained on the central stage until songs using the extension catwalks were being performed.

The concerts commenced with the lifting of a red curtain from around the main stage, revealing Hamasaki alongside her orchestra and dance troupe; the singer then began a performance of a rearranged "I Am...". During the song, her dancers slowly walked around the outer ring of the stage, and plumes of smoke were released near the song's end. At the final chorus, a cross spotlight highlighted Hamasaki until the transition into "Rule".

Various outfits used throughout Ayumi Hamasaki's Asia Tour 2024

The setlist was split into separate acts by interludes, the show alternating between orchestral and dance performances. In total, Hamasaki had eight costume changes between acts.[8] In particular, the singer highlighted a white layered dress designed by Keita Maruyama, who has previously worked with Hamasaki for "Green" (2008), "Mirrorcle World" (2008), and "Ohia no Ki" (2020), as well as conceptualizing the opening outfit for the singer's Countdown Live 2022-2023 A: Remember You concert.[9][10] Describing the dress as "dreamlike", Hamasaki also confessed that her biggest worry about the concert was the 50 metre-long attached veil: "The most nerve-wracking part of this Asia tour will be wearing this veil and crossing the stage from one end to the other... Please look forward to seeing that yourselves."[11] The dress was used for the performances of "M" and "Appears", Hamasaki changing into a bedazzled blazer and long skirt combination for the next act of "Aurora", "Surreal", and "Love Song".

In total, the concerts lasted over two hours, featuring a three song encore. Commentators noted upon the singer speaking to the audience in both Japanese and English; during the final performance, Hamasaki sang the last chorus of "My All" in Mandarin Chinese, encouraging the audience to sing along to close out the concert.[12]

Critics complimented the tour's "best selection" setlist, commentary highlighting the use of traditional instruments for track rearrangements, and the inclusion of Chinese performing arts throughout.[13] The First Times wrote: "Hamasaki showed great respect for traditional Chinese performance art. (...) This (concert) felt worthy of Ayumi Hamasaki", while Oricon News lauded the chosen stage outfits featuring "gorgeous dresses" and "dramatic" standout designs.[8][14]

Tour dates

[edit]
Asia Tour 2024: I am Ayu[15][16]
Date City Country Venue Attendance
November 1, 2024 Shanghai China Mercedes-Benz Arena 26,000[17]
November 2, 2024
November 9, 2024 Chengdu Dong'an Lake Sports Park Gymnasium —
December 7, 2024 Ningbo Ningbo Olympic Sports Center —
December 14, 2024 Guangzhou Guangzhou Gymnasium —
December 30, 2024 Tokyo Japan Yoyogi National Gymnasium —
December 31, 2024

Setlist

[edit]

This set list was taken from the show in Shanghai on November 1, 2024. It does not represent all shows throughout the tour.

Countdown Live 2024-2025 A: I am Ayu

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Countdown Live 2024-2025 A: I am Ayu
Livestream concert by Ayumi Hamasaki
LocationJapan
VenueYoyogi National Gymnasium (Japan)
Associated albumVarious albums
Date(s)December 31, 2024 (2024-12-31)
Duration140 minutes
No. of shows2
Guests
ProducersAvex Trax

Background

[edit]

On October 2, 2024—Hamasaki's 46th birthday—it was announced that the singer would hold her 22nd New Year's Eve show at Yoyogi National Gymnasium. Two concerts were announced for December 30 and 31. While the show was considered to be a part of Asia Tour 2024 A: I am Ayu, it featured an altered setlist and a new stage design.[18]

On December 6 it was announced that the concert on December 31 would be streamed exclusively through Abema as a pay-per-view webcast. An on-demand version of the livestream was available until January 5, 2025.[19]

The encore of Countdown Live 2024-2025 (30.12.24)

Set list

[edit]

This set list was taken from the show in Tokyo on December 31, 2024. It does not represent all shows throughout the tour.[20]

  1. "Opening"
  2. "I Am..."
  3. "Rule"
  4. "Evolution"
Interlude – "Task'n'bass"
  2. "Fly High"
  3. "Blue Bird"
Interlude – Ayu-mi-x Mega-mix (CDL 2024-2025 edition)
  2. "Secret"
  3. "Moments"
Interlude – "Duty (re-arranged instrumental)"
  2. "Dearest"
  3. "春よ、来い (Haru yo, Koi)"
  4. "Seasons"
  5. "Voyage"
Interlude – Instrumental Medley ("End roll" / "Depend on you")
  2. "Green"
  3. "Aurora"
  4. "Surreal"
  5. "Love Song"
Encore
  2. "Dream On" (with Naoya Urata)
  3. "Another Song" (with Naoya Urata)
  4. "Whatever" / "Movin' on without you" / "Audience" / "Independent" / "WOW WAR TONIGHT"
  5. "Boys & Girls"
  6. "My All"

Tour dates

[edit]
Countdown Live 2024-2025 A: I am Ayu[21]
Date City Country Venue Attendance
December 30, 2024 Tokyo Japan Yoyogi National Gymnasium —
December 31, 2024

References

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  1. ^ "ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2024 A ～I am ayu～LIVE". ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2024 A ～I am ayu～LIVE (in Japanese). Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  2. ^ "【ライブレポート】浜崎あゆみ14年ぶりのアジアツアー幕張メッセで開幕". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  3. ^ "ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2021-2022 A ～23rd Monster～LIVE | ayumi hamasaki（浜崎あゆみ） official website". ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2021-2022 A ～23rd Monster～LIVE | ayumi hamasaki（浜崎あゆみ） official website (in Japanese). Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  4. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、16年ぶりのアジア・ツアーがスタート 恒例のカウントダウン・ライヴ開催も決定 - CDJournal ニュース". www.cdjournal.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  5. ^ "アジアツアーを控えた浜崎あゆみ、上海での盛り上がりに感謝！ファンも「世界のayu様」「レベチすぎる！」と興奮 (2024年10月26日)". エキサイトニュース (in Japanese). October 26, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  6. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、16年ぶりのアジアツアーのチケットが販売開始から1分でソールドアウト". THE FIRST TIMES (in Japanese). Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  7. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、FNS歌謡祭で圧巻のパフォーマンス！年内ラストスパートへ突入 (2024年12月5日)". エキサイトニュース (in Japanese). December 5, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "【レポート】浜崎あゆみ、上海メルセデス・ベンツアリーナの海外アーティスト史上最高観客動員記録を樹立". THE FIRST TIMES (in Japanese). Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  9. ^ "浜崎あゆみ「夢の様な」純白ドレス姿を披露！ライブでは50m以上のベールを着けてステージ横断". THE FIRST TIMES (in Japanese). Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  10. ^ "ドリカム、浜崎あゆみ、乃木坂46の衣装も！ラフォーレ原宿で「丸山百景『ケイタマルヤマ遊覧会』」が開催中｜ウォーカープラス". ウォーカープラス（Walkerplus） (in Japanese). Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "浜崎あゆみ「夢の様な」純白ドレス姿を披露！ライブでは50m以上のベールを着けてステージ横断". THE FIRST TIMES (in Japanese). Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  12. ^ "【ライブレポート】"アジアの歌姫"浜崎あゆみ、中国・上海でテイラー・スウィフト超えの観客動員数を記録". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、16年ぶりアジアツアー開幕 海外アーティスト歴代観客動員記録の更新も". ORICON NEWS. November 5, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、16年ぶりアジアツアー開幕 海外アーティスト歴代観客動員記録の更新も". ORICON NEWS. November 5, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  15. ^ "ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2024 A ～I am ayu～LIVE" (in Japanese). Avex. November 15, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  16. ^ "ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2025 A I am ayu -ep.Ⅱ-LIVE" (in Japanese). Avex. February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  17. ^ "滨崎步上海演唱会打破了泰勒·斯威夫特的观众记录，昨日成都演出，还去了太古里逛街" [Ayumi Hamasaki's concert in Shanghai broke Taylor Swift's audience record. She performed in Chengdu yesterday and also went shopping in Taikoo Li]. www.163.com. November 10, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  18. ^ "「ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2024-2025 A(ロゴ) ～I am ayu～」開催決定！！ TeamAyu限定チケット先行申込受付実施します！" (in Japanese). Avex. November 15, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  19. ^ "浜崎あゆみのカウントダウンライブが「ABEMA」で独占生配信！ 12月6日よりチケット販売開始". RBB Today (in Japanese). December 6, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  20. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、カウントダウンライブに浦田直也がサプライズ出演しコラボ曲披露". SPICE(スパイス) (in Japanese). January 2, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  21. ^ "ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2024 A ～I am ayu～LIVE" (in Japanese). Avex. November 15, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
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