A-Kon Experience – 2008
A-Kon 2008 – VersaillesConcert
Alright everyone, A-kon 19! Where do I begin? There were a million things to see and do, artist selling their work and also drawing pictures on the spot to sell. There was a seemingly endless booths overflowing with everything you could possibly want. Amazing concerts and autograph sessions by two very spectacular bands happened throughout the weekend. I won’t even mention all the cosplayers, it was insane. Though, these things themselves seemed to be the ONLY thing that wasn’t so good. Not that these were bad, but that there was so much going on at once. Things like signings by artist and voice actors were scheduled for short amounts of time, and the lines were ridiculously long, though, long lines of fans is a good thing.
It was pretty early so the check in line wasn’t too, too bad. We were in line for maybe 25 minutes at most, but once we got to the desk, we had our room keys and were off in the blink of an eye. The room was awesome; very spacious, nice view, decent size bathroom for two, and very comfortable beds. Once we entered the convention center we found the “Buy now” and “Pre-reg” lines, they were extremely long. The dealer’s room at A-kon was incredible; there was never a moment when the dealer’s room wasn’t filled with crazy amounts of people. One table that happened to rape my wallet was the visual kei magazine booth. They had all the latest issues, and some old stuff incase you need to catch up! If you’re a Cure and SHOXX fan, it was probably your favorite table.
The concert line wrapped around the inside of the building then went upstairs and I don’t even know what happened up there. So we all waited and waited, people were walking around selling Ramune and Bawls to people who were thirsty but refused to get out of line [people like moi]. Finally the doors open and we poured in like a raging flood! The room filled quickly and we all waited anxiously. The lights went down, and a man came out on stage and said we could take pictures and video Budo Grape but not Versailles, everyone was really excited. As soon as the man left the stage the members of Budo Grape came out enthusiastically ready to have a blast! [...and oh boy did we...] Usually when I think of an opening act, I think, “Someone to just kinda get my blood flowing so I can be super hyped when the main act is out…” Budo Grape said “SCREW THAT!” they rocked us so hard we were pretty much worn out before Versailles even came on. Luckily before Versailles did come out they passed out cups of water. So after Budo Grapes ridiculously fun and energetic show, we all waited nervously for Versailles. We could hear the band from behind the curtain tuning and setting up there guitars and bass. They even tricked us at one point by turning off the lights to make it seem like the show would start, but when we began screaming the lights came back on.(:T___T;)! A few minutes later the lights were off again and this time Roger, the bands manger, came out. He explained once again, no photos or video and all that good stuff. He then began screaming out if we were ready for Versailles! And the audience went mad!
FINALLY Versailles came out on stage, and everyone was in complete and total awe, it was almost unreal. It felt like one of those moments you only read about in a fictional book. The band led us through a wonderfully told story of warriors and roses, and had us all like putty in there hands until the very last minute. One hilarious moment, was when Kamijo [Vo.] was speaking to the audience so it was very quiet, and he seemed to be about to start his next sentence, but I screamed the word “SAIKOU!” which means “great/awesome/the best”, and Kamijo literally froze. I guess he wasn’t expecting many people to know Japanese at the show, who knows. So he then tried to explain “Saikou” to the rest of the audience, which was a very “Kawaii” moment. The concert had indeed, be we all wanted more , we all began screaming for the band, and at first it seemed we wouldn’t get anything more, but then we saw the band reappear and we were so glad! The immediately started “The Revenant Choir” and we went ballistic!
Day two started pretty late for us, by the time we were all dressed up it was after 1 o’clock, and Versailles was having a Q&A at 2:30. We got to the Q&A just before the time, so we were very far in the back, but it was still very enjoyable. We, the fans and the band had a blast; the entire session was filled with laughing, cheering, and awes. After the Q&A I saw Roger and went to tell him hello, but was greeted with a headlock {:T__T;}! [He messed up my hair! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE HIM!] Haha, Roger is cool though, he and Matt got me some Wawa, so I <3 him[...for now XD] We also found Tomo-san again, and he was at the booth promoting Echostream playing at Oni-con this year. So while there I bought the two Echostream CD’s that were on sale.
The final day was very chaotic, everyone was rushing to check out, and all the elevators were either held up or turned off, so I ended up walking down 27 levels of stairs…IN BOOTS! NOT COOL! After checking out my friends and I packed and left the room, we left our bags in the front lobby, the staff was very helpful and kind, going down stairs we immediately got inline for Budo Grapes signing session, and I could tell they were very happy to be here ni America, and I was very happy for them! I bought a poster and they all gladly signed it and complimented my Japanese[*blush*] Afterwards we hoped in line so we could be ready for Versailles as well. When Budo Grape was leaving they passed where the Versailles line was and EVERYONE screamed and cheered for them! The vocalist Quminco was so excited she ran and began hugging as many fans as she could, it was a wonderful heart warming moment. In no time Versailles was making their entrance. Sadly the band only had one hour to meet and sign autographs to hundreds of fans, so some people were eventually turned away, Roger and all the band member deeply apologize for it, and plan to some how make it up to everyone.
The entire experience was amazing and I will never forget it. The convention was very well put together and run, just a few minor things such as Versailles only having an hour for signing, but hey…things like that happens, and there is always next time. I’m sure there will be a next time. So, honestly I have no complaints about anything in the convention, nor the hotel. Except maybe the crowded elevators…but even so…just the lines for the elevator, once you were in…It was usually fun. You always meet the craziest/best people in the elevators. Especially the drunk people who don’t realize the door of the elevator is on there side, so the end up walking forward straight into the wall, Tiz priceless! So all in all I gotta say. I’d give A-kon a 9.5 out of 10! …Or as I’d usually say “A-kon was BEAST!” lol
Coverage of the event by Kaji. Thanks!
