Yoko Kanno performed a live piano and singing concert in Baltimore on August 11, 2013.
Since the event is over, I will do a small recap starting with the teasing.
On April 20, 2013, Piano Inc. published a mysterious Youtube video showing a disguised Yoko Kanno playing Tank! and Voices on a piano with special lightning, with the following hints:
HELLO,
CAN YOU PIANO ME?
YOKO KANNO
I HOPE YOU CAN SEE IT
SEE YOU IN THE SUMMER…..!
That was to promote an upcoming live piano concert entitled “Yoko Kanno -piano me-” that took place on August 11, 2013 at the Otakon in Baltimore (USA). It was officially announced by Piano Inc. on May 17, 2013 on their Facebook page.
As described on the Otakon website, “Otakon’s Sunday Concert features the world premiere performance of Yoko Kanno’s presentation new project, “PIANO ME”, at Otakon. For this concert, the simple intimacy of one performer with one instrument will be enhanced by experimental live visuals that respond to her performance. Our Sunday show with Yoko Kanno is aiming for a different vibe, reminding us that beauty and wonder can come from the power of something as simple as timeless music performed live on a single piano. It’s a statement that no matter how big and crazy Otakon can feel, we can still create those special, intimate moments where an amazing artist can connect directly with fans and make magic happen.”
A few days before the event, Piano Inc. made up a request page so that fans can say which music they would want to be played.
Also, on August 2, 2013, the involved staff was credited on the Piano Inc. Facebook page.
Piano Inc. published the setlist, the staff credits and four photos on a Facebook album.
Setlist:
01. Tank!
02. Nomad Soul
03. Katarina
04. Innocent Green
05. Resonance of the earth
06. Gravity〜Baltimore special medley
07. Fanelia
08. Monochrome*
09. Apollon Blue
10. Rakuen
11. Power of the Light
-encore1-
12. Someday My Prince Will Come
13. The Real Folk Blues
14. Wo Qui Non Coin*
– encore2-
15. Star Spangled Banner (USA national anthem)
– encore3-
16. Tank! (reprise)
*Monochrome and Wo Qui Non Coin were sung by Yoko Kanno (or Gabriela Robin if you prefer).
Staff:
piano : Yoko Kanno
programmer : Daito Manabe (Rhizomatiks)
piano decor : Momoko Nakamura (momonoma)
sound engineer : zAk
lighting director : Masayoshi Takada (RYU Inc.)
designer : Shinya Ito (DENTSU TEC INC.)
production manager : Yukiko Kiba
producer : Tommy
