「NO GIRL NO CRY -Round 2-」Official Report

Poppin'Party×SILENT SIREN「NO GIRL NO CRY -Round 2-」Official Report

Reported by 風間 大洋
Photo by ハタサトシ、斎藤チホ
©BanG Dream! Project ©PLATINUM PIXEL

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The second joint live concert 「NO GIRL NO CRY -Round 2-」 between Poppin’Party from the next-generation girls' band project BanG Dream!（バンドリ！）that links characters with real live performances and the girls' band SILENT SIREN was held via online streaming!

 

Poppin'Party

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• (From left) 西本りみ (Ba. 牛込りみ role), 大橋彩香 (Dr. 山吹沙綾 role), 愛美 (Gt. & Vo. 戸山香澄 role), 伊藤彩沙 (Key. 市ヶ谷有咲 role), 大塚紗英 (Gt. 花園たえ role)

SILENT SIREN

(From left) Ba. あいにゃん (山内あいな), Dr. ひなんちゅ (梅村妃奈子), Vo&G. すぅ (吉田菫), Key. ゆかるん (黒坂優香子)

Poppin’Party's 愛美 (Gt.&Vo. 戸山香澄 role) shows confidence saying "we have grown considerably over these two years," while SILENT SIREN's すぅ (Vo&G.) refers to the bond between the two bands, saying "I think we are good companions and rivals."
The unique girls' band clash 「NO GIRL NO CRY -Round 2-」 held via online streaming started with a video of the two bands' vocalists talking with each other.

What came through their words was that the two groups, who are both worthy rivals and comrades, have each faced, overcome the continued pandemic since 2020 and the resulting stagnation and changes in the live scene, and have grown to "take one more step forward."
The enormous sense of anticipation that the live space proving this will unfold afterwards continues to grow.

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SILENT SIREN, who took the stage first, delivered 「チェリボム」starting with choreography instruction by ゆかるん (Key.) on top of a fresh and refined band sound delivered without a count.
Although this day's live was held as a shooting live with only a limited number of audiences watching on-site, they quickly stood up and, while unable to cheer, responded with big reactions.

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 As SILENT SIREN says, "we prepared an impressive setlist from the first song," they arrange high-BPM numbers like 「女子高戦争」 and 「八月の夜」 where ひなんちゅ (Dr.) delivers explosive four-on-the-floor beats, rapidly raising the voltage from the opening.
「聞かせてwow wowを」 with a fun festive feeling of bouncing rhythm, 「HERO」 with catchy melodic punk flair and a sense of speed, 「ALC.Monster」 where industrial beat and digital sound become accents and the twin vocals of すぅ and あいにゃん (Ba.) are also a highlight――.
While sticking to clarity and danceability, their approach has a truly diverse range of options.

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"I believe we absolutely must deliver the happiest, most exciting, thrilling, and sparkling time. But please don't forget that we can only do this thanks to all of you! Thank you!"

After すぅ passionately delivered feelings that probably grew even stronger over this past year, they continued to blast upper upbeat songs even more than in the first half.
「DanceMusiQ」 with EDM-like effective bass in their trademark sunglasses style.

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During the break of 「天下一品のテーマ」, ゆかるん raises the energy with a flag in hand, and during 「恋のエスパー」 they also showcase the technical feat of performing a part change during the time-stopping effect.

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After heating up the venue excessively with 「フジヤマディスコ」 where solid guitar cutting, slap bass, and synth sounds overlap in color, they passed the baton to Poppin'Party.

Poppin’Party started from the signature number 「Yes! BanG_Dream!」.
Into the masterpiece bursting with pop and heartstring-touching melodies woven throughout, they also insert solo turns that double as member introductions.

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In 「B.O.F」 driven by the low tones from 西本りみ (Ba. 牛込りみ role) positioned in a low stance, 愛美 and 大塚紗英 (Gt. 花園たえ role) showed back-to-back solos with smiles.

 

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 The ability to witness each member's movements, facial expressions, and even their gaze more than in regular live performances is unique to streamed live events.
Moreover, it seems they prepared a considerable number of cameras that day, and in 「STAR BEAT!～ホシノコドウ～」 the drone that took off from 愛美's palm captured the expressions of members looking this way with full presence, allowing them to be enjoyed from every angle.
In other words, that is because each member's high level of showmanship ensures they look good from any angle at any time.

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From 「Happy Happy Party!」, 大橋彩香 (Dr. 山吹沙綾 role) and 伊藤彩沙 (Key. 市ヶ谷有咲 role) who were positioned in the back upper area descend to the stage, accelerating the enjoyment of the live with expressions using their whole body such as gestures and steps.

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During the break of 「夏空 SUN! SUN! SEVEN!」 which skillfully incorporates 3.3.7 time, even a comedic skit appeared, but it was later revealed that this attempt was inspired by SILENT SIREN's 「恋のエスパー」.
In this mid-section block that further connected to the disco-style dance number 「Hello! Wink!」, many audience members were seen moving their bodies freely.

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"Although the future is still uncertain in this world, we perform hoping that by delivering music this way, it becomes even a little hope or power for someone."

As if echoing 愛美's sentiments, after 「Light Delight」 guided by the pure tone of keyboard sounds, songs with more dramatic feeling continue.

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With 「キズナミュージック♪」 where the five members sing on words symbolizing their stance and mindset, connecting to the emotional 「イニシャル」 with hard riffs and melodies climbing to the upper register, and through to 「ティアドロップス」 where the flashy CO2 eruption effect shines, they finished the main performance as if dashing through.

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For the encore, first they performed 「Up To You feat. Aimi from Poppin'Party」with a formation of SILENT SIREN members and Aimi.
Aimi's powerful singing voice, distinct from her performance in Poppin'Party, is incredibly impactful.

Then with all members of both bands together they performed 「ときめきエクスペリエンス!」, and finally concluded with the essential 「NO GIRL NO CRY」.
The 9 performers, facing each other by part and making eye contact while playing, seemed to express the joy and excitement of making music with their entire bodies.

 

 

Overcoming the passage of time since the last band battle and the difficulties that all musicians and society itself had faced during that period, the two groups meeting again on this day showed not only the power of music, but each in their own style displayed brilliant artistry and solid fundamentals impressively.
How will both sides move forward from now on, and how will they update their current standing?
I look forward to the day when their paths cross for the third time.