I can't believe I didn't mention the vocals in this song. That's near unforgivable. I was so blown away by the entire composition! Seriously, the vocals were my focal point in my head, but I kept getting pulled away and had to explain why LOL

In the making of Gion-cho vid Kanami was playing to the backing track & dropped her pick but her kimono was so tight she couldn't bend down to get it. So one of the crew members picked it up for her whilst Mincho giggled & smiled sweetly.🤭

that Misa bass growl though~ ;)

And now for a real comment: this is such a fucking sleeper hit. Has any other band released a April Fool's joke that's this good?!

“Gion-Cho” is one of my favorite B-M songs. KANOEMI is so beautiful 😍

6:12 Akane eating noodle in tea ceremony is April fool joke making fun of her big appetite. We never eat noodle in tea ceremony

They only play this song when they play Kyoto which makes me sad because I don't if I ever will see them in Kyoto. I do think this is my favorite song. It's beautiful, powerful, epic. A complete package.

Yay, Gion-cho! My favorite Band-Maiko song. 🥰😍

Band-Maiko are the only band that could compete with Band-Maid. I love the Saiki/Miku harmonies in this song. Really lovely. The song morphs and evolves as it goes and is stunning the entire time. The musical crescendo towards the end is goosebumps material. The lyrics are about the Gion district in Kyoto, which is the center for geisha culture. Just discussing the beauty of the area and the various aspects of geisha life. I love that they chose to honor this part of their culture and writing everything in the Kyoto dialect was a nice touch.

And now you know why we all want the return of Band-Maiko..... ..... and why we understand why they may never return. There was a main riff to this song, it was MISA. MISA was playing lead bass for most of this song, especially the 2nd and 3rd verse. Especially the 2nd verse. MISA and Kanami actually switch parts with MISA playing lead bass and Kanami playing the rhythm on the guitar. This song has soooo many layers to it... like always. Its a great song to pick apart each of the different instruments, sections, etc..

"Did Kanami not have a big solo in this song?...what the fuck?" 😂

The Maids are not only masters at genre melding, transitions, riff production, structure and execution... they are also masters of cultural melding. Maidiacs are MAIKOACS, too! 😆

Thanks! Gion-Cho is so good. Umemisa and Akatsuki absolutely kills it here. It's hard to imagine that this masterpiece was written to support an April Fool's Joke, but that's BAND-MAID for you.

Misa is the 8th wonder of the world!!! I just find it so rare in music to find a bassist so intricate, so versatile, plays lead, plays transitions, plays solos, and don't even get me started on the tone she has developed... simply put her with the all time greatest bass players imo!

The Band Maiko CD is one of my absolute favorites. Saiki sings in the "Kansai" dialect of Japanese on this album, so even the lyrics are different. I know you love the song "Anemone", but the Maiko version "Ansan" in Kansai? Woof.

I love Miku's harmonies near the end of the song, simply beautiful.

LOL I didn't know Misa started this song either with Akane and Kanami. And the traditional matcha scene, they all bring their cups up and Akane has noodles LMAO (never saw it before). Gion-Cho isn't a song I listen to much, but I gotta add Tora and Tora to your recommendations. This is the second Band-Maiko video and their hair/makeup/kimonos are a bit different than Secret Maiko Lips. Apparently these were more fancy. Also, they got to wear those really high sandals, and Misa was the best at making them click when she walked, so much that she started jumping around on the steps and got scolded by staff 🤣

One of the most amazing things about this band is that each member does exactly what they need to do to make every song awesome. No ego, no showoff. Just an enormous volume of incredible music.

Thanks for doing this review Ryan, as a fellow musician I get to feel like I'm sharing in the experience of listening to Band Maid with a friend, I enjoy your insight into the performance, there's always so much to dissect that sometimes you can point out something I may have missed, Band Maid has become my favorite band of all time now and that really says a lot, I've been a musician since 1964 so I've see a few, thanks for your videos, keep up the great work and support for the Maid's.

I prefer this over Secret Maiko Lips. The song's such a banger.

A beautiful song, all the talent in the world but the song writing is still their strongest attribute. A lot of other groups rest on their technical skills, not band-maid, they use it to improve their already stellar song writing. Great job as always dawg.

Aside from loving everything that BAND-MAID does, Gion is my stomping ground when I am in Kyoto (hopefully 2022 will allow for more movement and I can be back there again). I love walking those cobblestone streets and taking in the atmosphere.

Terrific song!. A piece of artwork delicately crafted. This is the only one specifically composed as a Maiko song, not riffs, no solos, everything here is subdued to the ancient sounds that blend so perfectly with the bass. At this point I really think Kanamincho knows how to compose tradicional Japanese music and she could write some stuff for The Waggaki Band, she really has got the 'feeling' (I would pay a lot to see that collaboration). In their official website you can find the making movie. An inmense effort to bring us a masterpiece.

My take on this song is it was near the start of when Kanami started getting the rest of the band more involved in writing and arrangements, so in this one she kept in the background more giving the vocals more room, and letting the bass and drums take on more of the job of providing the riffs and fills ... and they did an awesome job. I'm a huge huge Kanami fan and look forward to her solos on every song, but on this one you get to remain undistracted by her awesomeness and can concentrate on the incredible job MISA and Akane do ... one of my favorite Band Maid songs. ETA: yes, MISA essentially does the 'lead' on this one and Akane provides what I can only describe as a very convincing taiko drum 'simulation' to provide the right 'atmosphere'!

Watching your love and appreciation of Band-Maid track my own almost identically... just a year later... has been fun. It is like watching a video of my own facial expressions of the past. This is what is great about reaction videos. Reliving the excitement and awe we once felt.

"Don't end..." truer words, man. Such a luscious song.

I didn't think I was going to enjoy this song on my first few listens. Now it's one of my favourites, surprise surprise.

The bass note on headphones just gets me every time. Love this song.

Hey, Ryan, come to Japan and experience Kyoto. Your life will definitely change 🤘

Gorgeous is definitely the word for this video and the music it frames. Great to see _everyone's_ reaction to this one, it deserves to be shared. Ryan once again pointing out some awesome highlights.👏. If you haven't already, watch the "Making Of..." for this video. Well worth the time, and a source of many comments about this song.

I wasn't sure about this song when I first heard it, I don't know why. Second listen though just floored me, it actually brought tears to my eyes. Before I even looked into the lyrics there is something so melancholy and sad about this song that brings out so much emotion. I often play the whole BAND-MAID catalogue on rotation, this is one of their songs that when it comes on I just have to stop whatever I am doing and listen. It still brings a tear to my eye every time. Everything is stunning about it, it is a masterpiece.

You know. I have developed a very strange connection to this band. Maybe you can relate. I rarely finish watching a Band-Maid music (or live) video without tearing up a little bit. And I mean, regardless of which song - it could be Dice or Blooming for that matter. But I tear up because I find these 5 women so empowering, and I keep thinking to myself, how important they are. Even if, for whatever reason, the music they make in the future doesn't gel with me (I don't know why it wouldn't), I don't care - I just hope they keep reaching for the stars in whatever way they desire, and I wish them all the world. Pigeons will save the world, man. Or at least I know of one that will give it her best try! (Sidenote... Have you checked out Cluppo - Peace & Love? Miku's april fools joke for this year... It's the most Miku thing imaginable)

What an incredible band. These women pay respect to tradition while still being phenomenal. I think that they look even more beautiful (if that is even possible), as BAND MAIKO. Band Maid makes me happy- it's that simple. These women rock!!!!

Oh my god fnally the shirt!!! It's beautiful.

Awesome to see this one. Such a different and really great song. On the Official video, someone from Japan does a lyrics breakdown that explains what the lyrics are, but importantly what they mean. Very cool read if you get time.

Stunning video. Band Maid rules!

In the "making of" video for this song Kanami drops her pick and she's like Oh sh*t. They had to stop filming and pick it up for her. The click track is audible too because they can't use in ears and it's a cowbell. LOL

There seem to be no limits to what this band can do.There is such a lot to like about the video and the brilliant song - and the way Miku and Saiki inter- and coact in the vocal parts is a showpiece in itself.

It goes without saying that their music is great as always, but my eyes are struck by the gorgeous visuals of them in Gion-cho ♡ ps: I posted a comments supplementing the English translation and Maiko culture when Gion-cho music video was dropped, so please read it when you have time xD

You touched on how tight their Kimono's were. In fact during the BTS vid for this song. Kanami dropped her pic during one of the scenes and she couldn't bend down far enough to grab it. She had to have a crewmember fetch it for her.

one of my two favorite bands :) i actually discovered them both on the day, this joke was released

Great reaction and I believe that this is an original song for Maiko, most of the others are reworked versions of existing songs.

Akane is always eating because she learned from anime that super powered protagonists always eat a lot. She's just training like Goku, and it works.

Till the next April 1st, I'll be waiting.

Umemisa Umemisa Umemisa! ordered my shirt should arrive early Jan

I wonder why BAND-MAID hasn't covered this song?

I love both the visual beauty and elegance of this song (by Band-Maid standards). All the band members are beautifully attired and made up, and there is the cute, brief prank of Akane eating while the others drink. Lovely to see them all sing, even if very short parts in unison. It also highlights Saiki's aloof princess look -- her ethereal beauty. I have a soft spot for this song. Band Maiko -- the only band better (more colourful!) than Band-Maid!

Once again, Band Maid shows their progressive style with their fusion of traditional Japanese sounds and rock! I love this band. Cheers and thanks again!

The color saturation in the video is fantastic. A call back to Japanese color cinematography in the 1960's.

Elegant.. I absolutely love this, the beauty and the music.. I sure would love to go there one day ❤️ Oof 😉😁

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this great song and beautiful vid

This is a masterpiece! Sound and visuals! One of their best. Gion-Cho, Blooming, and Different are uniquely Band Maid.

This actually my favorite of the Band-Maiko songs. But as usual, all of the songs they did are fantastic.

Fun fact: Gion Cho is the only Band-Maid/Maiko song without a single English word anywhere in the lyrics (aside from the instrumentals).

Thanks Ryan nice one mate, there's good, great, phenomenal and then there's Band Maid, pure class, and despite some BS going around this band have more than paid their dues and for almost a decade now. Okay after that what would Misa do 🤔🤔 Hmmm time for a beer and def some more Band Maid so I can melt my heart and face at the same time , stay happy Sir appreciate your reactions - insert Misa bounce here 🍻🥁🎸🎼

Thanks, Ryan! Gion-Cho is one of my favorite songs too, and not reacted to enough. It's so beautifully crafted. Kanami sets up an V-PC-V-PC-C-V-PC-Cx2 structure, where the chorus inverts and extends the verses in a way where you wish the final chorus just would go on forever. Oh, and yes, that *bass* :)

When this came out I watched this video 4 or 5 times a day for a couple weeks! There is a making of video out there somewhere. Watched that a couple times! Thanks Ryan! PO! 😊😎✌🤘🤘🤘🤘🎅🎄

I like Kyoto especially in Autumn and without the tourist crowd, that's why I really like this song.

band-maiko, hope this side project doesn't die and wishing in another future april mop they'll back. awesome Ryan, stay healthy

The new album is around the corner too! Can't wait!!!!

Only they can make a joke into a solid hit

This is one of my favorite songs. For real though. It's awesome! MISA's bass line is amazing!

I was trying to think of something of value to add to your reaction and the other comments, but I realized quickly the only words I have for "Gioncho" is that I don't have the words for "Gioncho" except for maybe "speechless".

Saiki is one of the best singers there is, her range and voice control is phenomenal. She might not reach as high as others, but reaching high notes doesn't mean much to me. Miku reach higher and together with Saiki they create very beautiful harmonies. Saiki is the godess of hard rock vocals, and I stick with it. There is no one like her in this world.

I believe you Ryan, its always been one of my favs ! 😎 Merry Christmas, Happy New Year 🎄🎁🎉🥂

Sick shirt my man

Band-Maid should cover this 😃

Always a great reaction you are in my top 3 for band maid reactors trying to get caught up your raw emotions are fantastic ok so I just watched another reaction to band maid the song was why why why kanami goes on a wa wa pedal destruction be well and thank you also for your wonderful commentary

Akane and Misa were absolutely off the charts on this one !!!!!!

MISA MISA MISA!!!

Best rock band since the Beatles. I'll stand by it.

"Gion-cho" means "Gion-town", the Geiko area in Kyoto. A Geiko is like the regional equivalent of a Geisha. A Maiko is an apprentice Geiko in training. Although she is from Kumamoto, Miku is very fond of Kyoto and visits it whenever she can.

Fujiki and Hatoko sing beautifully in the Kyoto dialect, Umemisa's bass tone blends with Ataksuki's kick drum and KANOEMI rings out the riffs and chords. All the members join in background chants. 花がどれほど美しく踊るか

By the way, did you hear about THE NON-FICTION DAYS by Band Maid? You once said that MIKU's riffs in WONDERLAND are interesting, and this is an interesting song with her playing the lead riff. Thanks for good reaction always!

I would love to hear this live. Will it ever happen?

One of there best songs!!

And this was for april fools

It's shockingly good and beautiful.❤❤❤👘👘👘

Misa!!!...that bass slide, damn!

april 1st is near last year cluppo was born, can't wait what projec they gonna do this year......

Akane's galloping beat is infectious ...

I love this song and i really enjoyed the video, but Saiki in the thumbnail bruh. 😆

This is in my top five favorites of their songs. I just love how well the super jazzy bass fits with the rest of the instruments and vocals. It's a wonderful counter-melody throughout.

Ryan! Greetings from still a mild Shizuoka although Mount Fuji has got a big snow cap! Yes, this was done as a pert and intelligent joke, not so much for their Japanese fans, but definitely more for their westerner fans. They contain quite a few jokes and deliberately misleading pictures although the music is very very serious! It was done with April's Fool Day in mind, a western tradition which has recently taken in this country! Incidentally, Gion Cho is the most expensive area in Kyoto where you can meet the top class geisha and maiko ( a kind of apprentice geisha). I have been there many a time and the streets are beautiful (as long as they are crowded by noisy foreign tourists!), especially at night (after all, this a night amusement spot!)! Fist of all, the hair design has been purposefully created for this occasion, especially in the case of Saiki and Misa. Miku is caught throwing a wink, an act that no geisha would ever dare think of doing! Akane's hair is changing color from her usual straw color dyed hair to a completely black hair. Akane if wolfing down a bowl of ramen while the other girls daintily taste their matcha green tea. Although none of them is from Kyoto, they speak/sing in the distinctive Kyoto dialect! And on, and on! LOL It is tacky and a bit cheap on purpose. I suspect it was ordered by their sponsors, as Kanami never hid her boredom during the shooting! But the fact the song is of supreme quality is probably a sarcastic wink at the world! Incidentally, they use a lot of backing from Japanese traditional instruments, including the shamisen/three-string kind of guitar and koto/Japanese floor harp! Still another great song! Hope I did not bore you! Best regards, Robert-Gilles

Bruh... That T-shirt... I NEED that T-shirt!!!

Hey @Ryan Mear, When are you gonna update your Bio and add BAND-MAID to the section? Just wondering... (and kidding). You do you. PS I grabbed some of the awesome shirts you made. I was waiting for them since idea first popped in the comment section, was so excited that I clicked an extra hoodie I didn't mean to take.. Oh well, someone will get a (late) Christmas present. Happy Holidays

日本は約束は　守る　国！、世界中の皆！！　日本の約束は　守ってね！！。音楽は　最高～　ロック　最高～～

My Eyes are nailed to a great T-shirt.

It may be difficult for foreigners to understand, but the language is Kyoto dialect. I'm Japanese, but I've visited Kyoto about 20 times, but I've never met Maiko.

Love your T-shirt....

Man, I love your t-shirt!

Awesome T-shirt!

What an awful job you have with these videos Ryan! Reacting to BAND MAID must be tough, something like "listen to what Saiki's singing now, no wait Misa just did something amazing....hold up now Kanami's throwing in an awesome riff...oohh hang on I just caught Akane's insane fill!" Tough to keep up when the whole band is cramming so much awesomeness in four minutes.

I consider this CD a little genius gem. I love both MV's, the sense of humor in it, all the visuals... and to think that the whole thing is a "just" a April Fool's Day is just amazing. The moment I got hold of this CD it was like having yet ANOTHER band like Band-Maid being as awesome as they were... but that's the only way right? To be as awesome, it needed to be them as well... so, yeah BAND-MAIKO is the only band that I can truly say I love as much as Band-Maid. The MAIKO version of "Screaming" is one of my top played songs on my iTunes... it's nuts... (you should find a couple of videos of MISA, Akane and Kanami playing "Screaming" blindfolded... MISA's idea... and another one of Akane "singing" "Daydreaming" with MISA doing a contemporary dance performance 😅 ) ... anyway, can't wait for the acoustic live in a few days...

This is me not writing "first"

Hey Ryan. F.Y.I go to Band Maid clips channel and there you will find rare full Band Maid concerts . The most recent is " live in Tokyo " 2018

日本は　礼儀の国　。

Wel hel yaaaa i am getting realy into BM, BUT.... it wil not be my home, more a sidetrack😀

remember, done as an April Fools joke.

cluppo - peace & love its miku lolz weird