Everyone in Wagakki band is crazy talented. The lead singer Yuko is a super talented pianist and also plays the hosozao shamisen (A smaller version of what Beni plays here). She plays piano with the orchestra in this concert and it is heavenly.

Amy Lee was really there for another song, when they did a cover of the Evanescence song "Bring Me to Life". 😉

Great reaction - thanks!! This is a really great song, with some interesting history. And despite obviously stressing over it a bit, you pretty much nailed the pronunciation, kudos. If you were wondering, Senbonzakura basically means 1,000 Cherry Blossoms. Before getting into the history of the song, regarding Amy Lee. She was at the show as a guest for other songs. During the pandemic Wagakki Band and Amy Lee collaborated together on a song called "Sakura Rising" and she had joined them for what may have been the live performance debut of that song. They also played Bring Me to Life by Evanescence as a full on duet between Amy and Yuko (which you can also find on You Tube). Haven't seen the full concert, but I think those were the main two songs Amy Lee was there for. But as you guessed, Senbonzakura was the show closer (as it often is at Wagakki band shows), and so Amy came running out to join in the big finish. Probably planned (since she had to learn the Japanese lyrics obviously), but at the same time I wouldn't be shocked if it was a spur of the moment ad-libbed thing either. As for the song itself, it was Wagakki Band's big break out hit circa 2013 or 2014, the song they are best known for, especially outside Japan. And outside Japan probably largely assumed it is a Wagakki band original song, but it is actually a cover. And possibly one of the most covered songs by a multitude of Japanese artists with rock versions, metal versions, acoustic ballad versions, you name it. The original had straight up rock instrumentation, so Wagakki Band definitely added all the arrangement for the traditional instruments making it theirs in that way. But the really interesting thing about the song is it was originally written back around 2011 for a vocaloid performer. You can actually find live performance video on You Tube from around this time where you have a real live rock band playing the song to the computer generated vocals with a holographic "singer" "performing" on stage with the band, looking like a character out of a Sailor Moon anime. Definitely kind of trippy. But yes, the Wagakki Band version is probably the best known version of the song, especially outside Japan.

If I remember correctly, they also played one Evanesence song, Bring me to life, during this show. Amy was a guest for that. And since Senbonzakura was the last song here she came out just for fun. Wagakki Band has a lot of great songs and they're always super fun to watch live. Are there any other songs by them on your list?

This is a very well known song in Japan, and their cover version is one of the best in my opinion

Thank you David. This is Chris who made the request. I am so impressed you got around to it. I enjoy my patreon membership immensely!! :) Really enjoyed your reaction as always!!! Can't wait for more Wagakki. . . you have not yet scratched the surface of their versatility:) CC

WAGAKKI BAND ended its exclusive contract with Avex Trucks in June 2019 and signed a global contract with Universal Sigma. This is where their exchange began when Amy Lee, who was able to connect with them, invited the members of WGB to one of her concerts in the US. And now, WGB invited Amy Lee to Japan as a special guest of the concert. As others have commented, "Senbonzakura" was created using Vocaloid, a songwriting software program that allows virtual idols to sing, and was included in WGB's major debut album "Vocaloid Zammai," released in April 2014. Since many Vocaloid songs are not intended for human singing at all, with no breathing room and lyrics that flow at very high speed, no one had thought to cover them until this cover album was released.

Senbonzakura (1000 sherry blossom) The song is a vocaloid cover of Hatsune Miku from 2011, written by Kurousa-P. It is about the westernization of Japan. actually quite a dark story. The lyrics state things such as "Songs of lament go unheard" and "This is a banquet inside a steel jail cell", guillotines and ICBMs. It is perhaps Wagakki Band's biggest hit and was the last song. Yuko taught Ami Lee the lyrics to the last verse just before the concert started and they agreed that she could come on stage if she dared. "Bring me to life" was the song before this one. They played "Izana and Ryuusei" in the encore.

They did a cover of "Bring me to life" . I believe this was the last song and she just came out for fun. You should do "Bring me to life" next. They rocked that one also.

It's true that Amy Lee doesn't really have much of a role in this song, I guess she just appears as a small cameo for fun. She was there because they sang "Bring Me to Life" with her (you should definitely check it out, it's such a cool arrangement), and they also recorded a new song together called Sakura Rising, though it wasn't featured in this live show (in fact when they sing it live the Amy Lee parts are a recording since she's not touring with them in other shows 😅) For something a little different from them, I'd recommend "Synchronicity" (especially the Dai Shinenkai 2022 live version) 🙂

Let me explain the thing about Amy Lee. Next song in the concert was Evanescence "Bring me to life". They have the same record label and did some things together. I wanna show you what they really can do with 2 doubleheaders. This performances will blow your socks off, i promise ! "Ikusa" + "Hakushu Kassai" live from Dai Shinnenkai (New Years concert) 2018 at Yokohama Arena Japan kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gdKZY7BeydPTlaM.html and "Kyoukasuigetsu"+ "Tsukini sakebuyoru" live from React tour 2019 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l72cgMZe1ciok2w.html . You like Bass and showmanship ? This is what you get ! Enjoy ...

Since this song was the last one in the concert, Amy Lee's appearance was basically a curtain call for her in the show. Check the cover of Bring Me to Life from earlier in the show. The other thing I always notice is another point to production: the sound mix bringing the traditional acoustic instruments through the wall of sound. There's no mud in this track.

Senbonzakura" is a song created using VOCALOID, a music production software that lets virtual idols sing. WAGAKKI BAND's first task was to create a cover album of these Vocaloid songs. Many Vocaloid songs were not intended to be sung by humans at all, and no one but them was willing to cover them. And the biggest hit of the album is "Senbonzakura". This, music video has been viewed 150 million times. Unfortunately, the Avex-owned music video cannot be used for the Reactor video, as it will certainly be blocked after their label transfer in June 2019.

Amazing! I love watching the flute player rockin out! Same with Firkin!

I was waiting for you to react Wagakki Band's Senbonzakura. Glad that you made a reaction to this song. I thought it would be scored higher, like 9.4, but 9.0 is still a good score. I didn't know the version featuring Amy Lee. I love her very much and I believe she is one of the best female heavy metal singers. Being said, I agree with you on her role in this song. It didn't see much value by adding her here. I was expecting her presence more if it says "featuring Amy Lee".

I'm so glad you got to react to Senbonzakura, it's such a great song!

Setting an orchestra plus the members of the band and Amy Lee I would call it production, that's the truth! 🤭🤭🤭

I tell ya, Japan someday is gonna get airplay on US radio, because current US music is so safe, formulaic, and full of artificial digital enhancements.

I agree your point about Amy Lee. Like you mentioned in the Pa Pa Ya video both BM and F. hero showed mutual respect to each other. Amy Lee pretty much just ran off the stage afterward. I believe I heard that woman that thanking Amy but when they cut her she was running off. Great song otherwise.

Out of curiosity, have you ever experienced "Vocaloid" songs? The original of this song was written for Vocaloid Hatsune Miku, which is a vocal program.

yupp! that flute dude is the last living punk haha

Some of well known Japanese artist/band have orchestra version concert. OOR is another well known band who had orchestra in their concert.

I have caused discussions on another reaction channel, about one of Amy Lee's duets with the Wagakki Band. Her appearance here was as you say, a non factor. You may have had a request for her singing with the Wagakki Band the Evanescence track, Bring Me To Life? After seeing it for the first time on a reaction channel, I have not watched any other reaction to it, or the original video, due to Amy Lee's singing. So glad you are beginning to appreciate the Wagakki Band for their live performances. There is much live footage 'lifted' from DVD/Blu-rays on KZfaq and it is total visual overload. You feel sorry for the video editor as they can only capture so much of what is happening on stage. Greg Gartvin has explained all about the song and the collaboration/duet with Amy Lee. It always amazes me the stage and audio production with the Wagakki Band. How on earth do you balance the sound for the band, let alone a orchestra to boot! Fairly close with my score guess, slightly under this time. 😀

you must watch react to the "bring me to life" cover by Wagakkiband .... a must

Recommended song.　→　和楽器バンド / Bring Me To Life with Amy Lee of EVANESCENCE　kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ntFheteKsJ2meoE.html

Never heard of them, no idea what the hell they are saying, not even my type of music, but this was very entertaining, I would go to a live show in a heartbeat.

Senbonzakura was made for Miku a vocaloid. What are your stances on those?

Good

When you are missing Amy Lee you reacted to the wrong song for this concert. On the same concert she did "Bring me to Live" together with the Wagakki Band. Outstanding version played with these instruiments. Probably Bring me to live was right after that song and that was an introducing her to the audience for what´s comming up. This is Bring me to Live Amy Lee feat. Wagakki Band: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ntFheteKsJ2meoE.html This concert was during the pandemic. And prpbably also at the time when Amy Lee recorded a Song together with Wagakki Band that has something to do with the pandemic. No live Version for that song. Just an animated music video Wagakki Band and Amy Lee - Sakura Rising. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/md92ps6Am8-mYnk.html

David do you know the band The Winery Dogs?

Also they make song together, but is mid honesty.