Keyakizaka46 has triumphant 1st anniversary concert at Keyakizaka

A year ago, when Keyakizaka46 was formed, the name was a big surprise. Up to that moment, the group had been called Toriizaka46.

Keyakizaka is a tony shopping street that runs along beside the upscale Roppongi Hills Mall. Months ago, members of the group said that one of their ambitions was to someday play a concert at Keyakizaka. That day came sooner than expected, Saturday evening.

Here is a report from the entertainment press, painting a picture of a triumphant love-fest between the group and an outdoor venue packed with its fans:

from Oricon Style:

The idol group Keyakizaka46 commemorated the first anniversary of its formation on August 21 of last year with a performance on a special stage "Summer Station Live Arena" at Roppongi Hills Arena, next to Keyakizaka street, which is the origin of the group's name.

Keyakizaka46 was born last year as the continuation of the Sakamichi Series, following Nogizaka46. On April 6 this year it released its first single, Silent Majority, which sold 260,200 copies in its first week, making it the best first week for a new female artist in the history of the Oricon charts. The group's second single, Sekai ni wa Ai shika Nai (released August 10) sold 323,000 copies in its first week, entering the Oricon weekly chart for August 22 at #1.

Calling out to the fans who came rushing in as rain fell, Sugai Yuuka said: "We are coming up to the important day of our first anniversary tomorrow. And now we are truly happy to be able to perform here next to Keyakizaka, a place which is so important to us. Today we want to show you how the 21 of us have grown." This was greeted with great cheers from the fans.

The live began with Shibuyagawa, sung by Imaizumi Yui and Kobayashi Yui -- the "Yui-chans". The group did Kataru nara Mirai wo. Members said the choreography for this was hard to remember. A group named for its five members -- Sugai, Shida Manaka, Moriya Akane, Watanabe Rika, and Watanabe Risa -- did Aozora ga Chigau.

The group did Silent Majority and Sekai ni wa Ai shika Nai in performances that were so in-sync that they brought the audience to a boil. All the members showed how much they had grown.

Centre Hirate Yurina, representing the members, expressed both gratitude and determination: "In this past year, we have experienced many events at great speed. From here on, in our second year, without forgetting our feelings of gratitude, we want to keep climbing the slope step by step. We will try our hardest. Please support us, everyone."

After the show, Imaizumi Yui, thinking back on their performance of Shibuyagawa, said in thanks: "The fans' penlights were as beautiful as an illumination. Tears came to my eyes." Hirate commented: "We have plenty of experience with outdoor lives now, but today the fans were the warmest, and our spirits were the highest. It will be a wonderful memory."

The live will be shown on Asahi cable Channel One sometime in the fall.