I confess that I’ve by no means in reality purchased in to the entire “Vtubers as idols” factor. I’ve at all times considered them as streamers first and musicians or performers 2nd, regardless of liking a excellent quantity of the tune they’ve produced. However after sitting down to look at the Hololive x DreamHack: Down Below live performance, I’m beginning to see the enchantment, particularly after handiest six Vtubers coated such a lot of kinds and songs.
Happening at the April 27, 2024 all the way through DreamHack Melbourne 2024, the live performance was once a go back to previous stomping grounds for Hololive EN’s Hakos Baelz. Acting along her was once fellow EN member Calliope Mori, with Pavolia Reine and Kureiji Ollie from the Indonesian department and Houshou Marine and Tokoyami Towa representing the Eastern aspect. The live performance was once a way smaller and extra manageable affair than the multi-day behemoth that was once the Hololive fifth Fes again in March 2024, however there was once nonetheless a excellent unfold of tough singers and herbal entertainers. Plus, it’s at all times great to look illustration from the entire branches in combination.
Even sooner than the display itself began, the group led a touching second. Because the digital camera lingered on an target audience member’s plushie of Hololive alumnus and fellow Aussie Tsukumo Sana, a chant went up for the streamer who is obviously sorely neglected nearly two years after her commencement. It’s at all times a laugh to look individuals of the target audience showing their products or home made indicators, and prefer of their streams the skills had a couple of moments of interplay. As an example, all the way through an intermission, Mori Calliope disproved the speculation of the display being recorded through calling out any other target audience member who had mimed a kiss between a plushie of her and gen-mate Takanashi Kiara.
When the live performance really started, it was once with Towa, Calli, and Bae making a song “Adventure Like A Thousand Years,” which was once the primary authentic crew track produced for Hololive English Delusion. It was once a rousing creation to make sure, and but the follow-up would handiest accentuate the ambience as Kureiji Ollie introduced her signature frenetic power to the degree. Acting her authentic track “Jollie Jollie,” she by hook or by crook controlled to to compare the degree presence of the former 3 all through herself.
The primary section of the display, which is to be had to look forward to unfastened on Youtube, was once rounded out with Hololive mainstay Houshou Marine and her track “Bishoujo Muzai Pirates.” Marine’s tune runs the gamut from hypnotic rhythms to piratical anthems and raunchy swing tunes, so this medley of various kinds allowed her to sing their own praises her vary. However something I in reality preferred was once seeing portions of the tune video proven at the degree backing. It’s a pleasing easy approach to fill some area, positive, however numerous Marine’s MV’s specifically have some fascinating visuals and it’s great to look them proven off once more.
A few 3rd of the way in which throughout the Hololive x DreamHack live performance, an intermission MC’ed through Calli and Bae noticed the go back of the infamous “EN Curse,” as some technical troubles ensued with one among their mics. All of a sudden looked after out, the instant and the intermission as an entire served as a palette cleanser sooner than the following a part of the display. Kicked off, fittingly, through Towa appearing “Palette.” A vital shift in tone, this act was once a extra crooning and mellow affair with the target audience’s consideration held no longer through lively choreography however merely Towa’s tough voice. Afterwards, she was once joined on degree through Pavolia Reine for a duet quilt of Moona Hoshinova’s “Top Tide,” prompting a large cheer from the group.
Moona is referred to as a little bit of a songstress herself, but when there have been any individuals to stay alongside of her it was once those two. I don’t suppose I’d heard the 2 Hololive abilities sing in combination sooner than so I used to be stunned through how their voices labored so neatly at DreamHack, with Towa’s deeper voice offering a pleasing distinction to Reine’s as they each and every switched who took the lead on vocals.
The following set was once an EN department double invoice with Calliope’s “Sought after, Wasted” and Bae’s “Mess,” and whilst each have been rather well carried out I used to be drawn once more to the choreography and particularly, the way it was once suffering from fashion and design of the Vtuber in query. I couldn’t lend a hand however really feel like Mori’s fashion, with the lengthy hair, skirt and veil, felt a little bit stiff in comparison to her extra lively actions. In the meantime, Baelz’ design (which I admit took some time to develop on me once I first noticed it) felt significantly better suited for the degree as her saggy sleeves and ribbons accentuated her actions like a cheerleader’s pom-poms.
The following couple of songs wound down the tone with Reine’s “Phantasm Night time,” adopted through Calli appearing her One Piece-themed track “Long run Island” along Marine. Bae and Ollie adopted up with a canopy of “Q.” It was once a specific deal with to look how the adaptation in singers have an effect on the ones ultimate two, like how Bae and Ollie’s twinned power and perspective gelled excellently with the tone of the track.
The general two songs have been each general crowdpleasers. One was once “Blue Clapper” with Marine, Ollie, and Reine, with an ensemble finale of “Glossy Smiley Tale”, whole with a dresser become their correct ‘Idol’ outfits. As one thing of a Hololive theme track, “SSS” is at this level slick and neatly practiced for numerous the skills however it stays novel since who precisely plays it and what number of there are adjustments with each and every display. It’s at all times entertaining attempting to select other voices within the harmonies and listen to how the track is divided up between each and every of them.
It’s exhausting to not wonder at no longer simply the multitude of various singers Hololive has accumulated in combination through the years, but additionally on the vary of kinds they may be able to carry out. Even with handiest 6 performers, the Hololive x DreamHack live performance coated a large number of genres, from tough ballads and frenetic rap to Idol anthems. I’ve mentioned sooner than I’m no longer a lot for idols, however I’m nonetheless taking a look ahead to seeing what long term concert events and different abilities can convey to the desk.
VOD’s for the Hololive x DreamHack Melbourne live performance might be to be had to view on SPWN till Would possibly 27, 2024.
