Miyavi at Sugoi Life [Friday June 11th]

After graduating from PS Company a year prior and a new record deal with EMI and the change from the artist name logo to 雅-MIYAVI-, owing his own company J-Glam, Inc., with the release of DVD “NEO TOKYO SAMURAI BLACK WORLD TOUR Vol. 1” on March 24^th and a completed world tour, Miyavi was ready to take down the world again and back at Los Angeles in the Club Nokia venue at the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, ready to show his new style and grace. I have sawn Miyavi many times from the artistic group during his Neovisualism era back at The Wiltern Theater at the JRock Revolution concert to the last concert back at the This Iz The Japanese Kabuki Rock Tour 2008 which really rocked the house! However, before getting down to the concert, there was an unexpected announcement that Miyavi, teaming up with Sugoi Life for their SPIRIT of MIYAVI cosplay event, hosted by Pacific Media Expo (PMX) to be the special appearance and honorary judge the night before the concert.

Arriving a bit before the cosplay event at the Sugoi Life at Northridge within the outskirts of the Northridge Mall, I saw plenty of fans, spectators and cosplayers attending and waiting. It was not clear whether Miyavi will be there from the beginning or a surprise visit, but one thing is for certain that Miyavi will be there to judge the lucky hopefuls and score some neat prizes such as Miyavi concert tickets and a chance to meet Miyavi at the Sugio Life backstage. There are two contests: Miyavi munny customs contest - which the contestant dresses up the munny to create a vibe that matches Miyavi and/or visual kei – and the cosplay contest which the winner is voted and lastly handpicked by Miyavi.

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Taking place on the far left hand corner is the event with plenty of attendees sitting down on a group. Very well organize considering the space. Starting off the event, the MC started off by thanking everyone in attendance while Miyavi DVD tour was still playing in the background.

First contest: Munny custom contest and there were plenty of entries! A lot of them have different style, feel and colors, but all of them have a creative edge that makes them very difficult on which one has the flair to win. Each of the creators presented their own munny on stage and a brief description went with showing off their munny.

Top Shelf

Bottom Shelf

Another concert was the cosplay contest and certainly was a lot of different cosplayers showing off inspiration from visual kei to an actual “look alike” Miyavi! Somehow… even a Pikachu was in the event.

Rockin' Pikachu, I choose you!

During each break throughout the event, there was a raffle and the winning tickets were awarded with Miyavi concerts. Winners of the events were also presented tickets to Miyavi concert and the top three winners had concert tickets including the grand prize of a meet and greet of Miyavi at the Sugoi Life and a special ticket to meet with Miyavi backstage.

The top munnys selected

Top cosplayers selected

The winner of the cosplay contest entertains the audience

A few minutes before Miyavi appeared, everyone was encouraged to yell out his name. Also, we were advised not to take video or photos during Miyavi’s appearance. After all that yelling, Miyavi showed up. He showed up nearly the end of the event and stayed there not more than five minutes. He introduced himself, said a few things and met with the winners for a meet and greet. When it was over, Miyavi left and the last raffles were held with awesome prizes including a meet and greet and two pairs of tickets. Time for a close and everyone left, anxious for the concert. A few of them headed right to the Nokia Plaza to camp out. I salute all of them brave enough to stay through the warm Los Angeles weather!

Written by Roy (KnJ Staff)