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I think it went well. It was the first show, there were issues with lighting or whatever, but the audience was great, so passionate. Actually it made me cry.
And you have how many shows on this tour?
Five more, for this time. We're probably going to do more next year.
I guess it depends how things go on this tour, but are you planning to make it a more extensive tour next time?
Yes, I think so. We're kind of experimenting because we don't know where we should perform or anything like that. The more we perform, the more we'll gain confidence.
Obviously, in order to tour, you had to replace Hide. How did you end up recruiting Sugizo and how has that been? His guitar sound is very different. How do you integrate the different styles?
Actually I signed his band a long time ago, Luna Sea. So I've known him, it's almost twenty years we've been friends. We're not really replacing Hide, Sugizo is like a sixth member of the band. Hide is still there. I couldn't think of anyone else. He was actually supporting for our reunion concert. Also, Sugizo and I had a project together before, so we talked and I asked him "why don't you join X Japan?" It's a good match because we both have a classical music background, when I play piano he can play violin.
Actually I was going to ask you about that. For the old songs your piano parts were there, but the violin parts weren't in there, were they?
More like a string section, not solo violin. But it fits perfectly.
How old were you when you started playing the piano?
