Yokohama Arena

The stage of recovery where Gen Hoshino celebrated his return with acoustic intimacy and full-band energy in December 2014.

The Yokohama Arena is a major live music venue located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, serving as the site for Gen Hoshino's 'Gen Hoshino no Two Beat in Yokohama Arena' concert series on December 17 and 18, 2014. These performances marked a final celebration of the singer-songwriter's recovery from a subarachnoid hemorrhage that had forced him into hiatus from December 2012 into 2013. The event was split into two distinct formats: an acoustic 'Hikigatari Day' featuring guest Tamio Okuda on December 17, and a full-band 'Band Day' on December 18. Released as the second live video album on May 27, 2015, via Speedstar Records, it compiles both days of the show. The release included a documentary titled 'Yokohama no Hoshi, Arena Shijō-hatsu no Kiseki' and audio commentary, peaking at number 11 on Oricon's DVD chart and number 12 on the Blu-ray chart.

Quick Facts

Peak chart position dvd: 11
Peak chart position blu-ray: 12

Lore & Background

Following a subarachnoid hemorrhage in December 2012, Gen Hoshino underwent surgery and began a hiatus that stretched into 2013. He later underwent a second surgery for a related issue in early 2013, requiring six more months of recuperation. During this difficult period, he wrote lyrics inspired by the film 'Why Don't You Play in Hell?' and drafted the melody for what would become 'Crazy Crazy.' By February 2014, Hoshino officially returned with a performance at Nippon Budokan, followed by the Fukkatsu Live Tour from March to April. On August 8, 2014, he announced the Yokohama Arena concerts as a fitting wrap to his year of recovery. The event was divided into 'Hikigatari Day' on December 17 and 'Band Day' on December 18, featuring guest Tamio Okuda for covers like 'Sasurai' and 'Mother,' alongside a performance of 'Ai no Sei.'

Reader's Guide

For fans seeking to understand the release, the video album 'Two Beat in Yokohama Arena' contains two discs. Disc one covers Hikigatari Day, featuring tracks like 'Bakemono,' 'Kuse no Uta,' and 'Why Don't You Play in Hell?,' along with Tamio Okuda's guest appearances. Disc two presents Band Day, subtitled '(Band Day (2014.12.17))' for all tracks except the documentary. The setlist includes instrumental pieces like 'Daisy Omisoshiru' and 'Sayōnara no Hoshi,' full-band arrangements of 'Gag' and 'Night Troop,' and a 9:11 minute performance of 'Kimi wa Bara yori Utsukushī.' Both discs include audio commentary from Hoshino and staff. The second disc concludes with the documentary 'Yokohama no Hoshi, Arena Shijō-hatsu no Kiseki' (The Star of Yokohama: The Arena's First Miracle). First editions came with a booklet of interviews and behind-the-scenes photos.

Did You Know?

Guest musician Tamio Okuda joined Hoshino to perform covers of 'Sasurai' and 'Mother,' and performed the original song 'Ai no Sei,' which had first been debuted earlier in 2014 during the Fukkatsu Live Tour.
Band Day featured Daichi Ito on drums, a co-member of Hoshino's band Sakerock.