Expressing Prayers for Swift Recovery and Peace

──The new T-shirts have a different feel from previous ones, don't they?

TodaThe live performance was in June, and I started thinking about the T-shirt design after the earthquake. So, as the planner, I initially conveyed the idea of a "peaceful image." I also asked for the "B・G Brand" taste to be added, aiming for a heartwarming impression. I just gave him this vague idea and left the design entirely up to Go (laughs), but when I saw the finished T-shirts, they were perfect with just one look! I usually make some adjustments, but this time, there were no complaints!

The Solid Construction is a "B・G Brand" Commitment

Therefore, I decided to create a peace symbol using flower motifs, with the hope that not only people but also nature would recover quickly. I subtly incorporated the "B・G Brand" icon and added a rock nuance. Then, I arranged the words "PRAY FOR" to express prayers for swift recovery and peace.

TodaAlthough I wanted to create something that could be worn anytime, not just immediately after the disaster, I had requested that the focus be on such themes, so I'm very pleased with the result. It has a gentle feel, and it also incorporates the "B・G Brand" taste. We've always insisted on making the shirts from scratch, rather than using pre-made blanks, and this solid construction is our commitment.

The "I♡BG" Mark Appears for the First Time

──What was the concept behind the motif on the back print?

TodaThis "I♡BG" mark has been used several times on staff T-shirts and jackets for plays, but I think this is its first appearance like this. It's the first time a die has been incorporated into the heart. For staff items, we've sometimes added butterflies to the heart depending on the performance. "I♡～" is a generally understood motif and is likely to be well-received.

UekiYes, it might be the first time. Since the T-shirts this time are monochrome, we've used this pink heart as an accent. I've wanted to use photo prints while keeping the overall design monochrome for a while. I don't recall doing this much photo manipulation before, so this is also a first.

We Want to Support Even More Things Than Before

──Do you have any recommended styling tips?

TodaSome women might avoid white because undergarments can show through, but for them, I'd recommend layering with a vest. Also, perhaps unfastening one strap of overalls and showing the T-shirt could be stylish. Some might call it sloppy (laughs), but I personally like that casual style! White and black are classic colors, so perhaps layering with a striped long-sleeve T-shirt in the fall would work well.

──Did this recent earthquake have any impact on your creative activities?

These caps also feature floral motifs, designed to link with the T-shirts. In fact, each one is handmade.

UekiYes, actually, a friend of mine prints each one by hand (laughs). I wear caps regularly, and I like ones with motifs on the brim. There are often prints on the underside of the brim, but I don't think I look good with the brim flipped up (laughs), so I put the print on the surface. The black-on-black print was Toda's idea. I prefer bolder designs, so I tend to choose silver or gold for black, but perhaps a chic design like this is more widely accepted.

TodaWe wanted it to be enjoyable for a wide range of people. Fortunately, the reception was excellent! We need to continue with the relief fund efforts. It's truly an endless task. Perhaps we could try a different color scheme next time!

Both the "B・G Brand" and the Live Performance Convey a Sense of Encouragement

──Last time was a dinner show format, but what kind of live performance was this one?

TodaThis time, the theme was "cheer." I sang "cheer songs" that I personally selected, such as Hibari Misora's "Tokyo Kid" and SMAP's "Yozora no Mukou." During the talk segment, I also shared stories from my visits to the disaster-stricken areas. Additionally, I read messages from Takashi Yanase, the creator of "Anpanman," who was deeply concerned about children.

UekiToda's live performances are truly "one of a kind." They even have online sales (laughs)! There's a variety of genres, and her expressions change with each song. Because there are songs from different generations, it's very diverse. For us in PaniCrew, we mostly perform hip-hop and rock music, but Toda incorporates ballads, musical numbers, and anime songs, among other elements. This wide range of genres means a broad audience can enjoy it.

As they say, "Even forced cheerfulness is a form of cheerfulness," so we even sang a KARA song (laughs)

TodaI always start by asking, "Are there any first-time attendees?" and quite a few people raise their hands. Since I sing some songs every time, some people might be thinking, "Enough already!" (laughs), but I always remember that there are new attendees and have the courage to explain. Live performances are a space where I can have free-flowing conversations, so I tend to go on a bit because I want to deliver a proper message... (laughs).

UekiYou also ask about their age, right?

TodaYes, the online store too (laughs). The time spent thinking about these things is also a great learning experience for me. This time, with the theme "Even forced cheerfulness is a form of cheerfulness," I even sang a KARA song (laughs). We incorporate things like that for enjoyment.

UekiShe even sang the sampling part by herself! She powered through the "1, 2, 3, 4" count that the DJ scratches (laughs).

Songs Have the Power to Make You Feel Like You "Might Be Able to Keep Going"

TodaI want to make the live performance an entertainment experience, even if it's just for a short time. So, having Go's dancing adds a visual element, which is greatly appreciated. It's a live show packed with content, including not just my singing and talking, but also Go's dancing and duets, condensed into a compact experience.

UekiThe Anpanman song alone is worth listening to, and "Yozora no Mukou" is a song I love in both its original and cover versions. It reminded me of my student days when I used to listen to it often.

“A Live Performance is an Expression of Your Life Today”

UekiToda sings while cherishing the world of the song and the emotions conveyed within it. That's why she doesn't do medleys often; after one song finishes, she talks about her feelings for the next. As she herself says, she performs each song as if acting. Instead of a continuous flow, she expresses different emotions for each song—maximum energy for this one, then maximum energy for a dance song. I think she's able to keep it fresh for herself. That's probably why she gets so tired afterward (laughs).

I've Come to Understand the "Live Performance Perspective" a Little

UekiEven after the live performance starts, I sometimes do vocal warm-ups in the restroom if I have a chance. But I think she's already at 100% during rehearsals, so there's nothing left to do afterward (laughs). However, this time, I felt like she was enjoying it more than before. Previously, backstage, she'd be in agony, saying "My leg cramped!" (laughs). That didn't happen this time.

People take time off, spend money on tickets, and come to the live performance, so I want them to leave with a warm feeling. But if I focus too much on that, I get stuck, so I think it's best to do things more casually and in various ways.

──Thank you very much.