Something very crucial...

Could you explain to us what you mean by that?

Alright, where do I begin...

You're all familiar with the concept of staging, yes?

Yes. You're talking about how we present everything through the effects we use and such, correct?

That's right. Staging covers what music you play, how you play it, the effects you use and the way you interact with the audience... Every aspect that makes up the show.

And the bands who know staging the best use all of those elements to put their shows together.

In order to fully captivate their audience.

We thought we had a good grasp of that...

Then, what were you all thinking about while you were playing just now?

We were trying to put on a performance which allowed our music to fill the venue and connect to our audience's hearts.

I see.
Then, here's my next question.

What did you want your audience to feel just now?

What did we want them to feel...?

Umm... We wanted them to have fun, and feel happy as our music struck a chord with them...

And did you only think about that during your actual playing and performance?

U-Uhh...

...

Yes, you're right about us not having a solid plan in terms of guiding the audience to feel a certain way.

Like you just said, Ms. Naruse, we have to think about our performance as a whole in order to really connect with our audience. From the way we play to the lighting effects we use and how we interact with them.

Exactly. As professional musicians, it's important to build each show with a specific concept in mind.

Oh, also...
I had a chance to listen to some of your recordings, and your playing there was basically the same as what you just played for me.

You improvised here and there, but aside from that, it was basically a perfect recreation.

...!

That's something, but it also feels like such a waste.

What...?

If I were you, I'd rearrange each song so that it fits within a show's concept.

For example, if I want to get the audience going right from the start, I'd take the first song and try to give it a little more energy.

On the flipside, for the last song, I'd try to make it feel more sentimental. I might add an a capella part that the audience sings with me as we say goodbye to each other.

Yes, I see...

(Since going pro, we've been doing our best to put on the best shows we can.)

(We've polished our individual songs, but we never thought about the overall construction of our shows, and never chose specific concepts...)

(I thought we were doing things right, but...)

It wasn't good enough to move their hearts.

Unfortunately, no.

To be blunt, if you play like this, then you're going to struggle to warm up the crowd before we go on.

...

That said, you're diamonds in the rough.

If you all can polish up your staging skills, guide the audience's emotions and get them to rock out to your music...

Then you should be able to put on a performance that really moves their hearts.

Thank you, Ms. Naruse.

You've opened our eyes to something we've been missing.

But...

Now that we know about it, all that's left is for us to work on fixing it.

We promise to master it before your show.

Shiho...

*Nod*
I'm looking forward to seeing the way you all grow.

Anyway, let me teach you a little more about presentation techniques and other staging essentials.

But that's all I can do for you.

Leo/need's music is yours and yours alone.
You'll all have to decide amongst yourselves how you're going to improve from here on out.

Of course...!
And we're ready to learn.