Geek News: Video Games Live!
When you spend dozens of hours playing a video game, the music had better not be too annoying. In fact, over the years video games have featured a wide variety of classic tunes that stand with the best film scores. I have vivid memories of my high school marching band performing the Legend of Zelda theme at halftime. This was met with cheers from many of the students and confusion from most of the adults. If you ever thought about how cool it would be to hear some of your favorite video game music performed live by an orchestra, now’s your chance.
A scene from "Video Games Live!"
“Video Games Live” is a concert tour featuring music from some of the more popular video games in history. Orchestras and choirs perform to synchronized video clips, laser lights, and a stage show. It has been touring since 2005 and has added more dates over the years due to the popularity of the show. The music performed includes selections from Mario, Sonic, Halo, Warcraft, Chrono Cross, Castlevania, God of War, Final Fantasy, and many others.
The experience also includes an “interactive video game” (I’m aware that many video games would indeed consider themselves “interactive”), in which members of the audience are selected to play a game on stage accompanied by the orchestra. Each show also features a “Pre-Show Festival”, which includes gaming competitions, a costume event, and in some cities meet and greets with composers and game designers.
“Video Games Live” will be coming to Indianapolis for GenCon next weekend, August 7, at Conseco Fieldhouse. After that it will be taking a break until the fall, but later this year you’ll be able to see the tour in Detroit, Wichita, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Chicago, Newark, and many other American cities. In addition, if we have any South American readers the tour will be swinging through Rio and Sao Paulo this October. For more information, check out the tour’s website here.
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