Video Games Live
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:08 pm
Video Games Live™ is an immersive concert event featuring music from the most popular video games of all time. Top orchestras & choirs perform along with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive entertainment experience!
I found that the preshow event was really fun. There were classical arcade games sitting out and people were competing to get high scores, they had a merchandise section where you could buy game soundtracks, posters, and t-shirts. The most interesting attraction, I think, was the costume contest. There was an area of people who were dressed up as game characters. Unfortunately, I could not get any pictures because the lighting was too dim in the building. There were about 15 people dressed up and about 150 people gathered around taking pictures of them. The most elaborate costume was a character from World of Warcraft — a mage. I really wish I could have gotten a picture for everyone to see, but as I said, the lighting was too dim.
Once the doors opened we got seated and there was some remixed game music playing over the sound system. About 15 minutes before the show, the contest for the best costume started. The top 4 costumes were chosen and by audience cheer, everyone voted for their favorite character costume. The top two costumes were Mario and a Mage from World of Warcraft. If it weren’t for the Mario being a small child, I think the Mage would have won, but alas, little Mario won.
Afterwards a video was played. Quite hilarious, actually. It was people dressed up as Pac-man with the little ghosties chasing him. Where? In a big city. They were running through huge crowds of people. It was very hilarious.
“Some people think video games are just for kids. Some people think video game music nothing but ‘bleeps’ and ‘bloops.’ Some people even think that video games are the cause of violence.” These three statements were said before any songs were played and each one agitated the audience. It was made very clear that the reason that Video Games Live is touring the world is to show those people that there is a very artistic side to Video Games and the music that accompany them.
Of course, a concert would not be complete without a tribute to classic games. The orchestra started the concert out with a tribute to classic games. The songs included Dragon’s Lair, Tetris, Frogger, Ghosts ‘n Goblins, Gauntlet, Space Invaders, and Outrun. After this tribute was played, I was simply amazed and was craving more.
I’ve always wanted to hear game music live. When you go to a concert, you don’t just hear the music - you feel it. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Choir did a fantastic job at performing the game music and I didn’t hear one mistake.
In my opinion, the most beautiful piece of music that was performed was Civilization IV. The mixture of vocals and symphonic orchestration was just beautiful. The most moving piece had to be Medal of Honor#8482;. The video playing for this selection was actual film preserved by the History Channel and put together just for Video Games Live. It really put reality in front of you and that really touched a sensitive side of most people.
There were a few guests there that evening. The first guest that was introduced was Martin Leung. Don’t recognize the name? You probably know him as the Blind Pianist. He performed seven songs from Final Fantasy. Then, what everyone was waiting for, he played the Mario songs blindfolded! He got about 4 standing ovations.
The second guest was the composer of the Halo music. He introduced the music from Halo of which was the most extravagant piece performed. At the end of the selection, a Halo character came running out on stage and it sent the entire audience in an uproar of applause and cheering.
Overall, Video Games Live was possibily the most amazing thing I’ve ever gotten to experience pertaining to music and games. I would reccomend that anyone who has a passion for games should get tickets to see this amazing show.
I found that the preshow event was really fun. There were classical arcade games sitting out and people were competing to get high scores, they had a merchandise section where you could buy game soundtracks, posters, and t-shirts. The most interesting attraction, I think, was the costume contest. There was an area of people who were dressed up as game characters. Unfortunately, I could not get any pictures because the lighting was too dim in the building. There were about 15 people dressed up and about 150 people gathered around taking pictures of them. The most elaborate costume was a character from World of Warcraft — a mage. I really wish I could have gotten a picture for everyone to see, but as I said, the lighting was too dim.
Once the doors opened we got seated and there was some remixed game music playing over the sound system. About 15 minutes before the show, the contest for the best costume started. The top 4 costumes were chosen and by audience cheer, everyone voted for their favorite character costume. The top two costumes were Mario and a Mage from World of Warcraft. If it weren’t for the Mario being a small child, I think the Mage would have won, but alas, little Mario won.
Afterwards a video was played. Quite hilarious, actually. It was people dressed up as Pac-man with the little ghosties chasing him. Where? In a big city. They were running through huge crowds of people. It was very hilarious.
“Some people think video games are just for kids. Some people think video game music nothing but ‘bleeps’ and ‘bloops.’ Some people even think that video games are the cause of violence.” These three statements were said before any songs were played and each one agitated the audience. It was made very clear that the reason that Video Games Live is touring the world is to show those people that there is a very artistic side to Video Games and the music that accompany them.
Of course, a concert would not be complete without a tribute to classic games. The orchestra started the concert out with a tribute to classic games. The songs included Dragon’s Lair, Tetris, Frogger, Ghosts ‘n Goblins, Gauntlet, Space Invaders, and Outrun. After this tribute was played, I was simply amazed and was craving more.
I’ve always wanted to hear game music live. When you go to a concert, you don’t just hear the music - you feel it. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Choir did a fantastic job at performing the game music and I didn’t hear one mistake.
In my opinion, the most beautiful piece of music that was performed was Civilization IV. The mixture of vocals and symphonic orchestration was just beautiful. The most moving piece had to be Medal of Honor#8482;. The video playing for this selection was actual film preserved by the History Channel and put together just for Video Games Live. It really put reality in front of you and that really touched a sensitive side of most people.
There were a few guests there that evening. The first guest that was introduced was Martin Leung. Don’t recognize the name? You probably know him as the Blind Pianist. He performed seven songs from Final Fantasy. Then, what everyone was waiting for, he played the Mario songs blindfolded! He got about 4 standing ovations.
The second guest was the composer of the Halo music. He introduced the music from Halo of which was the most extravagant piece performed. At the end of the selection, a Halo character came running out on stage and it sent the entire audience in an uproar of applause and cheering.
Overall, Video Games Live was possibily the most amazing thing I’ve ever gotten to experience pertaining to music and games. I would reccomend that anyone who has a passion for games should get tickets to see this amazing show.
