If you still need proof that video games are slowly usurping all other forms of entertainment, look no further than the fanboy fanfare festival that is Video Games Live. What began as the pet project of game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall in 2005 has since blossomed into a globetrotting showcase for gamer music culture, from its humble, 8-bit roots to its grandiose, symphonic ambitions.
But first, a note of caution: If you are not a product of the 1970s or 80s, and your formative years were misspent elsewhere than arcade halls and darkened basements, this is probably not the place for you. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the Wii-weened children sprinkled throughout the audience, whose expectations were no doubt confounded by the introductory cavalcade of vintage game homages to the likes of Pong, Frogger, Donkey Kong, and Dragon’s Lair. Indeed, though the evening’s supposed centerpiece involved “Halo 3 ODST” (ugh), the loudest cheers were generally reserved for tunes with a more nostalgic flavor.
Speaking of tunes, did I mention that all of the songs are played by local orchestras and choirs? (In this case I believe members of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Seattle Choral Company, but my recollection here is imperfect at best.) Seeing well-worn gameplay memories from one’s childhood wash across an enormous screen is trippy enough, but glancing down and realizing for the umpteenth time that the accompanying soundtrack is coming from live, professional, supposedly serious musicians, playing actual instruments, is an entirely surreal experience—a bit like watching a blockbuster Speilberg adaptation of your first awkward kiss. But I digress.
Tallarico served as emcee and Wall conducted, together leading orchestra and audience alike through a succession of masterpieces both classic and contemporary, their performances punctuated by taped messages from scene celebs (Metal Gear Solid’s Hideo Kojima, Mario and Zelda’s Koji Kondo) and crowd-pleasing live action distractions. While the tour’s press releases are quick to point out that video games have long since evolved out of the “bleeps and bloops” stage, one of the night’s most endearing moments was inspired by precisely those crude chiptunes: a woman who’d won an earlier contest had the mixed blessing of acting as a real-world laser cannon, crisscrossing the stage and trying in vain to destroy the descending horde. In the end she succumbed to the alien menace, but everyone cheered her wildly regardless.
On the other end of the spectrum, a few of the musical offerings were unexpectedly affecting in their orchestral beauty, at times almost transcendent. I was particularly struck by the opening song from Sid Meier’s turn-based strategy opus Civilization IV. Though not an especially hummable tune (it borrows heavily from a mishmash of world music traditions), the melody has been firmly lodged in my cortical recesses during untold sleepless nights of world-conquering, and hearing a full choir sing what was heretofore my private soundtrack was surprisingly, perhaps ridiculously, moving.
There were other highlights, of course. Final Fantasy VII, Metroid, and World of Warcraft scored especially high on the applause-o-meter. Youtube phenom Martin Leung performed his trademark hits on piano (yes, even blindfolded). Canadian band Splitting Adam came on stage to perform their contribution to Need For Speed: Underground. And everyone got a giggle when the choir mimicked with pitch-perfect accuracy the familiar “Sega” chant before launching into a Sonic the Hedgehog medley.
Walking into the theater, I truly had no clue what to expect from a concert devoted to game music. An embellished Mario theme or two? Piles of marketing hype for undeserving new titles? Some guy playing an Atari on stage?
Upon exiting the Paramount some three hours later, I had only one coherent thought: Yes. Like a polished Vegas extravaganza, it had enough glitter to keep the eye busy, enough frantic game-spotting to satisfy the mind, and an balanced pace that kept everyone engaged without driving them to exhaustion. While I’d have a hard time justifying its replay value due to the inherently limited repertoire, I must say: this is one show that definitely deserves (I’ve been saving this one) an extra life.
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
thanks so much nadine! probably the best compliment a photog can get!
and thanks for reminding me to embed the video in the post too!
by Steve Benoit on Sun May 20, 2012 at 09.33 am from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
I can’t get over how these photos captured my up close memory of the night.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 11.08 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Or should it be whoever? F my grammar.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.30 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Whomever took these photos certainly captured the night!
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.26 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
“Mindkilla” is awesome. I’ve got this music video last week and really impressed through watching every performance particularly “Glass Jar”. Thanks dude. :)
dance contest
by Mark Waugh on Thu May 17, 2012 at 05.54 am from the entry: Gang Gang Dance's Illuminating "Mindkilla"
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
my students were so impressed by the review. A few of them saw the tour in Boston, and one came 2nd in the Guitar Hero competition.
Oh my goodness! I should tell my gear-head cousin about this. Just last night I saw a pop-rock band that only did songs about comic books and video games, and just last month I discovered The Big Bang Theory show. This stuff is really surfacing to not just becoming part of pop culture, but interlacing into other elements of pop culture. Very funny and scary at the same time.