If you’re heading out to E3 this year, be sure to check out Video Games Live for their 200th show.
Video Games Live has been growing strong for six years, performing around the world and proving that music from video games can be enjoyable for everyone.
Each performance of Video Games Live is different, however for their show in LA, it will be extra special. There will be new material to be heard, special guests and heaps of first time world premiers including the following:
* The live music World Premiere of the award winning song “Invincible” from Warcraft®: Cataclysm™ with Blizzard composer and audio director Russell Brower conducting.
* The World Premiere of the music from Resident Evil 5 conducted and orchestrated by Award Winning composer Wataru Hokoyama.
* The Grammy Award Winning Civilization IV conducted live for the first time by composer Christopher Tin and featuring PBS Special vocalist Kendrew Heriveaux.
* The World Premiere of the Award Winning music from Red Dead Redemption featuring composer Bill Elm on guitar.
* Street Fighter II featuring Video Games Live creator and world renowned game composer Tommy Tallarico on guitar.
* New Guitar Hero competition featuring the Foo Fighters Grammy Award winning song “The Pretender”. Pre-show festival winner to appear and perform on stage with the symphony.
* The music of Castlevania featuring original Castlevania composer Kinuyo Yamishita on organ.
* The music of Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross with composer Yasunori Mitsuda in attendance, on stage and taking part in the post show meet & greet.
* Heroes of Might & Magic segment with composer Rob King including music from the yet-to-be-released Might & Magic Heroes® VI.
* The L.A. Premiere of Halo: Reach by Award Winning franchise composers Marty O’Donnell and Mike Salvatori.
* The “Video Game Pianist” Martin Leung performing brand new solo piano arrangements from Final Fantasy and Mario™ including the World Premiere of a brand new internationally published Zelda™ segment.
* The video game rock band “The Megas” performing their popular hits from Mega Man 2 & 3.
* Award winning and renowned film composer John Debney (The Passion of the Christ, Sin City, Iron Man 2, Spider-Man 2 & 3) conducting his music from Sony Computer Entertainments’ Lair video game.
* Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater featuring vocalist Laura “Flute Link” Intravia.
* Music from the yet to be released MMORTS End of Nations™ featuring industry veteran composer Frank Klepecki (Command & Conquer) on guitar.
* The L.A. Premiere of the Tetris Opera featuring award winning international vocal soloists.
* Jonathan Coultons’ Award Winning “Still Alive” from Portal
The 200th show will be at the Nokia Theatre in LA and tickets start at $25 dollars and can be purchased here. I highly suggest getting a seat if you are in the area.
“Our historic groundbreaking first show ever was at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles back in 2005 so it’s pretty cool that this milestone is taking place in the same city where it all started. Having so many talented game composers coming out to support us and to be a part of this special show not only means a lot to me, but to the fans as well. It’s going to be an incredible night to remember.” – Tommy Tallarico, Video Games Live creator, host and executive producer
There’s a free meet and greet that is done after the show and the one for the 200th performance is going to massive. Here’s a list of just some of the people that will be there:
Tommy Tallarico (Earthworm Jim, Metroid Prime, Advent Rising)
Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Xenogears)
Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill)
Hirokazu “Hip” Tanaka (Metroid, Duck Hunt, Tetris, Pokemon)
Russell Brower (World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Diablo III)
Kinuyo Yamashita (Castlevania, Mega Man X3, Power Blade)
Marty O’Donnell (Halo series)
Wataru Hokoyama (Resident Evil 5, Ace Combat X2, Afrika)
Christopher Tin (Civilization IV, 1st video game Grammy Award Winner)
Frank Klepecki (Command & Conquer series, End of Nations)
John Debney (The Passion of the Crist, Sin City, Lair)
Gerard Marino (God of War series)
Christopher Lennertz (Warhawk, Medal of Honor, The Simpsons)
Joe Trapanese (Tron Legacy – Film Arranger/Orchestrator)
Bill Elm (Red Dead Redemption)
Neal Acre (World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Stargate Atlantis)
Rob King (Heroes of Might & Magic series, Fable II)
Jon Van Canegham (game designer/creator/director Heroes of Might & Magic series)
Laura Karpman (Everquest II)
Sean Murray (Call of Duty: Black-Ops, Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Penka Kouneva (Gears of War 3, Transformers, The Sims)
Tim Wynn (Warhawk, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, Red Faction)
Arthur Inasi (Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Dance Central)
Mike Rubino (Pac-Man World Rally, Jaws Unleashed, Line Rider)
Martin Leung (The Video Game Pianist)
Laura Intravia (Flute Link)
Kendrew Heriveaux (PBS Special vocalist)
I had the chance to see Video Games Live when they were down in Ft. Lauderdale and it was amazing. I hope that they will return to my area again next year. I strongly suggest that if you are in the area, even if you’re not going to E3, to try to make this performance.
