Video Games Live comes to PBS this summer
by Anne Stickney 
Jun 9th 2010 at 2:00PM
Video Games Live, the wildly popular traveling concert series that performs music from major video games, is visiting a new venue this August: the television. VGL was founded in 2002 by video game composers and game industry veterans Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall. Since its inception, the symphony performance has prided itself on introducing the experience of a live orchestra performance to an entirely new generation of listeners; most attendees are viewing the symphony for the first time. In addition, it's a celebration of the gaming industry, the creative process of designing music for video games, and a showcase for art of video game music to both gamers and non-gamers.
The concert series literally travels the world, performing in countries such as Canada, Mexico, Brazil, England, Scotland, France, Taiwan, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal and most of the United States (including, of course, BlizzCon). Both because of the subject of the concerts and because of the quality of entertainment, concerts can easily sell out. Thankfully for those of us who haven't been able to afford the cost or simply live nowhere near the touring locations, PBS will be airing a 90-minute Video Games Live special, consisting of never-before televised live musical performances from the Mario, Zelda, Sonic, Halo, Final Fantasy, Castlevania, God of War, Civlization, Chrono Cross and Guitar Hero franchises, including a musical journey through classic gaming. And of course, music from both Warcraft and StarCraft will be making an appearance as well.
For those who don't catch the televised performance, there will also be a CD and DVD/Blu-ray release that coincides with the nationally televised special, including over three hours of bonus material. Check out the trailer above for more details about what is sure to be a gorgeous night of entertainment!
Filed under: News items, Arts and Crafts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
pepperjam Jun 9th 2010 2:11PM
I cannot wait for this.
Salty Cookie Jun 9th 2010 2:18PM
Same here brotha
Marolas Jun 9th 2010 3:19PM
I still can't get over the fact that Jamie Lee Curtis just pwned Avatar using World of Warcraft.
Epic Win.
caelwynn Jun 9th 2010 2:15PM
Made of win.
Samantha Smith Jun 9th 2010 2:21PM
We saw a Video Games Live! performance in DC last summer and it was awesome. Can't wait to watch it on TV.
Monsoon Jun 9th 2010 2:44PM
Ditto to this, my wife and I saw this when it came to Salt Lake a couple years ago. It was funny to see the people with season tickets to the Utah Symphony with these "What the heck?" (remember, this is Utah) looks on their faces when surrounded by all these people in video game cosplay and other such attire.
Jack Miles Jun 9th 2010 2:23PM
Every time I listen to their version of the Myst theme I visibly shiver...
Kylenne Jun 9th 2010 2:42PM
They really do have some gorgeous arrangements. I especially like their version of Call to Arms.
tabardsrock Jun 9th 2010 2:31PM
i don't think i've ever been this excited for august to roll around ;D
johnthediver Jun 9th 2010 2:32PM
Makes me happy that I am a member of KQED in San Francisco, helping to bring this to TV.
Kylenne Jun 9th 2010 2:40PM
It's a shame you guys waited until today to post about this, because KQED actually showed the special in its entirety on the 7th and last night, so folks in the SF Bay Area got a sneak peek before the national PBS debut.
I saw the show live the last time they were in the NYC area, and it's amazing. They really do play a crazy variety of game music, and Blizzard's well represented. Set your DVRs, folks, it's that damned cool.
(This is also where I put on my hippie hat on and remind folks to donate to their local PBS station, so kick ass "niche" programming like this gets a chance to be seen! PBS stations fund all kinds of cool shows. Granted you're also giving Andre Rieu a continued reason to be on television, but everything has its downside.)
Fel Jun 9th 2010 2:56PM
Premieres July 31, 2010 for those who are interested.
Fox Van Allen Jun 9th 2010 3:02PM
I went to Video Games Live in 2008 when it came here to Boston. Incredible. I can't wait to see this. I'll probably wind up getting the DVD too, cause I'm that much of a fan.
(Glad to see it's coming via PBS. They should work on bringing back Arrested Development next.)
Slaytanic Jun 9th 2010 3:34PM
I wonder which class Jamie Lee Curtis plays.
Kylenne Jun 9th 2010 3:44PM
She never goes anywhere without a few stacks of [Activia].
Kaz Jun 9th 2010 11:21PM
Probably Rouge.
I'm sure she would find the Sprint and Stealth abilities very comforting. Especially against the slow moving Warriors.
Knowing her she would just run up the mage-tower and into a closet.
...I don't think I can squeeze anymore out of this analogy....
kennerRoll Jun 9th 2010 4:02PM
I was fortunate enough to go to the PBS taping of this show in New Orleans. When the Lament of the Highborne came on, I'm pretty sure every wow player in the building (including myself) squealed like little girls. It was a very entertaining and nostalgic concert and I highly recommend that you check it out if it's in your town.
Blightwatr Jun 9th 2010 4:26PM
Oh, absolutely. It was an impressive show. I liked all the "extras" they trotted out because they were filming, like Ralph Baer playing the prototype Odyssey.
Lament of the Highborne, the Civ music, Chrono Trigger/Cross, the Mega Man medley... epic win.
Innocente Jun 9th 2010 4:51PM
I am sorry, but this show was utter crap.
The person that edited it was obviously NOT a game player at all, but someone who had edited countless other classical concerts for TV.
Why do I say this?
The camera spends MORE time on the orchestra than it does showing the game being referenced by the music !
It is especially bad for the World of Warcraft segment. There is no epic feeling or continuity to the piece. Constant cut-aways to the most goofy of conducters and the musicians totally destroys the impact of the video.
And it is like that on every single segment.
Stay away from this disaster.
Marolas Jun 9th 2010 5:28PM
If you want the video, than play the frikkin' game.
Don't trash a symphonic orchestra that moves video games closer to mainstream art and makes it more accessible to everyone.
(Unless you like being that stereotypical pimple-faced fatass that still lives in your mother's basement.)