Yuji Naka (the self-titled “Father of Sonic”) and Richard Jacques (music composer for Sonic 3D and Sonic R) are listed to appear in person at the Video Games Live touring concert, during a pre-show event alongside many other top brass game developer superstars.
To kick off the Stateside tour in the US, the VGL team are preparing a special “pre-show” event on July 6th 2005, taking place from 5:30pm – 8:00pm. It will be held at the LA Hollywood Bowl, the venue for the debut concert, and will be free for all who have purchased a ticket.
Other top developers will be there in person at the Meet and Greet too, including Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid), Nolan Bushnell (Pong, Atari), Toby Gard (Tomb Raider), Jason Rubin (Crash Bandicoot, Jak&Daxter) and David Perry and Doug Tennaple of Earthworm Jim fame. Fabulous music composers will also be there, including Marty O’Donnell (Halo OST), Laura Karpman (EverQuest II) and Christopher Heral (Beyond Good & Evil).
Also at the pre-show event will be a performance from pianist Martin Leung, who is also known as “The Blindfolded Pianist” after making a name for himself on the internet for playing Super Mario theme tunes on a piano whilst blindfolded (see the movie at http://videogamepianist.com/. Other highlights will be a costume competition held by 1Up.com and a video history of video games.
Video Games Live is a concert that SONIC NEWS has been keeping track of for a month or so now, and is an event entirely dedicated to playing orchestral (and not-so-orchestral) forms of all your favourite video game music, including Sonic the Hedgehog tunes. The addition of Naka and Jacques’ appearance only adds flavour to what is already looking to be a fantastic tour.
Those looking for tickets (costing from $4 – $92) can purchase them from the Hollywood Bowl Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232 or at Ticketmaster outlets such as Tower Records. Alternatively you can order your tickets at HollywoodBowl.com.
The VGL team have also informed SONIC NEWS that Kingdom Hearts and God of War will be added to the list of music being played at the event.
We wouldn’t miss this chance to meet Naka-san and Richard Jacques in person for the world, if only for the fact it’s taking place on the wrong side of the world. So make sure you can get to the event and take some snaps for TSS.