Video Games Live

Yo!,

I know there are a lot of game music fans on here from around the world so I wanted to make sure everyone saw the press release we put out today. Hope to be meeting some of you soon! Let me know if you have any questions or want to request a particular city/country for the future.

Tommy

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VIDEO GAMES LIVE ADDS 30 MORE SHOWS TO THEIR RECORD BREAKING 2009 WORLD TOUR

Countries Include China, Japan, Taiwan, Poland, Brazil, Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, England, Wales and the United States



LOS ANGELES, CA – August 27, 2009 - Veteran video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall have performed Video Games Live to over 500,000 people across the world since 2005 and their efforts are only starting to begin. Video Games Live is proud to announce the addition of 30 new performances to their highly acclaimed award-winning world tour. Some highlights include a 2 evening performance in Tokyo at the largest indoor theatre in Japan (taking place during the Tokyo Game Show), an invitation by the Chinese government to perform all across China, the highly anticipated and acclaimed return to Broadway in New York City, and first ever game music performances in locations such as Ireland, Poland, Shanghai, Oregon, Salvador, Barcelona and others.

“Our goal and dream of successfully showcasing the video game industry and video game music to the masses has really taken off.” said prolific game composer and VGL co-creator Tommy Tallarico. “The support and interest from around the world has been absolutely amazing and we’re really looking forward to continuing this for many years to come.”

Co-creator and fellow game composer Jack Wall added, “One of the important things for us is to always change and improve the show. We’ve added so much new material and production elements this year that it’s really exciting to see how it’s evolved and become something that is enjoyed by everyone… whether you play video games or not.”

Tickets for the 2009 World Tour are ON SALE TODAY at videogameslive.com. Over 70 shows are currently being planned for 2010 so please sign up to the Video Games Live Mailing List and request your city to be added.

August 29, 2009 – Taipei, Taiwan
September 5, 2009 – Beijing, China
September 21, 2009 – Tokyo, Japan
September 22, 2009 – Tokyo, Japan
September 25, 2009 – Augusta, Georgia, USA
September 30, 2009 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil
October 1, 2009 – Salvador, Brazil
October 4, 2009 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
October 7, 2009 – Sao Paulo, Brazil
October 11, 2009 – Philadelphia, PA, USA (2 shows)
October 13, 2009 – Shanghai, China
October 17, 2009 – Taipei, Taiwan
October 25, 2009 – New York City, New York, USA
November 7, 2009 – Portland, Oregon, USA
November 8, 2009 – Portland, Oregon, USA
November 16, 2009 – Poland
November 17, 2009 – Poland
November 18, 2009 – Poland
November 21, 2009 – Paris, France
November 25, 2009 – Gateshead, England
November 27, 2009 – Lisbon, Portugal
November 29, 2009 – Dublin, Ireland
December 3, 2009 – Cardiff, Wales, UK
March 13, 2010 – Tuscon, Arizona, USA
March 14, 2010 – Tuscon, Arizona, USA
April 10, 2010 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Other places TBA for 2009 include Scotland, more locations in China and Barcelona, Spain.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Of all the amazing concert venues in the UK, why on Earth did you pick Gateshead?

I was speaking idiomatically.

Hey Tommy, you should play at the Saitan Arena which is Japan's largest indoor venue which holds 25,000 people.

I went to some Anime concert there and it was friggin Massive.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Prime Blue

What's up with VGL in Cologne? It was mentioned as taking place alongside the gamescom trade fair.

Quoted for curiosity.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Big Gay Chulo

Of all the amazing concert venues in the UK, why on Earth did you pick Gateshead?

Hi,

We're actually playing a couple of different places around the UK this year. We think it's really important for VGL to branch out to other places around England since we've been playing London since 2006. We always get tons of e-mails from people wishing we would travel to other places besides London. I think it shows that we're really growing and expanding.. which is a good thing.

Thanks,


Tommy

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Additional Spam:

Originally Posted by -=SeRaPH=-

Hey Tommy, you should play at the Saitan Arena which is Japan's largest indoor venue which holds 25,000 people.

I went to some Anime concert there and it was friggin Massive.

Wow! Sounds cool!

We'll eventually work our way up to that one someday I suppose. hehehehee

The place we're at is pretty awesome. It's the biggest indoor theatre in Japan and holds 5,000 people. We'll be doing 2 performances and have an amazing list of special guests for that one. More details and exact names will be coming soon.


Tommy

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Additional Spam:

Originally Posted by Prime Blue

Quoted for curiosity.

The Cologne GamesCon folks wanted us to perform during their conference this year but unfortunately our crazy schedule didn't allow for it. We're definitely planning on going to Germany in 2010 (a couple of different cities) and are already making some really big plans that I think will surprise a lot of people in a very positive way.


Tommy

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What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Any chance you will be back in the SF Bay Area in '10? I know, I know, you need to spread the love to the other cities/countries who haven't had access to the concert numerous times already. But I am going threw withdrawals here, it has been since February!
Either that or a Volume 2 release date

Oh yea, I must add the obligatory " 'Destinationz Unknown' needs to be the encore in the concert" comment since I mention every time we've talked since 2001. (and mentioned in this thread over the past few years)

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Tommy,

Just curious to know if VGL is planning to return to Saskatoon, SK, in Canada for the 2010 Tour? It was an excellent show and I'd love to see it again.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by ashaman

Any chance you will be back in the SF Bay Area in '10? I know, I know, you need to spread the love to the other cities/countries who haven't had access to the concert numerous times already. But I am going threw withdrawals here, it has been since February!
Either that or a Volume 2 release date

Oh yea, I must add the obligatory " 'Destinationz Unknown' needs to be the encore in the concert" comment since I mention every time we've talked since 2001. (and mentioned in this thread over the past few years)

Yep! We'll be back in the SF area. We've played in either San Jose, SF and/or Oakland for the past 4 years. Looking to make it number 5!



And thanks for the Destinationz Unknown props! It was one of my favorite songs from The Terminator. I have a version with lyrics that my old band used to play back in the 80's! If you're really interested in a good laugh, you can check it out here: Diamondz In The Rough on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

Love my awesome 80's hair and keyboard tie eh?



And here's a YouTube video of us playing the song live back in 1987 when I was 18 years old. SCARY!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4encR4JvIc


Tommy

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Additional Spam:

Originally Posted by Basil

Tommy,

Just curious to know if VGL is planning to return to Saskatoon, SK, in Canada for the 2010 Tour? It was an excellent show and I'd love to see it again.

Yeah! We had a really good run in western Canada and hope to return sometime in 2010 along with an entire eastern Canada tour as well.

Tommy

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This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Oh man, that Destinationz Unknown video was awesome! The 80's styles and equipment brought back memories. I find the random shirtless guy chilling in the background humorous, I always thought that was a cliche found only in 80's John Hughes' movies but it turns out they really did exist. Thanks for sharing the vids!

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by ashaman

Oh man, that Destinationz Unknown video was awesome! The 80's styles and equipment brought back memories. I find the random shirtless guy chilling in the background humorous, I always thought that was a cliche found only in 80's John Hughes' movies but it turns out they really did exist. Thanks for sharing the vids!

Hahahaha! Yeah, gotta love the homemade torn jean shorts as well!

Good times.




Tommy

I was speaking idiomatically.

I noticed that in the last Oregon show the “Classic Arcade Medley” was changed, with some titles excluded and new titles added, like Contra. Does someone know if this is the first time that the new version was performed? Is Richard Jacques responsible for this new arrangement too?

YouTube - Video Games Live - "The Firsts" and More (Live @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, OR)

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Revoc

I noticed that in the last Oregon show the “Classic Arcade Medley” was changed, with some titles excluded and new titles added, like Contra. Does someone know if this is the first time that the new version was performed? Is Richard Jacques responsible for this new arrangement too?

YouTube - Video Games Live - "The Firsts" and More (Live @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, OR)

I was looking to make the overall arrangement a little shorter and I took out a few of the lesser known games such as Space Ace, Elevator Action & Rastan (sadly... cause it was a bit long). I've wanted to put Contra in from the beginning but wasn't able to get the rights from Konami 8 years ago when we started this. It was a lot easier now that the tour has had a lot of success.

I also snuck in Battlezone instead of Front Line.

The other change I made is that I've started replacing all the older video which I initally grabbed over 7 years ago before HD. I've gotten up to Punch-Out with new 1080 captures. The Classic Arcade has been changing for the last few months so it's hard to put an exact time or show date. In fact, we're still changing it as we speak.

Because of Richard's crazy schedule (he's working on some amazing games right now!) he wasn't able to make the changes, although most of the orchestration he did is still present (about 90%).

Now I just gotta figure out how to get Jungle Hunt/King in there!

Anyone else have any other Classic Arcade games they think would be cool?

Spy Hunter is tough because it's licensed music (Peter Gunn Theme) so I stayed away from that one. Was considering Time Pilot (very short music at the beginning) and Moon Patrol. Bump & Jump is another one of my favorites but kinda obscure.

I'm doing an entire Namco bit so Pac-Man/Ms. Pac-man, Galaga, Galaxian, Dig-Dug, etc. will be covered in that.

Suggestions????


Tommy

FELIPE NO

1. So long as Konami gives its blessings, how 'bout some Gradius? Perhaps a snippet of the initial theme or the bonus/boss battle theme...
2. I also enjoy the (unpowered) Twinbee theme
3. Double Dragon!
4. Strictly not an arcade game, but definitely has the same chip-tunish quality. Ducktales' The Moon

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Bump & Jump is awesome.

Also awesome would be Jackal/Top Gunner.

How ya doing, buddy?

Thanks for this detailed response. I think that Rally-X, Gradius and After Burner would be good choices too.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

How about the Mr. Do! music? I remember spending alot of time playing that and Kangaroo in the arcades back in the day.

Also not an arcade game (and I second Duckside of the Moon, btw ) but Gemstone Warrior is something that would be cool to see (and hear, obviously) as well.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Got this in my e-mail box today. Pretty awesome news for Video Games Live, to get wide exposure via PBS.

Totally looking forward to the Blu-Ray and Volume 2 CD too.

Congratulations are in order for Tallarico, et al!

Spoiler:

PBS TO AIR NATIONWIDE VIDEO GAMES LIVE™ SPECIAL

Performance to be Held in New Orleans with the Louisiana Philharmonic OrchestraDVD, Blu-Ray and Volume Two CD to Follow

LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 16, 2009 – Video Games Live and PBS are joining forces to create an exclusive nationwide PBS special based around the highly successful Video Games Live concert series. The breakthrough performance will be taped on February 5th, 2010 at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and is slated to begin airing in June 2010 on PBS stations. Tickets for the performance will be going on sale Friday, December 18 at 10am CST.

Reaching an average of over 58 million viewers a week, PBS is the most prominent provider of programming to U.S. public television stations. “We believe the concept of introducing young audiences to an orchestra through the music of video games fits perfectly with PBS’s mission in a very new and creative way,” said PBS Vice-President of Programming Joe Campbell. “We are very optimistic that the program will be a big success!”

Recently described by the New York Times as “Captivating!” and “Bombastic!”, the record breaking and award winning Video Games Live has continued its mission to demonstrate to the world how artistic and culturally significant video games and their music have become. Performing to sold-out crowds around the globe, Video Games Live has been thrilling gamers, families and mainstream audiences since its initial inception in 2002. “This is an incredible opportunity for us to reach an audience that normally may not be familiar with how far video games have come and how amazing the music can be,” said prolific game composer and CEO of Video Games Live, Tommy Tallarico. “It’s an honor for us to be a part of such a groundbreaking event with PBS and I’m really excited about the potential positive effects this will have on the entire game industry and its millions of fans.”

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is the only musician-owned and collaboratively managed professional symphony in the United States. The members of the LPO are dedicated to creating live symphonic music and maintaining a resident full-time orchestra that serves as an integral part of the cultural and educational life of New Orleans and the Gulf South region. “What could be more fun than to be part of this performance phenomenon,” says Babs Mollere, Managing Director of the LPO. “Our musicians are looking forward to being part of an interactive evening of music and video footage with fans of all ages.”

A companion DVD and Blu-Ray will be made available in 2010 which will showcase additional segments and many special extras including behind the scenes footage, making of Video Games Live, interactive angles, exclusive game developer and composer interviews, special never before seen game trailers and much more. This will be the first time a video game concert DVD and Blu-Ray will be distributed worldwide. Also being released will be the follow-up to the award winning Video Games Live: Volume One CD which debuted on the Billboard Charts at #10 in 2008. Video Games Live: Volume Two will include many of the new segments included over the past two years as well as some of the most popular classics. All products are scheduled to be released in the summer of 2010 following an exclusive window of availability through PBS.

Tickets for the performance start at $15 and can be purchased beginning at 10am CST on Friday, December 18 by visiting ticketmaster.com, calling 1-800-745-3000 or at the Lakefront Arena Box Office.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Thanks for posting the press release.

As I mentioned in the release, I think this is going to be a very positive thing for the entire game industry and of course game music.

For those not living in the U.S. or familiar with the station, PBS is a highly respected public nationwide network that features performances from some of the greatest and prestigeous artists of our time. Great Performances | PBS

Hope everyone will be able to check it out. For those not living in the U.S., the DVD/Blu-Ray will bascially be the PBS special plus a bunch of other segments and extras.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks!


Tommy

I was speaking idiomatically.

Yes finally the DVD and in Blue Ray ! Those of us in the back woods of Florida can finally see the "man" on stage and we thank you.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

We're looking to perform in a few different cities in Florida in 2010 so hopefully you'll be able to check us out live as well.

Tommy

Most amazing jew boots

Hey Tommy I think it's really awesome you've been replying to all the fans questions and comments.

Now do you think there's any chance you'll return to Cincinnati? I went last year and told all my friends of the epicness and they'll be sure to come again.

Also will the Smash Bros. and Pokemon segments be ready this year? And any news on a Banjo-Kazooie or Phoenix Wright segment?

Thanks!

(Btw I'm an aspiring game composer as well if ya wanna check out some of my stuff here's a link Welcome to Facebook | Facebook)

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by camman007

Hey Tommy I think it's really awesome you've been replying to all the fans questions and comments.

Now do you think there's any chance you'll return to Cincinnati? I went last year and told all my friends of the epicness and they'll be sure to come again.

Also will the Smash Bros. and Pokemon segments be ready this year? And any news on a Banjo-Kazooie or Phoenix Wright segment?

Thanks!

(Btw I'm an aspiring game composer as well if ya wanna check out some of my stuff here's a link Welcome to Facebook | Facebook)

Yo!,

Yeah, Cincy & Cleveland are both on our list for 2010/2011. We're working on a Smash Bros., Street Fighter II, Pokemon & Phoenix Wright segments! Not sure when they'll be done though. Sometime this year I would imagine.

Hope to see you soon!

T.T.

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Additional Spam:

Originally Posted by ruchiicoool

Anyway Tommy, this is great to hear about this whole Video Games Live thing and it's definitely a good idea. I'm sure alot of time and money went into all of this to make it happen, so best of luck to you and everyone involved.

Thanks for the kind words!

Tommy

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Yo!,

If anyone is in the New Orleans area, please come and check out our show next week on April 1st. It's going to be the biggest show we've ever done in terms of production. We're filming the entire thing for PBS and our DVD/Blu-Ray and 2nd CD all being released on July 31, 2010.

Over 55 million people in the U.S. are predicted by PBS to view the special this year. 75% of which are not the gaming demographic so we're really excited about bringing game music to the masses of people who have never been exposed to our industry as a true artform of culture significance.

Here's a press release we put out yesterday about some of the special guests... but there will be a lot more surprises as well. Especially from our friends in the East!



http://www.videogameslive.com/index.php?story=242

Hope to see some of you there.

Thanks!


Tommy

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Hi Everyone...

Check out the new joystick podium we just had designed for the big PBS special we're filming next week. We'll be taking this on tour as well.

There's even a VGL logo cut into the floor that lights up!



http://www.videogameslive.com/images...ick_Podium.jpg


Tommy

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Hey Tommy, some friends and I are going to VGL in LA next month. Can you tell me what kind of music you have lined up for the event? Also, will you be doing a meet-and-greet this time?

Thanks!

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Kaleb.G

Hey Tommy, some friends and I are going to VGL in LA next month. Can you tell me what kind of music you have lined up for the event? Also, will you be doing a meet-and-greet this time?

Thanks!

Yo!

We have a TON of surprises and special guests lined up. Here are just a few of the segments we'll be presenting... Akira-san performing Silent Hill 2, Hibino-san performing Metal Gear Solid 3, World premiere of Uncharted II (with the composer conducting), World premiere of the main title from Afrika (Wataru-san conducting), Megaman, Castlevania, Shadow of the Colossus, Assassin's Creed II and a VERY special version of our Chrono segment and FF segment with a TON of special guest musicians. And of course the standards like Mario, Zelda & Halo.

Tommy

Additional Spam:
We just released this info (and trailer) today...

T.T.

VIDEO GAMES LIVE™ ANNOUNCES UNPRECEDENTED LINE UP FOR PBS SPECIAL, DVD/BLU-RAY & CD, INCLUDING MARIO™, ZELDA®, SONIC™, HALO®, WARCRAFT®, CHRONO CROSS®, CASTLEVANIA®, GUITAR HERO®, MEGAMAN®, FINAL FANTASY® AND MORE!!

PBS RELEASES 4-MINUTE TRAILER FOR JULY AND AUGUST NATIONAL BROADCAST

Bay Area to Receive Special Sneak Peek on June 7th

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 4, 2010 – Video Games Live is proud to announce an absolutely unprecedented line-up of the world’s most beloved video game franchises coming together for the first time in history to celebrate gaming culture and the incredible music surrounding it. A 90-minute Video Games Live special, consisting of never before televised live musical performances from the Mario, Zelda, Sonic, Halo, Warcraft, Final Fantasy, Castlevania, God of War, Civilization, Chrono Cross, StarCraft and Guitar Hero franchises, including a musical journey through Classic Gaming, will make its national premiere on July 31 and air throughout August 2010 on PBS stations (check local listings). The CD and DVD/Blu-Ray release will coincide with the nationally televised special and will be available in North America exclusively through PBS until November 1, 2010. The CD features 16 musical performances and the DVD/Blu-Ray includes over three hours of bonus material, including additional and extended music segments, composer and game developer interviews, exclusive game trailers, “making the game” documentaries, behind-the-scenes footage and composer commentary.

“I’m hoping that this project will have a very positive impact on the perception of video games by the non-gaming world,” said veteran video game composer and Video Games Live CEO/Executive Producer Tommy Tallarico. “The reason we created Video Games Live over eight years ago was to prove to the world how culturally significant and artistic video games have become. The goal was to create a show for everyone whether they play games or not. The fact that all of the game publishers have come on board with this project to help our mission says a lot about the future of gaming and how much they believe in Video Games Live.”

Today PBS released a four-minute promotional trailer featuring nine brief segments from the upcoming special. The trailer can be viewed here: YouTube - VIDEO GAMES LIVE | Trailer | PBS

As an exclusive sneak peek, viewers in the Bay Area and Northern California will be able to experience the Video Games Live PBS Special almost two full months in advance. PBS station KQED Public Television 9 will be debuting the Video Games Live special in its entirety on Monday, June 7th, 2010 at 7:30pm and Tuesday, June 8th at 1:30am. Video Games Live encourages people to e-mail, call or write their local PBS stations to ensure the broadcast will be available in your market.

More information can be found on the KQED website which includes a function to set up an e-mail reminder about the show. Video Games Live | KQED Public Media for Northern CA

Please share this information on your websites, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, message boards and MySpace pages. The heart and soul of Video Games Live and the entire video game industry is fueled by you and we all need your continued passion and support.


Press images available here: Video Games live | http://www.videogameslive.com

How ya doing, buddy?