Omaha will experience a brand new type of concert from the unique vein of Video Games Live Saturday, June 29. Tommy Tallarico, composer and brains behind the project, will lead a symphonic journey conveying the themes behind classic video games. It has the complexity of classical music but the raw shockwaves of a full-blown rock concert.
VGL has received praise from national names such as USA Today. The concert reveals climax points in video games such as when an evil boss at that impossible level has finally been taken down. Synchronized lighting, bombastic drums, electronic sampling and orchestration all contribute to the sensory adventure.
Tallarico has been a composer for 23 years. It’s a fact that nobody in the gaming industry has worked on more titles and projects. Tallarico could easily be called a decorated veteran of video games, but he’s also a pioneer. Nobody else has thought of turning video game screenplay and music into a concert. Tallarico was also the first person to create a video game soundtrack, Tommy Tallarico’s Greatest Hits Vol. 1 – Capitol Records.
With room for only 18 segments a night and 120 segments in his arsenal, Tallarico and company must change the pace nightly. “You can definitely expect some Mario, Zelda, Halo and Warcraft on most nights,” Tallarico said. Otherwise, they change it up.
“People see us perform video games from what they grew up on,” Tallarico explained. The composer said it’s not uncommon for people to get emotional and even cry.
Because the night is so immersive and interactive, non-gamers can also be reached by the allure of lighting, game segments and melodies. And let’s face it: everybody has gamed at one point.
Tallarico has traveled all over the world and become a familiar face on numerous news outlets. However, his favorite place to bring VGL is Brazil. Tallarico and the gang play in five or six different cities there for crowds of about 15,000 each. “They go insane down there. They’re so passionate,” Tallarico stated.
What can Omaha expect? Well, the doors open two hours in advance for a Guitar Hero competition. The winner gets to join Tallarico onstage to lead the orchestra through various songs and melodies.
In case you’re wondering how they pick only 18 segments per night, Facebook is the answer. Tallarico asks fans what they want to hear that night on the event page. Some classics remain from night to night, but there’s always surprises and no two nights are the same.
Tallarico, his orchestra and the rest of his crew have certainly proved how successful video games have become. They’re definitely strong enough to captivate millions around the world and fuel their career as full-throttled pioneers of an entirely new way of portraying video games. ,
Video Games Live comes to Omaha on Saturday, June 29, at 8 p.m. with doors at 7. Tickets start at $14 for reserved admission. Tickets can be purchased at the Ralston Arena Ticket Office, online at homepridetix.com or charge by phone at 800.440.3741.