Video Games Live comes to UK

Music in games has come a long way from the simple beeping in games like Space Invaders. Nowadays, game spin-offs include their own soundtracks, and there's even been talk of games becoming the new MTV in their potential to provide exposure for new bands.

To celebrate the quality of music in games, on November 25 the first UK video game music symphony will be held in London. In addition to the performances of the various groups on hands, a light show, exclusive big-screen game footage, and solo performances are scheduled.

Some of the games to be featured will include Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Metal Gear Solid, the Final Fantasy series, Beyond Good and Evil, and Kingdom Hearts.

Music by British composer Richard Jacques--from the Headhunter video game score--will also be played, and Jacques commented, "It's great that VGL is bringing this unique concert experience to European audiences... It will be an especially proud moment to have my music, which was originally recorded here in London, celebrated in front of a home crowd."

Video Games Live was founded in 2002 by Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, two veteran music composers. Tallarico has worked on more than 300 games, including Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Bard's Tale, and Messiah; Wall has worked on games including Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, Jade Empire, and Myst IV.

The first Video Games Live was held on July 6, 2005 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with music by the LA Philharmonic.

The very first video game music concert of any kind was held at the Roxy in New York in 1999, and since then interest in the idea has been steadily gaining popularity, although the Video Games Live crew had to cancel many of their dates last year because of poor ticket sales.

Video Games Live will take place this Saturday, November 25, at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. Tickets, priced at £25 plus a booking fee, can be ordered from the event Web site.