"Play"ing around in Chicago

CHICAGO--On Friday night, the Tower Records on Clark Street hosted an event to promote Play! A Video Game Symphony, a concert scheduled for the next evening at the Rosemont Theatre.

Fans gathered to secure autographs from Nobuo Uematsu--the much-admired composer of the music that accompanies the Final Fantasy series who also worked on Chrono Trigger and the upcoming game Blue Dragon. They also came to meet Angela Aki, a singer and collaborator on the FFXII soundtrack, and to talk with Arnie Roth, the event's musical director (and conductor of the Chicagoland Pops).

The line to enter the store stretched down the stairs and around the building. Before the store let fans inside, Aki rehearsed her numbers for the evening, and the organizers prepared the store for the more than 300 fans who patiently waited to enter.

At the top of the stairs, just outside the entrance to the store, a group of six amateur musicians performed instantly recognizable video game music to the delight of the waiting crowd.

A number of people in line said they were waiting to meet Uematsu for the first time. Others said they had been to previous Dear Friends concerts and said they planned on attending as many future concerts as they could.

First in line was Keith from Georgia, who had arrived four hours earlier. He'd been to previous concerts and didn't want to miss this event.

One couple in line said they had come to Tower Records by coincidence but were encouraged to join the line for their own reasons: The man was a fan of the Final Fantasy series and instantly recognized the music being played outside the doors, and the woman was a fan of Aki's pop career. After purchasing the CD they originally came for, they rushed home, picked up a few treasures to be signed, and rushed back for the main event.

The line began to move, and the crowd filed into the store, forming a semicircle around the stage. Jason Paul, producer of the Play! Symphony tour, took the microphone, welcoming the crowd, and motioned toward CDs available for signing--More Friends (Music From Final Fantasy) and "Kiss Me Good-Bye," the single that Uematsu and Aki collaborated on (and the theme for Final Fantasy XII).

Paul then encouraged the audience to give Aki a round of applause. "She just came all the way from Japan to be here." Aki took to the small stage and thanked the audience, saying, "I'm really, really honored to be here." She proceeded to perform the English-language version of "Kiss Me Good-Bye."

This was followed by an encore of a Japanese-language song from a forthcoming album of hers.

After enthusiastic applause, the crowd then formed a line stretching around the inside of the store. Aki, Uematsu, and Roth awaited their fans. Aki was particularly warm to each person. Uematsu was honored as a few fans spoke in halting Japanese. Roth was able to talk about the finer points of music with those he met.

Halfway through the line, the musical group from outside approached the table. Known as The Spoony Bards (an obscure Final Fantasy reference), they had several items and instruments signed. And then, something show-stopping happened.

The Spoony Bards stepped back from the signing table, firmly took their instruments, and proceeded to serenade Uematsu-san. The three guests listened to a spirited performance of a Final Fantasy number. As a composer, you give music to the world, and sometimes the world gives you music back in return.

After their serenade, there was applause from all, and the line continued. Later, members of The Spoony Bards said they were in a kind of shock. They never thought they'd have the opportunity to do such a thing. "I was shaking," one of the singers said.

As people filed out of the store, they spoke of how excited they were: from this short preshow event and for the concert slated for the following night. A full orchestra, playing music from their favorite games, with guest composers from near and far...you could feel the excitement, like music in the air.

Stay tuned to GameSpot for additional coverage of Play!.