Sonic Symphony

Last updated

Sonic Symphony
Tour by Sega
Sonic Symphony World Tour promotional art.jpg
Key art of Sonic Symphony World Tour
Location
  • Online
  • South America
  • Europe
  • North America
  • Asia
Associated albumSonic 30th Anniversary Symphony
Start dateJune 23, 2021 (2021-06-23)
Legs3
No. of shows44
Website www.sonicsymphonytour.com

Sonic Symphony is an ongoing concert tour featuring original arrangements of the music of the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series by Sega [1] performed by an orchestra and rock band. [2] A concert also displays footage of gameplay from the series synchronized to the music. [3] The first concert, Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Symphony, was presented as a free live stream on YouTube and Twitch on June 23, 2021 to commemorate Sonic the Hedgehog's 30th anniversary. [4] The second and first live concert was presented on October 12, 2022 at the 2022 Brasil Game Show. [5] A live tour, Sonic Symphony World Tour, started on September 16, 2023 in London, England.

Contents

History

The Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Symphony was announced in the Sonic Central presentation on May 27, 2021. [6] [7] The concert starred the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra performing orchestral arrangements and the Tomoya Ohtani Band and Crush 40 performing pop rock arrangements, [1] with Nathan Sharp as the guest singer. [8] [9] The fan-made Chao Camera mod for Sonic Adventure 2 was used for gameplay footage. [10] The Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Symphony was also featured in the 2021 Summer Game Fest. [11] [12] [13] The concert took two years to plan and switched to being shown as a free live stream due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [14] An album of its music was released on September 18, 2021 on the iTunes Store and Apple Music [15] and on other major digital music services four days later. [16]

The concert at the 2022 Brasil Game Show was announced in the Sonic Central presentation on June 7, 2022 with more tour dates to come. [17] [18]

Sonic Symphony World Tour Atlanta concert - "Believe in Myself & It Doesn't Matter".jpg
Sonic Symphony World Tour Atlanta concert - "Reach for the Stars".jpg
Orchestral performance (top) and orchestral and rock performance (bottom) of December 29, 2023 Sonic Symphony World Tour concert at Atlanta, Georgia, United States

On May 19, 2023, two dates in London, England and Los Angeles, California, United States for the Sonic Symphony World Tour were announced. The Sonic Symphony World Tour is produced by Sega and soundtrec, and presented by MGP Live. Pre-sale for subscribers to the official newsletter started on May 25, 2023 and public sale started a day later. [3] Guest stars are to appear at certain dates. [2] More dates were announced in the Sonic Central presentation on June 23, 2023, [19] with pre-sale starting on June 28, 2023 and public sale on June 30, 2023. [20]

During the Fearless: Year of Shadow marketing campaign in 2024, music related to the character Shadow the Hedgehog was included in Sonic Symphony World Tour's setlist. [21]

Reception

The Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Symphony was received positively; Andy Robinson of Video Games Chronicle and Daniel Hollis of Pure Xbox noted such reception from fans. [14] [22] Ash Parrish of Kotaku and Kenneth Shepard of Fanbyte reported that they cried of happiness [1] [8] and the former described the concert as "a heartwarming, tear-inducing, nostalgic happy-time-memory-recalling performance that surpassed all expectations". [1] Stephen Tailby of Push Square called it "a brilliant musical trip down memory lane" [13] and Hollis of Pure Xbox deemed it "the perfect birthday treat" and "one of the best things SEGA has produced in a long time for their trusty mascot". [22]

Set list

30th Anniversary Symphony

The following set list is of the Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Symphony and is not intended to represent all dates; later concerts incorporated themes from games released after the 30th anniversary, including Sonic Frontiers and Sonic Superstars . [23]

Sonic Symphony World Tour

The following setlist was performed at Line Cube Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan on February 11, 2024, [24] and is not intended to represent all of the shows on tour.

Tour dates

Individual concerts

List of tour dates with city, country, and venue
DateCityCountryVenue
June 23, 2021Online
October 12, 2022 [25] São Paulo BrazilExpo Center Norte (Brasil Game Show)

Sonic Symphony World Tour

List of tour dates with city, country, venue, and number of concerts [19] [26]
DateCityCountryVenueConcerts
September 16, 2023 London United Kingdom Barbican Hall 2
September 30, 2023 Los Angeles United States Dolby Theatre 2
October 14, 2023 São Paulo BrazilExpo Center Norte (Brasil Game Show)2
October 15, 2023
October 21, 2023 Boston United States Colonial Theatre 1
October 28, 2023 Chicago Auditorium Theatre 1
December 15, 2023 San Antonio Majestic Theatre 1
December 29, 2023 Atlanta Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre 1
January 5, 2024 Seattle Paramount Theatre 1
January 6, 2024 San Francisco Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall 1
January 20, 2024 Washington, D.C. Warner Theatre 1
January 27, 2024 Kansas City Kansas City Music Hall 1
February 11, 2024 Tokyo Japan Line Cube Shibuya 1
February 17, 2024 Toronto Canada Meridian Hall 1
March 24, 2024 Montreal Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier 1
March 29, 2024 Portland United States Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall 1
April 6, 2024 Milwaukee Bradley Symphony Center2
April 7, 2024
April 20, 2024 Cleveland Playhouse Square 1
June 2, 2024 [lower-alpha 3] Paris France Le Grand Rex 1
June 8, 2024 New York City United States United Palace 2 [lower-alpha 4]
June 15, 2024 Phoenix Phoenix Symphony Hall 1
June 16, 2024 Salt Lake City Abravanel Hall 1
June 22, 2024 Minneapolis Orpheum Theatre 1
June 29, 2024 Greensboro Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts 1
July 27, 2024 San Diego San Diego Civic Theatre 1
September 15, 2024Boston Symphony Hall 1
September 21, 2024Los AngelesDolby Theatre1
September 28, 2024LondonUnited Kingdom Eventim Apollo 1
October 11, 2024 São Paulo BrazilExpo Center Norte (Brasil Game Show)3
October 12, 2024
October 13, 2024
October 12, 2024ChicagoUnited StatesAuditorium Theatre1
October 19, 2024 Orlando Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (Walt Disney Theater)1
October 26, 2024 Houston Bayou Music Center 1
November 15, 2024 Nashville Tennessee Performing Arts Center 1
November 23, 2024 Philadelphia Metropolitan Opera House 1
December 14, 2024 Newark New Jersey Performing Arts Center 1
December 28, 2024 Dallas AT&T Performing Arts Center 1
January 4, 2025AtlantaCobb Energy Performing Arts Centre1
January 11, 2025Washington, D.C.Warner Theatre1

Cancelled dates

List of canceled dates with city, country, venue, and number of concerts
DateCityCountryVenueConcerts
November 17, 2023 Düsseldorf Germany Mitsubishi Electric Halle 1
October 5, 2024 Charleston United States North Charleston Performing Arts Center 1

Notes

  1. A medley of themes from the 8-bit versions of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 , Sonic Drift 2 , Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble , and Tails Adventure
  2. A medley of themes from the Saturn games Sonic R , Sonic Jam , and Nights into Dreams
  3. Was originally going to be held on September 22, 2023, but was postponed
  4. A second show was announced on February 26, 2024 due to increasing demand from a sold out show that was scheduled later on that day [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonic the Hedgehog (character)</span> Video game character

Sonic the Hedgehog is a character created by the Japanese game developers Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima. He is the star of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and the mascot of the Japanese video game company Sega. Sonic is an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speed. He races through levels, collecting rings and avoiding obstacles, as he seeks to defeat his archenemy, Doctor Eggman. He is accompanied by supporting characters, such as his sidekick Miles "Tails" Prower, self-proclaimed girlfriend Amy Rose, and friendly rival Knuckles the Echidna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shadow the Hedgehog</span> Video game character

Shadow the Hedgehog is a character who appears in Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. He was created by Takashi Iizuka and Shiro Maekawa and first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2 (2001). Within Sonic's fictional universe, Shadow is an anthropomorphic black hedgehog created by Professor Gerald Robotnik, the grandfather of the series' antagonist Doctor Eggman. After witnessing the death of his best friend Maria Robotnik, Shadow initially seeks revenge, but later vows to keep his promise to her that he would protect the world from danger. An antihero, Shadow has good intentions but will do whatever it takes to accomplish his goals, putting him at odds with Sonic the Hedgehog.

<i>Sonic Adventure 2</i> 2001 video game

Sonic Adventure 2 is a 2001 platform game developed by Sonic Team USA and published by Sega for the Dreamcast. It features two good-vs-evil stories: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, and Knuckles the Echidna attempt to save the world, while Shadow the Hedgehog, Doctor Eggman, and Rouge the Bat attempt to conquer it. The stories are divided into three gameplay styles: fast-paced platforming for Sonic and Shadow, multidirectional shooting for Tails and Eggman, and action-adventure exploration for Knuckles and Rouge. Like previous Sonic the Hedgehog games, the player completes levels while collecting rings and defeating enemies. Outside the main gameplay, they can interact with Chao, a virtual pet, and compete in multiplayer battles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Hill Zone</span> First level in Sonic the Hedgehog

Green Hill Zone is the first level of the platform game Sonic the Hedgehog, which released for the Sega Genesis in 1991. The level is grassy and lush, with environmental features such as palm trees, vertical loops and cliffs, and is the home of numerous forest animals. Like the game's other levels, Green Hill Zone comprises three acts; in the third, Sonic fights antagonist Doctor Eggman before moving to the second level, Marble Zone. It was constructed by level designer Hirokazu Yasuhara with its musical theme by Masato Nakamura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crush 40</span> Japanese-American hard rock band

Crush 40 is a Japanese-American hard rock band. The group consists of guitarist and composer Jun Senoue and vocalist Johnny Gioeli, although Senoue has featured other lead vocalists on a Crush 40 album. Crush 40 is best known for their contributions to the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jun Senoue</span> Japanese composer and guitarist (born 1970)

Jun Senoue is a Japanese composer and guitarist. He is a sound director for the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series by Sega and serves as the songwriter of the Japanese-American rock duo Crush 40, which he formed with Johnny Gioeli in 2000. The duo contributed songs to each of the series' major titles until 2010, after which Senoue remained involved in musical production for further Sonic games.

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog</i> (2006 video game) Platform game by Sega

Sonic the Hedgehog is a 2006 platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. It was produced in commemoration of the Sonic series' 15th anniversary and as a reboot for seventh-generation video game consoles. Players control Sonic, Shadow, and the new character Silver, who battle Solaris, an ancient evil pursued by Doctor Eggman. Each playable character has his own campaign and abilities, and must complete levels, explore hub worlds and fight bosses to advance the story. In multiplayer modes, players can work cooperatively to collect Chaos Emeralds or race to the end of a level.

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog</i> Video game franchise

Sonic the Hedgehog is a video game series and media franchise created by the Japanese developers Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohshima, and Hirokazu Yasuhara for Sega. The franchise follows Sonic, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who battles the evil Doctor Eggman, a mad scientist. The main Sonic the Hedgehog games are platformers mostly developed by Sonic Team; other games, developed by various studios, include spin-offs in the racing, fighting, party and sports genres. The franchise also incorporates printed media, animations, feature films, and merchandise.

<i>Sonic and the Black Knight</i> 2009 video game

Sonic and the Black Knight is a 2009 platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega as part of the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Wii. It is the second and final entry in the Sonic Storybook series, following Sonic and the Secret Rings (2007), and involves Sonic being transported to the story of King Arthur by wizard Merlina, under the pretense that they are attempting to stop a corrupted Arthur ; however, it is later revealed that there was no corruption and that Merlina had secretly wanted to become the Dark Queen to prevent the legend's fate from occurring. Gameplay involves controlling Sonic around with the Wii Remote's motion-sensing functionality, particularly swinging around the sword to attack enemies and to move forward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Gioeli</span> American rock singer

Johnny Gioeli is an American singer. He is the lead vocalist of the rock bands Hardline and Crush 40, as well as a member of German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell's band. He is most well known in pop culture for his contributions to the Sonic the Hedgehog games with Crush 40.

<i>Sonic Colors</i> 2010 video game

Sonic Colors is a 2010 platform game published by Sega. It follows Sonic's quest to stop his nemesis Doctor Eggman from enslaving an alien race and taking over the world. The gameplay is similar to prior Sonic games, with players collecting rings and defeating enemies; the camera perspective often switches from third-person to side-scrolling perspectives. The game also introduces Wisps, power-ups the player can use to increase attack power and reach new areas.

Retro Engine Multiplatform game engine

The Retro Engine, also known as the Retro Software Development Kit, is a multiplatform game engine developed by Australian programmer Christian Whitehead, used in games from Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series.

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog</i> (IDW Publishing) US comic book series

Sonic the Hedgehog is an ongoing American comic book series based on the Sega video game franchise, published by IDW Publishing.

<i>Sonic Frontiers</i> 2022 video game

Sonic Frontiers is a 2022 platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. As Sonic, the player explores the Starfall Islands to collect the Chaos Emeralds, after Sonic and his friends are separated when falling through a wormhole. Frontiers integrates traditional Sonic the Hedgehog elements—such as platforming, rings, and grind rails—into the series' first open world. While exploring the open world, players can complete challenges, fight robotic enemies, and access "Cyber Space" levels inspired by previous Sonic games.

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog 2</i> (film) 2022 film by Jeff Fowler

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 2022 action-adventure comedy film based on the video game series Sonic the Hedgehog published by Sega. The sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), it was directed by Jeff Fowler from a screenplay by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, based on a story by Casey and Miller. Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, and Jim Carrey reprise their roles, with Idris Elba joining the cast. In the film, Sonic and Tails must find the Master Emerald before the villainous Dr. Robotnik (Eggman) and his partner Knuckles the Echidna.

Music of <i>Sonic the Hedgehog</i> Music composed for video game franchise

Sonic the Hedgehog is a Japanese video game series and media franchise created and owned by Sega. The franchise began in 1991 with Sonic the Hedgehog, a side-scrolling platform game, and has expanded to include printed media, animations, feature films, and merchandise. The music of Sonic the Hedgehog has been provided by a number of composers, ranging from Sega sound staff to independent contractors and popular bands. It covers a wide array of genres, including pop, funk, rock, metal, ska, punk, hip hop, R&B, jazz, electronica, trance, breakbeat, drum and bass, disco, ambient, world, orchestral, and lo-fi.

<i>Sonic Origins</i> 2022 video game compilation

Sonic Origins is a 2022 video game compilation. It features remasters of the first four platform games in Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series—Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992), Sonic CD (1993), and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (1994)—originally released for the Sega Genesis and the Sega CD. The games are playable in their original format and a new widescreen format that removes lives. Origins adds additional game modes and missions, which allow players to unlock content in a museum.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Parrish, Ash (June 23, 2021). "Sonic's 30th Anniversary Concert Kicked So Much Ass I Cried". Kotaku . Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Romano, Sal (May 19, 2023). "Sonic Symphony World Tour 2024 concert series announced". Gematsu. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Egan, Toussaint (May 19, 2023). "The Sonic the Hedgehog symphony is going on a world tour". Polygon . Vox Media . Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  4. Wen, Alan (June 23, 2021). "Sonic turns 30 today – here's how you can stream the anniversary concert". NME . NME Networks. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  5. Price, Leigh (May 19, 2022). "Sonic Symphony World Tour Dates Announced". Siliconera . Gamurs Group . Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  6. Long, Katherine (May 27, 2021). "Sonic Central Revealed a Whole Lot of Sonic the Hedgehog News". Paste . Paste Media Group. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  7. Carter, Chris (May 27, 2021). "Here's everything that happened at the first Sonic Central stream". Destructoid . Gamurs Group . Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Shepard, Kenneth (June 25, 2021). "I'm Still Crying About the Sonic Symphony Concert Days Later". Fanbyte. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  9. Carter, Chris (June 24, 2021). "Watch the lengthy and very good Sonic 30th anniversary concert right here". Destructoid . Gamurs Group . Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  10. Doolan, Liam (June 23, 2021). "Random: Sega Embraced Sonic's Mod Community During The 30th Anniversary Symphony". Nintendo Life . Hookshot Media. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  11. Sheehan, Gavin (June 23, 2021). "Sonic The Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Symphony Happening Today". Bleeding Cool . Avatar Press . Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  12. Chandler, Sam (June 10, 2021). "Watch the Summer Game Fest 2021 livestream here". Shacknews . Gamerhub. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  13. 1 2 Tailby, Stephen (June 24, 2021). "Sonic's 30th Anniversary Symphony Is a Brilliant Musical Trip Down Memory Lane". Push Square . Hookshot Media. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  14. 1 2 Robinson, Andy (June 24, 2021). "Watch again: Sonic Symphony concert earns overwhelming fan praise". Video Games Chronicle . Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  15. Blake, Vikki (September 18, 2021). "The Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony is available to stream or buy now". GamesRadar+ . Future plc . Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  16. Doolan, Liam (September 22, 2021). "Sonic's 30th Anniversary Symphony Album Is Now Available On Major Digital Services". Nintendo Life . Hookshot Media. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  17. Purslow, Matt (June 7, 2022). "Sonic Central 2022: Everything Announced Including Sonic Prime and Sonic Frontiers". IGN . IGN Entertainment Inc. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  18. Coulson, Josh (June 8, 2022). "Sonic The Hedgehog Symphony Is Going On Tour In October". TheGamer. Valnet Inc. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  19. 1 2 Shepard, Kenneth (June 23, 2023). "Everything Sega Announced For Sonic The Hedgehog's 32nd Anniversary". Kotaku . G/O Media . Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  20. Shea, Brian (June 23, 2023). "Sonic Symphony World Tour Dates Announced". Game Informer . GameStop. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  21. Nightingale, Ed (April 10, 2024). "Sega declares 2024 the Year of Shadow the Hedgehog". Eurogamer . Gamer Network . Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  22. 1 2 Hollis, Daniel (July 10, 2023). "Sonic's 30th Anniversary Symphony Is A Wonderful Treat, Met With Tons Of Fan Praise". Pure Xbox . Hookshot Media. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  23. Sonic the Hedgehog (June 23, 2021). "Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony". YouTube . Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  24. Shota Nakama. "Shota Nakama on X (Twitter)". Twitter . Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  25. Sonic the Hedgehog (October 12, 2022). "If you're at Brasil Game Show - be..." Facebook . Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  26. "Home". Sonic Symphony. Sega . Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  27. @MGPLiveNYC (February 26, 2024). "Great news everyone! We added a new show for #SonicSymphony in NYC! Presale starts on Wednesday, 2/28" (Tweet) via Twitter.