Tour by Sega | |
![]() Key art of Sonic Symphony World Tour | |
Location |
|
---|---|
Associated album | Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony |
Start date | June 23, 2021 |
Legs | 3 |
No. of shows | 44 |
Website | www |
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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
First act
Intermission
Second act
Credits
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.
First act
Second act
Encore
Date | City | Country | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
June 23, 2021 | Online | ||
October 12, 2022 [25] | São Paulo | Brazil | Expo Center Norte (Brasil Game Show) |
Date | City | Country | Venue | Concerts |
---|---|---|---|---|
September 16, 2023 | London | United Kingdom | Barbican Hall | 2 |
September 30, 2023 | Los Angeles | United States | Dolby Theatre | 2 |
October 14, 2023 | São Paulo | Brazil | Expo 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 Center | 2 | |
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, 2024 | Boston | Symphony Hall | 1 | |
September 21, 2024 | Los Angeles | Dolby Theatre | 1 | |
September 28, 2024 | London | United Kingdom | Eventim Apollo | 1 |
October 5, 2024 | Charleston | United States | North Charleston Performing Arts Center | 1 |
October 12, 2024 | Chicago | Auditorium Theatre | 1 | |
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, 2025 | Atlanta | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre | 1 | |
January 11, 2025 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre | 1 |
Date | City | Country | Venue | Concerts |
---|---|---|---|---|
November 17, 2023 | Düsseldorf | Germany | Mitsubishi Electric Halle | 1 |
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 speeds. 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.
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.
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.
Yuji Naka, credited in some games as YU2, is a former Japanese video game programmer, designer and producer. He is the co-creator of the Sonic the Hedgehog series and was the president of Sonic Team at Sega until his departure in 2006.
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 comprises 3 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.
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.
Jun Senoue is a Japanese composer and guitarist. Employed by video game company Sega, he is known for his musical contributions to the company's Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. He serves as the primary songwriter and one half 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.
Sonic the Hedgehog is a Japanese 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.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 1992 platform game developed by Sega Technical Institute (STI) for the Sega Genesis. Players control Sonic as he attempts to stop Doctor Robotnik from stealing the Chaos Emeralds to power his space station. Like the first Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), players traverse side-scrolling levels at high speeds while collecting rings, defeating enemies, and fighting bosses. Sonic 2 introduces Sonic's sidekick Miles "Tails" Prower and features faster gameplay, larger levels, a multiplayer mode, and special stages featuring pre-rendered 3D graphics.
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.
Johnny Gioeli is an American singer, songwriter and composer. 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.
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.
The Retro Engine, also known as the Retro Software Development Kit, is a multiplatform game engine developed by Australian programmer Christian Whitehead, best known for its use in Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series.
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.
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, dance, breakbeat, drum and bass, techno, ambient, orchestral, and lo-fi.
Sonic Prime is a CGI-animated television series based on the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series, co-produced by Sega of America, Netflix Animation, WildBrain Studios and Man of Action Entertainment. It is the sixth animated television series based on the franchise.
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.