It’s a pleasant spring evening in the Scottish capital, but walking down Edinburgh’s Clerk Street, it doesn’t take long for things to appear more like Pelican Town.
Tonight is the country’s only day Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons world tour, which sees countless thrills of the beloved farming simulation brought to life by an orchestra. Such adaptations are not uncommon in gaming with the likes of Zelda, PokémonAnd NieR used to enjoy this treatment but never before had it happened to an indie game on such a scale – the symbol of Stardew Valleyits enduring appeal and ever-evolving legacy.
The sold-out crowd began to gather early. Full-body cosplayers were strangely notable for their scarcity but many attendees sported a peasant chic style – headscarves, scarves and straw hats were out in force with a example of the witcher’s hat on the left, a device worn in the game. As the queue made its way inside, I stopped to take photos of people arriving dressed as their favorite characters. I can’t tell if a guy is the scorned store owner Pierre or if he just looks like him, so I avoid asking, lest he punch me in the face like I’m JojaMart’s Morris.
The musicians quickly took the stage while those still in the winding shopping line hurriedly made their purchases. Conducting the UK performances is Andy Brown of the London Metropolitan Orchestra, no stranger to the gaming medium, having worked on titles including SIM 4 And Broken Sword: Shadow of the Knights. Rising to rapturous applause, Brown introduced the band as “the best musicians in Scotland” – a claim they gave us no reason to doubt – and paid tribute to the man creator of Stardew Valley ConcernedApe, AKA Eric Barone, before letting us oversee the proceedings. This is the story of a year in the valley, divided into seasonal suites.
First of these spring into life with It’s a big world out there. This is my favorite dish and is sure to be loved by all who attend, as a companion gift for your first day on the farm. As great as the original digitized version was, the power with which it translates to the live arena will soon become apparent. The music has such emotional resonance that it quickly captivates the audience; Someone in the front row seemed to have something fly into their eyes The valley comes alivewhile partners excitedly hold hands at certain times.
Despite the creative rearrangements, with highlights and connecting passages that link the sections seamlessly, they remain faithful to the OST in many ways. Sitar’s The sun can bend the orange sky is even reproduced, seemingly through guitar effects – one of the few non-traditional instruments that comes with string, wind and percussion parts. Even the more whimsical, folksy tunes of Pelican Town and Stardrop Saloon begin to sound more like the originals before extended beats see additional instruments find their way in, providing new dimensions and evokes the upliftment of even these more joyful tracks.
There’s no animated screen with game footage or the like, just some abstract projections on the back curtain and lighting that represents the colors of the seasons. While perhaps not as ambitious as the big-name events, this intimate chamber show feels more in keeping with Stardew Valley’s rustic, minimalist aesthetic.
However, there’s still more to enjoy than just the music; Andy Brown turns this into an interactive experience. He comes armed with references that appeal to appreciative patrons, including taking us out for beer and pizza at Gus’s, facing “indescribable things” in the mines and laughed loudly when he declared that “winter is a time for reflection.” and spend time with the people we love – except Pierre!” We were also asked to name some of the key features of the characters, our general knowledge of which he was very impressed with. He even turned his back on the orchestra to incite applause at one point. As he himself said: “The community is what makes the game so special.”
Quietness Dance of moonlight jelly boasting a position at the halfway point of the setlist, a favorite position of both Brown and Barone. We were even given a copy of the sheet music upon entry as a convenient souvenir.
The second act, which covers the last two seasons of the year, marks a tonal shift towards darker tones, but it is perhaps where the musicians are most evocative as they evoke some colorful soundscapes. enchanted. Pizzicato violins make autumn Mushroom smell especially stirring but winter Ancient swept away the collective breath of the audience like a sudden intake of icy air; it is so mesmerizing that even the desolate silences between tense chords and sparkling keys are jarring to the listener. A lone “Oh” breaking the silence that followed pretty much summed it up.
The surprising presence of Journey of the Steppe King giggle – although we should probably expect the unexpected from ConcernedApe by now. The retro jingles of this 8-bit minigame would be more at home in a chiptune environment, but this crazy orchestral reworking is a treat, making this an evocative concert both joy and tears.
And it was that ability to connect and move people that was the best part of the night. It’s one thing for Barone to single-handedly harvest Stardew Valley into a gaming phenomenon, but for this one man’s creations to be so triumphantly delivered to locations across the globe will defy what you thought possible. can occur from a standalone release.
Andy Brown cryptically declared “to be continued” before leaving the stage – could there be more to the tour? Will ConcernedApe is coming soon The chocolate maker is haunted One day its soundtrack echoes into the auditorium? Whatever the case, the smiles and enthusiastic chatter that accompanied satisfied guests out of Queen’s Hall this evening suggest a new appreciation for the sounds of the valley and speak volumes about the strength of both games and music.
Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons continues its nearly sold-out world tour with dates in the US, Europe and Asia in the coming months. Payment procedures official website for details.
