Bandai Namco enters the live music game

Japanese videogame developer Bandai Namco – the company behind the Pac-Man, Tekken, Soulcalibur, Ridge Racer and Ace Combat franchises – is branching out into live events with the launch of a new European concert series, Orchestral Memories.

Promoted by Wild Faery, which is also producing similar tours featuring the music of the Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy series, the concerts will feature an 80-piece orchestra and choir playing music from “Dark Souls, Tales of…, Tekken, God Eater, Soulcalibur, Pac-Man, Ace Combat and more” backed by HD footage from the games in question.

Only one show has been announced so far – on 4 February 2017 at the 1,913-capacity Salle Pleyel in Paris –  although Bandai Namco promises “more activities, dates and surprises” in the near future.

Hervé Hoerdt, vice-president of marketing and digital at Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe, says: “In our quest to provide entertainment everywhere, it’s with extreme pleasure we’re taking our first steps into this business [live music] in Europe.”

“It’s with extreme pleasure we’re taking our first steps into the live music business in Europe”

“With numerous outstanding, high-quality and truly amazing soundtracks, it was more than time to celebrate the beloved music that millions of fans have vibrated with while playing with passion Bandai Namco’s hit games,” adds Wild Faery (La Fée Sauvage) director Julien Mombert (presumably via Babel Fish circa 1999). “It is an honour and great excitement for us to start this concert series in Europe.”

Here’s the launch video:

Japanese promoter Promax announced on Friday it would stage a three-concert tour to celebrate 30 years since the release of The Legend of Zelda.

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