Sonic Symphony Explained

Concert Tour Name:Sonic Symphony
Artist:Sega
Album:Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony
Number Of Legs:3
Number Of Shows:44

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

History

The Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Symphony was announced in the Sonic Central presentation on May 27, 2021.[5] [6] The concert starred the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra performing orchestral arrangements and the Tomoya Ohtani Band and Crush 40 performing pop rock arrangements, with Nathan Sharp as the guest singer.[7] The fan-made Chao Camera mod for Sonic Adventure 2 was used for gameplay footage.[8] The Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Symphony was also featured in the 2021 Summer Game Fest.[9] [10] [11] The concert took two years to plan and switched to being shown as a free live stream due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] An album of its music was released on September 18, 2021 on the iTunes Store and Apple Music[13] and on other major digital music services four days later.[14]

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.[15] [16]

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.[2] Guest stars are to appear at certain dates.[1] More dates were announced in the Sonic Central presentation on June 23, 2023,[17] with pre-sale starting on June 28, 2023 and public sale on June 30, 2023.[18]

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.[19]

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.[12] [20] Ash Parrish of Kotaku and Kenneth Shepard of Fanbyte reported that they cried of happiness[21] and the former described the concert as "a heartwarming, tear-inducing, nostalgic happy-time-memory-recalling performance that surpassed all expectations".[22] Stephen Tailby of Push Square called it "a brilliant musical trip down memory lane"[11] 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".[20]

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]

First act

  1. "Sonic the Hedgehog Medley"
  2. "Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Medley"
  3. "Sonic Game Gear Medley"
  4. "Sonic 3 & Knuckles Medley"
  5. "Sonic Mania Medley"
  6. "Sonic SEGA Saturn Medley"
  7. "Believe in Myself" / "It Doesn't Matter"
  8. "Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) Medley"
  9. "Sonic Unleashed Medley"
  10. "Sonic Lost World Medley"
  11. "Sonic Forces Medley"
  12. "Sonic Colors Medley"

Intermission

  1. "Chao Garden - Neutral"

Second act

  1. "Reach for the Stars (Re-Colors)"
  2. "Speak with Your Heart"
  3. "Endless Possibility"
  4. "Open Your Heart"
  5. "Sonic Heroes"
  6. "Green Light Ride"
  7. "Sonic Boom"
  8. "I Am... All of Me"
  9. "Knight of the Wind"
  10. "Escape from the City"
  11. "Live & Learn"

Credits

  1. "Friends"

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.First act

  1. "Sonic the Hedgehog Medley"
  2. "Sonic CD Medley"
  3. "Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Medley"
  4. "Sky Sanctuary"
  5. "Sonic Mania Medley"
  6. "Believe in Myself" / "It Doesn't Matter"
  7. "Chao Medley"
  8. "Rooftop Run"
  9. "Aquarium Park" / "Planet Wisp"
  10. "Sonic Frontiers Medley"

Second act

  1. "I Am... All of Me"
  2. "What I'm Made Of..."
  3. "Open Your Heart"
  4. "Knight of the Wind"
  5. "Sonic Superstars Opening Theme"
  6. "His World"
  7. "Reach for the Stars (Re-Colors)"
  8. "Fist Bump"
  9. "Break Through It All"
  10. "Undefeatable"
  11. "I'm Here (Revisited)"

Encore

  1. "Find Your Flame"
  2. "Endless Possibility"
  3. "Escape from the City"
  4. "Live & Learn"

Tour dates

Individual concerts

Date! scope="col" style="width:100px;"
CityCountryVenue
June 23, 2021Online
October 12, 2022[25] São PauloBrazilExpo Center Norte (Brasil Game Show)

Sonic Symphony World Tour

Date! scope="col" style="width:100px;"
CityCountryVenueConcerts
September 16, 2023LondonUnited KingdomBarbican Hall2
September 30, 2023Los AngelesUnited StatesDolby Theatre2
October 14, 2023São PauloBrazilExpo Center Norte (Brasil Game Show)2
October 15, 2023
October 21, 2023BostonUnited StatesColonial Theatre1
October 28, 2023ChicagoAuditorium Theatre1
December 15, 2023San AntonioMajestic Theatre1
December 29, 2023AtlantaCobb Energy Performing Arts Centre1
January 5, 2024SeattleParamount Theatre1
January 6, 2024San FranciscoLouise M. Davies Symphony Hall1
January 20, 2024Washington, D.C.Warner Theatre1
January 27, 2024Kansas CityKansas City Music Hall1
February 11, 2024TokyoJapanLine Cube Shibuya1
February 17, 2024TorontoCanadaMeridian Hall1
March 24, 2024MontrealSalle Wilfrid-Pelletier1
March 29, 2024PortlandUnited StatesArlene Schnitzer Concert Hall1
April 6, 2024MilwaukeeBradley Symphony Center2
April 7, 2024
April 20, 2024ClevelandPlayhouse Square1
June 2, 2024ParisFranceLe Grand Rex1
June 8, 2024New York CityUnited StatesUnited Palace2
June 15, 2024PhoenixPhoenix Symphony Hall1
June 16, 2024Salt Lake CityAbravanel Hall1
June 22, 2024MinneapolisOrpheum Theatre1
June 29, 2024GreensboroSteven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts1
July 27, 2024San DiegoSan Diego Civic Theatre1
September 15, 2024BostonSymphony Hall1
September 21, 2024Los AngelesDolby Theatre1
September 28, 2024LondonUnited KingdomEventim Apollo1
October 5, 2024CharlestonUnited StatesNorth Charleston Performing Arts Center1
October 12, 2024ChicagoAuditorium Theatre1
October 19, 2024OrlandoDr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (Walt Disney Theater)1
October 26, 2024HoustonBayou Music Center1
November 15, 2024NashvilleTennessee Performing Arts Center1
November 23, 2024PhiladelphiaMetropolitan Opera House1
December 14, 2024NewarkNew Jersey Performing Arts Center1
December 28, 2024DallasAT&T Performing Arts Center1
January 4, 2025AtlantaCobb Energy Performing Arts Centre1
January 11, 2025Washington, D.C.Warner Theatre1

Cancelled dates

Date! scope="col" style="width:100px;"
CityCountryVenueConcerts
November 17, 2023DüsseldorfGermanyMitsubishi Electric Halle1

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Romano . Sal . Sonic Symphony World Tour 2024 concert series announced . Gematsu . May 19, 2023 . July 10, 2023.
  2. Web site: Egan . Toussaint . The Sonic the Hedgehog symphony is going on a world tour . . . 19 May 2023 . 6 July 2023.
  3. Web site: Wen . Alan . Sonic turns 30 today – here's how you can stream the anniversary concert . . NME Networks . June 23, 2021 . July 10, 2023.
  4. Web site: Price . Leigh . Sonic Symphony World Tour Dates Announced . . . 19 May 2022 . 9 July 2023.
  5. Web site: Long . Katherine . Sonic Central Revealed a Whole Lot of Sonic the Hedgehog News . . Paste Media Group . 27 May 2021 . 8 July 2023.
  6. Web site: Carter . Chris . Here's everything that happened at the first Sonic Central stream . . . 27 May 2021 . 8 July 2023.
  7. Web site: Carter . Chris . Watch the lengthy and very good Sonic 30th anniversary concert right here . . . June 24, 2021 . July 9, 2023.
  8. Web site: Doolan . Liam . Random: Sega Embraced Sonic's Mod Community During The 30th Anniversary Symphony . . Hookshot Media . June 23, 2021 . July 9, 2023.
  9. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . Sonic The Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Symphony Happening Today . . . June 23, 2021 . July 10, 2023.
  10. Web site: Chandler . Sam . Watch the Summer Game Fest 2021 livestream here . . Gamerhub . June 10, 2021 . July 10, 2023.
  11. Web site: Tailby . Stephen . Sonic's 30th Anniversary Symphony Is a Brilliant Musical Trip Down Memory Lane . . 24 June 2021 . Hookshot Media . July 10, 2023.
  12. Web site: Robinson . Andy . June 24, 2021 . Watch again: Sonic Symphony concert earns overwhelming fan praise . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210730014726/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/watch-again-sonic-symphony-concert-earns-overwhelming-fan-praise/ . July 30, 2021 . July 6, 2023 . Video Games Chronicle.
  13. Web site: Blake . Vikki . The Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony is available to stream or buy now . . . 18 September 2021 . 9 July 2023.
  14. Web site: Doolan . Liam . Sonic's 30th Anniversary Symphony Album Is Now Available On Major Digital Services . . Hookshot Media . September 22, 2021 . July 10, 2023.
  15. Web site: Purslow . Matt . Sonic Central 2022: Everything Announced Including Sonic Prime and Sonic Frontiers . . IGN Entertainment Inc. . 7 June 2022 . 8 July 2023.
  16. Web site: Coulson . Josh . Sonic The Hedgehog Symphony Is Going On Tour In October . TheGamer . Valnet Inc. . 8 June 2022 . 9 July 2023.
  17. Web site: Shepard . Kenneth . Everything Sega Announced For Sonic The Hedgehog's 32nd Anniversary . . . June 23, 2023 . 8 July 2023.
  18. Shea . Brian . Sonic Symphony World Tour Dates Announced . https://web.archive.org/web/20230623194136/https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/06/23/sonic-symphony-world-tour-dates-announced . dead . June 23, 2023 . . . 23 June 2023 . 6 July 2023.
  19. Web site: Nightingale . Ed . Sega declares 2024 the Year of Shadow the Hedgehog . . . May 13, 2024 . April 10, 2024.
  20. Web site: Hollis . Daniel . Sonic's 30th Anniversary Symphony Is A Wonderful Treat, Met With Tons Of Fan Praise . . Hookshot Media . July 10, 2023 . July 10, 2023.
  21. Web site: Shepard . Kenneth . I'm Still Crying About the Sonic Symphony Concert Days Later . Fanbyte . June 25, 2021 . July 10, 2023.
  22. Web site: Parrish . Ash . June 23, 2021 . Sonic's 30th Anniversary Concert Kicked So Much Ass I Cried . July 9, 2023 . Kotaku.
  23. Web site: Sonic the Hedgehog . Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony . . 23 June 2021 . July 10, 2023.
  24. Web site: Shota Nakama . Shota Nakama on X (Twitter) . . June 20, 2024.
  25. Web site: Sonic the Hedgehog . If you're at Brasil Game Show - be... . . October 12, 2022 . July 9, 2023.