Video game lovers and music lovers will get to hear the grandest reinterpretation of their gaming childhood in music form at Video Games Live in Nanshan in September.

Video Games Live is a concert series created and produced by Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall. The concerts consist of segments of video game music performed by a live orchestra with video footage and synchronized lighting and effects, as well as several interactive segments with the audience.

The concert debuted July 6, 2005 at the Hollywood Bowl, where the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra performed to an audience of 11,000 people. In 2006, the concert re-launched with an 11-show world tour.

The concert was expanded to 30 cities in 2007 and 47 cities in 2008. Each concert is performed by a local symphonic orchestra and local professional musicians.

Video Games Live features music from video games from all eras. Music from more recent games (and ongoing series), such as “Final Fantasy,” “Halo,” “World of Warcraft,” “Sonic the Hedgehog,” “The Legend of Zelda,” “Kingdom Hearts” and “Metal Gear Solid” have been performed. Other segments feature retro arcade games such as “Tetris” and “Asteroids.”

Solo performers, such as pianist Martin Leung, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Laura Intravia, The Megas and Random Encounter, have been featured at past concerts. Tallarico also played guitar for some segments, from worldbeat-like folk for “Chrono Trigger” to heavy metal for “Final Fantasy VII” and themes from “Castlevania.”

The show features several interactive segments where audience members are invited on stage to play video games while the orchestra plays music to match the game. Games such as “Frogger,” “Space Invaders,” “Donkey Kong” and “Guitar Hero” have been played live.

Time: 8 p.m., Sept. 24

Tickets: 100-680 yuan

Venue: Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center, 2106 Nanshan Boulevard, Nanshan District (南山区南山大道2106号南山文体中心)

Metro: Line 1, Taoyuan Station (桃园站), Exit B

(SD News)