concert
Latest
Rock out in the iPad concert theater
Gary Katz has a talent for making things out of shoe boxes. We told you about his miniature iPhone movie theater back in February, but now he's moved onto bigger and better things. Using a shoe box, some concert photographs he found using Google Images, and glue, Katz has created an iPad concert theater. The theater even features moving audience members. I'm going to let the video below speak for itself. If, after watching it, you want to create your own iPad theater but don't have the craft skills, Katz sells personal theater kits for only US$9.99.
PLAY! Video game symphony will feature music from Guild Wars
Are games art? It's a long-running debate, but one thing that can't really be disputed is the artistic merit of many video game soundtracks. The compositional stylings of Jeremy Soule, in particular, are among the most memorable in the growing catalogue of epic game scores. On June 21st and 22nd, Seattle-area concertgoers can feast their ears on the live sounds of Soule's Guild Wars score (as well as several other seminal game-related works including Soule's instantly recognizable themes for Morrowind and Oblivion). The music is all part of PLAY! A Video Game Symphony, and ArenaNet is highlighting the performance on its official blog. Tickets are available now at the Seattle Symphony website (or by calling 206.215.4747). If you're going, be sure to say hello to the Guild Wars artists on hand for signings in the Benaroya Hall lobby.
The Legend of Zelda symphonies to be held across the country for franchise's 25th anniversary
Shigeru Miyamoto has announced that to celebrate the 25th anniversary for The Legend of Zelda, a series of concerts will be held across the country. These live symphonies will also produce a soundtrack, available to anyone who picks up The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and registers with Club Nintendo, free of charge.
LotRO musicians prepare for Weatherstock 2011
With summer almost upon us, the fair free folk of Middle-earth are gearing up for the largest player-organized in-game event of the year: Weatherstock 2011! Lord of the Rings Online adventurers from around the world will flock to the summit of Weathertop in the Lone-lands on the Landroval server to hear nine excellent outfits perform in an epic Battle of the Bands. A Casual Stroll to Mordor has all of the essential details for this event, which runs from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 18th. Among those contributing to the concert are The Green Hill Music Society, The Breakfast Club, and The Blackheart Pirates. Each band will perform a trio of songs (plus a possible encore) in an effort to take home one of three awards. Weatherstock is made possible by LotRO's unique music system, which allows players to compose and perform songs with a variety of instruments. This is always a fun event, and the LotRO Lorebook has additional information for those attending (hint: turn off names!). Mark this on your calendar so that you don't miss the excellent tunes!
iPad as concert camera is kind of crazy
Concert shots from a mobile device are enjoyable to take and so much fun to look at when the event is over. Those grainy pictures seem to capture the excitement of the moment, and you can't help but look cool when thrusting your mobile device in the air to snag an impromptu shot. That is unless your mobile device is an iPad2. Check out the following video spotted by Gizmodo and watch in shocked bemusement at the single person holding up an iPad 2 to take a picture of Kanye West in concert (at 00:24). Looking more like a luncheon tray whose reflective properties could blind the performer on stage, the brave soul holds his or her iPad 2 into the air subjecting it to all sorts of peril. One simple bump and the iPad could go crashing to the floor where it would be trampled by the dancing throng. Not to mention that waving an iPad 2 in the air is just asking for someone to steal this highly desirable and hard to find device. It also makes you wonder where the person is storing the iPad 2 when they are not taking pictures? In a front pack, back pack or an iPad-sized fanny pack? Read on for the video and feel free to comment on this highly unusual usage of an iPad 2.
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra gets in the video game concert game
Hey, Video Games Live isn't the only contender in the market for orchestral performances of ludological accompaniment, you know. The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra -- for those unfamiliar with their Midwest geography, that's Dayton, Ohio -- is putting together a game-themed show, aptly titled PLAY.
DirecTV premieres The Prince's Trust Rock Gala 2010 in 3D Christmas night
If you happen to find yourself unwrapping a 3D display on December 25th, after you're finished watching the Bulls face the Knicks on ESPN 3D just flip to DirecTV's exclusive n3D channel and you'll find a broadcast of The Prince's Trust Rock Gala 2010 at 8 p.m. A UK charity event that promises "Britain's rock royalty," this year's concert included performances form Queen, Eric Clapton and Phil Collins. Even if you prefer your music stylings with a slightly more American flair, there will also be the broadcast premiere of Bon Jovi's new video "What Do You Got" (already available online via the PlayStation 3.) Check out all the details in the press release after the break and don't worry if you're still living an old school 2D lifestyle, the concert comes to the 101 channel in HD December 31st.
Found Footage: Christmas songs played by an iPad band
Not quite in the holiday mood yet? Here's just the thing to get your chestnuts roasting -- on the next page you can watch a video of the North Point Community Church band (a megachurch in Alpharetta, GA) performing some Christmas carols on iPhones and iPads. I heard "Carol of the Bells," "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree," "Feliz Navidad" and a few other classics in there as well. In the YouTube comments, you can see a few of the apps used being called out: iGOG is on drums, Pocket Organ fills in some of the melodies and Guitarist puts in the chords. I can only guess that the auto-tuning on "Feliz Navidad" is done by I Am T-Pain. Very cool, and just the thing to make sure you're ready for the upcoming holiday. Merry Christmas to all! Thanks to everyone who sent this in
Video Games Live announces 42 North American shows
If you're a resident of the great continent of North America, you don't have much of a reason for not seeing a Video Games Live performance during the next few months. The orchestra recently announced 42 shows across America, Mexico and Canada, covering both coasts -- and quite a few fly-over states as well. (H-town WV, represent!) Check out the full list of upcoming concerts after the jump! Update: The Kansas City, Mo. show has been canceled. [Thanks for the heads-up Courtney!]
Tenacious D to rock the doors off of Blizzcon 2010
Blizzcon's beginning to develop a reputation for being a breeding ground for unmitigated face rocking. Last year, the show closed out with a performance by known World of Warcraft fanatic Ozzy Osbourne -- this year, the ending ceremonies will receive musical accompaniment from Tenacious D, whom we imagine are familiar with some of Blizzard's titles. We mean, just look at them. The duo will perform new jams and old favorites during the closing moments of the show on October 23. Of course, the event's been sold out since about fifteen seconds after tickets went on sale, so this news really only pertains to people who were agile enough to grab an entry pass. Or the diehard, presumably independently wealthy people willing to shell out $39.95 to stream the event on DirectTV.
Video Games Live: Level 2 hitting Blu-ray and DVD October 19
If you're looking for a new addition for the rack you keep on your entertainment center which specifically houses your concert DVDs, we've got a great suggestion for a box that'll look great between "Rush in Rio" and Dixie Chicks' "Top of the World Tour: Live." We're speaking, of course, of "Level 2," the upcoming concert video from Tommy Tallarico and his band of gaming troubadours, Video Games Live. "Level 2," which will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 19, features a 100-minute concert performance and hours of bonus interviews and behind-the-scenes featurettes. A CD will be released on the same day, featuring 16 of the group's video game-inspired suites. For a full tracklist, as well as information about pre-orders, check out Video Games Live's official site, or check out the trailer after the jump for a sneak peek at the performances therein.
Microsoft's Kin saves a Roots show: a touching recollection by Questlove
The Kin may be dead and buried, but you can bet that the legacy of Microsoft's biggest failure in the phone market will live long in the minds of technophiles. What you probably wouldn't bet, however, is how it'll also live long in the mind of famed Roots drummer Questlove. You heard right -- the same beat maker that was caught FaceTiming with our own Josh Topolsky during a recent sit-down on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has a special place in his heart for the fallen phone series, and he's taken the time to pen a memoir detailing the reasons why. Undoubtedly an avid visitor of the (temporarily down) Kin R.I.P. web memorial, Questlove was recently held up behind a team of brats at the airport. As the story goes, even arriving 75 minutes early to his flight wasn't enough to clear through on a flight to Canada, leaving him in quite the pickle. If he didn't hop on this bird, his band mates would be struggling to please fans sans a drummer. As is so often the case these days, Quest ran into a particularly perturbed airline agent who wasn't about to bend in order to get him onboard; rather than name-dropping himself, he simply agreed to have his photo taken with a smattering of fans who just happened to waltz by during his pleading. Suddenly, the light popped on in the mind of the agent: "OMG! You are the guy in the Kin commercial... I see that commercial all the time!" Needless to say, Quest's ego took a serious hit, but he did manage to catch his flight and make the show in the Great White North. He told his manager that it was the "Kin commercial he almost passed on" that got him to the show, and closed with a simple remark: "R.I.P. Kin." Hit those source links for the full skinny -- it's a compelling read, we assure you. Oh, and that aforesaid ad is embedded just past the break.
AdventureQuest Worlds threatened by opera, fights back with punk
AdventureQuest Worlds, the seriously tongue-in-cheek free-to-play browser-based MMO that draws people like crazy every year at Dragon*Con, has announced that the war meter is currently climbing. For those of you who aren't aware of this brightly colored world, this means that the end of the current chapter, Mythsong, is coming to a close. According to the story so far, Chaos Lord Discordia has made off with all the bands in AdventureQuest Worlds, save one, and is poised to infect the world with an eternity of nothing but opera. His minions, the hilarious "Music Pirates," will invade in force, attempting to skew the world towards Chaos -- and Puccini. As if that weren't enough, the invasion -- slated to start this Friday, June 25th at 8pm Eastern -- will also play host to an enormous in-world concert by punk band One-Eyed Doll. Apparently Discordia made off with all the bands, save that one, so players will get to join forces with One-Eyed Doll to fight against the Chaos Lord's music-mad minions -- while enjoying a free concert. On top of that, special limited-edition items related to the war against Discordia will be available in the AQ Worlds shop; afterwards, these items will disappear forever. So if you're in the mood to smack down some opera-fiending Music Pirates, or catch One-Eyed Doll's show, then head over to the AdventureQuest Worlds site and get signed in -- or signed up!
EPIX HD brings the Black Eyed Peas to TV, PC on May 15 -- get your ticket here
Didn't get tickets to the Black Eyed Peas "The E.N.D. World Tour 2010"? Don't worry about it, EPIX HD is bringing the show to TV and online May 15 at 10 p.m. The multiplatform network is flipping on all the ClipSync social features viewers can handle, with polls, comments and more. Even if your provider isn't offering EPIX HD just yet, no problem, just click the link right here for an invite to the online broadcast, and tell 'em Engadget HD sent you (and to say what's up to our boy James Cameron.)
Video Games Live holding another performance at E3
Once again, the ludological troubadours of Video Games Live will take time out of their busy schedules to visit their orchestral brand of rocking upon attendees of the Electronic Entertainment Expo on Thursday, June 17. Tickets are now available for purchase, with prices ranging between $24.99 and $74.99 (for the nosebleeds and the court-sides, respectively.) You don't have to be an E3 attendee to gain access to the show -- but if you're in L.A. that week, why wouldn't you go check out all those piping hot new games? Come on, now. You're being ridiculous. [Via BigDownload]
Chiptune rock band Anamanaguchi providing soundtrack for Scott Pilgrim game
If you're a fan of both the high-energy electro-rock stylings of Anamanaguchi and the illustrated adventures of Scott Pilgrim, you're in for a serendipitous treat -- the 'Guch announced during their PAX East concert last night that they would be providing the musical accompaniment for Ubisoft's recently announced video game adaptation of the Scott Pilgrim comic series. Given the comic's penchant for 8-bit gaming references, and the band's penchant for 8-bit gaming synthesizers, we think this partnership is a match made in heaven.
Plastikman releases SYNK, an app for his tour
Earlier we were hearing that Apple might get involved in location-based ad-hoc social networking, and now it looks like Plastikman might beat them to the punch. That's the DJ, not the superhero -- he's released an iPhone app that's designed to be used at his concerts this summer, giving you some personal involvement on your iPhone while the music and video of the show goes on around you. It's a free download, and while at a concert on a free Wi-Fi network, the app will receive real-time information about the music and video during the show, and even give access to some of the samples being used. Outside of shows, the app says it will work as an "atmospheric location shifter," using the iPhone's microphone and headphones to wrap users "in a Plastikman environment." Whatever that means. The point here is that this is an app actually built for a specific location, adding in specific funcationality when you're on a certain Wi-Fi network. That's a very cool idea. Even if you don't have Plastikman tickets (looks like he's only playing Coachella and one show in Detroit here in the US), the idea of location-specific software is one we'll probably see come up again in the future.
Ozzy Osbourne performing at BlizzCon 2009
Though it was meant to be a super-secret surprise, DirecTV recently let the cat out of Blizzard's bag, revealing that Ozzy Osbourne will be performing at BlizzCon via the event's Pay-Per-View description. Rumors of the Prince of Darkness' appearance have been rumored for quite some time now -- which may help explain why tickets for the event sold out in 4.1 seconds flat.Ozzy's performing at BlizzCon seems like a natural fit -- after all, if this old Wrath of the Lich King commercial is to be believed, Ozzy's fond of rolling through Azeroth as an Undead Warlock. However, if the same advertisement is any indication, he's really bad at it.
The iConcertCal app gets you to the show
iConcertCal is a new app for the iPhone that lets you track where and when all your favorite musicians are performing. Using some of the new features in the APIs of iPhone OS 3.0, it reads all the artists in the iTunes library of your iPhone, uses the built in GPS to find your location and then displays results dependent upon how far you are willing to travel. A while back we reviewed the non-iPhone version of iConcertCal which, acting as an iTunes visualizer, created an iCal calendar of the artists in your library while creating a separate calendar appearing when the visualizer is launched. This new app takes that technology and brings it to a new level. After setting a location either through "use my location", or choosing from a number of pre-set cities, and setting how many miles should be searched, finding a concert is a snap and can be done a number of ways. Choosing "My Shows" displays a day-by-day list of all matches found in your iTunes library. Choosing "All Shows" brings up a list of all concerts in your specified area, and tapping on "Venue" lists all music venues in your area along with how many shows are scheduled. Tapping on a venue, affords you a list of all of those concerts. When you find something you like, you have the option of buying tickets, which takes you to the authorized ticket seller site, emailing the information, bringing up a map to get you to the hall or getting transferred to the iTunes store to buy some of the artist's music. This alone is cool enough, but the best trick isn't immediately apparent. What happens if you have many songs on your computer that aren't on your iPhone? Or what happens if your largest iTunes library lives on another computer? They've got you covered. By going to their site on the computer containing your largest library, and setting up an account, all artists on that computer will be indexed. Next go to the app and use the same settings. Automatically all the artists on the computer will be transferred to the iPhone app whether or not the artists are on the iPhone, and that information will be used by the iConcertCal app. With over 60 gigs of music on my MacBook Pro and deciding to have my iPhone 3GS sync to my MacBook holding around 10 gigs of music, I authenticated my MacBook Pro and now the iConcertCal app shows me all the artists my the 60 gig library. Sweet! Take a look at the gallery of screenshots and see if you can figure out which band I'm seeing four times this week from seat DD 6. %Gallery-69003%
Blizzard music to be featured at Gamer MusiCON '09
If you're looking for a way to relax this weekend, why don't you hie off to Houston and get tickets to the Gamer MusiCON '09, an all-day event celebrating music from the video game industry. If you're familiar with the Video Games Live, the whole event has expanded somewhat with the help of Blizzard Entertainment and will now have a full hour-and-a-half Blizzard Live! to go along with the traditional Video Games Live! concert.Blizzard Live! will feature music, both old and some never performed ones, from Blizzard's different game worlds - Diablo, Starcraft, and Warcraft - paired with exclusive game footage and synchronized lighting. The Video Games Live! segment features music from other popular games like Chrono Trigger or Mega Man. Of course, just like any great geek and gamer event, Gamer MusiCON will feature a lot of fun in between, such as costume contests, Guitar Hero faceoffs, a Q&A with Blizzard's composers, autograph signings, and lots of swag. The event, conducted by Jack Wall and hosted by Tommy Talarico, comes to life with the help of the Houston Symphony. It will be held at the Jones Hall in downtown Houston. You'd better get your tickets today! Oh, and don't forget to bring a date.
