Concert Hall, QPAC

Friday, 24 July, 2026 7:30pm

Saturday, 25 July, 2026 1:30pm

Walking into the QPAC Concert Hall for The Music of Video Games, you could tell right away - just soaking in the buzz and watching the musicians tune up - that this wasn't going to be your average QSO gig. Instead, it felt like a well-earned treat for loyal attendees waiting to see their favourite scores take centre stage. You could practically feel the warmth coming off the strings as the music was brought to life note by note from the games we grew up playing or ones we're still obsessed with today. It felt like watching behind-the-scenes studio footage, giving you a rare peek behind the curtain at the sheer skill and dedication it takes to pull off these incredible pieces, proving once and for all that game soundtracks are truly sophisticated, deeply emotional masterworks. Even without the aid of visual screens or gameplay footage projected on stage, the evening successfully made it feel as though the lived experience of these beloved virtual worlds was coming to life right before our eyes. This incredible feat was achieved purely through the powerful, unified synergy and breathtaking musicianship of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

At the helm of this monumental musical journey was conductor Leonard Weiss, whose expertise made him utterly enthralling to watch as he dived wholeheartedly into every single piece. It added a remarkable and fascinating layer of depth to learn about his unique method for approaching these compositions - imbuing them with profound emotional meaning without ever having played the games themselves. Weiss treated the repertoire with the exact same level of rigorous dedication, academic respect, and artistic integrity that he would bring to any traditional masterwork, whether or not it was composed in the 21st century.

Guiding the audience seamlessly through the evening was host Meena Shamaly, who proved to be an absolute delight from start to finish. Shamaly curated the flow of the night in a way that remained thoroughly entertaining without ever crossing into obnoxious territory. His thoughtful, engaging commentary provided a beautiful layer of context and depth to each musical selection, bridging the gap between the casual listener and the hardcore gamer in the crowd.

The carefully curated program itself spanned decades of iconic gaming history, anchored by several standout moments that resonated deeply throughout the hall. Hikaru Utada's Kingdom Hearts served as an immediate crowd favourite, wrapping around each audience member like a warm, comforting embrace. Later, the haunting atmospheric stylings of Jessica Curry’s Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, Dear Esther, and So Let Us Melt left the room spellbound. These pieces were wonderfully reminiscent of the flame that no longer burns for a forgotten town and the profound despair that comes with knowing what it once was, elevated further by flute work that was eerily haunting.

On the lighter, more playful side of the spectrum, Ari Pulkkinen’s Angry Birds provided a wonderfully fun way to actively engage the younger members of the audience and their parents, many of whom smiled and played along in spirit. Meanwhile, timeless classics from Koji Kondo, including selections from The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros., showcased the sheer dynamic power of an orchestra coming together in absolute unison. Even traditional numbers like Tetris brought a wave of joyful nostalgia, though one might playfully argue it could have used a squeeze box to give it just a little more rustic authenticity.

Of course, no concert program is entirely without minor flaws. There was occasionally a bit of disjointed programming where the distinction between a few consecutive pieces felt slightly unclear or abrupt. However, this minor hiccup did little to detract from the overall stellar quality of the performance. Naturally, in a medium as vast as gaming music, a few personal favorites are bound to be left off the setlist; we certainly missed hearing the iconic Pokémon theme song, but that just leaves something to look forward to for next time.

Ultimately, The Music of Video Games was a triumphant showcase of modern orchestration, proving that the emotional beats of our favorite digital adventures hold just as much weight in the concert hall as they do on screen.

This concert was recorded by ABC Classic for broadcast on 1 November 2026 at midday.

Review: Joanna Letic

Imagery: Sam Muller