Final Fantasy fans get another London concert next year.

2 days ago7 min read1 comments

For fans of the sweeping, orchestral scores that have defined one of gaming's most beloved franchises, the news is a welcome encore: London will once again host a celebration of Final Fantasy's music next year. 'The Colors of Harmony: Hitoshi Sakimoto 40th Anniversary Celebration' is slated as a centerpiece of the broader Game Music Festival, promising a deep dive into the composer's legendary contributions.Sakimoto's work, particularly on the intricate and politically charged soundtrack for 'Final Fantasy XII' and the beloved, melancholic strains of 'Final Fantasy Tactics,' represents a distinct movement within the larger symphony of the series. Where Nobuo Uematsu's earlier compositions for the franchise are often grand, melodic themes of heroes and airships, Sakimoto brought a more complex, almost classical sensibility—layering in motifs of empire, espionage, and the grey morality of Ivalice that felt more like a film score than traditional game music.This concert isn't just another video game event; it's a curated listening session for the connoisseurs, the vinyl collectors who appreciate the subtle use of a harpsichord in 'Giza Plains' or the martial percussion driving the 'Battle on the Big Bridge' arrangement. The announcement feels like finding a rare B-side from a favorite artist, a chance to hear the deeper cuts performed live with the reverence they deserve.London has become a surprising hub for this niche, with previous Distant Worlds and A New World concerts selling out venues like the Royal Albert Hall, proving that the audience for this art form is both passionate and growing. It speaks to the maturation of game music as a legitimate concert-hall genre, no longer a novelty but a recognized branch of contemporary composition.The festival setting also hints at a broader celebration, likely weaving Sakimoto's work with pieces from other modern masters like Masayoshi Soken or Yoko Shimomura, creating a narrative arc of gaming's audio evolution. For attendees, it will be an immersive experience, a three-hour escape from the bustle of the city into the misty highlands of Dalmasca or the gritty taverns of Rabanastre, all guided by a live orchestra.It’s a testament to how these scores, decades old now, continue to resonate, their emotional weight undiminished, capable of transporting a room of thousands back to their childhood bedrooms with the first few bars of a familiar theme. This is more than nostalgia; it's the recognition of art that was always meant to be heard this way, finally getting its proper stage.

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#Final Fantasy

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#Hitoshi Sakimoto

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