Ready? Press any key to start! The Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Orchestra & Choir (SKOC) is returning this 23rd & 24th November for its highly anticipated video games themed concert. Press Play Vol.2: People’s Choice follows the success of the near sold out show of SKOC’s annual concert last year, as the orchestra transitioned from typical orchestral repertoires to introduce more anime, cosplay and gaming themes.
Pieces selected for this year’s programme are based on audience feedback received from last year, with the top most requested songs being added to the programme. This year’s programme will feature tunes from Honor of Kings, Fire Emblem, Ace Attorney, Elden Ring, God Of War, Metal Gear Solid, Kingdom Hearts, Assassin’s Creed, NieR Automata, The Last of Us, Civilisation VI, and of course, more classics from Super Mario, Genshin Impact, and Final Fantasy.
This is the 16th instalment of SKOC’s annual concert series, proudly showcasing the improvements of SKOC’s musicians throughout the year. The show is catered to gamers and non-gamers alike, allowing the general public to appreciate orchestral music even if it’s their first time!
“We are also gamers, and we love the music in videogames that has brought us joy all these years. It has accompanied a generation of adults who have now entered the workforce, making Press Play a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reviving core memories of youth and friendships through games,” said Kok Jiann Yao, Chairperson of SKOC.
“Video games have massively evolved over the years, from 8-bit music and pixel graphics; today we see video games with extensive storylines presented in cinematic graphics featuring orchestral masterpieces. We want to share the joy of gaming music with more people through our orchestra, and remove the social pressures that come with attending an orchestral performance,” he continued.
To cater for a wide range of audience, the committee took care in selecting not only music that were popular amongst gamers, but also tunes that would’ve been widely known amongst non-gamers. This allows gamers and non-gamers alike to enjoy the music, regardless of whether they’ve played the games before.
“There is still a societal pressure of how one should act or behave in an orchestral performance, and hidden rules to attending an orchestral concert, making it quite daunting especially for a lot of younger generation who may be interested to attend a performance but have no idea where and how to start. With Press Play, we want to remove that pressure and allow people to come and enjoy the music, as if it was a live band playing! Video games are now a prevalent part of popular culture,” said Satoko Omata, Vice Chairperson of SKOC.
“It encouraged a generation of gamers who felt inspired to create new stories, new music, and new experiences that are masterpieces in their own right. We want to showcase the incredible creations from these creators, allowing the wider audience to appreciate and understand – orchestra goes beyond just classical music, and can be enjoyed in many forms.”
Last year’s concert featured nostalgic hits from The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Super Mario, Ragnarök Online, Dota 2, Maple Story, Skyrim, Animal Crossing, NES classics, popular mobile games, as well as orchestral masterpieces from Final Fantasy, Monster Hunter World, Civilisation IV, Journey, Undertale and Genshin Impact.
Event Details
Dates & Times: 23 November 2024 (7PM) and 24 November 2024 (3PM)
Venue: The Platform @ Menara Ken TTDI
Dress Code: Cosplays are welcome, as long as costumes don’t feature offensive symbolism and props do not resemble real life weapons or obscure the view of other attendees.
How To Buy Tickets
Tickets are available at https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/2413-press-play-vol-2-peoples-choice-skoc-annual-concert-2024. Ticket prices range from RM60 to RM90.
