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Last Saturday 15th of March Video Games Live gave its first performance in Mexico as well as its first performance with a student orchestra. Our very own Velcor being a music student fought for a spot on the show, read on to find out how it is to be on the inside of the beast as well as my account of the event as just another fan.
Velcor’s Account:
It all started in Ensenada, Baja California, a small city 4 hours away from the city where the concert was to be held, and also the place most of the members from the orchestra and choir were from. It was about 3 weeks ago that I heard from one of my classmates that Video Games Live was recruiting members for the orchestra. Inquisitive as I am, I asked him if there was room for one more voice at the choir (I’ve been a bass voice on various performances before so I was confident I’d do a well job); Yes, he replied, so as soon as class ended, I dashed to talk to the school’s administration and asked them about being a part of the show.
After some mean stares and threats to their physical integrity sweet-talking they didn’t seem to have any objections (smart choice). And so I was in and on my way to being part of this video game music phenomenon.
I got the sheet music and I had my work cut out. Weeks passed, weeks of countless hours practicing alone at home, Friday came. It was the day before the event and I found myself boarding a small school bus which along with a van, transported the whole orchestra in the 4 hour trip to Mexicali, city of the event. Surprisingly enough, all the instruments and members of the orchestra managed to fit into those 2 cars. It was like playing Tetris, only in Tetris you’re not in danger of having a violin bow up your ass.
All I did at home for 3 weeks before the event.
After the long hot trip filled with musician jokes we arrived at Mexicali, at CETYS University, where GAMACON, a convention which was tied to the concert, was taking place. As expected, Star Wars paraphernalia, a great amount of anime toys, posters, scrolls, and even cosplay were the sights of this small but packed event. The gaming area had a lot of Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh! and a surprising amount of arcade machines which were full of engineers and little boys alike, there were some girls too but very few.
There were at least 6 Wii’s all loaded with Smash Bros. Brawl for a tournament, and being the gamer that I am, I played a while and beat the crap outta the n00bs (Dedede for the win!). Sadly, all tournaments for Guilty Gear XX #Reload, Brawl, and DDR were on Saturday, and that was the day of the concert, so I was a bummed that I couldn’t even go watch them.
The obligatory shot of a girl cosplaying in a schoolgirl outfit.
After 5:30p.m. we went to the CETYS’ auditorium to make a rehearsal with the choir, but didn’t get started until almost at 8:00pm. By the end of the rehearsal we decided to give it a rest, it was nearly midnight already and we all had to get some rest before the big day.
Jack Wall, the Video Games Live conductor, leading the rehearsal.
The next day, we started rehearsals at the site of the concert, a bullfighting ring (how mexican!), since 4 p.m.; just checking the the lights, the dry ice and the big screen. It was total chaos! Suddenly a very violent wind came and wreaked havoc on the whole event, nearly destroying the scenario. Lights, instruments, sheet music stands falling, and the sheet music had to be kept in place using cloth pins, oh it was madness! The best part: the big screen nearly took flight! Luckily, thanks to the stage crew, the problem was solved using steel wires to prevent it from propelling the choir into the orchestra.
If you look closely you’ll see Jack Wall and Martin Leung getting ready for the gig.
I also had the opportunity to chat with the oh-so-famous Videogame Pianist, Martin Leung and, as fate would have it, I had interviewed her sister almost 1 year ago. Normal chit-chat, I didn’t want to clog his mind with petty questions since the show was going to be a true trial of ability and endurance. With the strong winds and the cold weather we all had to be at our 103%. The conditions were so unfavorable that even talk about canceling the event was going around.
8:00pm ticked on the clock and people started rushing into the place, I thought the venue would fill up, or maybe burst with fans but it was only about one-third full. I still think it was good because otherwise a lot of people would’ve had problems watching the stage and the screen with the videos, the essence of the VGL. Soon after it was time to start the show.
Jack Wall and Tommy Tallarico Laughing at the screen before the show
Curtain call came and Jack Wall and Tommy Tallarico pumped up the crowds, not even the language barrier can stand in the way of fired up gamers. Everyone gave their best, we battled the weather and managed to deliver a night this city wont soon forget. We were very happy by the end of the show at like 12:30am. I reunited with Nahu, now as a fan, and waited in line to get some autographs.
Notice someone left VGL graffiti at the plaza
A wonderful experience, that I would repeat any other time.
Thank you everyone who made it possible. Abraham “Saya-Velcor” Duarte.
Nahu’s Account:
Well, not to bore you down what everything that Velcor’s already said, my story begins on Saturday at 4 pm when me and my girlfriend lined up for the event outside the bullfighting ring. It was 4 hours before the event and people were already arriving to stand in line, we secured 3rd place in line and prepared mentally for 4 hours of waiting.
The great thing about these events is that you get to feel like you belong, everyone there is a gamer, a geek and most likely an anime fan. The group waiting in line behind us brought along some DS systems and discussed anime and games. At one point the guy behind me started talking about Gurren Lagann with his girlfriend and I nearly turned around and hugged him.
Time went by and as the line grew longer the weather got colder and the wind stronger. I had brought along a jacket but wearing it would cover my awesome Nintendo “Know your roots” t-shirt and I decided I would rather die of pneumonia the day after than hide my gamer pride. Little did I know that this weather nearly canceled the event.
By the time the gates opened the line nearly circled around the plaza. Police were patrolling the zone and pretty much every geek in the city was there, had a horrible accident happened there would have been no one to run the city’s networks or fix anyone’s computer.
If this were a bullfight these would be dangerous seats
We scored arguably the best seats in the venue, right by the audio console, the contrast of the VGL stage with a Mexican bullfighting ring was pretty awesome, a sign of our times I guess. About 15 minutes later Jack Wall and Tommy Tallarico came on stage and we just went fucking crazy.
Jack Wall’s coat is fucking fantastic
Tallarico sure knows how to work the crowd, even when half the people there had no idea what he was saying he got his message across. After than and some very inspiring words the concert took off with a retro gaming medley. The Highpoints thereafter were the Metal Gear songs, Zelda, One Winged Angel, Castelvania and everything the Video Game Pianist played. Ever time Martin Leung came on stage the crowds went wild and girls were practically throwing themselves at him, my girlfriend included, the power of music in action!
Tommy Tallarico and myself grinning like idiots
After the concert ended we lined up for official swag and some autographs by Wall, Leung and Tallarico. The cold was killing me, but I still wouldn’t budge on wearing my jacket. I scored a signed program by all three and a couple of photos. Jack Wall’s coat was fucking amazing, I need one of those, I was also pleasantly surprised to see I’m about as tall as Tommy Tallarico, short men shall rule the world!
Velcor and Cheve, honorary member of the DD crew, eating some tacos after the show
Afterwards we took Velcor out for some midnight tacos to celebrate his performance. Truly an experience to last a lifetime.
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Holy crap! *Claps VERY loudly!!*
(the only objection i have is the thing of considering “very mexican” a bull ring…)
a descriptive and detailed recall of events!
Khaim, the very mexican thing was said with a very heavy sprinkle of sarcasm on top. Apparently the event organizer thought it was so exotic!
Awesome and well done, guys.
i cant believe you didnt mention ME! i mean, i even appear in the last picture, and i was also there =’(….anyway, very good narration, well done
yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay you mentioned me yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
SO damn cool!!
Nahu just mention me, but I don’t appear in any picture, I mean, I’m his girlfriend, the one that wait
4 hours whit him, I want my picture ^-^
And I love Video Games Live