Music has always been a core part of experiencing video games. Without them, those moments playing through the classics wouldn’t be as memorable and filled with nostalgia as we remember them. Talented composers have poured their souls into creating these amazing themes that elevate a game’s impact on gamers’ lives.
Live video game music should never be written off, because it can be equally if not more beautiful than the other types of live music we hear today, as more live performances celebrate decades of game music that have stuck with us since childhood. While some focus on one specific franchise, some might have a more sweeping selection of soundtracks throughout the years.
If you want to experience the immersive experience of listening to video game music live, then these video game orchestras are performing live shows. Some are performing for a limited time, while others are full-time. However, if those orchestras are too far from you, some can be viewed on YouTube or you can listen to them on Spotify.
While there are game-exclusive concerts like the Pokemon Symphony or The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses, they are no longer on tour or there are scant details on when they’ll be next performing. The entries below are either currently on tour, or that they’ve released recorded versions online.
10 Gamer Symphony Orchestra
Bringing The Love Of Games To College
Described as the “first collegiate ensemble devoted exclusively to performing video game music,” Gamer Symphony Orchestra is a student-run ensemble from the University of Maryland that performs orchestral arrangements of video game music.
With more than 120 student musicians, the Gamer Symphony Orchestra performs three times every semester, but can sometimes perform in larger venues. They play all sorts of video game soundtracks, most notably from Smash Bros, NieR, and Legend of Zelda.

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The GSO is set to perform this year in February. Don’t worry if you’re nowhere near Maryland, they also stream their concerts on Twitch. They’re also looking for musicians to audition, though it appears that there is a waitlist.
9 Game On!
Elegance And Majesty
One thing that sets modern video games apart from their retro predecessors is the implementation of classical orchestras in their soundtracks, giving them a well-deserved grandiosity in their presentations.
If you’re looking for more grand orchestras focusing on blockbuster video game soundtracks, then Game On! is one you should check out. With a repertoire comprising soundtracks from games like Destiny 2, Witcher 3, Baldur’s Gate 3, and so much more, you’re sure to be able to connect with at least one of the tracks.
Not only that, Game On! presents music with edited high-definition videos that accompany the rousing sounds of a full orchestra. They’ll be touring until June 2025.
8 Stardew Valley Orchestra
Your Farm Flourishes
The relaxing tunes of the Stardew Valley soundtrack have carved a cozy niche into the hearts and ears of many of its fans. They invoke warm memories of the adventures that they’ve had all the while developing their farm and forging connections with the citizens of Pelican Town.
The new Stardew Valley concert Symphony of Seasons features a 35-piece orchestra performing all your favorite tracks from your favorite farming/dating sim, featuring seasonal and location themes, and even original music created for the concert.
It’ll be on tour from August 29, 2025, to March 8, 2026, starting in Seattle, Washington, and ending in Dublin, Ireland.
7 Sonic Symphony
Escape From The City
Anybody who’s grown up playing any game of the Sonic franchise will tell you that its music always delivers in making you feel like a badass with a dash of childlike nostalgia, with classics like Crush 40’s “Live and Learn” or amazing themes like Chemical Plant Zone.
The Sonic Symphony delivers on an experience of showing you just how many other people share a love for the Sonic franchise, as the orchestra plays orchestra renditions of medleys from the classic games.
It’s an immersive musical experience that celebrates more than thirty years of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, with a wide range of music styles accompanied by gameplay footage that fits oh-so perfectly. You’ll also get to rock out to classic bangers like “I Am… All Of Me” and bask in all of Shadow’s edgelord glory.
As far as we know, the most recent concert was on January 11, 2025, and there are no concrete answers as to when they will tour again. We can only hope to get a chance to listen to Sonic Symphony at least once in our lifetime.

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6 A New World/Distant Worlds
Uematsu Always Delivers
The Final Fantasy franchise is best known for its epic and ethereal music, as most of its best tracks are composed by the inimitable Nobuo Uematsu.
This is a two-in-one. A New World: intimate music from FINAL FANTASY is a smaller, more compact version of the already-successful Distant Worlds.
Directed by AWR Music’s Eric Roth, A New World plays many arrangements from the franchise, each rearranged differently to create a unique experience for audiences.
As for Distant Worlds, it’s directed by Arnie Roth (yes, they’re father and son), and has quite a few recorded albums released on Spotify, in the (very likely) case you’re not able to attend these concerts in person, as tickets are expensive and they tour around the world.
5 FF7 Rebirth Orchestra
Let The Orchestra Begin!
If you’re still reeling from the emotional damage caused by the events of 2024’s FF7 Rebirth and want to relive the game’s best moments and listen to its amazing soundtrack in concert, then look no further than the FF7 Rebirth Orchestra, which features the game’s soundtrack while accompanied by beautiful pre-rendered cutscenes.
Much like its predecessor, you’ll be able to watch Cloud and his companions fight valiantly against their enemies, or even experience just how silly the Shinra parade march is, all the while immersing yourself into the soundscapes of the world of Final Fantasy 7.
Not only that, but you’ll also be able to relapse in your Gwent–I mean, Queen’s Blood addiction by listening to its theme.
Created by AWR Music Productions and conducted by world-renowned father/son conductors Arnie and Eric Roth, the orchestral concert has been touring worldwide for a limited time, finishing in Barcelona on March 30, 2025.
4 PlayStation The Concert
Traveling The Realm Of Europe In 2025
If you’re a fan of Sony properties, then this upcoming concert will surely delight you. Based on the trailer, it’s going to be a feast for the eyes and ears, as it’ll have extravagant light shows and videos that further immerse the audience’s experience.
Featuring music from Sony’s biggest hits like God of War, The Last of Us, and Ghost of Tsushima, PlayStation: The Concert celebrates Sony’s massive collection of IPs, much like its most recent flagship Astro Bot. Fingers crossed we might get some Bloodborne or Crash Bandicoot, ​​​​​​too…
Currently, only the Europe tour dates are available, starting in Dublin on April 19, 2025, and ending in Oslo on May 25, 2025. We’re not sure if they’re going to do an international tour yet, but the official website suggests that there may be more details to come.
3 NieR: Orchestra 12024 [The End of Data]
Glory To [Y]oko Taro!
There’s no game story as beautiful and moving as NieR’s “The [E]nd of YoRHa” ending. Don’t worry–there are no spoilers here, but if you want to listen to AWR Music Production’s NieR: Orchestra, then you might want to at least know what happens.
Conducted by Eric Roth, the NieR Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus expertly thrusts you back into the ethereal world of Yoko Taro’s creative vision with Keiichi Okabe’s composition for NieR Automata.
Combined with never-before-seen story content that takes place after Ending E, Kira Buckley and Kyle McCarley’s voices serve as narration, along with references to a community secret that Yoko Taro might have decided to make canon.
Singers J’Nique Nicole and Emi Evans also make an appearance to perform their respective songs, as well as a chorus singing in the fictional “Chaos” language.
Unfortunately, NieR Orchestra has recently finished touring on January 25, 2025, in Seoul, with no concrete news as to when it’ll tour again. However, there are plenty of recordings and reviews online if you want to cry your eyes out to “Kaine” or “Weight of the World.”
2 8-Bit Big Band
Grammy-Winning Excellence
What about swing band renditions of your favorite game soundtracks?8-Bit Band is a full-sized cover orchestra based in NYC. Conducted by Tony and Grammy Award winner Charlie Rosen, the band is best known for their Frank Sinatra covers of Portal‘s “Still Alive” and “Want You Gone,” and their award-winning “Meta Knight’s Revenge.”
While they don’t do any international tours, 8-Bit Big Band occasionally performs in select areas in North America, as their next show is set to be in Philadelphia on February 7th.
Their music is also available on Spotify, and if you’re part of a big band and are looking for arrangements, they also release their sheet music for free on their website.
1 Video Games Live
Breaking World Records
Video Games Live is perhaps one of the most premium video game orchestral experiences, complete with a full orchestra, choirs, and the occasional guest solo performers.
Created by industry veteran Tommy Tallarico, VGL’s music is often accompanied by stunning light shows and well-timed video game cutscenes.
What makes VGL special is that not only was it inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records, but it’s also made by and for gamers, as it has featured Internet-famous musicians like Lindsey Sterling, Malukah, and Peter Hollens.
They’ve been performing since 2005, and tour around the world, sometimes in dedicated performances or as hired performers at conventions. They’re touring in 2025, though mostly in North America.

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