Few concerts match the fan-centric methodology of Distant Worlds: Music From Final Fantasy. Like Video Games Live and other game-centric concerts, Distant Worlds combines symphonic performances of video game music with multimedia imagery. Unlike other game-centric concerts, however, all music performed during Distant Worlds is purely acoustic. They pride themselves on the fact that not a single piece of pre-recorded music is broadcast to the audience during any concert. It most certainly shows, as these concerts are incredible auditory experiences for Final Fantasy fans around the world. Last weekend, famed conductor Arnie Roth and series composer Nobuo Uematsu met in Chicago to give the Final Fantasy aficionados of the Midwest a real treat: not one, but TWO concerts – each one consisting of an entirely unique set list. Games Are Evil was in attendance for one of these performances, and we’re happy to report that Distant Worlds doesn’t miss a beat.
The amount of music covered by the concert was nothing short of astounding (we’ve included the entire set-list below for reference), but there were moments that certainly stood out. Following the introductory piece, “Bombing Mission” from Final Fantasy VII, composer Arnie Roth went right into the iconic victory fanfare. Music from across the series followed, including Distant Worlds premiere performances of “You’re Not Alone” from Final Fantasy IX and “Dark World” from Final Fantasy VI. “Dark World” was particularly special because, as Arnie Roth told us in our exclusive interview last week, it is the first time in Distant Worlds history that Nobuo Uematsu performed a piece of his music solo on stage. There were also several standout vocal performances, including renditions of “Kiss Me Goodbye” and “Melodies of Life” by Final Fantasy XIV lead vocalist Susan Calloway. Several pieces from Final Fantasy XIII (composed by Masashi Hamauzu) were also performed, including “Fabula Nova Crystallis” and fan favorite “Blinded By Light.”
The entire evening was capped off with an unexpected surprise: “One-Winged Angel.” The song does make a regular appearance as an encore at Distant Worlds, but this performance was different. Once the encore was announced, it became clear as to why no choir was present on the stage throughout the show: the audience was going to become the choir! As “One-Winged Angel” played, the lyrics were displayed in Latin on a large screen as Nobuo bounced back and forth between different sides of the audience, encouraging everyone to sing along. Though the audience response during the verses was tepid at best, the choruses were a completely different story. As Arnie and Nobuo played on, the entire concert hall reverberated with enthusiastic cries of “Se-phi-roth,” right on time and on key.
As far as Final Fantasy music is concerned, this Distant Worlds concert was by far the most complete and most impressive concert I’ve attended (and I’ve attended quite a few). With Final Fantasy‘s 25th Anniversary coming up, I’m expecting big things from Distant Worlds. Final Fantasy fans won’t be disappointed. They’ve most certainly leveled up.
Distant Worlds: Chicago Set-List
Bombing Mission – Final Fantasy VII
Victory Fanfare – All
Don’t Be Afraid – Final Fantasy VIII
Medley – Final Fantasy I, II, III
Suteki da Ne – Final Fantasy X
You’re Not Alone (premiere) – Final Fantasy IX
Dear Friends – Final Fantasy V
Vamo’ Alla Flamenco – Final Fantasy IX
Those Who Fight (solo piano) – Final Fantasy VII
Melodies of Life – Final Fantasy IX
Swing De Chocobo – All
The Man With The Machine Gun – Final Fantasy VIII
Dark World (solo Nobuo) – Final Fantasy VI
To Zanakand – Final Fantasy X
Theme from Final Fantasy VII – Final Fantasy VII
Prima Vista – Final Fantasy IX
Kiss Me Goodbye – Final Fantasy XII
Fabula Nova Crystallis – Final Fantasy XIII
March of the Dreadnoughts – Final Fantasy XIII
Blinded by Light – Final Fantasy XIII
Maria and Draco – Final Fantasy VI
One Winged Angel Sing-along – Final Fantasy VII
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