I absolutely adore video game concerts; they’re among my favorite experiences. Whether it’s Final Fantasy’s Distant Worlds, the NieR:Orchestra concerts, or the Sonic Symphony, there’s something truly special about hearing music you’ve spent countless hours with, performed live by an orchestra. It can be an incredibly emotional and transformative experience. For those who have that kind of deep connection with Stardew Valley, the captivating farming, romance, and dungeon-crawling simulator is taking its original soundtrack on tour next year.
Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons won’t just be a straightforward rendition of the familiar in-game tunes. Developer and composer Eric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone has carefully curated a selection of the most beloved tracks from the soundtrack. These will be freshly reimagined for performances by local chamber orchestras. Some confirmed tracks to be featured include Stardew Valley Overture, Spring (The Valley Comes Alive), and Dance of the Moonlight Jellies, with promises of other surprises and less well-known gems.
As the name suggests, the setlist will follow the game’s seasonal format, with the music divided into four seasons, drawing inspiration from Stardew’s festivals and villagers. (I might have to cover my ears during the Pierre section!)
The international tour of Festival of Seasons will commence with a performance in Los Angeles on February 17th next year. The tour will then travel to cities in the US, including Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Seattle, Chicago, and St. Louis.
Afterward, the tour heads to Canada in March, with performances in Toronto and Montreal. In April, the music will reach fans in Melbourne and Sydney, and on April 29th, there will be a performance in London at Cadogan Hall. Dates for performances in Seoul and Bangkok are yet to be announced.
Cosplay is encouraged, and exclusive merchandise will be available for those interested. Special guest appearances at each performance have also been hinted at.
Tickets for most Festival of Seasons dates will go on sale this Friday, October 13th, at 10 am local time in each city. It sounds like a delightful experience, doesn’t it?