I am introduced by my good friend Mykol to the people behind anime and video game concert Melody Road 2019, which will be holding its second run this year at Green Sun Makati this November and December.
There are lots of events happening this quarter already, but this one right here is quite different from what we usually experience. Here’s the initial info about the concert and why you should never ever miss this:
Japanese Culture has grown a strong community in the Philippines. With conventions dedicated to East Asian popular culture becoming annual events, Melody Road wants to establish itself as the event dedicated to the music. A unique holiday concert built and curated by fans for fans.
The concert concept
Our 90s childhood memories are often filled with our favorite animé and video games! That opening theme song from Voltes V is a videoke mainstay and pulling on this type of nostalgia plays a huge part in the conception of Melody Road.
On its second year, having a soldout show in 2019, the concert brings it to a bigger venue in two-parts: an Animé showcase and a Video Game showcase.
Why Melody Road 2019 focuses on anime and video games?
When asked, Music Director Frances Fernando explains that video game and animé music is a type of contemporary classical music that should be given its due focus. It is a part of the growing culture after all.
The name Radical Dreemers is likened to the video game preceding Chrono Cross, Radical Dreamers, where the protagonist was a musician.
The concert title Melody Road gives homage to the famous Melody Roads in Japan, where instead of rumble strips, the highway is designed to play music as you drive by them, coincidentally some of the “melodies” feature scores from anime as well.
Fernando personally requested permission from the original composers to perform the arrangements live and it was met with overwhelmingly positive responses.
What’s in it for us at Melody Road 2019?
Some of the titles included for the Anime Showcase are Pokemon, Your Name, Attack on Titan, Lupin III, Sailor Moon, Spirited Away, and Evangelion. For the Video Game Showcase: Final Fantasy, Chrono Cross, Suikoden 2, and Harvest Moon.
The concert is partnering with local video game and anime communities, brands, and merchants in keeping with the holiday season of celebration.
Melody Road 2019 is happening on November 10 (Anime Showcase) and December 8 (Video Game Showcase) at The Axon, Green Sun Hotel, Don Chino Roces, Makati. Tickets are available at www.melodyroad.ph.
Percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Edicute, Inc., a non-profit community of volunteers dedicated to provide education to the indigenous tribes of Mindoro.
They also post updates on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook). Again, this is once in a lifetime, so you should not miss it.