A throwback at VGL 2016 with Madman_20

Video Games Live! It’s here for the 3rd time! How was the experience? Awesome! The host and founder of VGL, Tommy Tollarico has been touring all around the world for 11 years now. The music that was brought to VGL varies from one concert to another, as he puts it “No one VGL is the same as the other”.

Video Games Live KL was supposed to perform on 29th August 2015 at Putra Indoor Stadium Bukit Jalil but it got postpone due to the Bersih rally on that same day. Putra Indoor Stadium was due for an overhaul renovation after this date and the show got moved to 27th February 2016 at Stadium Negara KL.

Arriving to the stadium, it rained heavily! Parking space was an issue as I had to park somewhere near Petaling Street. By the time I reached the stadium, I was soaked! Entry for my ticket (Maze) was located at the back end of the stadium. I had to go around in a dark area with waters as high as an inch covering my entire foot! There wasn’t any stalls either by the second entrance. I had to leave the hall, walk back to the front and get some drinks before returning back.

I’ve had attended the first 2 shows; 2010 at Planetary Hall KLCC and 2012 at Istana Budaya and was very happy to attend for this 3rd show. At Stadium Negara, the seating was just cement steps (yep, no actual chairs) with no back support. Of course the higher priced ticket was given plastic chairs and the VIP section proper banquet seats. Many viewers in my section can be heard talking about their discomforts.

After the Preshow by a local artist group, there was a cosplay competition which allows the winner to have their ticket upgraded to the RockZone aka VIP zone. There were cosplaying characters from Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, Metal Slug, Mortal Combat etc. The winner was the guy cosplaying as a character from Metal Slug (pardon me for not knowing which character, I didn’t play the game enough to know HAHA =P). The moment he stepped on stage with his cut out tank and “weapon box” the entire stadium crowd cheered. Even during judgement by cheer, his had the loudest cheer.

After the cosplay, the show started off with introductory video as well as promotional video for their Kickstarter of the 5th album called Level 5; check out their website. The first music played was from Castlevania. Crowd cheered as there wasn’t any introduction from the conductor nor Tommy himself.

My gripe about this year’s event? No seating number, and super uncomfortable seats (if you consider them as seats). I had a sore back and butt just half way through the show! Audio acoustics isn’t as good as symphony halls (and this is coming from a regular guy that is not an audiophile). Can barely hear the choir team’s voices. The sound was so focus to those seated directly in front of the stage. Those seated by the sides can’t get the full experience.

Parking was a nightmare. Those decided to park by the roadside and middle of the road was haggled by a team of unscrupulous of people to pay parking fee (I’m not sure how much, but a friend of mine experienced RM20 for a past show he attended at Stadium Negara).

Thankfully, the experience was still awesome when the crowd cheered and when the music you like or haven’t heard before just send chill down the spine!. It is definitely recommended for gamers to attend this show at least ONCE in their lifetime. This isn’t just a symphony, it is a fan service (as mentioned by BunnyTeam member TangHM). It’s a good one at that! Music range from Sonic, Mass Effect, Uncharted, Zelda, Metal Gear Solid, Mario, Ace Attorney (yeeep), Kingdom Hearts, Earthworm Jim, Silent Hill, and many more! All these in 2 over hours! The show started at approximately 830pm and ended at 11pm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryTsoW67NCY