Since it first began touring in 2021 I’ve always wanted to see Sonic Symphony, a live-show where some very talented musicians play some of the best video game soundtrack songs ever composed.
This year I finally got that chance, and as a Sonic The Hedgehog fan it made me realise just how popular SEGA’s blue blur actually is.
There’s even more hype now that the third film is on the way
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The show was just short of three hours, with a 20 minute intermission and covered just about all of Sonic’s history. The first half was a range of symphonies from Sonic’s SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive days, with a few pieces from the 3D titles sprinkled in for good measure.
While I had a fantastic time listening to live performances of Chemical Plant Zone from Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Seaside Zone from Sonic Heroes and Dreams Of Absolution from Sonic The Hedgehog (2006), I had even more fun listening to the audience.
Every song seemingly got a louder cheer than the last, and accompanying the music was a massive screen showing gameplay and cutscenes from the game being performed, and you could easily tell when someone’ favourite appeared on-screen.
Of course that was only Act 1. I knew what I was there for, and it seems like everyone else did as well/ After the intermission we were treated to what essentially became a metal concert, kicking off with I Am All Of Me from Shadow The Hedgehog, my favourite song in the franchise.
For over an hour the crowd went absolutely crazy for their favourite songs, myself included, jumping up and down, waving lightsticks you could buy outside the concert hall, and screaming their lungs out. I’ve not got much experience with live music but the sheer energy I felt from that theatre feels like all the convincing I need to go to gigs more often.
I’ve never seen that many Sonic fans in one room before, and while I’m sure the Sonic Symphony tour has visited even bigger venues than the one I went to in London, it made me realise just how popular SEGA’s mascot still is. That’s not to say he’s ever been forgotten about, but there’s no denying the last few years haven’t been kind to the world’s fastest hedgehog. It’s only really been since 2021/22 that the series has entered a renaissance of sorts, especially with Sonic X Shadow Generations remastering one of the best games and throwing in a brand-new adventure on top with Shadow’s story.
You could truly feel the love in the room for Sonic and his friends, especially from the performers themselves who played every note with fire and respect for the character.
Sonic Symphony was truly a magical experience for me, and while I’ve never wavered in my commitment to Sonic and his games, always being there day one for his next adventure, it was something else to see so many others share that same passion.
Sore throat, loss of hearing and an aching neck from all the headbanging, but it was totally worth it to hear those sweet, sweet Sonic songs…