It’s a pleasant spring evening in the Scottish capital, but walking down Clerk Street in Edinburgh, it doesn’t take long before things start looking more like Pelican Town.
Tonight is the only date in the country Stardew Valley: Festival of the Seasons concert world tour, featuring countless earworms of the beloved farming simulator sensation brought to life by an orchestra. Such adaptations aren’t all that rare in games, with Zelda, Pokémon, and NieR enjoying this treatment, but never before has it happened to an indie title on such a scale – a symbol of Stardew Valley’s enduring appeal and ever-growing legacy.
The sold-out crowd begins to gather early. The overall cosplayers are unusually conspicuous for their scarcity, but many attendees are sporting chic – headscarves, jackets and straw hats are out in force with one example of a game-worn witch’s hat on the far left. As the line makes its way inside, I stop to take photos of those who have come dressed as their favorite characters. I can’t tell if one guy is supposed to be the despicable shopkeeper Pierre or if he just looks like him, so I avoid asking lest he punch me in the face like I’m JojaMart’s Morris.
The musicians immediately take the stage while those still in the snaking line for merchandise are busily shopping. Conducting the performances in the UK is Andy Brown of the London Metropolitan Orchestra, who is no stranger to the game medium and has worked on titles including Sims 4
The first of these springs to life with It’s a big world out there. This is my favorite and undoubtedly a favorite of everyone present, as an accompaniment to your first day on the farm. As sublime as the original digitized version was, the power with which it translates to the live arena soon becomes clear. The music has such an emotional resonance that it quickly captivates the audience; someone in the row ahead seems to have something in their eye The valley comes alivewhile the partners excitedly reach for each other’s hands at certain moments.
As much as there are creative rearrangements, with accented embellishments and interludes seamlessly connecting the pieces, they are faithful to the OST in many ways. Sitar from The sun can bend the orange sky it is even replicated, seemingly via a guitar effect – one of several non-traditional instruments found alongside strings, brass and percussion. Even the wackier, folkier tunes of Pelican Town and Stardrop Saloon begin as something more akin to the originals before extended beats see additional instruments find their way in, bringing new dimensions and stirring crescendo to even these more playful songs.
There are no immersive screens with gameplay footage or the like, just some abstract projections on the back curtain and lights that symbolize the colors of the seasons. While it may not be as ambitious as the big-name events, this intimate chamber performance is more in line with Stardew Valley’s minimalist, rustic aesthetic.
However, you can still enjoy more than just music; Andy Brown makes this an interactive experience. He comes armed with references that have showered appreciative visitors, including taking him out for beer and pizza at Gus’s, facing “unspeakable things” in the mines and laughing when he declares that “winter is a time to think” and spend time with those we love – except Pierre !” We’re also questioned by naming out loud who some of the characters’ leitmotifs belong to, our collective knowledge of who he’s impressed with. He even turns away from the orchestra at one point to encourage applause. As he says, “The community is what makes the game so special.”
Calmly Dance of the Moonlight Jellys it is at the top half of the setlist, a favorite of both Brown and Barone. We even received a copy of the sheet music upon entry as a great souvenir.
The second act showcases the last two seasons of the year, marking a tonal shift towards more somber tunes, but perhaps the musicians are at their most evocative as they conjure up some enchanting soundscapes. Pizzicato violins make autumn The smell of mushrooms especially turbulent but wintry Ancient it takes the collective audience’s breath away like a sharp breath of icy air; it’s so mesmerizing that even the desolate silence between its tense chords and shimmering keys is deafening. The lone “Wow” that breaks the silence after that pretty much sums it all up.
A surprising inclusion Journey of the Prairie King laughs – although by now we should probably expect the unexpected from ConcernedApe. The retro-style sound of this 8-bit mini-game would have felt more in a chiptune environment, but this frenzied orchestral reworking is a delight, cementing this as a concert that evokes both joy and tears.
And it is precisely this ability to connect and move people that brings the night the most. Barone’s single-handedly harvesting Stardew Valley into a gaming phenomenon is one thing, but having those one-man compositions so triumphantly delivered to arenas around the world defies what you’d think possible from an indie release.
Andy Brown cryptically declares “to be carried on” before leaving the stage – could anything else happen from the tour? Here comes Will ConcernedApe Haunted chocolate shop one day his soundtrack rings in the auditorium? In any case, the smiles and enthusiastic chatter that follow satisfied customers from the Queen’s Hall tonight suggest a renewed appreciation for the sounds of the valley and speak volumes for the power of games and music.
Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons continues its nearly sold-out world tour, with dates in the US, Europe and Asia in the coming months. Check it out official website for details.
