The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) will take audiences on a nostalgic, high-energy adventure when it presents a weekend of live video game music in collaboration with the genre-bending band DiscoCactus at Let’s Play! Video Game Music Reimagined. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Chelsea Tipton, II, performances will take place on Saturday, May 31 at Southern Connecticut State University’s Lyman Center for the Performing Arts and Sunday, June 1 at Shelton High School. Both concerts begin at 3:00 p.m., with a special “Cosplay Hour” starting at 2 p.m. in each venue’s lobby — encouraging fans to gear up and show off their favorite video game character looks before the music begins.
Blending the full force of a live orchestra with DiscoCactus’s electric, improvisational style, the performances will feature music from a wide range of gaming’s most beloved titles. Audiences can expect fresh takes on tracks from The Legend of Zelda, Minecraft, Hollow Knight, NieR, World of Warcraft, Elden Ring, Hades, and Undertale, plus a few surprises.
In recent decades, video game music has evolved into one of the most dynamic and influential genres in contemporary composition, earning accolades from both the classical and pop music worlds. With this concert, the NHSO honors the artistic creativity and emotional storytelling that these soundtracks bring to players and listeners alike — now reimagined for the concert stage.
DiscoCactus is a collective of composers, performers, and arrangers who reimagine video game soundtracks as high-energy, genre-blending performances. Founded in 2014, the group’s six core members are experienced game audio professionals and classically trained musicians who have worked on projects including Celeste, Destiny 2, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, and Final Fantasy XV. Their live shows combine contemporary art music with dozens of pop styles, creating performances that are as imaginative as they are kinetic. Whether performing with full orchestra or on their own, DiscoCactus builds concerts that transcend genre and invite audiences into a vibrant, ever-shifting musical world. Learn more about DiscoCactus at discocactusmusic.com and click here to watch one of their imaginative music videos.
“This project has been a dream of ours since we started the band,” said Doug Perry, vibraphone player with DiscoCactus who also frequently performs with the New Haven Symphony’s percussion section. “It’s a rare chance to merge two musical worlds we love: playing orchestral music and creating new, energetic takes on video game music with DiscoCactus. We’re excited to bring these soundtracks to life in a way that feels both authentic to the games and fresh for the concert hall.”
Tickets: Tickets start at $15. Tickets for youth under 18 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. To purchase tickets, visit NewHavenSymphony.org or call (203) 693-1486 Monday-Friday from 12-5pm.
This concert is sponsored by Southern CT State University, Valley Community Foundation, Frontier, and the New Haven Register.
