Los Angeles – June 22, 2005 –  Renowned video game composers, Tommy Tallarico (Advent Rising, Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Earthworm Jim) and Jack Wall (Jade Empire, Myst III:  Exile, Splinter Cell), and Clear Channel Music Group today announced upcoming tour dates for Video Games Live, an immersive, music and video concert experience.  Co-executive produced by Tallarico and Wall’s Mystical Stone Entertainment LLC, and Clear Channel Music Group, the national tour launches this summer at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on July 6.  Video Games Live features music from some of the biggest video games performed by top orchestras and choirs across the country combined with video footage, lasers, lights and live action to create a unique entertainment experience.  

VIDEO GAMES LIVE TOUR DATES:

Date                                        City                             Venue

Wednesday, July 6                 Los Angeles, CA         Hollywood Bowl

Thursday, August 11               Atlanta, GA                  Chastain

Saturday, August 13               Holmdel, NJ                 PNC Bank Arts Center

Sunday, August 14                  Camden, NJ                Tweeter

Wednesday, August 17          Toronto, Ontario          Molson Ampitheatre

Friday, August 19                    Bristow, VA                 Nissan Pavilion

Monday, August 22                 Boston, MA                  B of A Pavillion

Wednesday, August 24          Cleveland, OH             Tower City Ampitheater

Thursday, August 25               Columbus, OH            Polaris Ampitheater

Friday, August 26                    Cincinnati, OH             Riverbend                   

Saturday, August 27               Chicago, IL                  Northerly Island

Sunday, August 28                  Detroit, MI                    DTE

Thursday, September 1          Denver, CO                 Universal Lending Pavillion

Saturday, September 3           Dallas, TX                   Smirnoff

Sunday, September 4             Houston, TX                Cynthia Woods

Tuesday, September 6           Phoenix, AZ                 Cricket Pavilion

Wednesday, September 7      San Diego, CA            SDSU OAT

Friday, September 9               Mountain View, CA      Shoreline        

Video Games Live also announces the creative and technical team of seasoned professionals, including some of the most prominent names in their fields, who will collaborate with Tallarico and Wall to create an unforgettable audio and visual experience. 

Noted production manager Malcolm Weldon has joined the Video Games Live team to oversee all aspects of the production.  Weldon has managed world tours for numerous major artists including Janet Jackson, Cher, Ozzy Osbourne, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Elton John and The Eagles.

Additionally, respected industry sound engineer Mike Keating has joined the tour and is charged with creating the audio mix to deliver an unparalleled experience for the Video Games Live audience.  Keating is best know for his work over the past 12 years with Sting as well as Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Cher, Don Henley, Mariah Carey, Joe Cocker, Jewel, Shakira and many more.

Lighting designer Bryan Hartley is developing customized lighting effects for each segment, recreating the distinctive atmospheres and color schemes of each game featured.  Hartley is credited with the lighting for Aerosmith, Kiss, Lenny Kravitz & Alicia Keys among others.

Four-time Emmy award-winning set designer Jeremy Railton is developing innovative visual effects for the Video Games Live stage presentation including the use of a new high-tech sheer nylon fabric that will serve as a projection screen above the venue making video footage look like it appears floating in the sky.  Previously, Railton has designed sets for the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Disney’s Epcot Center and concert tours including Cher’s Farewell Tour, Phil Collins, Alice Cooper, Jane’s Addiction and many more. 

Adding to the experience of Video Games Live, several segments of the show will feature live re-enactments of the game play and characters by some of the most talented stunt performers in the business overseen by Emmy nominated choreographer Dori Sanchez.  Her credits include Cher’s “Farewell Tour,” as well as work on Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Divas Live and the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards.

“We believe that Video Games Live will push the boundaries of the concert going experience,” said Jack Wall.  “It was only natural that we enlist the expertise of the industry’s most respected technical professionals to help us realize our vision.” 

“Video game music has matured from simple tunes into complex, sometimes operatic journeys that are fully integrated into the storyline and action of games.” stated Tommy Tallarico.  “The tour is a celebration of the excitement and passion shared by millions of people who are part of the video game culture as well as an opportunity to reach out to a broader audience and introduce them to this art form.  Anyone who enjoys live music, dramatic storytelling, and intense action will be entranced by the Video Games Live experience."

“Video Games Live is an exciting collaboration among Tommy and Jack and their team and we support their vision for bringing a ground breaking live concert event celebrating video game music to hundreds of thousands of gaming fans across America” said Brad Wavra, Touring Vice President for Clear Channel Music Group.  “The response to Video Games Live has generated a tremendous amount of anticipation and excitement, we look forward to a successful tour."

Video Games Live will showcase some of the world’s most popular game franchises and music ever created including Mario™, Zelda®, Halo®, Metal Gear Solid®, Warcraft®, Myst®, Castlevania®, Medal of Honor™, Sonic™, Tron©, Tomb Raider®, Advent Rising, Headhunter, Beyond Good & Evil™, Splinter Cell®, Ghost Recon™, Rainbow Six®, EverQuest® II and even a classic arcade game medley featuring games from Pong® to Donkey Kong®.  World class orchestras accompanied by a choir and selected soloists will perform against a backdrop of state-of-the-art video and laser sequences, which are being specially designed for each of the game vignettes with some segments adding live characters on stage. 

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  • Tickets are on sale Friday, June 24, 2005 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.