On April 25, the lobby of the Theater at Solaire was bustling with a diverse array of people in cottagecore fashion – classic overalls, plaid shirts and floral prairie-style dresses, mostly in earthy colors – much like the staple outfits seen in Pelican Town, the central hub in the game Stardew Valley. Known as one of the most popular cozy games in recent history, it has sold 50 million copies worldwide.
Presented by Film Concerts PH, the back-to-back sold-out shows for Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons highlighted the best of the cozy, lighthearted soundtrack composed by the game’s developer Eric Barone a.k.a. ConcernedApe. The pieces were rearranged by Maestro Thanapol Setabrahmana into orchestral suites and medleys, and with the help of the Filharmonika Orchestra, they gave the audience an enthralling concert that you would could actually feel the comfort and tranquility of wandering around Pelican Town.
Since the beginning of the world tour in 2024, the show has been a huge success, with sold-out shows across different borders. When the Philippine shows were finally announced last year, Filipino fans were quick to sell out all tickets almost immediately. This enthusiasm was also palpable during the event as fans were there to celebrate it as a community. They made great effort to dress up and prepare freebies which are lore-accurate to the game. From the lobby, you could spot a lot of Easter eggs like familiar pixel art and character cosplays including Sebastian, Abigail, Mayor Lewis and JojaMart employees.
At its core, Stardew Valley is an open-ended farm life simulation video game that centers on the labor of harvesting, raising animals, fishing and mining, all of which sounds tedious at first. However, the gameplay gives this lifestyle a certain lulling calmness by allowing players to freely customize the design of their characters, the layout of their farms, their activities and their relationships with the ever-interesting NPCs (non-playable characters) – no time limits and no harsh repercussions. All they have to worry about is enjoying the farm life and making the most of their harvests as the seasons pass.
Since its release in 2016, the game has become a sanctuary for people when reality gets overwhelming. It was as if the alternative 16-bit country life made them feel in control, and kept them entertained at the same time. It was a no-brainer then that it further blew up during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it one of the most played video games during that era. They poured long hours into the game which became their outlet, an alternate reality that kept them grounded.
Watching Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons live was a riveting way to experience the game through its charmingly calming soundtrack, and in a format that only the live audience could get to hear. As confirmed by the Thanapol Setabrahmana who is also the chief arranger for Symphony of Seasons, the versions they played in the concerts in the Philippines were slightly different from the recorded versions online. The arrangements gave a more polished touch to the original compositions. The instruments were more pronounced and the harmony was more layered, making the music more tangible, so to speak.
While there were no video snippets flashing on the screen, the ambient lighting and occasional stage effects helped in emulating the game’s serene atmosphere. It felt natural to get into the flow of the music, and to just immerse yourself completely into the wonders of Stardew Valley. The crowd was captivated by the live orchestral music, as proven by the collective gasps, sniffles and giggles heard from them.
The concert began with “Grandpa’s Theme”, faithful to the game’s opening cutscene wherein the player, who is living a mundane corporate life, opened their grandfather’s old letter that contained a deed that bequeaths them with a farmhouse. Conductor Thanapol Setabrahmana provided short, insightful narrations in between each piece, guiding the audience about the progression of the story through the four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. As the 11-piece chamber of the Filharmonika Orchestra played the orchestral suites for each season, it was easy to imagine the blooming flowers of spring, the bright grooviness of summer, the muted coolness of fall and the icy somberness of winter.
We also heard the ever familiar tunes during the “Town Medley”, “Mines Medley”, “Saloon Medley” and “Villagers Medley” (particularly themes for Haley, Abigail and Penny). They also fan favorites like “Dance of the Moonlight Jellies” and “A Golden Star Is Born”.
Seeing Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons was a complete delight for fans who have poured in lots of time and effort in building their 16-bit community in the game. Hearing the game’s soundtrack played by a live orchestra is an experience that cannot be replicated easily, and the Filharmonika Orchestra handled it splendidly.
Near the end of the concert, Maestro Thanapol Setabrahmana hinted on a bigger show soon. Are we (hopefully) seeing Symphony of Seasons soon? Stay tuned for updates!
Want to know more about Conductor Thanapol Setabrahmana? See our exclusive interview with him here: Translating Game and Anime Music into Grand Orchestral Concerts: Interview with Maestro Thanapol Setabrahmana
Special thanks to Film Concerts PH
By Sandra Laureano
