Micro Music, Maestro!
The 8-Bit Symphony raised the roof of Hull’s City Hall
Andrew Fisher reports on Chris Abbott’s impressive 8-bit concert
Over 800 retro gaming music fans made their way to the very grand City Hall in Hull on Saturday 15 June, and even a heavy summer shower as they queued did not dampen their enthusiasm. A VIP reception was held earlier in the afternoon at
Hull College – which helped stage the event, thanks to the efforts of CEO Michelle Swithenbank – as drinks and canapes were enjoyed by gaming legends and invited followers alike. A selection of classical SID tunes helped set the tone before the 75-strong
Hull Philharmonic Orchestra took the stage, under the direction of conductor Robin Tait. C64 Audio’s Chris Abbott
and Graham Raddings acted as hosts, introducing each tune with background notes and jokes, plus a pirate flag.
8-Bit Symphony has long been Chris’ vision, and it finally came to fruition in unforgettable style.
Adding to the atmosphere were the videos projected on a screen above the orchestra. More than just raw game footage, these themed videos (from creators including Toni Galvez, Mat Ricardo, Andrew Wright and Ian Flory) showed humour and respect for the subject matter that was being celebrated at the event. A special mention must go to Steph Abbott for her illustrations of each piece, shown on the projector and in the glossy concert programme. This was available as a signed edition (by Rob Hubbard and Paul Norman), with the profits being donated to Special Effect – the UK charity that help makes gaming accessible to all. A Blu-ray giving the ‘home concert’ experience (with the videos playing alongside sequenced versions of the music) was also on sale, and was streamed online as the concert was happening.
The concert loaded up with a medley of Ocean Loader tunes and
Comic Bakery from Martin Galway, accompanied by famous loading screens. Allister Brimble’s Green Beret arrangement and Rob Hubbard’s
Kentilla (originally intended for orchestra) stood out, plus the bouncy William Wobbler and Mark Cooksey’s
Ghosts ‘N Goblins. The first half ended with Rob’s Flash Gordon, while the interval had its own assortment of SID ragtime pieces. The second half started with International Karate, and included a tribute to Ben Daglish, Glyn R Brown’s epic interpretation of Firelord and Paul Norman’s Aztec Challenge (which was arranged by Peter Connelly).
As the concert drew to a close,
Jon Hare spoke in memory of his late colleague Richard Joseph, followed by Richard’s comic title tune from Stifflip
& Co. With the credits scrolling to the sound of Barbillax (Richard’s Barbarian II merged with Martin Galway’s Parallax high-score tune), fans queued up at the signing table to meet Rob Hubbard and Paul Norman in person.
“It was a very special event for me and everyone who attended,” reflects Rob Hubbard. “I don’t think we could ever top it, but another concert somewhere would be very
cool!” As musical producer, Rob was heavily involved. “Composing and orchestrating are what I love doing – more than actually playing an instrument, or playing live.” As for highlights, Rob says, “There were quite a few. Meeting Ben’s wife and family again, and the tribute video with The Last Ninja was very moving. WAR,
Monty’s Journey (Rob’s 19th-century romantic arrangement of the Monty On
The Run and Commando high score tunes), and Aztec Challenge were very well played.”
Chris Abbott was very happy with the evening. “Obviously it’s live so there will be the occasional glitch, but the orchestra played beautifully and with passion, the audience were wonderful and everyone was at the top of their game,” he says. “Having Rob Hubbard and Paul Norman in attendance to hear their stuff was amazing. I think most people would think that the segment paying tribute to Ben Daglish and ending with ‘Jedi Ben’ illustrated by my daughter Steph, and the one paying tribute to Richard Joseph (Stifflip and Co, with a funny Queen Victoria intro by my good friend Anna Black) were particular highlights. Otherwise, people’s favourite tracks varied wildly: which is always a good sign.”
There was a tinge of sadness for Chris with the absence of Ben Daglish. “I miss Ben: he would have rocked the joint and conducted the heck out of Trap. As it was, me and Graham (Raddings) were kind of hosting it as almost ’part of the audience’. We’re the target audience for these things. I will say that I was really pleased that all age ranges were present, it was enjoyed by children and elderly fans of Hull Philharmonic alike.”
The planned CD box-set of orchestral music and the printed scores – now also called 8-Bit Symphony, and previewed at www.c64audio.com – are progressing well. Chris says, “The concert really allowed us to attract the extra talent (Rob Hubbard, arranger
Ally Pickering, conductor Robin Tait) to get that project finished before the end of the year, so that we are putting out unquestionably world-class orchestral arrangements.” As for more concerts, Chris adds “If people buy the boxset they can certainly get an idea of what’s likely to make it onto the bill for 8-Bit Symphony 2: more Follin, more Hubbard, a tad more Daglish, and some more iconic tracks. We have got to build up momentum for the next one.” Everyone who experienced the amazing atmosphere will certainly look forward to another concert.
Thanks to Jason Moon and Chris Abbott for the official photos.
The orchestra played beautifully and with passion, the audience were wonderful Chris Abbott