‘Thrones’ music man brings show to San Jose
Fans are eagerly counting down the days until the eighth season of HBO’s blockbuster “Game of Thrones” series airs.
But that’s a long way off, given that the highly anticipated final season isn’t set to air until sometime next year.
What is needed, of course, is a proper Westeros fix while we wait.
Enter the “Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience” tour, which hits SAP Center in San Jose on Saturday. Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $39.50-$125, www.ticketmaster.com.
I recently had the chance to chat with the musical mastermind of the show, acclaimed TV and film composer Ramin Djawadi, who will be conducting an orchestra and choir as the world of Westeros comes alive at the Shark Tank.
Q
What can you tell me about this new production of the “Game of Thrones” concert?
A
We’ve completely redesigned the stage, redesigned the lighting, changed some of the things that happen onstage (and added) contemporary elements. We’ve added things out of Season 7. We’ve reworked the show so that the show is up to date with the “Game of Thrones” TV series itself. So, the whole storyline from Season 1 through Season 7 is there. Q
Is the concert organized chronologically with the TV show’s storyline?
A It’s pretty chronological. It starts in Season 1 and it goes, overall, all the way through Season 7. It has all the big moments from the different seasons that you would expect and hope to see and relive, as I would like to say, like the Red Wedding, for example.
Then there are also pieces that focus on specific characters, too. Sometimes, within the pieces, we actually then jump it forward a little bit. Then the next piece might reset it and take you back a couple of seasons. Overall, it always pushes forward through the seasons. hardcore fans, it’s really a great step-by-step reminder of all the great moments of the show and characters.
Q Does anyone besides hardcore fans turn out for this?
A We have had lots of people come to the concert who have never seen “Game of Thrones.” It’s a great crash course for them. Obviously, there are lots of spoilers, because they really get to see all the big moments and big surprises. Then they say, “Wow. I see why everybody is freaking out about this show so much. Now, I
it. I’m going to start at the beginning and be up to date before the next season starts.”
Q
How is the footage from the TV show incorporated into the concert?
A
The stage is literally traveling with us and gets set up every night. Everything is designed around “Game of Thrones.” There is a big screen that shows the footage. We spend a lot of time watching all the seasons — it’s hours and hours of footage that we actually just sit down and go through and create montages this down to really to two condense hours.
Obviously, it’s primarily focused on the music. But there’s also dialogue every once in a while. Sometimes before a piece or after a piece, we’ll put in some of the key sentences from some of the scenes.
The audience always gets excited when there is some dialogue that pops out.
Part of the design of the show is to make you feel like you were really there, in Westeros. When we play a piece that is north of “The Wall,” we have simulation of snow actually coming down on the audience. When you see dragons onscreen, in a battle,
we Q might do some pyro.
Sounds like a good way for fans to tide themselves over while they wait for Season 8.
A Exactly. … Season 1 was, what, 2011? There are really things you kind of forget. You forget where the characters started out from and how they developed. This show, I think, does a good job in a very quick way — within 2, 2 ½ hours — (of taking) you through those storylines and character arcs again. It really does get people pumped up for the upcoming season.
Q Does the concert start, like the TV show, with that opening piece of music?
A It does. There is a little intro. And then we definitely start with the main title theme.
Q How much work have you done on Season 8?
A Nothing yet, actually. I haven’t started. I haven’t I don’t know seen anything anything yet. yet. I can’t am super wait to curious, get started. too. I I’m when not I will even start. exactly But sure I am how dying this is to all find coming out, too, to an end.
Q So, I guess, we can’t pry any inside information about Season 8 from you.
A Obviously, even if knew something, I wouldn’t be allowed to say anything. But I can say with a clear conscience that I don’t know anything yet myself — and I’m just as curious.