Japanese Culture has grown a strong community in the Philippines. With conventions dedicated to East Asian popular culture becoming annual events, Melody Road wants to establish itself as the event dedicated to the music. A unique holiday concert built and curated by fans for fans.
Our 90s childhood memories are often filled with our favorite animé and video games! That opening theme song from Voltes V is a videoke mainstay and pulling on this type of nostalgia plays a huge part in the conception of Melody Road. On its second year, having a soldout show in 2018, the concert brings it to a bigger venue in two-parts: an Animé showcase and a Video Game showcase.
When asked, Music Director Frances Fernando explains that video game and animé music is a type of contemporary classical music that should be given its due focus. It is a part of the growing culture after all.
The name Radical Dreemers is likened to the video game preceding Chrono Cross, Radical Dreamers, where the protagonist was a musician. The concert title Melody Road gives homage to the famous Melody Roads in Japan, where instead of rumble strips, the highway is designed to play music as you drive by them, coincidentally some of the “melodies” feature scores from anime as well.
Fernando personally requested permission from the original composers to perform the arrangements live and it was met with overwhelmingly positive responses. Some of the titles included for the Anime Showcase are Pokemon, Your Name, Attack on Titan, Lupin III, Sailor Moon, Spirited Away, and Evangelion. For the Video Game Showcase: Final Fantasy, Chrono Cross, Suikoden 2, and Harvest Moon.
The concert is partnering with local video game and anime communities, brands, and merchants in keeping with the holiday season of celebration!
Melody Road is happening on November 10 (Anime Showcase) and December 8 (Video Game Showcase) at The Axon, Green Sun Hotel, Don Chino Roces, Makati. Tickets are available at www.melodyroad.ph. Percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Edicute, Inc., a non-profit community of volunteers dedicated to provide education to the indigenous tribes of Mindoro.
