The NieR:Orchestra Concert had multiple performances in Tokyo, Japan, in 2018, and it sold out each time. In 2020, the tour opened up outside Japan for the first time, starting in Chicago, Illinois. Pre-sale tickets sold out for that first concert, and AWR Music Productions, producers of Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy, added a second event date. The concert has also sold out in London, England, as it continues to perform across the globe. Having attended a performance, it’s encouraging to know that whether you’ve played a NieR game or just enjoy orchestrated music, it’s well worth going.

NieR:Automata’s Prequel

Before the concert began, Keiichi Okabe, the composer of the NieR series, addressed the crowd. He thanked them for their attendance and said he was enjoying his stay in the United States. The first half of the performance was based on NieR:Automata’s prequel, NieR Replicant & Gestalt (NieR Gestalt in the US). The following tracks were played:

• Snow in Summer
• Song of the Ancients
• Hills of Radiant Winds
• Emil
• Gods Bound by Rules
• The Wretched Automatons
• Grandma
• Shadowlord
• Ashes of Dreams
• Kainé (Performed by Emi Evans)

Like many other video game themed orchestrated concerts, projected footage was displayed on multiple screens for each score. Later in the performance, Okabe revealed that new footage for NieR Replicant & Gestalt was developed specially for this concert, with help from series creator Yoko Taro. That said, most of the visuals were just still images with animated geometric shapes. Towards the end of the first half of the performance, animated footage was played for the first time. Since many fans of NieR:Automata have not played the prequel, Okabe and Taro wanted to adjust the visuals to please the audience.

Visuals aside, each song was performed amazingly and was a treat to listen to whether you have played the game or not. Before many of the songs, a dialogue played to introduce the score. A solid mixture of smooth, whimsical tracks and heavy, up-beat notes sucked the audience in. “Gods Bound by Rules”, in particular, was surprisingly entertaining. At the beginning of that score, the musicians building up to the chorus made it feel like the climax of a tough battle was about to start. The fast-paced string musicians made your heart race. Plus, the smooth transitions with the various tempos made the song fun and memorable.

For Kainé, the last score performed before the intermission, Emi Evans made an appearance on stage for the first time that night. Emi Evans is the vocalist for the NieR series, and the crowd erupted as she walked on the stage to sing. The violinists deserve special attention as well, since they especially did not have it easy. Watching them play songs like “Gods Bound by Rules” and “Shadowlord” left you in awe. Of course, every musician and chorus singer performing nailed each score perfectly, delivering an impressive performance.

Nier:Orchestra’s Second Half

After the intermission, the majority of the audience was eager for the scores of NieR:Automata, one of the most popular games in the last ten years. The following tracks were played in the second half:

• City Ruins
• Amusement Park
• A Beautiful Song
• Alien Manifestation
• The Tower
• Dependent Weakling
• Bipolar Nightmare
• Mourning
• The Sound of the End
• Weight of the World (Performed by Emi Evans)

Compared to the first half, more game visuals were projected onto the screens, but they still felt scarce. In between the game visuals, abstract graphics were shown. While it’s possible that the concert creators tried to avoid story spoilers, some shots still displayed certain character deaths. Playing regular gameplay footage would have sufficed if that had actually been the case. After all, some fans may have been looking forward to watching their favorite scenes played alongside a live orchestra. Anyway, like the first half of the concert, some scores played audio tracks from NieR:Automata’s 2B dialogue.

Outside of the visuals, each song was compelling. “City Ruins” was a great prelude to the second half. “Bipolar Nightmare” energetic and “Weight of the World,” sung by Emi Evans, was beautifully done. Surprisingly, the Gestalt songs in the first half were overall more stimulating than the ones in NieR:Automata. There were more energetic and soft-flowing scores.

After “Weight of the World” played, many guests came on stage: series creator Yoko Taro, wearing his well-known mask, Square Enix executive producer Yosuke Saito, and composer Keiichi Okabe. They thanked the fans for the support. But, the concert wasn’t done yet. One more song was played as an encore, “The Dark Colossus Destroys All.” It was performed remarkably well. Not only did the musicians play marvelously but the choir was also superb. The concert was officially over after that.

Nier Concert:Extras

After the end of the concert, fans who had purchased special tickets for a meet-and-greet had a chance to meet all the special guests, including vocalist Emi Evans and conductor Arnie Roth. The wait time took awhile but it was well worth seeing the creators in person.

Fans who are eager to listen to the official track lists can purchase them digitally on iTunes for both NieR Gestalt & Replicant and NieR:Automata. Moreover, a Blu-ray of the concert from Tokyo, Japan, is available on Square Enix’s online store.

Nier Concert:Beyond

Since NieR:Automata has a solid soundtrack and great gameplay, players should arguably be more motivated to dive into the prequel. Perhaps the work done with NieR Replicant & Gestalt’s footage could be a taste of a possible relaunch of the original? Fans certainly want more NieR and hopefully, Okabe and Taro still motivated to create more.

AMR Music Productions, who helped bring NieR:Orchestra over, also produced various other concerts such as Dragon Ball Symphonic Adventure, Undertale LIVE, Final Fantasy VII Remake World Tour and a live concert experience for Game of Thrones. It’s well worth keeping track of what else they plan on bringing to the table, as well.

In any case, NieR:Orchestra was a fulfilling experience that was worth attending whether or not you have played any of the games. Sitting on the lower floor is fine, but if you want to watch the musicians play, the balcony is also a solid choice. Wherever you sit, you’ll be able to see the screens, and you won’t have a problem hearing each score. Let’s hope the concert makes a return next year for those who missed out the first time.