REVIEW: 'Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons' concert will make you want to escape the city life
Who would've thought that a farm life simulation game that was developed by a one-man team would one day become a cultural phenomena and be adapted into a full-blown concert event? But here we are now with Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons, a one-day only show held at The Theater at Solaire on April 25.
Organized by Film Concerts PH, the event brought the beloved soundtrack of Stardew Valley to life through the talented musicians of Filharmonika Orchestra, led by Thailand's Thanapol Setabrahmana as conductor.
As someone who spent hours decorating, watering crops, raising farm animals, exploring the monster-filled mines, wooing my favorite bachelor, and trying to complete the Community Center, it didn't take long for the music of Stardew Valley to be embedded in my head. It was one of the elements that helped elevate the gameplay and made me wish that I would one day be transported in the world of Pelican Town to live out the farming life.
Filharmonika Orchestra's live rendition of the game’s music breathed new life into every note of the soundtrack. It also helped that Setabrahmana was very welcoming to his audience, introducing each piece by tying it back to moments in the game and cracking jokes that resonated with longtime players.
The concert began with the soft tunes of Grandpa's Theme, which plays at the very start of the game as you inherit the farm that sets your journey in motion. Audiences are then treated to a seamless suite of all the bright music that plays during the season of Spring.
Unlike the game's synthetic sounds, Filharmonika Orchestra transformed these familiar pieces into something fuller as they now carried the cinematic weight of violins, cellos, guitars, and more, giving them newfound depth and richness.
The Town Medley was a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who spent much time strolling through in Pelican Town trying to befriend all the villagers, as was the suite for all the Summer themes.
One of the more emotional parts of the soundtrack was the Dance of the Moonlight Jellies. It perfectly captured the wonder of my favorite festival, making me feel just as emotional as the first time I watched the jellies glow in the game.
The suite for the Fall themes was also a highlight, with the arrangement capturing the quiet, slow, and melancholic vibe of the season. The Winter suite, meanwhile, perfectly evoked the magic of Stardew Valley during the colder days, where the only thing you could do was to explore and take in the stillness of the snow-covered valley.
As someone who spent much time collecting hardwood, In The Deep Woods also stood out as an immersive piece.
The concert reached a fitting end with Filharmonika's rendition of Night Market and A Golden Star is Born, two tracks that play during some of the game's most significant events. It was the perfect way to cap off the show and reminding everyone of the joy and fulfillment that comes with playing a cozy game like Stardew Valley.
More than just a concert, Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons felt like a chance for people of different experiences to come together and flush their worries away with the music of life on the farm.
Disclaimer: PhilSTAR L!fe is an official media partner of Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons.