Folks, I was quite excited when they announced this one. The last Distant Worlds I went to was heavy on the Final Fantasy VII tracks, and that concert wasn't even the Rebirth one held a few months ago (I skipped that concert). Oh, I like FFVII's music just fine--it's hard not to enjoy it, Uematsu-san being as good a composer as he is--but it's probably my least favorite OST of the bunch. This concert, though, promised to be heavy on Soken-san's work from Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XVI, and oh did they deliver.

I bought my ticket months ago, and splurged for seats on the main floor. Mom paid me back, though, as a birthday present - much more than she usually spends on birthdays, but hey, I was turning a milestone so she felt like treating me. I'm glad I had such a good seat - I was about six rows behind where KOJI FOX was sitting!! (he's the localization lead for FFXIV). I thought I recognized him but was too shy to go up before the concert and introduce myself. I also was close enough that I had a really good view of the soloists, which I appreciated.

After resting a bit once I arrived at the venue, I investigated the merchandise line. Uh. Yeah. Um, NO. It was on the second floor, snaked through a side room, out the room's door, up some stairs, and waaaaaaaaay down a hallway. And it wasn't really moving. There was NO WAY I was going to miss any of the concert, so I went back to my seat.

No one was sitting in my row yet. I brought out my Alisaie doll and looked around curiously, because Koji Fox would be attending and he'd be sitting on the main floor (I know from past concerts, the guests always sit on the main floor) and well, I admit I had some fantasies of sitting next to him, haha. But I knew I was too far back, probably. While waiting for the concert to start, I thought I spied him, but I just wasn't sure (he didn't have his signature hat on, which would have been a dead giveaway) so I didn't approach. When the concert started, though, Arnie called attention to him and Koji got out of his seat and ran up the aisle to wave at the crowd, so it confirmed my suspicions that it WAS him. So now I can say I've been not only in the same BUILDING as him but on the same floor, about 15 feet away, I think?

The concert itself was FANTASTIC. They played so many good songs! Here's the set list, with links to the original versions from the games on YouTube:



I really enjoyed the XIV songs. I was very pleased when they announced "Songs of Salt and Suffering"; it's a favorite of mine but one I didn't expect to hear, so was surprised. "Tomorrow and Tomorrow" is ALSO one of my cherished songs, and hearing Amanda sing it live was +chef's kiss+. As for "Flow", I heard what you did there, Amanda (she changed one lyric slightly, singing "My brave little sparks" instead of the singular as written).

I've heard this version of the Chocobo Medley before, and I do really appreciate it, partially because it includes "Choco-bye Baby" from FFXI which means we get to see gameplay of the baby chocobos from FFXI which are SO STINKING CUTE, everyone was awwwing.

I also enjoy the FFV portion of the song, with the choir going "HUH!" - it produces giggles from the audience. But I think the next time I go, I'd like to hear them do the medley that starts with the FFX chocobo theme, because the drum opening on that is just AWESOME.

The second half was just as good as the first. "You're Not Alone" is a favorite of mine so it's always good to hear, and I was excited when he announced "Dancing Mad" because that songs NEEDS to be played on a pipe organ to properly enjoy it. I've heard it done before in concert but it's always good to hear again.

RIKKI did a lovely job with with "Suteki da ne", and again, I was appreciative of sitting so close.

I'm not as familiar with the music from XVI as I am the rest of the franchise yet, so when they announced which songs they were doing, I wasn't sure which they were. But I recognized both "Away" and "Ascension" (this Dion fan really enjoyed that one). I've only heard "My Star" a few times and it didn't quite capture me then, but I enjoyed it in concert and was glad to see it's on the new CD, because I think mom will really like it. And of COURSE they would end with "Find the Flame", it's such an iconic song from XVI.

Arnie did not make us wait long for the encores, haha. He didn't even make it through the door off stage before heading back to the podium. I should've guessed they would do the Main Theme, they usually do roll credits during it but I somehow forgot?

And then of course it was blasted "One-Winged Angel" AGAIN I AM SO TIRED OF HEARING THIS ONE. I know they need to do it. It's such an iconic song from the franchise, and is a fan favorite and played a big part in Final Fantasy's musical history and yeah, not everyone goes to every concert. But if I had to hear a VII song, I would have preferred "J-E-N-O-V-A".

This post has been edited by AltheaValara on 27th January 2025 14:10

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