Ongaku Overdrive Puts on a Show Like no Other! The Warriors of Light Concert

 

Ongaku Overdrive’s latest event Warriors of Light II was a performance unlike any other and a love letter to both RPGs and Rock music. From each performance to the crowd, it was most certainly a night to remember and had us excited for the next Ongaku event.

The night started with a line of folks waiting to access the venue space which overall was pretty cozy. As we filed into the building, the entry process was well-organized and timely starting exactly at 7 pm as stated on the ticket. As pretty standard for concerts, each guest was ID checked, wanded, and bag checked before entering. Upon entering the venue, the venue space had an open concept and a very cozy atmosphere be things kicked off. You could see straight to the backstage area where the performers were getting set up. Before the performances started the energy in the space was akin to that of a chill bar where everyone was chatting and mingling and grabbing their drinks. Overall, the initial vibe and overall presentation of the event were straightforward yet fulfilling and perfectly suited the venue.

As performances kicked off, you could get a snapshot of the show thanks to the setlist set up next to the stage and the host of the event introduced the first band and the raffle of the night. The crowd, mostly in nerd-themed attire, was enthusiastic and engaged. There were a few cosplayers present, adding to the fun atmosphere. Everyone really got into the performances which was so wonderful to be a part of. We quickly found ourselves jamming uncontrollably alongside everyone else in the crowd.

A few minor notes about the venue would be the bathrooms. They definitely were uniquely set up and didn’t allow for a ton of privacy or space to do your business, but that’s definitely a venue issue and doesn’t take away from the event itself. I think in the future finding a venue that has dedicated wheelchair accessibility for the bathrooms would be nice. Something that we do suggest would be to move the set list by the door and or by the bar so that it doesn’t distract from the visuals on stage as the venue space is open concept. Additionally, parking was pretty challenging in the concert's venue but there was parking next door that was able to accommodate guests. 

When it comes to accommodations like food and drinks, the venue nor the event had food options but there was a solid pizza spot next door to the venue. As for drinks, the venue provided both alcoholic and virgin options. The alcoholic drinks were very tasty and Final Fantasy-themed as well adding a boozy touch to the whole affair. There were also vendor tables as well offering merchandise from the bands on Ongaku Overdrive and a gaming setup with consoles as another touch of entertainment.  

As for the main event, the bands themselves were thrilling to watch. The showcase included music and renditions from a range of games and nerd franchises, including Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, and  Dark Souls which was quite a bit more than what we were initially expecting before attending and it certainly was a welcome surprise. Each band had its sound and fun stage presence that made each performance on its own memorable and as a full concert a one-of-a-kind experience. Highlights of the night include The Limit Breakers who kicked off the whole affair with a sonically enticing set and towards the end of the night, Knights of the Round who really brought down the house. The performances were top tier and the bands really showed up and showed out! Of course, the night couldn’t go on forever, as much as we wanted it to, and as the final band wrapped up the evening with gratitude, the host shared details about upcoming Ongaku Overdrive events.

In conclusion, Ongaku Overdrive’s Warriors of Light II was an enjoyable and well-executed event with standout performances and a vibrant crowd. From all of the bands to the crowd, the vendors, and everything in between we had a blast, and with a few tweaks we foresee Ongaku Overdrive doing things within the live music space that you’ve never seen before. We were truly delighted to attend such a spectacular event and in the future, we expect to see bigger and better things from them.

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