STORY AND PHOTOS BY GIOVAN SANTIAGO
Even as a child, Kent Ward had a ton of respect for the music behind some of his favorite video games.
He would fire up his Nintendo Entertainment System, pop in a cartridge and just listen.
“I would just let Mega Man 2 play,” he said. “I would select a stage and let the music play; same with Sonic the Hedgehog.”
On Saturday, his appreciation for the genre found himself in Winter Park, leading hundreds of people singing and bopping along to live bands playing some video game classics.
For the third time, Ward’s organization Ongaku Overdrive hosted a concert with bands that specialize in the genre.
Miami-based Super Monster Party, which performs heavy metal versions, Central Florida’s Trash Burger, a veteran of Ongaku events, and the DJ Theology entertained the mostly costumed attendees.
Ro Panuganti of the Prog Experience said the variety of video games make it ripe for cover bands.
“Video games are such a big part of my life,” said Panuganti, whose band rounded out the lineup. “Video game music can be anything. It can be metal, electronic, pop, disco, punk, and everyone has that in common.”
The dance floor at Conduit showed the celebration of their favorite video game tunes.
Ongaku, which has been going on since 2013, represents Ward’s love for the genre, even down to video game-themed drinks served at the bar.
It showcase Halloween concerts, dubbed “Ongakuvania,” showcases the power of video game music, Ward said.
“We don’t want this to be any old normal concert,” he said.