Video Games and Music

Philharmonie de Paris

For the first time, an exhibition traces the fascinating history of the connections between music and video games, from the 8-bit era to symphony orchestras. Over the course of half a century, video game music has established itself as a global phenomenon. Woven into the life paths of several generations, it accompanies intimate narratives as well as collective adventures. Long confined to a few functional beeps, video game music – or VGM for "Video Game Music" – has grown alongside technology, becoming a rich, demanding and inventive creative field. It summons the symphony orchestra as much as the most experimental electronic music, explores every musical genre and embodies a singular form: music that is not merely listened to but is played, experimented with, and lived. The player becomes trigger, actor, musician. Inspired by the structure of video games, the exhibition unfolds like an open world, inviting each visitor to choose their own path through a dynamic landscape blending sound, music and gameplay. The space is organized around several themes, each offering modules and interactive stations. About twenty playable games are set out along a journey enriched with artworks, consoles, instruments, photographs and audiovisual content. Welcome to the exhibition of which you are the hero. Curators: Fanny Rebillard and Jean Zeid Scenography: La Sagna & Racine ; Credits: Exposition Video Games & Music © Joachim Bertrand Video Game EventsConcerts, shows and forum - from June 23 to 27, 2026 The pop culture of video games owes much to its scores, which have become legendary and come to life here during four major immersive gatherings. See the program PlaylistAbout a hundred tracks echoing the exhibition's journey and extending it, from the first 8-bit pieces to the latest pop videos inspired by video games. Listen on your favorite platform

Source: Paris Open Data ↗