In the continued celebration of the 15th anniversary of the NieR franchise, which began its life as a spinoff title based on the Drakengard series of games, Square Enix and Overlook Events have brought their NieR:Piano Concert ‐ Journeys 12026 tour into the new year.
The NieR:Piano Concert ‐ Journeys 12026, with its charming yet convoluted title, pays homage to the series’ iconic blending of its depictions of a futuristic dystopia, with its non-conventional title using the same naming convention found in 2021’s NieR: Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139 remake.
Unlike previous efforts from Square Enix, such as the End of Data Orchestra, Journeys 12026 promises to be a more intimate affair, featuring work from the talented German pianist, Benyamin Nuss, who has worked previously with Square Enix on projects such as Distant Worlds, while bringing to life music from both the Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts properties, respectively.
NieR:Piano Concert ‐ Journeys 12026 goes beyond simply playing arrangements found throughout the various NieR games and multimedia projects — instead, the event promises to showcase the nuanced approach Square Enix employed by going back and enlisting the help of the original NieR team, in order to successfully capture the darker tones of the beloved franchise, something cruical to the series as its exceptional score is a standout element of the franchise, setting it apart from other big JRPGs.
Of course, the set includes arrangements from both NieR Automata and 2021’s remake title, but also introduces pieces from NieRReincarnation. Joining Benyamin Nuss, other veteran talents include the likes of Hiroyuki Nakayama, who worked on the Final Fantasy Opera series, and Mariam Abounnasr, who has worked on the Xenoblade Chronicles X property.
The piano-focused show will feature arrangements from the following games:
- NieR Replicant / Gestalt (Both the 2010 release and the 2021 ver.1.22… remake)
- NieR: Automata
- NieR Re[in]carnation
To celebrate the NieR franchise turning 15, the team originally recorded the set pieces for the Journeys 12026 tour in Tokyo, enlisting the help of industry veterans to deliver a unique experience that captures the heart of NieR. The series is no stranger to live events, spinoffs, and massive collaborations, including the final showing of the End of Data orchestra set to take place in New York City on January 11, 2026. With NieR Automata turning 9 this year, Square Enix has also hinted at a little surprise, which fans can look forward to in the future.
If you’re a fan of the NieR series and have listened to Keiichi Okabe’s work, theNieR:Piano Concert ‐ Journeys 12026 tour is a unique opportunity that fans shouldn’t miss, giving audiences the chance to listen to the instrumental depth of the franchise, something that sometimes goes overlooked in a series with such strong musical ties associated with its use of language and storytelling.
The NieR:Piano Concert ‐ Journeys 12026 is currently making its way throughout Canada, with shows planned in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Edmonton. Those interested in learning more and checking out the set list, are encouraged to visit the official NieR:Piano Concert website.
