Twenty-five minutes isn't long. Masayoshi Soken and crew nailed it, though. The Primals' set at Download Festival was a wild ride - blistering guitars, pounding drums, and a crowd that was totally on board with the FF14 composer's unique brand of videogame-infused rock, which is no easy feat, especially considering they're a band born from a game, not a traditional music scene, and still managed to hold their own on the main stage of the UK's largest rock and metal festival.
Quick Facts — Final Fantasy 14
| Developer | Square Enix |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | PS5, PC |
| Genre | MMO, RPG |
It's a big deal. The Primals rocked Download Festival. You'll see why: they bring a unique sound. For fans of Final Fantasy 14, this show was the real feel they've been waiting for, with The Primals' music offering honesty in its high-energy performance, a key moment for crossover between videogame music and rock, which is worth mentioning, especially in Final Fantasy 14's The Primals, who, with their performance, showed they can stand alongside traditional rock bands, it's the kind of thing that sticks with you.
"I was like, am I gonna pass out on stage? But if I pass out on stage, that'd be pretty fucking cool. I was like, I wanted some oxygen!"
Michael-Christopher Koji Fox, Localisation Lead
"Shouting. I just shouted the whole time."
Masayoshi Soken, Composer
FF14's Primals Take Over Download Festival
Final Fantasy 14 is cool. It's developed by Square Enix. The Primals rock. They make music for gamers and rock fans. You'll find their sound is key. It's honest, with the real feel of a rock band, and that's worth mentioning. We've seen them perform at Download Festival, which is a great crossover for the band.
"10, 15 years ago, when we were starting out with this kind of thing, there was game music and there was rock music. And there was a divide in between the two. But in the past few years, I really feel like they've come a lot closer together, and in fact, sort of within that same bubble now."
GUNN, Band Member
You'll see the real feel in their set. It's for fans. The Primals got it right with Final Fantasy 14's rock band at Download Festival. They've picked high-energy tracks like "Not Afraid" and "Under the Weight". The band played these with newer ones, for example "Absolute Tyranny" from the Arcadion raid series, to get new listeners excited. It's key to their performance. We've seen this crossover work well with Final Fantasy 14 fans, who love the honesty of their music.
The Final Fantasy 14 Band That Stole the Show
It's tough. The Primals had to go on stage with barely 10 minutes to spare. They've got no time to think. You'll see them play with 100% energy, it's the real feel. The band was exhausted after this short set, we've seen them play longer shows with more variety, for example, at Download Festival with Final Fantasy 14's rock band, and it's worth mentioning that this key performance was a highlight of the event.
"You look back at the music in games 20 years ago and go 'Oh, that's game music,' but it's only because that's how it was sold. You go back and listen to some of those soundtracks from Mega Man. They hit hard."
Koji Fox, Localisation Lead
The FF14 Festival Fiasco
The Primals are on fire. You'll see them everywhere soon. They're working on a new album, which is pretty cool. It's got rearrangements of music from the Arcadion raid series, and that's worth mentioning. The band is planning a world tour, it's a key move, with the goal of connecting with fans globally, especially in places like Australia, where they've not been before, and we've heard they're really excited about it.
The Primals are a thing. They're not just a band - they're for real. You'll see that in their show. It's key to what they do, this crossover of Final Fantasy 14 and rock music. We've got a story here, with The Primals, it's worth mentioning, they're making videogame music that you'll actually want to listen to, even if you're not into Final Fantasy 14, and that's harder to pull off than it sounds, with their music transcending its origins, it's the real feel, they've got honesty in their sound, for fans of rock music, in general, with The Primals at Download Festival.
Final Fantasy 14's Live Band Gamble
You'll see Final Fantasy 14 in a new light. It's the real feel. The Primals' music is worth mentioning. In this case, they've hit key notes with rock fans. We've got a unique sound here, with Final Fantasy 14 being part of it, and that's pretty cool. The fact it rocked Download Festival is no small thing. It's honesty from the developers that made this crossover possible, and we've got something special as a result.
Final Fantasy 14's Concert Steals Download Fest
Key Takeaways
- The Primals, Final Fantasy 14's in-house rock band, performed at the UK's Download Festival, marking a significant crossover into the rock music scene.
- Their 5-song setlist was carefully chosen to appeal to both Final Fantasy fans and new listeners, featuring tracks like "Absolute Tyranny" and "Under the Weight".
- A new album, with rearrangements of Arcadion raid series music, and a world tour are planned, signaling the band's global ambitions.
- The band's success highlights the diminishing divide between videogame and rock music, paving the way for future crossovers.
The Bad Gamer Take
Square Enix will continue to push the boundaries of videogame music because their unique sound, as seen with The Primals, has resonated with fans and traditional rock enthusiasts alike. The Primals' performance at Download Festival is a prime example of this crossover success, and it's a trend that will likely continue. Watch for The Primals' future performances and albums, which will likely blend the worlds of gaming and rock music even further.
The Primals rock. They've got the real feel. You'll see it in their album, tour, and that Download Festival show - it's key to their vibe. For fans of Final Fantasy 14, this crossover is worth mentioning, with the band bringing honesty to their music, blending rock with gaming in a way that's hard to ignore, it's the way they've been making music that counts.
