Opera Singer Reacts ZZZ 1.2 Live Stream \"Tour of Inferno\" Concert At Creamfields

Music transcends genres, uniting us in powerful ways we never expected.

How's everybody doing? I hope everybody's doing really well. I'm super excited about this stream! So, uh, my camera is not even on—my bad. Hey everybody, hope you're doing great! Welcome into this live stream, streaming over on X, YouTube, and Twitch.

Hoyo Verse reached out to me earlier in the week last week and mentioned the fact that there was going to be a live stream featuring a live performance and a live concert of some ZZ music. Of course, I was intrigued, and I said yes. This is one of two videos that will feature ZZ's music and discuss some of the concert performances that we saw over at Creamfields, which was actually pretty amazing.

You know, this music and this full DJ live set that was part of the 1.2 Tour Inferno Special Program at Creamfields is actually the largest UK-based electronic music festival, which is wild and very special for Hoyo Verse, Mi Hoyo, and certainly for ZZ. You really don't expect a video game to be featured, especially for a full 60-minute or 50-minute set. So, I was really excited to check this out and listen to some of these tracks with you. I filmed a video earlier today featuring some of the full set.

But yeah, let's dive in and stop and start as we go, shall we? I'm really excited; I actually have not seen this yet, so I'm eager to check it out. It's a pretty big deal! How is everyone doing?

[Music]
My name is Y from Sanz Studio of Zenis Zone Zero.
Cool, rather than me introducing myself, let's all get started and enjoy the music!

Yeah, that's so cool! So, proxies, are you ready to enter the hollow?
What's up?
What a cool opener! Show me something handy.
[Music]
Let's go!

[Music]
Wow, wait, who—who is that? That is so cool! I mean, this track is so hard! What I really love about the music from ZZ is the fact that a lot of it really feels... and I think it's like electronic music in general has this real guttural sensation to it, and a real feeling of power, especially with the fast beats.

I mean, this is a soundscape that is sort of new to me. You know, I obviously spent 10 years doing opera and classical music, which has some metal moments certainly, but this is like a whole other realm. It's such an interesting modern approach to songwriting and creation, and it makes me wonder how people in the 1900s would perceive this style of music and this style of composition.

It's especially intriguing because I don't really know the details of DJing and how involved it is to be a DJ. Clearly, looking at this guy, there's a lot that goes into making sure that everything works and that the sound moves. It's amazing how music is so non-specific; there's just no real genre to it. I mean, there's music, and music is the umbrella, you know what I mean? It's really interesting and really cool.

You know, I think too, the amazing thing about this concert to me, and the fact that they got an entire set for this particular event, is that ZZ's music being at Creamfields is like a badge of legitimacy. I'll talk more about that.

=> 00:10:31

Music is an ever-evolving journey that transcends genres, pushing boundaries and uniting people through rhythm and movement.

The involvement in being a DJ is quite significant. As I observe the performance, it's clear that a lot goes into making sure that everything works seamlessly and that the sound moves effectively. It's amazing how music is so non-specific; there’s just no real genre. Music serves as an umbrella that encompasses various styles, which I find really interesting and cool.

Additionally, the fact that zzz's music is featured at Creamfields is a notable badge of legitimacy. I plan to discuss this further in my upcoming video, which will be released either tomorrow or Monday. The quality of the music is impressive, especially when considering video game music standards. For it to be showcased in a venue and performance series like this, where 70,000 people attend every single day for four days, is remarkable. It’s worth noting that during its first iteration, there were only 24,000 attendees. This evolution in attendance highlights how much music has transformed over time.

While some of us specialize in classical music or other common genres in the Western world, it’s fascinating to see how, in 2024, we continue to push the boundaries of where music can go. The zzz soundtrack features a variety of instruments, including saxophones and other jazz instruments, as well as Japanese and Chinese instruments. For instance, I believe Nekoma's theme incorporates either Japanese or Chinese instruments—most likely Japanese. This leads me to ponder the future of music: where do we go from here?

In the realm of video games, we are at a turning point where modern iterations of classical music roots are evident in both recent and upcoming games. The question remains: where do we go from here? I find the electronic essence of music to be an intriguing direction for its evolution.

Shifting gears, I want to touch on the construction zone vibe that resonates with me. There’s a powerful energy that comes from the repetitive rhythm in this genre. This energy is not only satisfying but also propels us forward, creating music that is essentially designed for movement.

As I reflect on the audience's engagement, I wonder how aware they are of what zzz even represents. How many of them realize that zzz is a game developed by Mihoyo, the same company behind Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact Third, and Honkai: Star Rail? This connection adds another layer to the experience, bridging the gap between music and gaming culture.

=> 00:18:20

The magic of live performances lies in their ability to bridge the gap between gaming and music, creating an experience that welcomes everyone, whether you're a fan or just love electronic beats.

[Music]
[Music]

Oh, I love that beat! Batter up, the master! The dependability of the acting brings all your whole got on the so be my guest; I will let you. Get your hands up! One, two, one, two, everybody, let's go! One more time, one more time, okay?

You know, a thought I have while watching these people in the audience is, like, how much are they aware of what ZZ even is? How much are they aware that ZZ is a game made by Mihoyo, and that Mihoyo is behind Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact Third, and Honkai Star Rail? I wonder how clued in they are to the fact that this is a video game experience that is legitimately being essentially ported to a live performance. This event features some of the best ensembles and performers of this type of music, you know what I mean?

It's cool because the barrier to entry is just so incredibly low. I feel like this music is actually more approachable in a lot of ways than, say, the Genshin Impact concert tour. The Genshin Impact concert tour is really designed for people who love Genshin Impact, right? But ZZ's music is designed for everybody who likes electronic music. It's pretty freaking neat!

Even though they're giving us remixed versions of tracks that, if you've played the game or seen the character trailers, you already know that the characters exist and you already know these themes, they make it more interesting for returning customers and viewers. They are presenting music that is featured in-game or in trailers, and then it's remixed and approachable for everybody—people who know the stuff and people who don't. It's pretty neat!

Let's go! I'm Al! Oh man, the testo track time is running, but you can never break me down! Yeah, TSO is such a big deal in this electronic world; it's so freaking cool!

Also, my gosh, like the visuals! I mean, I know this is standard for a lot of electronic music concerts. If you go to, like, EDC or something in the U.S.—I can't remember if EDC is in Vegas or California—but the visual design for some of the electronic concerts I've seen is incredible. They literally create a freaking dragon out of lights and stuff; it's just madness! It’s so freaking cool!

[Music]
Nice! This is still one of my favorite tracks. Also, welcome in if you're just joining! Good to see all of you! Man, this track is so smooth. It's interesting because this actually has a bit of a genre bend—slightly. I love how rhythmic everything is too.

[Music]
I don't know; the crowd seems pretty enthusiastic to me. They’re bopping along, people are screaming stuff, and they look into it. You can't really bop to this track though, but a lot of it varies.

[Music]
Nice! All I heard about this is the ballerinas. I have to actually play this; it's so cool! Of course! Damn, oh my gosh!

[Applause]
Cascading, cascading—almost like falling, you know, the way the piano's descending like...

=> 00:26:07

The fusion of classical and electronic music creates a powerful emotional experience that breaks barriers and introduces new audiences to the beauty of both worlds.

The crowd at the concert seemed pretty enthusiastic. They were bopping along, and people were screaming, fully engaged in the experience. However, you can't really bop to this track, though. The music varied, and it was nice. All I heard about this performance was that it featured ballerinas.

I have to actually play this; it was so cool. The music was cascading, almost like falling, with the piano descending beautifully. This concert took place at Creamfields, which is the largest electronic music festival in the UK. The atmosphere was evocative of emotion, even though you don't necessarily get melody in electronic music. The audience was clearly having a great time.

As the performance continued, the artist encouraged the crowd, saying, "This is the last of the show, so show me all your energy!" The track had a crunchy organ sound that was incredibly engaging. You could really feel the energy, almost like a divine presence. It’s really cool to me that they were able to get a collaboration like this. Based on what I read about Creamfields, this is no small feat.

Whether or not the performance was well-received, I think it's a neat opportunity for many people to be introduced to this music. They could have chosen a venue with a hometown advantage, but the fact that they were part of a festival is very cool. It broadens their audience and allows them to reach people who may not have been familiar with their work.

I haven't played a single game from miHoYo in August, except for Guild Wars 2, but now I'm feeling like I should go back. There are certain tracks I want to hear in context. My fiancé is really into this type of music, and while I was never against it, hearing a mixture of classical instrumentation with EDM makes me feel ecstatic. It’s a merging of something very old and something very new, crossing barriers that classical musicians might not typically embrace.

As someone who loves classical music and a variety of other genres, I find this fusion to be dope. Personally, I think they should have ended with something a bit stronger. I understand there was probably a reason for choosing Nineveh at the end, but the beginning was really peak. The track Construction Zone Day is such a dope track, and the way they started with S11 was a sick opening.

When I think about Roger That, there's a mechanical sound that is super dope. The driving beat resonates deeply, and I think that’s the cool thing about this performance.

=> 00:32:23

Electronic music hits deep, connecting rhythm and melody in a way that makes you feel alive and ready to move.

I know that there was probably some sort of reason to go for Nineveh there at the end, but I think that the beginning started off really Peak. This is also because construction zone day is such a dope ass track. This track is insane! The way they started with S11 is a sick opening.

As for Roger, what stands out for me is that there's a bit of a mechanical sound, which is super dope. The drive in that is like, I don't know, it really hits in the gut. I think this is the cool thing about electronic music in general: it can be really guttural. It can get under your skin and make you feel like you want to move. That's why these events and concerts are so appealing. I actually haven't ever gone to an EDM or electronic event, but I really, really want to. I think I would be extremely overloaded emotionally, but this is such a sick track.

Plus, it's interesting because it's not really melodically driven. I would say most electronic music is insanely driven by rhythm, but what's really cool here is that the rhythm and the melody sort of balance out. So, like, that's all melody, but it's interesting because the melody and the rhythm are so interconnected. We have melody and rhythm in every piece of music that we listen to or play, right? They are the essential components of music, along with tempo. Then you get into tone and other elements, but with this particular track, the forward momentum serves as the musical impetus, doubled with the little descending note patterns. It's cool.

As far as ZZZ's story goes, I think it's actually really interesting. I slowed down on it because of just some of the grind at the level I'm at—level 36. I had slowed down a bit while trying to get my characters up, and then I got distracted by other games, as tends to happen with this channel. However, ZZZ's story is pretty cool because it drives the experience forward, but it's not so in-your-face. It certainly doesn't feel overly serious. At least where I capped off, during the intermission between act two and act three, it feels like one of those desserts where it's a ball of chocolate, and then they pour hot water on it, and it opens up. That's kind of how I feel about ZZZ's story.

I don't feel like it takes itself overly seriously. The pacing is really good, and it has certainly been the miHoYo story that I've been most engaged with and felt most attached to. I've played through Genshin up to act five, and while that story is decent, it's not my favorite. What really locked me in with ZZZ was that it felt slightly more mature. Part of that is because it's less fantastical and more technological, if that makes sense. It feels really rooted, and I don't feel like I'm watching a fantasy experience; it feels more real, which is great. The characters have a lot of genuine personality, and the flow of dialogue is really the thing. There's not a lot of, as the kids would say, "yapping." It feels like we're moving forward at a pretty nice clip, and the characters are really interesting.

Then there's the line, "I'm the diamond, I'm the ring, I'm the treasure." It's a little tricky, but I know your secret. I draw your dream; I steal your heart. I also think it's kind of funny that here it's really on the nose what this character is all about. Nicole is kind of a sultry, funny, spunky character; she has a huge personality. I like that the lyrics guide it, and also...

=> 00:37:26

Great characters and engaging dialogue can elevate any experience, especially when music and visuals come together to create something fresh and exciting.

The characters in this performance are great and possess a lot of genuine personality. The flow of dialogue is really impressive; there isn't a lot of, as the kids would say, yapping. It feels like we're moving forward at a pretty nice clip, and the characters are really interesting.

One character, in particular, stands out: "I'm the diamond, I'm the ring, I'm the treasure." This character's essence is captured perfectly in the lyrics, which are quite on the nose. Nicole is described as sultry, funny, and spunky, embodying a huge personality. I appreciate how the lyrics guide the character's portrayal.

Additionally, it's exciting to note that this performance is a remix. If this isn't miHoYo's home base and this isn't what they typically expect, it’s fascinating to see them reach out to people in an organic way. It was an honor for them to be here, but it wasn't a designated concert specifically for miHoYo. Instead, they chose to remix this track rather than simply doing what they usually do in story or character trailers. This approach creates something slightly different, allowing fans of miHoYo who are familiar with ZZZ to experience something new and unexpected.

The ability to modify music, especially with a talented DJ, adds a unique element to the performance. There is a lot that goes into creating and presenting this music, and I genuinely enjoy the music of ZZZ. The way electronic music is utilized here is remarkable, and visually, this event is quite the spectacle.

The effort put into creating a visual event is significant, especially in the context of EDM concerts. The synchronization of musical beats with lights and visual cues makes the experience interactive.

Interestingly, "Never Enemies" is the only track in this set that stands out with its strong melody. The lyrics "Don't go in the hollow, don't you lose control" convey a powerful message. The musical phrasing is intriguing; it descends melodically, indicating the warning inherent in the lyrics. It takes about two minutes to resolve this musical phrase, which is unique within this particular set. The ominous vibe of "Don't go in the hollow" and the way the notes are structured contribute to the overall atmosphere of the piece.

As the performance continues, it seems the audience is having a great time. One of the interesting aspects of the miHoYo universe is that there are various games within its lexicon. If someone doesn't enjoy one game, they might find enjoyment in another. This variety in offerings is fascinating, as it allows for a broader audience to engage with different experiences.

=> 00:42:20

Explore new sounds and let music expand your horizons; there's a whole world of rhythm waiting to be discovered.

In this discussion, the speaker expresses their enjoyment of a particular track, noting that "you'll lose control" due to the way the notes are set. They appreciate the overall experience, stating, "I really enjoy this track." The speaker observes that the performers seem to be having a "pretty decent time" based on what they see.

One of the interesting aspects highlighted is the current positioning of Hoyo in the gaming landscape. The speaker mentions that there is a game in the Hoyo verse lexicon that someone will enjoy, even if they do not necessarily enjoy the current game. They elaborate, "if they don't enjoy this game, maybe they'll like this game," emphasizing the variety available. The speaker likens this variety to "so many different arms to this octopus," which allows players to find something they like. They appreciate the options now available, stating, "there's options now," and recognize that while it may stretch people a little thin, it ultimately provides "a choice," which is very cool.

As the music plays, the speaker expresses their love for the "electronic sounds" and notes the natural crescendo in the track. They mention their excitement about watching a full concert set, indicating that they find the quality of the music from MiHoYo to be consistently high. They share their enthusiasm for a track from Honkai: Star Rail's latest patch, expressing a desire to play it because "Symphony Number Eight" is so cool.

The speaker reflects on their personal journey with music, particularly how ZZZ's music has opened up new interests for them. They mention listening to a variety of electronic music over the past two years and how the "heaviness and earthiness" of these tracks have broadened their musical horizons. They recount a road trip where they listened to "6 hours of Tiësto," crediting ZZZ for expanding their musical tastes beyond their usual classical music preferences.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of discovering new sounds and options, stating, "hearing new and interesting things is always a good idea." They appreciate the talented musicians at HoyoVerse and MiHoYo who create melodic, rhythmic, and forward-driving soundscapes, declaring, "it's really genuinely cool."

In closing, the speaker expresses their desire to share this experience with others, suggesting a time to listen to a 60-minute concert together. They encourage listeners to check out a dedicated video about their opportunity at Creamfields and some tracks from the concert. They thank everyone for their support, wishing them well, and mention their intention to return to playing more ZZZ, despite taking a break. The speaker concludes with a friendly farewell, "be well everybody and I'll talk to you soon."