Game Music Festival Brings Blizzard and Baldur's Gate 3 Composers to SXSW London 2026
The Game Music Festival has confirmed its participation in SXSW London 2026 with a panel bringing together some of the most recognized names in video game music.
The Panel
Titled "From Sanctuary to the Stage: How Game Soundtracks Immerse Audiences Onscreen and Onstage," the session will take place on June 5, 2026 at Shoreditch Town Hall Assembly Hall in East London. The discussion will explore how video game scores are making the leap from digital environments into live classical concert settings, and why they're increasingly being performed in traditional music venues.
The Composers
The lineup brings together AAA talent from across the industry:
- Derek Duke — Music Director at Blizzard Entertainment, with credits spanning Diablo and Overwatch
- Ted Reedy — Lead Composer for Diablo IV
- Borislav Slavov — Composer and Music Director for Baldur's Gate 3, one of the most acclaimed game soundtracks of the decade
- Nainita Desai — Composer for Tales of Kenzera: Zau, known for her emotionally textured scores
- Mat Ombler — Head of Music and Gaming Partnerships at Laced Records
Game Music Festival co-founder Mat Pawlak described the convergence as a milestone moment:
The Concert
The panel is part of a broader Game Music Festival presence during SXSW London week. The centerpiece is The Infernal Symphony, a concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Diablo franchise, set for June 6, 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre. The performance serves as the opening event for the festival's 2026 edition.
Why It Matters
The inclusion of a dedicated game music panel at SXSW London reflects a broader cultural shift: video game soundtracks are no longer niche. From the BBC Proms to the Royal Festival Hall, game music is commanding the same stages as classical and film scores. SXSW — with its history of surfacing creative intersections — is a natural home for this conversation.