---
title: "Game Music Festival Brings Blizzard and Baldur's Gate 3 Composers to SXSW London 2026"
date: 2026-05-07
source: The Otaku's Study
source_url: https://www.otakustudy.com/music/2026/05/game-music-festival-announces-composer-panel-for-sxsw-london-2026/
tags: [sxsw-london-2026, gaming, music, composers, game-music-festival]
summary: "The Game Music Festival has announced a composer panel for SXSW London 2026 featuring Blizzard's Derek Duke and Ted Reedy, Baldur's Gate 3 composer Borislav Slavov, and Nainita Desai — exploring how video game soundtracks are transitioning from screens to concert halls."
---

# 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:

> "We're incredibly excited to be curating a panel at SXSW London. It's a unique opportunity to bring together some of the most talented voices in game music and explore how this art form is evolving, both on screen and on stage. For us, it's about continuing to champion game music as a vital part of today's cultural landscape."

## 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.