Mick Gordon, the acclaimed composer behind the visceral soundtracks of Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, is set to perform the series' music live on stage for the first time. Gordon will headline the Radar Festival in the UK next summer, presenting a full-length set featuring a live orchestra and backing band. This event marks a significant moment for fans of the Doom franchise, offering an unprecedented live rendition of its famously heavy and industrial scores.
While Gordon has previously performed medleys, such as at The Game Awards in 2016, this Radar Festival performance will be his inaugural full-scale concert dedicated to the Doom soundtrack. His compositions, characterized by crushing guitar riffs, industrial synthesizers, and intense electronic production, have become synonymous with the Doom games. Tracks like "Rip & Tear," "BFG Division," and "The Only Thing They Fear Is You" have garnered millions of streams and remain fan favorites, defining a new standard for video game music.
Radar Festival, scheduled from July 30 to August 1, 2027, was chosen by Gordon for its unique audience blend of metal enthusiasts and gamers. The festival features three days of live alternative music alongside a gaming hub where developers and players can preview new games, engage in tabletop sessions, and connect. Gordon expressed his hope that this collaboration will highlight the potential for greater integration between festivals and video game music, stating, "I hope this thing shows the potential of this type of stuff to publishers and developers. The game isn't just that gap between the player and the television."
Discussions and attempts to bring the Doom soundtrack to a live setting have been ongoing for years. Gordon noted that Radar Festival organizer Joe James presented a compelling opportunity. "For a long time, I've wanted to take what I love about video game music and put it into a live setting that matches the energy you would get from a live rock or metal show," Gordon remarked, calling Radar "the absolute perfect [festival] to do it."
Plans for the performance include the return of Gordon's custom-built instrument, the Doom Machine, which was instrumental in composing the soundtracks. Festival organizer Joe James indicated that the production will be extensive, with "fire, screens, projection mapping" among the possibilities to create an epic experience. The prospect of such a large-scale live performance seemed uncertain following the release of Doom Eternal in March 2020, coinciding with the onset of global lockdowns. However, Gordon maintained that "music just survives."
Gordon is currently involved in composing the soundtrack for the upcoming game, Defect. Attendees can sign up for Radar Festival's mailing list to receive a 25% discount on tickets.