Rock Band (Game) Goes On Tour

If you dig Guitar Hero then you will love Rock Band…and you will love the next generation of Guitar Heros as well. Rock Band took Guitar Hero 1 step forward by adding a drum kit and microphone. The next generation of Guitar Hero is going to feature these as well. Rock Band has just released Rock Band for Nintendo Wii and will be going on tour with a few ‘fests’ and tour this summer. Read on:

Rock Band(TM) Heats Up the Summer

Critically Acclaimed Game Hits Towns Across America and Goes On-Tour with Some of the Biggest Names in Music

NEW YORK, June 27 /PRNewswire/ — Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , have turned up the heat on this summer’s concert season by putting Rock Band(TM) on the road. The best-selling video game is going mobile and bringing music to the masses — hitting State Fairs across the country and some of this year’s biggest tours and festivals, including Bonnaroo, the Vans Warped Tour and Crue Fest, to name a few.

So grab your family and friends and live out your own rock ‘n roll fantasies at the following locations:

Rock Band Truck Tour

Rock Band will begin appearing at State Fairs across the country from North Carolina to California, Minnesota to Arizona and everywhere in between. Sponsored by Energizer(R), Stride(R) Gum and Hot Topic, fans will be able to rock out on main stages that will feature the authentic concert experience complete with lighting and a monster sound system. For example, fans can sign up to participate in the Energizer(R) “Head-to-Head Drum Competition” that will be held on the Rock Band stage at each event. While going head-to-head in the drum competition, contestants will compete for an opportunity to win a “Rock Band” Drum Kit and other gifts courtesy of Energizer(R). At the same time, Stride(R) will be looking for those who can rock for a ridiculously long time by giving Rock Band stage bands the chance to rock the longest songs in the Rock Band catalog six times every day. Computer kiosks and a merchandise area will also feature Rock Band products, plus a sweepstakes offer.

Crue Fest

Beginning July 1, fans attending Crue Fest can become a real rock star for the night with a chance to become the opening act for Motley Crue, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M. and Trapt in each local market. Fans will compete on the Rock Band Second Stage Experience — a 53′ foot trailer that includes practice areas. There will also be classic rock memorabilia courtesy of the Hard Rock Cafe as part of the Rock Band Second Stage Experience at Crue Fest. The artists and guests on the tour will also be able to enjoy the game, thanks to a backstage Rock Band VIP lounge with game demo areas. Motley Crue, in a first for the music and video game industry, recently released their first single “Saints of Los Angeles” simultaneously on Rock Band in addition to the traditional outlets and sold over 5X the number of downloads on Rock Band than any other platform in its first week.

Jimmy Buffett

Fans attending the Jimmy Buffett tour will be able to play Rock Band on a custom golf cart — the Sharkart — that will make its way to parking lots at each stop, and feature a flat screen monitor and state-of the art sound system. For more information, visit www.margaritaville.com.

Take the Stage

Rock Band will be teaming up with PLAYSTATION(R)3 at some of this summer’s hottest music festivals and events to offer fans the opportunity to channel their inner rock star and Take the Stage to compete for prizes and bragging rights. See below for a list of events where you can Take the Stage.

Vans Warped Tour

For the long-running Vans Warped Tour, Rock Band will partner with Xbox and 20th Century Fox as part of a promotion geared around the film studio’s upcoming comedy, The Rocker, which features Rock Band in the movie. In between sets by bands such as Gym Class Heroes and Motion City Soundtrack, kids can visit a 40 x 40 branded tent with four gaming stations and a special Rocker-themed stage where they can compete for fun and prizes.

Rock Band can be found at the following events throughout the Summer:

Event Date Location Line-Up

*AST Dew Tour Now -October Select cities N/A

*Brooks & Dunn Now – 10/5 38 US Dates (select dates)
Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and ZZ Top

*Jimmy Buffett Now – 10/25 20 US Dates Jimmy Buffett

er
Vans Warped Tour Now – 8/17 US & Canada Against Me!, Danger Radio, and Gym Class
Heroes, Rise Against for
Aug. 6-17 only

San Diego County Fair 6/19 – 7/6 San Diego, N/A
CA

*Summerfest 6/26 – 7/6 Milwaukee, WS STP, Alicia Keys, Steve Miller Band, Tim McGraw, John Mayer

,
Crue Fest 7/2 – 9/30 US & Canada Motley Crue, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx A.M.,
Trapt

,
Rocklahoma 7/10 – 7/13 Tulsa, OK Triumph, Poison, Trixter, Lita Ford, Warrant, Enuff Z’nuff, Tesla

Orange County Fair 7/15 – 8/3 Costa Mesa, CA

Ohio State Fair 7/30 – 8/4 Columbus, OH N/A

*Lollapalooza 8/1 – 8/3 Chicago, IL Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Wilco, NIN,
Gnarls Barkley, Love & Rockets, Bloc Party

Western Montana Fair 8/5 – 8/10 Missoula, MT N/A

Iowa State Fair 8/7 – 8/17 West Allis, IA N/A

,
*All Points West 8/8 – 8/10 New York, NY Radiohead, Jack Johnson Cat Power, Chromeo,
Secret Machines

California Expo 8/15 – 8/31 Sacramento, CA N/A

Minnesota State Fair 8/21 – 9/1 St. Paul, MN N/A

Los Angeles County Fair 9/5 – 9/7 Pomona, CA N/A

Oklahoma State Fair 9/11 – 9/21 Oklahoma City, OK N/A

Eastern States Exhibition 9/12 – 9/28 Springfield, MA N/A

Texas State Fair 9/26 – 10/13 Dallas, TX N/A

Mississippi State Fair 10/3 – 10/12 Jackson, MS N/A

North Carolina State Fair 10/16 – 10/26 Raleigh, NC N/A

Arizona State Fair 10/17 – 10/26 Phoenix, AZ N/A

*Take the Stage with PlayStation(R) events

Rock Band(TM), praised by Rolling Stone for its “groundbreaking” game play, has already made its presence felt on this year’s concert circuit, having appeared at the Flyleaf — Seether Tour, Bamboozle, Rock on the Range and Sasquatch Festival. Through a variety of promotions and special offers, the game is amplifying the concert experience by offering ticket buyers a chance to interact with music like never before.

For more information, please visit www.rockband.com.

About Rock Band(TM)

Rock Band(TM) allows gamers to interact with music like never before, challenging players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune, all while learning to master lead guitar, bass, drums and vocals. The game’s peripherals, which include guitar-shaped controllers and drum pads (complete with kick pedal) are designed to make users feel as if they’re actually holding and playing real instruments. After test-driving the game, Rolling Stone praised Rock Band(TM) for being “groundbreaking,” writing, “…Rock Band(TM) is more like a flight simulator or a good driving game: It makes you feel like you’re actually in a band.” Rock Band(TM) allows online play and features that expand the boundaries of music gaming. Rock Band(TM) downloadable content is playable and integrated into setlists in all game modes including: Solo Tour, Band World Tour, head-to-head competition either locally or online, and from any Quickplay mode. In order to play downloadable content for head-to-head matches or multiplayer online, all players must own the same downloadable track. Downloadable content for the Xbox(r)360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft will be available for purchase via Xbox LIVE Marketplace using Microsoft Points and is downloaded directly to the Xbox 360 hard drive. Downloadable content for the PLAYSTATION(r)3 computer entertainment system’s version of Rock Band(TM) will be available for purchase on the PLAYSTATION(r)Store through the free PLAYSTATION Network and is downloaded directly to PLAYSTATION 3 system’s built in hard drive.

Rock Band(TM) is rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

About MTV Networks:

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services — MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

About MTV Games:

MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.

About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc:

Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: http://www.harmonixmusic.com/.

(C) 2007 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. Rock Band developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Energizer is a trademark of Energizer.

Source: MTV

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