MAGFest 2024: Bit Brigade

Bit Brigade performs rock covers of full NES game soundtracks as their gamer speedruns the game live on stage.
Mixdown by Joel Hatstat.
Thumbnail by Jonathan Frye.
MAGFest is run by MAGFest, Inc., a volunteer-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the appreciation of video games, video game culture, and video game music. We achieve this through numerous events, such as Super MAGFest, MAGWest, MAGStock, and Bit Gen Gamer Fest. We also support other not-for-profit organizations, such as Child’s Play. Learn more at magfest.org.

[@Zeiru]

Bit Brigade is the best Video Game band to watch live, bar none. Their conductor is unrivaled.

[@BigDamnGyro]

I can tell you as someone who plays in a video music band and having opened for them you are indeed correct. And they're super nice.

[@vankook]

Saw em last night. They were really good.

[@Zeiru]

@@vankook That rules! What games did they play?

[@thestaplesbros]

Two lead guitarists, a lead bassist, and a lead drummer, with a lead gamer. Absolutely incredible. Much love from Toronto 😎

[@YzkNeko]

I love how clean and high quality the audio is in this recording!

[@Cybothron]

That drummer is a fucking machine.

[@nickprioletti7221]

Check out his band with one of the guitarist called Cinemechanica.

[@astrogallotron]

This never gets old. Love the Brigade!

[@ZSaber]

This ESP Crying Star Blue Sparkle! OMG! PERFECTION!

[@zibba1331]

Always glad to watch em

[@jammerchan6195]

Excellent game selection!

[@mikemayberry7121]

Wow. What a performance! Bit Brigade is honestly one of my favorite bands of all time. I just saw them do F-Zero and Mario on their recent tour and holy cats, what an amazing and fun show! They are the best Nintendo -core band I've ever seen or heard, and I love Nintendo -core. They're also the nicest people you'll ever meet.

[@mikemayberry7121]

Oh, and the bass part in the boss theme in DuckTales goes SO FRIGGIN HARD!

[@thestaplesbros]

Noticed the mix/production is the best yet!! Drums sound very clear and properly compressed, guitars balanced and wide, bass sitting perfect yet present, the game sounds are a really nice touch, I’d like the audience louder, but that’s personal preference. Mastered loud yet dynamics are preserved well. Oh yeah, and you destroyed the tunes as usual, fantastic arrangements and performances! Great energy too! Kudos gentlemen, keep up the outstanding work!!!!!

[@Preppy_Frog]

"Suck it, Dracula!" ... "No, wait, no, no, nooooo!"

[@julianomengue]

This guys still rockin! 😃😃😃😃😃

[@vorbhosdn]

it's too bad that they cropped out all of the footage of the blow up doll flying around hahaha

[@AugustDwight]

What?! I totally missed that! I blame Bit Brigade for being too entertaining.

[@herbwilde]

BICEPS BACK at Magfest! Holy shit Double Dragon on fire!

[@Soily9]

This was awesome, thank you.

[@briansimakis5765]

Dang Joel killer mix

[@DanielAlbino_Dan_Braveheart]

I don't have words for tou, guys!! Amazing!! Excelent!!

[@zxcvmjg]

Bit brigade rules

[@ngjonathan3892]

Great live performance! 😎👍👍👍 How i wish Bit Brigade plays "Wai Wai World" in future live performance. This is an under rated Nintendo RPG game which is a collection of game heroes from various Konami games. Each character has their own music from their own game, except Mr and Ms Konami which are original characters created for this game. I'm pretty sure this dream live performance will be a great rendition of the game's great music pieces. 😋 Simon is one of the heroes in the game.😊

[@jaethomasmusic]

they sound tight af

[@mark6302]

fantastic

[@dfailsthemost]

The variety is awesome. Wish the boss fights lasted longer, though haha

[@rafaelmolina6385]

Brutal

[@boblangford5514]

Why do they play a different song from the actual game music during Mission 3 of Double Dragon?

[@chefjonathannagy3866]

Best band that ever lived!

[@dickielee6419]

Double Dragon!!!!

[@davidkoblentz]

I'm a guitar player but these bass lines are so ridiculous !

[@ddespair]

When they were doing this ten years ago they always looked hyped and like they were having fun. It looks like it’s more of a job to them now. They headband every now and then but most of them are just going through motions. They perked up a bit when the famous moon stage came up though.

[@Islam4Europeans]

Their tours are much more brutal and constant now. You can’t blame them for looking exhausted.

[@HabAnagarek]

Plus physically they takes its toll

[@doorbellco]

How do the stage monitors not blow the runners ears out heh

[@skakirask]

46:21

[@ironhide1975]

What happened to Jace?

[@Duneadaim]

Mental health break. He had an insta post about it

[@RoundtreeattheGrosvernor]

@@Duneadaim can you share his @, please?

[@WesleyDysart]

Level three of Castlevania is the best.

[@dylanherron3963]

AM I ACTUALLY THE 69TH LIKE WHAT AN HONOR

[@ironhide1975]

Guys have put on a little weight since 2019

[@prestons7777]

2020 did that to a lot of us ...and they're in their 40s now

[@ironhide1975]

@@prestons7777 ooooh they're 40's!!! that's so old..... :P

[@johnentante7346]

I love your music! Congrats. I just I don’t see the point of your random political comments. Do you really believe that USA has a tradition of abuse on woman more than the rest of the nations in the world? What are you talking about? Do you know anything about the world? Why not let us just enjoy your music without spewing offensive nonsense.

[@boblangford5514]

Yes, it’s much more offensive to point out the fact that violence exists and is a problem than the actual violence. Looks like you have your priorities straight. I never thought I’d see the day when people get mad about wanting to end serious violence.

[@JediCrackSmoke]

I was considering seeing these guys until the communist bass player opened his mouth between sets and said the most woke cringey shit I’ve ever heard.

[@JiuJitsuRadio]

Same. These guys probably support Sweet Baby too

[@thisdudemanbro]

“musician man says violence against women is bad and that makes me so angry”

[@JediCrackSmoke]

@@thisdudemanbro Communist who sleeps with a helmet on exposes his stupidity in latest YT comment section replay...

[@JiuJitsuRadio]

@@thisdudemanbro Imagine needing someone to preach to you at a concert that something that is illegal is wrong. Here to listen to music not to 5imp preaching

[@braveinsanity6843]

Minibosses are better tbh.

[@scuzz.y8755]

The Advantage is better than them both :P

[@ResidentBeagle]

Actually Rex Viper is the ultimate gamer band..

[@Captain_Neckbeard]

What happened to Jace?