The Splatoon franchise is a third-person shooter video game series developed by Nintendo. The series' music is portrayed diegetically, with fictional musical acts performing the songs as heard in-game in a constructed language. The most notable of these acts are three groups named the Squid Sisters, Off the Hook, and Deep Cut, each debuting in Splatoon, Splatoon 2, and Splatoon 3 respectively. These groups consist of idol characters that, alongside songwriting, also regularly inform players of available game modes and playable maps by means of an in-universe news broadcast. Their members are Callie and Marie for the Squid Sisters; Pearl and Marina for Off the Hook; and Shiver, Frye, and Big Man for Deep Cut. These characters have attracted dedicated media attention and been positively received by critics and players alike. Splatoon's soundtrack itself has been critically acclaimed for its distinctiveness and experimental nature.
Starting in 2016, Nintendo has hosted several concerts showcasing virtual performances by the three musical groups. These concerts generally feature 3D holographic projections of the idol characters accompanied by live music, with real-world musicians performing the games’ soundtracks.
Concerts
Splatoon (2016) DateEventTitleCountryVenuePerformer(s)NotesJanuary 30, 2016Niconico Tokaigi 2016ShiokaliveJapanMakuhari MesseSquid Sisters April 29, 2016Niconico Chokaigi 2016ShiokaliveJapanMakuhari MesseSquid SistersJuly 8, 2016Japan Expo 2016Squid Sisters ConcertFranceParc des Expositions de VillepinteSquid Sisters First international performance in Paris, France, with translated footage shared online.November 3, 2016Niconico Choparty 2016ShiokaliveJapanSaitama Super ArenaSquid Sisters Splatoon 2 (2018–2019) DateEventTitleCountryVenuePerformer(s)NotesFebruary 10, 2018Niconico Tokaigi 2018HaikaliveJapanMakuhari MesseOff the HookSquid SistersMarch 31, 2018Polymanga 2018Off the Hook ConcertSwitzerlandMontreux Music & Convention CentreOff the HookSquid SistersHeld in Montreux, Switzerland, as part of the Splatoon 2 European Championship.April 28, 2018Niconico Chokaigi 2018HaikaliveJapanMakuhari MesseOff the HookSquid SistersPremiered the song “Nasty Majesty” from the Octo Expansion DLC.January 26, 2019Niconico Tokaigi 2019TentaliveJapanMakuhari MesseOff the HookMarketed as Off the Hook’s first solo concert, later released internationally on YouTube and Blu-ray.October 13–14, 2019Nintendo Live 2019Haikalive Kyoto MixJapanKyoto International Conference CenterOff the HookSquid SistersA large-scale event in Kyoto featuring Off the Hook and a guest appearance by K.K. Slider from Animal Crossing. Splatoon 3 (2022–present) DateEventTitleCountryVenuePerformer(s)NotesOctober 8–9, 2022Nintendo Live 2022BankaliveJapanTokyo Big SightDeep CutSquid SistersIntroduced Deep Cut as the featured idol group ahead of the Splatoon 3 release.February 10, 2024Nintendo Live 2024Bankalive GouJapanOta City General GymnasiumDeep CutOff the HookOriginally scheduled for January in Tokyo but canceled due to security threats. A pre-recorded concert was streamed on February 10, 2024, alongside a performance from The Legend of Zelda orchestral concert.
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