Ongaku Overdrive, based out of Orlando, Florida, was founded by Kent Ward in 2013 to bring video game bands, nerdcore hip hop, chiptune, and geek rock, otherwise known as “nerd music,” to fans of video games, anime, and other nerdy pop culture. The landscape for nerd music in Orlando has changed quite a bit since then, and Ongaku Overdrive has grown to be the #1 promotion for nerd music in central Florida.

Events

Ongaku Overdrive has presented over twenty events. Each fall, we have a big video game event focused on a specific franchise with music, games, artists, vendors, cosplay, and even themed drinks! In 2017, we held Mega Mania to celebrate Mega Man and in 2018, we had Power, Wisdom, and Courage for The Legend of Zelda. On November 9th, 2019, we will celebrate Final Fantasy for Warriors of Light!

For four years straight, Ongaku Overdrive has presented a showcase of Orlando’s best nerd music with Orlando Overdrive. The 2018 incarnation of this event added an independent game showcase and made it to the finals of Orlando Weekly’s Best of Orlando for Best Local Music Festival or Music Series. Orlando Overdrive will return in Spring 2020.

Past Ongaku Overdrive Performers

Musical acts we have showcased include Mega Ran, Bit Brigade, Schaffer the Darklord, The Megas, Professor Shyguy, Master Sword, LEX the Lexicon Artist, Random Encounter, EyeQ, Marc with a C, Danimal Cannon, Open Mike Eagle, Super Guitar Bros, None Like Joshua, Sci-Fried, Richie Branson, Armcannon, Ben Briggs, Kadeshflow, and many more.

We look forward to working with many more amazing acts in the future and bringing fans more unforgettable events.

Game Streams

On the OngakuOverdrive Twitch channel we stream events and games. We currently stream video games on Wednesday nights from 9:00PM-11:00PM EST. There’s something different each week. Sometimes we even have special guests from the nerd music community join us.

What Does “Ongaku” Mean Anyways?

Ongaku (音楽) is the Japanese word for music, which is what our events celebrate the most. We have roots in anime fan culture, and to emphasize that, Overdrive is a reference to the Hamon martial arts attacks in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.